SUMMARY: Let the fights begin.
There is clearly something wrong with the Uchiha.
He is not using Genjutsu or Ninjutsu which would undoubtedly give him an edge over his opponents.
Something is up.
Both Ninjutsu and Genjustu require moulding chakra so Tenten concludes it must have something to do with that.
That or he is being humble and letting the other Nin show off.
Tenten snorts.
Clearly, his chakra coils are being disrupted.
He doesn't seem like he's suffering from Chakra exhaustion so that gets rid of that option.
From the way he's fighting though, Tenten thinks it might be a seal.
She makes eye contact with Re.
While they are nowhere near a seal master's level when it comes to making seals, destroying them is infinitely easier.
If it damages the maker in the process - they don't really care.
They boy clearly didn't want the seal and they have no sympathy for the one who made it.
Actually, it sort of depends on what it does.
Tenten can't let herself go too far.
First, she and Re need to study the seal.
And the Uchiha's probably not going to come willingly.
Tenten grins and Lee and Neji edge away.
The last time she smiled like that, they were targets.
And Tenten has 100/100 accuracy.
Whatever she's planning, they are going to stay far, far away. Preferably on the other side of Konoha. Outside would be better.
Pity the Uchiha doesn't have the same option.
Indeed as he pulls off a new trick that leaves Lee looking intrigued, Tenten watches him.
Like a predator.
Re looks up.
Her stalker/ potential friend (honestly, what's wrong with her?) is fighting Abumi Zaku.
Should she cheer him on?
She's not really sure.
Re shrugs and chooses not to do anything.
She does cheer when Bug manages to knock Zaku out.
Quietly.
She doesn't really like attention she didn't ask for.
And she's meant to be keeping a low profile.
She thinks he notices though.
If he doesn't, oh well.
She doesn't need hundreds of friends.
But what if he starts stalking her again?
Great.
She really didn't think that one through.
She'll deal with it later.
(Later is preferably not anytime soon.)
All seven participants of the 'Meditation Club' straighten up when it becomes Kankuro's turn.
They aren't flaunting their friendship but they aren't hiding it either.
It isn't their fault if people can't see it.
They are just 'improving inter-village relations'.
No need to thank them.
Also, the Shinobi - Tsurugi Misumi - is from Konoha so it is easy to misinterpret their interest.
None of them values Konoha more than Kankuro though.
It is such an easy choice it is almost ridiculous.
Even Lee has transferred his need to 'protect Konoha' to a need to 'protect friends'.
Ru and Re briefly feel guilty but it's not like they made anyone do anything.
And don't they say what makes a village is its people?
Forgive them if they are not particularly fond of all the citizens.
More than that, they simply don't care about them.
They are not going to go out of their way to help or hinder them.
Speaking of hindering, they wonder when Misumi is finally going to realise he isn't bothering Kankuro at all.
He is fighting a puppet.
Said puppet knocks Misumi out.
As far as wins go, it is a pretty clear and clean one.
Quick, efficient, powerful.
Clearly, Kankuro gets the importance of cultivating an image.
Or rather, he literally can't be bothered to drag out the fight for too long.
None of the other seven blame him.
He got the job done, after all.
No one can argue with that.
Sakura is fighting Yamanka Ino next.
They don't know much about Ino - didn't pay much attention to her but she is Yamanaka.
Yamanaka's are well known for their techniques.
Ra curses.
She doesn't want anyone in her head.
They're not exactly on the 'right side' of Konoha now.
Re and Tenten are sure to know some privacy if memory seals but she doesn't really want to bother them.
They are already preoccupied with the glimpse they caught of Duck's seal.
Ra's not going to get involved.
Plausible deniability is great.
Also, they're both kind of mad and she doesn't want to be there when the fireworks start.
(She actually does. It would be interesting...)
But what is she going to do?
Well, there's not time like the present to find out if she has the mental fortitude to deal with a Yamanaka.
At least, she's a Yamanaka in training.
The thought is somewhat comforting.
Still not great but it's better than nothing.
She already knows she can't win.
A clanless child outmanoeuvring a clan heir?
They would scream sabotage.
Ra really doesn't need anyone on her tail.
So she has to lose, forfeit or manage a draw.
Forfeiting would just make the girl angry at her and, again, she doesn't fancy being an enemy of a future clan head.
So losing or drawing.
It has to be believable, either way.
She was near the middle in the class so she's not incompetent.
And she doesn't want to let her Sensei down like that.
They start with a Taijutsu battle.
As Sakura dodges and parries Ino's kicks and blows, she wonders if there is a way to keep the other girl out of her head...
Or at least to know what she can see.
How exactly does the technique work?
Ra thinks it might be a variation of Genjutsu.
She can work with that.
She hopes because Ino has stopped attacking and...
Ra recognises those hand-signs.
It's time to see if her theory holds true.
She can sense another presence in her mind - but it is only trying to control her.
Ra is almost giddy in relief.
It isn't unreasonable for her to lose this way and Ino doesn't see anything.
Provided the other girl doesn't get a little curious -
She does.
- she is safe.
She has to get the other girl out of her head right now!
The pressure she was feeling suddenly lifts and as Ino catches her eyes, she knows the girl has seen something.
Angry now, Sakura moves to punch the other girl.
She smiles fleetingly as the other girl mirrors her and they are both knocked out.
At least she managed to stick to the plan.
Now, all she has to do is make a new one and figure out what Ino knows.
Hopefully, it's nothing too incriminating.
Maybe.
Maybe not.
"Temari VS Tenten!"