Chapter 28: The Appearance of the Sharingan

"I don't get it. I don't get it at all!" Griselda exasperatedly stated as she glanced her other three companions. "I thought she was planning to lose?"

Lucas let out a tired sigh. Even he himself had no idea what Tenten had in mind anymore.

"I guess… She has other plans?" Mifuyu answered unsurely.

"I know I already asked this but… Why is she using water and earth techniques instead of wind techniques? Since her opponent's main strength is speed, shouldn't the use of wind techniques be wiser since they're faster and they have greater reach?" Yue inquired, his arms folded on his chest.

"For one, using earth and water to create mud was smart because it greatly slowed down the opponent. Another guess I have is that she chose earth and water jutsus because those two are the most common combinations a ninja can possess in terms of affinity. I suppose she doesn't want to stand out." Lucas paused. "Just imagine what would happen if she used both wind and fire techniques, two well-known affinities of Uchiha clan members. Even lightning, a very rare affinity along with wind, would definitely get her attention especially from Konoha's Copy Ninja. Or even more absurd, water and fire techniques. Two completely opposite affinities. Wind and Earth aren't that common either since they too are opposites. My theory is that she's being cautious. Standing out at this point in time will be very crucial for her." Lucas ended with a nod.

"Then, why won't she just stick to using wind techniques then?" Yue pushed on.

"Have you completely forgotten one of the most common abilities of a Jounin, blockhead?" Griselda answered irritated. "One should be able to at least have two or more nature manipulation abilities. If Tenten-sama doesn't show off a few moves, she won't get promoted to the Jounin rank!"

Yue gave a silent 'oh' and decided to sit quietly on his seat.

"At first, I seriously thought Tenten-sama would lose on purpose in this match. But now, I really don't know anymore. I don't know what she's planning but I do hope that whatever it is, it'll be for the better." Mifuyu anxiously said as she clasped her hands in a prayer.

Lee looked at Tenten slightly annoyed at her words. "You say it as if escaping my Reverse Lotus was so easy."

Tenten dusted herself off and replied nonchalantly without even looking at Lee. "Yeah. I guess you can say that."

Lee's eyes grew big in shock. Tenten definitely wasn't one to brag or taunt or mock or anything. This was definitely a whole new side of her.

Neji raised his eyebrow in interest.

"What does she think she's doing?" Kiba asked irritated. "I mean, how in the world can she mock him after what he just showed us?"

Shino narrowed his eyes at Tenten. He didn't get it either.

Sasuke folded his arms on his chest as he gave Tenten a scrutinizing look. Just what the hell was this woman up to this time?

Lee clenched his fists into balls. "You take that back! That move was taught to me by none other than Gai-sensei! Insulting it is like insulting Gai-sensei himself!"

Tenten glanced at Lee and gave him a tired look as she waved her right hand in a dismissing manner. "Alright. Alright. I'm sorry."

Lee couldn't believe what he was seeing or hearing. It was like the Tenten in front of him was a whole new person.

"Who are you?" Lee couldn't help but ask.

Tenten smirked. "I… am the victor of this match."

The spectators of the match were silent as they watched Rock Lee's slightly pale face turn into a flaming red one.

"She's adding insult to injury." Shino coolly stated.

"She's seriously pissing me off right now!" Kiba raised a fist at Tenten's figure.

"She's doing it on purpose."

Shino and Kiba glanced at the owner of the voice.

"She's angering him on purpose."

Kiba raised an inquiring eyebrow. "And how can you be so sure, Sasuke?"

Shino remained silent, eying the Uchiha avenger with curiosity.

Sasuke simply ignored the two and kept his attention on the battle field.

"This isn't like Tenten." Gai whispered.

Kakashi glanced at his self-proclaimed eternal rival. He knew he had no say in the matter since he hardly knew the girl. But when he sparred with her the other day, he was sure she would tease him every once in a while but nothing too grave. But then again, her fighting him, a Jounin and a senior, was very different from her fighting Rock Lee, someone her own rank and age. She really didn't seem like the arrogant type but sometimes looks could be deceiving.

"The Tenten I knew was pugnacious and irascible but she was never supercilious." Gai added.

Kakashi gave Gai a surprised look which Gai counteracted with a raised eyebrow.

"What?"

Kakashi scratched the back of his head as he answered.

"I didn't know you had such a wide vocabulary."

Gai fell off his seat only to stand up immediately. "Now is not the time to be making those remarks, Kakashi!"

