After the Ninjutsu Shop Owner left, Xia Mu walked up to Tenten: "Have you tested the Shuriken?"
Tenten shook her head: "I just got them and was about to test them when you arrived."
Xia Mu nodded and said to Shino: "Shino, use a Shadow Clone to test it."
Without a second word, Shino raised his hand, and a swarm of insects flew out, scaring Tenten directly behind Xia Mu. However, the swarm quickly gathered into a human shape, finally transforming into Shino's appearance.
Xia Mu comforted her, saying, "Don't be afraid. The Aburame Clan excels at Insect Ninjutsu. Shino is a strong and trustworthy partner."
Tenten looked at Shino curiously, and she wasn't as scared anymore.
Seeing Shino's insect clone gesture for her to attack, she raised a Poison Shuriken and threw it out.
The insect clone raised a Kunai to block, but with a 'bang', the Poison Shuriken exploded, and the insect clone was submerged in the poison.
Afterwards, Tenten threw out several Steel Wire Shuriken, accurately embedding them around the insect clone.
With the mechanism automatically activated, steel wires quickly shot out, successfully hooking the insect clone's clothes.
"Just as I expected, these two types of Shuriken are very suitable for sneak attacks and restraint.
From now on, they will be my exclusive Ninja Tools."
Tenten was clearly very satisfied, a smile on her face.
Shino recalled his insect clone and commented, "The design of these two types of Shuriken is indeed ingenious.
When the enemy is unaware, they can produce miraculous results."
"Tenten's throwing technique is also excellent, especially the control of the Steel Wire Shuriken, which is very precise.
Basically, every steel wire that shot out was not wasted."
Upon hearing this, Tenten put her hands on her hips, the little girl's pride fully displayed: "Hmph, hmph, I wouldn't dare say anything else, but Ninja Tool throwing is my specialty!"
Xia Mu followed up with praise: "Yes, yes, our Tenten is a Ninja Tool master!"
Who's 'ours' with you!
Tenten blushed slightly, extremely shy.
Xia Mu didn't know what to say for a moment.
After all, this was the first time he had pursued a girl in two lifetimes, and the key was that this girl was so young.
At seven years old, it felt a bit wrong, even if early relationships weren't prohibited in this world, she was still too young.
Fortunately, Shino knew how to assist: "Speaking of which, Tenten, you're in the second grade, right?
Do you know a guy named Neji Hyuga?"
"Hyuga classmate?
He's in my class."
Tenten was very curious, "Why are you suddenly asking about him?
By your tone, it doesn't sound like you have a conflict with Hyuga classmate, right?"
Shino's sunglasses looked towards Xia Mu, as if saying: I've opened the topic for you, it's up to you to handle it.
Xia Mu quickly said, "No conflict, but wasn't there a group fight at school a few days ago?
Our friend, Shino's and mine, was bullied by some second-graders, so we both joined the fight.
Later, we found out that those second-graders were angry because they couldn't beat Neji Hyuga during a sparring session and took it out on passersby, who happened to be our friends."
Upon hearing this, Tenten immediately got angry: "So that's what happened!
Those guys went back to class and kept complaining and acting wronged, but it was their fault all along!
Hmph!
They couldn't beat Hyuga's Gentle Fist themselves, so they went and bullied the younger students, it's truly despicable!"
"Exactly, exactly!
However, their strength is indeed average, they couldn't even beat me and Shino."
"So we wanted to ask, how strong is Neji Hyuga?"
"Hyuga classmate, he's very strong..."
As Tenten spoke, she led the two into the living room and thoughtfully prepared drinks and snacks.
She seemed very happy because friends had rarely visited, and they started chatting about Neji Hyuga.
However, Tenten didn't know much about the Byakugan and Gentle Fist, so she couldn't really explain in detail.
But she had a high evaluation of Neji: aloof, handsome, and strong.
Moreover, Neji's treatment in class was similar to Sasuke's; he was very popular with girls and envied and jealous by boys.
However, compared to Sasuke's arrogance, Neji was truly cold, the reason naturally being the Cage Bird Curse Mark.
As for Tenten, she was different from those girls who only thought about romance; she was mainly envious of Neji.
She envied Neji's strength, envied his powerful inherited Ninjutsu and bloodline, envied his popularity, and so on.
"Actually, my dream is to become a strong female Ninja like Tsunade-sama, but after two years of school, my talent is really quite average.
Only my throwing technique is presentable.
I don't know how to become stronger, sigh."
As Tenten spoke, she couldn't help but sigh.
She was thinking too much for her young age.
Little girls her age usually thought about how to play with friends, how to dress up nicely, or which boy was handsomer, like Sakura and Ino.
But Tenten, after deciding on her dream, had been working hard.
It was just that her talent was limited, and she didn't have a famous teacher to guide her, so her progress was slow, which is why she was so troubled.
Speaking of this, Xia Mu had a lot to say.
He conveniently patted Tenten's shoulder and said, "Tenten, while talent is important, effort is also very important, but choosing the right direction and method is even more important!"
Tenten was a bit stunned: "Direction and method?"
"Yes, let me tell you properly."
Xia Mu sat next to Tenten, looking serious, "First is direction.
You have to first determine your strengths and weaknesses, and then move in the direction of utilizing your strengths and overcoming your weaknesses."
"For example, Lord Jiraiya, who is One of the Sannin along with Tsunade-sama, was a big idiot when he was young.
He couldn't learn any Ninjutsu, not even throwing techniques; he only had one move: the 'Throw All Shuriken Out' technique."
The 'Throw All Shuriken Out' technique?
What is that!
Tenten chuckled, not expecting Lord Jiraiya, One of the Sannin, to be so interesting.
Shino was also surprised: "Xia Mu, is it true that Lord Jiraiya was a big idiot when he was young?"
Xia Mu nodded confidently: "Of course it's true.
You can find out if you ask around.
Lord Jiraiya is Lord Third's disciple.
It is said that back then, Lord Third tried everything but couldn't teach Lord Jiraiya well.
Later, Lord Jiraiya learned the Summoning Technique and accidentally summoned himself to Mount Myōboku, one of the Three Great Sage Regions.
He trained with the Toad Sage and finally returned with powerful strength, proving himself on the battlefield!"
Tenten listened intently.
When she was young, she only heard how amazing and legendary Tsunade was, which is why she wanted to become someone like Tsunade.
She hadn't expected that Lord Jiraiya, who was also One of the Sannin, would have such a legendary story; it was simply a classic example of an idiot's comeback.
Xia Mu is right, it seems I really need to choose the right direction first.
Lord Jiraiya was very fool at first, even Lord Hokage couldn't teach him well, but later he achieved success at Mount Myōboku.
So what about me?
Where is my direction?
And who should I learn from?
Tenten couldn't figure it out for a moment and simply chose to ask Xia Mu: "Xia Mu, what do you think are my strengths and weaknesses?
How should I become stronger?
Good Xia Mu, quickly tell me, and I'll treat you to a feast!"