The Second Girls journey in Naruto

Time flies.

Before anyone knew it, the New Year had arrived once again.

The village was alive with celebration—lanterns and decorations hung everywhere, painting the streets in festive colors. Laughter and chatter filled the air as people prepared for the holiday.

Walking through the bustling streets of Konoha, Sakiya adjusted the sleeves of her elegant red kimono.

The lively atmosphere was contagious, but as she strolled through the cheerful crowd, her mind wandered elsewhere.

She gazed up at the clear blue sky, a hint of melancholy flickering in her eyes.

"Peace… only one year left."

Only Konoha had the luxury of such grand celebrations.

A place where people could live peacefully, too comfortable to think about the struggles beyond their village.

Maybe now she could understand the way the Third Hokage thought.

Having lived in peace for so long, who would willingly let it go?

But peace and comfort… they weaken people.

Over time, that same peace had dulled even the Third Hokage's decisiveness.

Sakiya clenched her fists.

Graduation was approaching, and with it, the reality of becoming a ninja.

Maybe it was the pressure of stepping into that life.

Maybe it was the looming chaos of the coming years.

Either way, she couldn't sit back and wait for things to unfold.

She needed a plan—one that would let her take control of the situation.

Right now, she believed she was among the strongest in the ninja world.

But power alone wasn't enough.

Her combat experience was limited, and there were other things she lacked—information, connections, resources.

Maybe she didn't need to have those things herself.

As long as she made up her mind—

"Then I'll be the one to protect this peace."

Sakiya suddenly pulled off her blindfold, her left eye glowing a deep red. A dazzling formation of light appeared in the air as she threw her hand forward.

"Then! Pan-Dimensional Magician Organization—Death Declaration!"

SMACK!

A sharp thwack echoed through the air as Ino's hand chopped down on Sakiya's head.

DONG.

The dull sound was almost like a wooden bell being struck.

Sakiya clutched her head, tearing up as she looked at Ino.

"That hurts~!" she whined.

But Ino ignored her, instead turning to the startled passersby and giving them an apologetic smile.

"Sorry! My friend is just… playing around."

After quickly smoothing things over, she grabbed Sakiya's wrist and pulled her away from the crowd.

As they walked down the street, Ino strolled happily in her kimono while Sakiya sulked behind her, kicking small stones along the road.

Noticing this, Ino shook her head with an amused smile.

"Sakiya, you're still such a kid."

Sakiya's ears twitched.

She suddenly dashed in front of Ino, blocking her path with an exaggeratedly serious expression.

"Aren't you a kid too?" she shot back.

Ino blinked.

Technically… that was true.

But before she could say anything, Sakiya continued dramatically.

"Ino," she said, turning her back to her friend, "you've changed."

Ino furrowed her brows, confused.

Sakiya stared into the distance as if lost in deep memories.

"Once, you were the First Magician," she said solemnly. "The one who took the oath with the Eye of Death…"

Then, she spun around, eyes blazing.

"Have you forgotten that vow!?"

Ino's eye twitched.

If this had been a normal promise, she might have felt touched.

But unfortunately, she remembered exactly what Sakiya was talking about.

It was from years ago—back when she had been Sakiya's little follower, blindly going along with whatever bizarre ideas she came up with.

She cringed as the memory resurfaced.

A younger Sakiya had been running around, setting up an elaborate ritual.

Strange symbols had been drawn in the dirt. Grains of rice and scattered fruits had been placed around the formation.

Sakiya slowly raised her hand and spoke her oath.

"Lord of darkness, ruler of infinite dimensions, heed my call!"

As she spoke, her eyes snapped open, and her blindfold slipped off.

"I! The Master of the Eye of Death!"

She turned to Ino, expecting a response.

Ino stared at her for a moment, taking in the dramatic pose and the sticker over her left eye.

Then, as if something within her awakened, she straightened her posture and declared solemnly:

"I! The first contract magician of the Eye of Death!"

Sakiya nodded approvingly.

"Then let the pact be sealed here! We shall rise above all dimensions, vanquish the demon gods, and preserve eternal peace!"

Ino's small face flushed with excitement as she repeated the words.

Meanwhile, Sakiya glanced at the pile of gunpowder they had set up. The fuse still hadn't burned completely, so she waited a moment before shouting:

"I declare! The last dimensional magician organization—formed!"

BOOM!

Right on cue, the gunpowder ignited, creating a bright flash and a thick puff of white smoke.

Ino could still remember the thrill of watching that smoke rise…

—

As the memory faded, a deep blush spread across her cheeks.

Thinking back to how Sakiya had dragged her into that ridiculous oath all those years ago, she suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of secondhand embarrassment.