"What is she doing now?" Griselda asked as she sweat dropped.

"Ruining her reputation?" Yue answered with his hands up in defeat and obliviousness.

"Now I'm sure."

All three pairs of eyes were on the owner of the voice.

"Sure of what?' They chorused.

"Common Lucas, please enlighten us." Yue mocked.

"She's planning to lose." Lucas replied as he folded his arms on his chest and closed his eyes.

"How can you say that?" Mifuyu inquired in doubt.

"It's obvious that those two watermelon peel, father-and-son look-a-likes are very important to Tenten-sama. She would never insult either of them openly. She has an ulterior motive." Lucas added.

"So… What you're saying is, she plans to get the green dude angry, make him go all out on her; then she would make everyone believe that she's going all out too, and then the match ends with her losing?" Griselda summarized.

"More or less." Lucas nodded.

"If she was planning to lose then why didn't she just let herself lose when Rock Lee did his Reverse Lotus on her? That was a perfect way to end the match." Mifuyu stated confused.

"That would indeed convince many. But not all." Lucas replied. "The Uchiha Avenger, The Byakugan Prodigy, The Taijutsu Watermelon Peel Senior and the Copy Ninja are a few of those who won't believe her loss. The most pressing of all of them would be with the Uchiha." Lucas paused to narrow his eyes at the Uchiha avenger. "He watches Tenten-sama's every move – analyzing them, seeing any form of intentional faults. He's like a hawk eyeing its prey. One wrong move and it's over for her."

Mifuyu nodded in understanding.

All four directed their eyes back to the battle field. Rock Lee seemed to be shouting something at the top of his lungs.

"You're going to regret that!"

Lee got into his fighting stance once more and Tenten got into hers as well.

Lee charged at her almost immediately. Even though he used up most of his chakra, he seemed to be even faster than before. Anger was his fuel, driving him to do better.

Tenten slightly smirked. Finally, he wasn't holding back anymore. Tenten tried her best to keep up with Lee. So far, not a single one of his hits landed on her. But as the match went on, Lee just kept on getting faster and faster.

Kakashi watched the battle intently. He narrowed her eyes at Tenten's exhausted form. Just what exactly was she planning?

So far, Kakashi has only known of one ninja bold enough to mock an opponent ten, twenty, or even a hundred times much more skilled than him – Naruto. It wasn't that the difference between Lee and Tenten's skills were too far apart. It was just that Lee's stamina and presence in battle were slightly better than Tenten's, or at least, so he thought.

Kakashi shook his head. No, saying that Lee was better than Tenten would be too rash. He knew and he bet he's not the only one who felt that Tenten still wasn't releasing her full potential. As for whether she would release it or not, he wasn't sure as well. There was just something mysterious about her.

"Gai."

"What is it?"

"Did the Godaime ever explain to you the reason why Tenten left Konoha and why the fifth took her back just like that?"

Kakashi was looking at Gai intently. His gaze was scrutinizing and intimidating. His Sharingan did nothing to soften his heavy gaze.

Gai shook his head. He really had no idea what happened to Tenten for the past three years. She disappeared without a reason, without an explanation and she came back in the exact same way as well.

"Did you not even bother to ask her at all about anything?" Kakashi pushed on. There really was something off. Tenten was hiding something. That much Kakashi knew. But what it was she was hiding, he had absolutely no clue.

Gai glanced back to the arena only to see Lee and Tenten still engrossed in a Taijutsu-dominated battle.

"I wanted to ask her. I really did. I wanted to know everything that happened to her for the past three years. How did she train? Was she lonely? What were the things that she did? Did she ever think about Konoha while she was away?" Gai paused to glance at Kakashi who was looking at him as well.

"And better yet… Did she find herself a boyfriend?"

Kakashi sweat dropped at this as Gai glanced back towards his two students.

"I had all those questions in my head and more. I was itching to ask her all sorts of things but I knew I shouldn't. I realized, if she wanted me to know, she would tell me. I don't want to burden her by forcing her or by showing to her that I seek an explanation for those three years she's been gone. The least I can do as her former sensei is to let her know she still has a home to comeback to."

Gai paused and smiled before he glanced at Kakashi once more. "I figured in the right time, when she's ready, she would eventually explain everything."

Kakashi simply nodded his reply. It seems even Gai could grow up as well.

Directing his gaze back to the battle, Kakashi watched as both Tenten and Lee were sent flying backwards after a simultaneous blow. Since they're more or less equal in speed and taijutsu skills, the winner of this match would be the one with more stamina.

