"He's fine. They've taken him to the hospital. He'll be okay in a couple of days."
"I see." After being teammates for months, it was only natural to be concerned.
The electronic screen flickered, names flashing by before suddenly stopping.
*Temari vs. Tenten!*
The main event of this year's Chunin Exam was the showdown between the Sand and Konoha ninja, and the rivalry was already flaring up in these preliminary matches.
"My turn!" Temari smiled confidently. She pulled the Three-Moon Fan from her back, opened it, and crouched on its surface. As if riding a paper airplane, she glided across the arena and landed gracefully in the center.
"She really loves making a stylish entrance! I like it!" Daigan said shamelessly, completely ignoring the strange looks from the other Sand Ninja.
*When it comes to showing off and causing trouble, who can compare to you?*
On the other side, Rock Lee was shouting encouragement for his teammate. "Go, Tenten! Show those Sand Ninja the power of the Will of Fire!"
"You're so loud!" Tenten shot an annoyed glance at her thick-eyebrowed companion before leaping into the air, flipping, and landing opposite Temari.
***
Tenten's skills were already quite good; for a Genin, she was a capable fighter.
However, her fighting style was limited by its over-reliance on ninja tools.
She excelled at mid-to-long-range suppressive fire, a skill perfect for the battlefield, but it didn't necessarily give her an advantage in a one-on-one duel.
"Daigan, aren't you going to cheer for Temari?" Chi asked in a low voice.
"The winner is obvious. I don't see the point."
"You have that much faith in her?" Chi said with a smile. "Even if victory is certain, there's nothing wrong with a little moral support."
"Hmm... you have a point." Daigan thought for a moment, then raised a fist and yelled down at the arena, "Go, Temari! Hurry up and beat her 'til she pisses herself! Show them what you've got!"
Instantly, all eyes in the arena turned toward him.
"What, did I say something wrong again?"
"That was too crude," Yome advised kindly, as Chi had already moved away, pretending not to know him. "They're both kunoichi. Could you try to be a little less vulgar?"
In the arena, Temari's face flushed with embarrassment. Tenten glanced at the hollering Daigan, then looked at Temari with a hint of sympathy. "You have it tough, dealing with a guy like that."
"That idiot. I'll make him pay for this later." She had thought Daigan had become a bit more sensible after lying low for a few days, but the moment he opened his mouth, his true nature was exposed.
Nearby, Gekko Hayate offered a gentle reminder. "Hey, you two, you can begin."
"Right!"
Tenten made the first move. She took a scroll from her ninja tool pouch, and upon opening it, a pile of weapons and tools appeared. With nimble hands, she began throwing them at Temari in a continuous stream.
"A barrage of projectiles!"
Temari opened her Three-Moon Fan and held it before her. The kunai and shuriken struck the tough fan surface and were easily swept aside.
"Having a big fan for both offense and defense is pretty nice." Daigan touched the puppet on his shoulder. The small fan on its back was made of ordinary materials, nowhere near as effective as Temari's. He couldn't afford the materials for a fan like that even if he sold everything he owned.
When the weapons from one storage scroll proved useless, Tenten, unfazed, took out another and continued her assault.
But the rain of projectiles was no match for a single swing of Temari's fan.
A powerful gust, infused with Wind Release chakra, whipped up a chaotic airflow that sent the ninja tools flying back. Caught off guard, Tenten's arms were cut by her own weapons and the fine blades of wind.
"Impressive!"
Despite her prolonged attack yielding no results and even getting her lightly injured, Tenten showed no sign of backing down. She took out two more summoning scrolls and began to execute her best technique.
"Ninja Art: Tool Manipulation: Twin Rising Dragons!"
The summoning scrolls shot up like two intertwining dragons as Tenten leaped into the air. Countless weapons rained down from above, completely covering every possible escape route for Temari.
"Is this all you've got?" Temari sneered at the imposing Tenten. "Wind Release: Sickle Weasel Technique."
She fully opened the giant Three-Moon Fan. Once her chakra was gathered, she swung it with immense force. The resulting gale effortlessly repelled Tenten's attack. A storm of wind blades formed, enveloping Tenten and striking her slender body.
The violent onslaught of wind blades lasted for more than ten seconds, drawing pained cries from Tenten. She fell from the sky, only to be caught by the handle of Temari's fan, then carelessly tossed to the ground.
"Another win," Daigan said. "Flashy attacks might look good, but they can't stand up to a single, powerful blow."
"Temari is so strong!" Chi and Yome looked on with envy at the imposing Sand kunoichi who had won so cleanly in front of everyone.
"And you called me crude. Look at Temari—she's not exactly gentle or merciful. That Konoha ninja is a girl, after all. And she threw so many weapons, she must be a rich kid. You should go easy on people, build some goodwill for the future!"
"So sorry I'm not gentle enough for you, Lord Red Sand Dust!"
A sharp, murderous aura suddenly emanated from behind the muttering Daigan.
"Huh? Temari, when did you get back? That was fast!"
"If I hadn't come back quickly, how would I have heard your complaints about me!" Temari grabbed the collar of Daigan's shirt and yanked him forward. "Don't you worry. I'll grant your wish right now and beat you until you piss yourself!"
-----
Read up to 20 advanced chapters on my P@treon.
[email protected]/fanfictionsimp