Hayate cleared his throat, his voice ringing through the arena. "Second match… begin!"
From the rail, Hinata gripped the bar. "Shino… he'll be all right, won't he?"
Mamoru said, crouching again, "Most people hate fighting him. Those bugs are nasty. Relax, he's got this."
"Mm…" Hinata nodded, still staring, worry pale on her face.
Instead of rushing in, both ninjas exchanged the customary pre-battle words.
Knowing the outcome, Mamoru looked away, he didn't need his trypophobia triggered by swarming insects.
He glanced at Tenten, who was scribbling furiously. Sweat dotted her brow as she inked complex seals across the scroll.
He teased, "Hurry. Finish before they call you."
She snapped, pen racing, "I'm drawing as fast as I can. Stop talking, you're breaking my focus."
As expected, the second duel ended quickly. Shino returned, hands in pockets, calm, lenses flashing coldly under the lights.
"Sh-Shino, welcome back." Hinata breathed, relief bright in her eyes.
Mamoru looked up. "Huh? Over already?"
"Mm." Shino adjusted his glasses. "I'm looking forward to your turn."
He moved to the rail, unruffled.
Mamoru hid a grin.
Victory secured, time for some cool-kid poise.
"Any injuries? Want me to patch you up?" He asked mischievously.
A pause behind the shades. "No. Your match is soon, don't waste Chakra on me."
"Fair." Mamoru let it drop.
When the board still showed no sign of his name, he kept helping Tenten, until Yamanaka Ino VS Haruno Sakura flashed up and the stands buzzed.
Thanks to Mamoru's presence, the two hadn't become rivals this time. They still traded barbs, but the edge was gone. The moment they were paired, the contest began in the aisle itself, elbows jostling as they hurried, until Ino paused beside Mamoru.
Feeling her gaze, he looked up. Ino hesitated, cheeks pink.
He blinked, then grinned. "Ino, go for it."
Fire lit her eyes. "Right!"
Ino dashed after Sakura, blond ponytail flying.
Center-stage, they faced off, sparks already crackling.
"Quite the heart-throb, aren't you?" Tenten muttered, catching that grin, a faint sour note in her voice.
Mamoru chose prudence. "Let me check if it's done."
"Ugh... changing the subject. So annoying."
Mamoru only chuckled.
Pen scratched scroll as she bent back to work.
Soon…
"Done!" Tenten exclaimed, flexing cramped fingers.
"Let's see…" Mamoru studied the seals, frowning. "Should work… maybe?"
"My wrist's on fire." She complained, shaking it.
"Want a massage?" He waggled his brows, reaching.
"No!" Tenten yanked her hand back, face red.
Mamoru shrugged and kept inspecting the arcane symbols.
"How do you even dream up a jutsu like this?" Tenten asked, flexing stiff fingers.
"Because ordinary people can't, that's why they ask." Mamoru shrugged.
"Who're you calling ordinary?" Tenten huffed.
"Well, you finished my assignment, so you're at least useful."
"Jerk!" She swung at him.
"Easy." He caught her hand, turning serious. "Let's test it."
"Mm." Tenten nodded, cheeks still flushed.
Mamoru stood, eyes closing. When they opened, they were pale blue.
A quick hand seal and—
Bang!
A Shadow Clone appeared beside him.
Nearby stands turned to look.
From Team 10, Shikamaru sighed. "What's that guy up to now?"
Asuma exhaled smoke. "Trouble, as usual."
Team 7
Naruto craned his neck. "What's Mamoru doing?"
"Who knows?" Sasuke muttered, arms folded, gaze sliding over all the same.
Kakashi stood impassive he'd heard talk of a new jutsu. Testing it mid-exam... this kid's something else.
"Ready?" Mamoru asked.
"Yes." Tenten knelt by the scroll, focused.
Mamoru's Shadow Clone struck a haughty pose opposite her.
"Starting!"
Tenten flashed through six quick seals, slapped the scroll, and shouted, "Seal!"
Nothing.
Then the clone dissolved into streams of Chakra that poured into the parchment. The symbols rearranged around a bold numeral '6'.
Seconds later Tenten threw her hands up. "It worked!"
Team 8 stared, stunned.
Kurenai guessed the jutsu's purpose and silently pitied the other examinees.
"Idiot, matches are still running." Mamoru lightly cuffed her head.
Noticing the stares, Tenten winced. "Sorry…"
Confirming his Space-Time Ninjutsu a success, Mamoru relaxed and looked back to the field.
Below, Ino and Sakura stood gasping, clothes torn, hair wild, barely upright—ready to drop in unison.
Frankly, among the remaining Genin, their current strength was below average and their taijutsu showed clear neglect of training.
Ino's clan secret jutsu, Mind Body Switch Technique, is inherently support-oriented. In a solo match without teammates it's almost impossible to show its true worth.
As for Sakura, aside from decent theoretical knowledge and Chakra control, she has no outstanding talent or advantage.
In the end, after the two exhausted their last strength in a final clash, neither could stand again.
This grueling draw had no victor, yet crowned their growth. They had not lost to each other, but together surpassed their past selves.
Kakashi and Asuma each leapt into the arena, came to their team members, gently lifted the girls, and carried them back to the stands, setting them softly against the wall.
A crowd of friends at once pressed forward to check on them, but Kakashi raised a hand and quietly stopped them. He signaled everyone to keep silent, the two exhausted girls needed undisturbed rest.
Mamoru merely stood a little way off, quietly watching, he had no intention of joining the fuss. Enough people already cared. Besides, he knew exactly what the two needed most right now—space without interruption.
At that moment the electronic board flashed again, revealing the next match-up: Tenten vs Temari.
Mamoru turned to Tenten beside him. "See? You made it in time."
"In the bag." Tenten clenched her fist, brimming with confidence.
"In what bag?" Mamoru poured cold water without mercy. "If I hadn't pushed you, you'd have been shut down completely by that woman's Wind Release."
"No way..." Tenten instinctively retorted, though her tone lacked conviction.
"Didn't I tell you before?" Mamoru repeated. "Your tactic of summoning ninja tools is most weak against Wind Release and she happens to be a Wind Release expert."
"I think... the reality isn't as bad as you imagine?" Tenten tried to argue.
"Won't turn back till you hit the wall, huh?" Mamoru sighed.
"People only truly remember a lesson after they've suffered for it."
Tenten gave an indignant snort, spun around, and strode down the steps to the arena, leaving him a stubborn, fighting back.
Both contestants took their positions and walked to the center of the field.
Tenten's face shone with confidence, her eyes focused.
Temari stood with one hand on her hip, relaxed, looking her opponent up and down with appraising eyes, clearly at ease.
"Go for it, Tenten!"
"Show your youth, Tenten!"
"Charge, Tenten! Youthful passion must not be wasted!"
From the stands came piercing shouts—no need to look to know it was Guy and Lee, the ever-enthusiastic teacher-student duo.