Tenten cart wheeled backwards and so did Lee. Tenten regained her balance and began to form hand seals.

Lee's eyes narrowed as he charged towards her at full speed. "There's no way I'd make you finish!"

Before Tenten could finish forming the needed seals, Lee managed to land a punch on her face which sent her flying a couple of meters backwards. Her body twisted painfully before her back finally hit the cold stone divider.

Lee was panting as he glanced at Tenten's crumpled form on the floor. He felt a pang of hurt in his heart.

"Aren't they going a bit too overboard?" Kiba asked as he glanced at Shino.

Shino looked at Tenten's form on the ground. "Maybe they both finally realized that this battle will never end if they both keep holding back."

Kiba glanced back at the two teammates fighting ruthlessly on the battle field as he whispered to himself.

"Yeah but, isn't this a little too much? That punch was seriously strong."

This earned him a soft squeak from Akamaru.

"I wonder if she's gonna be alright." Kiba added as he glanced at Akamaru. However, he immediately brought his attention back when he saw Akamaru bark loudly towards the arena.

"What is-?"

Kiba's question was cut short when he saw a pile of mud on the ground where Tenten's body once lay.

"What the-?"

"Looks like this match still isn't over." Shino uttered with a bit of surprise and shock.

Sasuke narrowed his eyes. So far, everything that Tenten's shown to them was mediocre. Her speed was first class but she hasn't shown any techniques that were out of the ordinary. Her taijutsu was also impressive but aside from that, there was nothing else. A handful of ninjas were capable of doing what she's done.

Sasuke watched as Tenten's form disintegrated into mud. Was there really something more to her? Or was he just overanalyzing?

Lee's eyes widened as he watched Tenten's form slowly melt into mud. He immediately heightened his defenses.

Feeling the mud beneath his feet move, Lee immediately cart wheeled towards the portion of the arena which wasn't covered by mud yet.

Lee's eyes widened along with the spectators of the match as the real Tenten slowly appeared from the middle of the mud pile. Waves emitted out into the mud from where she stood. As she slowly rose out, she began to form hand seals.

Lee got into his stance once more.

Kakashi narrowed his eyes. "Creating her own water source, combining both earth and water to create mud, and then performing techniques using both affinities… A crazy amount of chakra is needed for all those."

Kakashi watched as Tenten finished her hand seals. He had no idea what technique it was since rarely ever joined his affinities. It required too much chakra and he only had so little. "Just how much chakra does that girl have on her?"

Kakashi's thoughts were cut short and his eyes widened when he heard Tenten state the name of the technique.

"Doton Doryuudan (Earth Dragon Missile)!"

Before Lee knew it, a giant mud dragon appeared on Tenten's left. Opening its mouth, countless mud missiles were flung directed at Lee.

Lee moved as fast as he could to avoid the earth missiles, annoyed that the dragon's face would follow him wherever he went.

"That's…" Gai was in disbelief.

"Another one of the third Hokage's favorite techniques." Kakashi paused. "First Doton Doryuu Taiga (Earth Flow River) is used to create a mud source. Then Doryuudan (Earth Dragon Missile) would follow as an offensive move."

Gai looked at Kakashi. "But both of those techniques are-"

"B in rank. I know."

Gai directed his attention back at the battle field and watched as Lee desperately tried to avoid the missiles.

"Well, if she wants to be promoted into the Jounin rank, she has to at least possess a few Jounin skills, right?" Gai reassured.

Kakashi simply nodded.

"She must have worked really hard to learn them!" Gai added with a hint of pride in his voice.

Kakashi could only sigh. Those skills weren't something you can learn just by working hard. Kakashi gave Tenten's form another scrutinizing look. If his theory was right, after Doton Doryuu Taiga and Doryuudan, there was one more left. Doton Karyuudan (Earth Release: Fire Dragon Missile). If she performs the last, she'll no doubt be promoted to Jounin whether she wins or loses. But in order to perform that technique, she needed to have an affinity for fire as well.

Kakashi narrowed his eyes. So does she?

"She's using an insane amount of chakra."Griselda whispered in disbelief.

"She'll be drained after this." Yue added.

"If she keeps this up, she'll be drained right then and there." Mifuyu anxiously uttered.

"It seems we were wrong." Lucas whispered to himself. "It seems she's not just planning on losing."

"Please elaborate." Yue replied exasperatedly as he slumped on his chair and massaged his temples.

