Chiba followed Tenten to the back of the ninja tool shop.
Once again, he gained a clear understanding of just how absurdly wealthy Tenten was.
Behind the ninja tool shop lay an extremely spacious training ground.
According to Tenten, some customers wanted to test the quality of the ninja tools.
This place provided them with a convenient space to do just that.
It was also one of the reasons the shop did such good business.
"Are you really sure you want to spar with me?"
Tenten asked again:
"I specialize in ninja tool ninjutsu. One careless move, and I could hurt you."
Her words showed that, deep down, Tenten was a very kind girl.
Of course, with her current strength, hurting Chiba would be quite difficult.
"Don't worry. I'm very confident in my abilities!"
This sparring match would serve as a warm-up before his mission.
The two stood facing each other, bowed, and officially began their match!
Hidden Weapon Barrage!
The moment Tenten entered combat, she seemed to become an entirely different person.
Her expression turned serious, giving her a rather valiant air.
She was one of the few members of the Konoha 12 who understood Space-Time Ninjutsu.
She carried vast quantities of ninja tools with her, and in Chiba's memories,
anyone who fought Tenten was practically buried alive under her wealth.
Ninja tools of every kind filled the air, cutting off every route of retreat Chiba had!
Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!
Chiba's hand seal speed had already reached the level of a Jonin.
Since he currently lacked neither chakra nor a variety of ninjutsu, all he needed to do was practice forming hand seals faster.
That speed would greatly improve both his combat strength and his chances of survival.
A fierce gale blasted from his mouth, howling toward the incoming ninja tools.
In an instant, countless weapons collided, filling the air with the clang of metal.
At the sight, Tenten's face immediately paled.
The ninjutsu she took pride in had been broken in an instant.
A bad feeling was already rising in her heart.
Wind Release: Vacuum Sphere!
Chiba pressed his advantage, refusing to waste the opening while she stood stunned.
Gritting her teeth, Tenten reached behind her and pulled two more scrolls from the pouch at her waist.
"Twin Rising Dragons!"
This ninjutsu was still a little too demanding for her current abilities.
But faced with the incoming vacuum wind bullets, Tenten had no choice but to use it.
The two scrolls flew from her hands, spiraling straight toward Chiba.
In an instant, ninja tools covered the entire field.
Shuriken, kunai, scythes, samurai swords...
Chiba sucked in a breath!
Once again, he marveled at Tenten's extravagant spending.
It truly was indiscriminate saturation!
It was already too late to use Great Breakthrough again.
"Look out!"
Tenten's face went deathly pale. Chiba was still standing right where he was, with no intention of dodging.
After knocking aside some of the ninja tools in front of him, the vacuum wind bullets had little destructive force left.
More ninja tools immediately filled the gaps they had opened!
Under Tenten's frightened gaze, the weapons plunged into Chiba's body all at once.
Clack, clack!
Instead of the expected sound of flesh being pierced, there came the sound of weapons striking wood.
"When did he...?"
It was not Chiba beneath that mass of weapons, but a solid wooden log.
Substitution Technique!
It was practically a divine technique in the early stages, only to disappear without a trace later on.
"You need to focus when you're fighting!"
Tenten's body suddenly went rigid.
Chiba's voice sounded right beside her ear.
"Sorry, I win."
Holding a kunai he had picked up from the ground, he gently pressed it against Tenten's slender, pale neck.
Tenten had never expected to lose so decisively.
She had thought that even if she could not beat him, she would at least be able to hold out for a while.
Yet Chiba had only used two ninjutsu.
The entire fight had lasted no more than a few minutes.
More importantly, while Chiba held her at kunai-point,
his breath kept brushing against her ear as he spoke, giving her a very strange feeling.
"Y-you need to let me go first."
Tenten's face flushed slightly as she murmured.
Seeing her reaction, Chiba realized that teasing her any further would probably go too far, so he promptly withdrew the kunai.
"You won this match."
Tenten took a few steps back, the blush still lingering on her face.
"Go on, then. What condition do you want me to agree to?"
Chiba rested his chin on his right hand, adopting a thoughtful pose.
"Well, I'll have to give that some thought."
He had no intention of letting such a good opportunity slip away.
"I'm warning you, don't go too far!"
Tenten bared her little canine teeth and threatened him:
"O-otherwise..."
She thought for a long time but could not come up with any consequences.
It seemed she really could not beat Chiba.
At that thought, Tenten's face fell, and she could only wait for Chiba to state his demand.
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