And annoyance.

Lots of annoyance.

Without hesitation, Ino reached out and pinched Sakiya's cheek.

"Aaahhh! It hurts! It hurts!" Sakiya whined, flailing in protest.

Ino held on for a few more seconds before finally letting go, her anger somewhat satisfied.

Sakiya immediately covered her sore face with both hands, eyes watering as she looked up at Ino pitifully.

But Ino knew better than to fall for that act. She crossed her arms and scolded, "Hmph! You dare to bring that up again? You're eleven. Aren't you over this phase already?"

Sakiya clutched her head protectively but couldn't escape as Ino reached for her again.

Hearing the word "phase," her expression suddenly shifted.

With a sharp movement, she leapt onto a nearby streetlamp, dodging Ino's outstretched hand.

Ino froze for a second, then sighed.

Here we go again.

From her perch, Sakiya let out a triumphant laugh.

"Hahaha! Ino! Did you think that by abandoning the pact, you could stop my progress!?"

Her voice lowered, filled with dramatic intensity.

"I… have already awakened!"

Ino pressed a hand to her forehead.

I knew it. I walked right into this one.

Sakiya smirked. "It's too late for regrets now, Ino!"

Ino twitched. She was done playing along.

"You really think you can beat me just because you've 'awakened'?"

She cracked her knuckles.

Sakiya tensed.

Memories of Ino's merciless tickle attacks flashed through her mind like a life-or-death battle.

A shiver ran down her spine.

Still, she squared her shoulders and tried to keep a brave face.

"Tch! You dare to use the Hand of Darkness against me? I won't submit!"

Ino's expression darkened. A tic mark pulsed on her forehead.

"Oh? Then let's see how strong your 'awakening' really is."

She lunged.

Sakiya's breath hitched.

"The Eye of Death will never yield to darkness!"

She ripped off her blindfold with a flourish.

"Eye of Death—AWAKEN!"

A dazzling light erupted from her left eye, forming intricate glowing circles in the air.

Ino didn't stop. She reached out, her fingers just grazing Sakiya's sleeve.

Then—

Sakiya disappeared.

For a brief moment, only sparkles of light remained.

Ino blinked. Suddenly, she felt herself falling.

She barely managed to grab onto the streetlamp mid-air, dangling there while scanning the ground.

Her eyes locked onto Sakiya, who stood smugly below, arms crossed.

"Ino, the awakened Eye of Death… is already beyond your reach."

Ino twitched.

Oh, she wants to play? Fine.

"Sakiya, you've got guts!"

Sakiya smirked. "Hmph! Your Hand of Darkness is useless unless you touch me!"

Ino's eyes narrowed.

Time to get serious.

With a quick hand sign, she activated her jutsu.

"Mind Transfer Jutsu!"

The next second, her consciousness plunged into Sakiya's mind.

Inside, she found herself in a bizarre landscape filled with glowing magic circles and eerie demon projections.

Instead of getting lost in the strange scenery, Ino honed in on her target.

After a brief search, she spotted Sakiya's spirit form.

A smirk spread across Ino's lips.

Dark energy swirled around her as she took on an intimidating form, her figure growing larger, her eyes glowing crimson.

Her voice echoed ominously.

"Sakiya… You're not running from me here."

Sakiya's spirit trembled at the sight of the massive dark figure looming over her.

"No… it's the Dark Demon! The ruler of the shadow realm! Ino has become—"

Ding!

The jutsu broke.

Ino couldn't hold it for long, but it was enough.

As she snapped back to reality, she locked eyes with Sakiya—who was now frozen in fear.

Even without the jutsu, Ino swore she could see the ghostly presence of the "Dark Demon" lingering behind her.

Sakiya gulped.

"I-Ino… I… The Eye of Death is the strongest… r-right…?"

Her voice grew smaller and smaller as Ino's dark aura intensified.

Ino cracked her knuckles.

"Oh? Let's test that."

She tackled Sakiya to the ground.

And then—

She unleashed her ultimate move.

The merciless tickle attack.

Sakiya thrashed, tears forming in the corners of her eyes as she laughed uncontrollably.

"N-NO! Ino! STOP! PLEAHAHAHASE!"

Nearby, Kakashi strolled past, glancing at the scene of the two girls wrestling in the street.

He let out a small chuckle.

"It's nice… seeing kids get along so well."

He gazed up at the sky, a wistful look in his eyes.

"If only Rin and Obito…"

Above, the sky remained bright and peaceful, with white clouds drifting lazily by.

-------------------------------------------------

Read 5-10 chapters ahead on patreon 

patreon.com/Silver757