"Winning or losing a match isn't the basis for being promoted up a rank. It's the skills you possess that decide on that matter. Even if Tenten-sama loses, if she is able to showcase extraordinary skills that only Jounin ranked ninjas are capable of, there is a huge possibility that she can be promoted."

All four had their eyes on the battle field.

"So she's trying to hit two birds with one stone?" Yue said incredulously.

"Well said." Lucas replied.

"But if she doesn't be careful, her blood limits…" Mifuyu stated as she worriedly glanced at Tenten's figure in the middle of the mud patch.

"That's exactly what I'm worried of." Griselda added.

"She's suppressing them."

All eyes were on Lucas once more.

"She's doing a good job so far. But she's exhausted. She's pushing herself to the limit. By using high rank techniques, she drains her chakra. Her opponent, the taijutsu expert, drains her stamina remarkably. Planning and strategizing drains her mentally. And suppressing her blood limits drains her in all three aspects. It won't be long before the inevitable happens."

"And by inevitable, you mean?" Griselda asked.

"It can either be one of two things. One, she'll fail to suppress her abilities. Or two, she loses the fight by losing consciousness."

"No way." Yue whispered.

"I'm sure she's betting on the latter." Lucas concluded. "And I hope that will be the case."

Lee did another cart wheel to his right for the umpteenth time. He clicked his tongue in annoyance. He couldn't go on evading forever.

Tenten took out two small scrolls and placed them on the mud.

Kakashi narrowed his eyes at this. What was she planning this time?

Tenten began forming hand seals once more as the two scrolls slowly disappeared into the mud.

"Doton! Soushouryuu. (Earth Twin Rising Dragons)!"

"What?!" Gai yelled incredulously as he stood up from his seat. "She's made her Soushouryuu into an earth technique?"

Lee stood in awe as he watched the dragon's head on Tenten's right rise up into the air, turning itself into a serpent-like creature. An identical figure shot up from Tenten's left as well.

Tenten gritted her teeth as she fought the lightheadedness. She needed to concentrate her chakra on the two mud dragons.

"Get ready Lee." Tenten warned as she formed a single hand seal. "Here it comes."

Lee watched as the dragons opened their mouths and fired mud missiles at him. Hidden within the mud missiles were countless kunais, shurikens and other pointed objects Tenten was so obsessed about.

"Damn it!" Lee barely escaped one. "That was close-" Lee's thoughts were cut short when he saw a kunai with an explosive note embedded on the ground as the mud melted away.

Spectators watched in shock as numerous explosions occurred within the arena. Smoke, dust, pieces of broken rocks and mud were everywhere.

Gai stood from his seat speechless.

Kakashi watched on, still unsure who had the upper hand in the battle.

"This is insane…" Kiba whispered as he clutched the steel rails in front of him. His eyes were wide with disbelief.

Shino was in silent shock.

Even Sasuke's indifference shattered. He was looking on at the arena with slight desperation.

Sasuke glanced over at Kakashi only to see the copy ninja looking incredibly surprised.

Sasuke narrowed his eyes at Kakashi trying to decipher what his expression meant when all of a sudden, he saw Kakashi sigh before moving further back into the aisle. Sasuke closed his eyes and exhaled slowly. It wasn't over yet.

"S-Such an insane amount of chakra." Shino whispered in disbelief. "Who would have thought that that person…"

"This battle is far from over." Sasuke concluded.

Neji's eyes were wide in shock. Who would have thought that person was capable of such a thing?

When the smoke and dust cleared, the spectators roared and cheered in surprise.

"Hachimon Tonko no Jin (Eight Gates Released Formation)!" Lee shouted. His skin was burnt red once more and veins adorned his entire body and face.

Gai fell back on his seat slowly. "Lee…"

"Is it alright for him to use that technique twice? Especially with his body in that state." Kakashi glanced at Gai's still shocked form.

"This is the end Tenten!" Lee shouted but stopped himself from charging.

There, right in front of him was Tenten with her feet still burried in the mud and her eyes closed.

"Why is she closing her eyes?" Griselda whispered in silent panic.

Lucas's nonchalant demeanor was finally broken. His eyes were wide and his hands were balled into fists. He looked like he was ready to storm in the middle of the fight to stop it. "It can't be."

"Her eyes!" Mifuyu exclaimed as she threw her hands on her mouth.

Tenten kept her eyes closed in grave concentration. She knew it was out. Her Sharingan was out.