The Second Girls journey in Naruto

For this trial, Tsuchiya Tsukigami and Sakuragi had no plans to rely on Sakiya as a combat asset.

Her earlier performance had convinced Tsuchiya to think of Sakiya as more of a mascot than a teammate.

Sakuragi adjusted his glasses and spoke calmly.

"Strategies are necessary, but we don't even know each other's strengths. Let's start with introductions."

Tsuchiya nodded.

"Right. Well, I guess I should start..."

Sakuragi looked at him expectantly.

Tsuchiya scratched his head, struggling to come up with something.

"Haha, I don't think I have any particular strengths. I can use Fire Release and basic ninjutsu, but I'm average at best. My kunai-throwing skills are nothing special either. Sorry about that."

Sakuragi simply nodded.

"That's fine. We just need a general idea."

Then, adjusting his glasses, he continued.

"Since you don't have a specific specialty, I'll take the lead. You can support me from the side."

Tsuchiya grinned.

"Got it."

Then, he hesitated, feeling like he'd forgotten something.

Sakuragi glanced toward the trees.

"For now, let's hide."

They both turned toward Sakiya.

"Sakiya, huh... Sakiya?"

She wiped the last of her tears, then stood up with determination.

"Don't worry about me. The Eye of Death must awaken in this battle!"

Tsuchiya and Sakuragi exchanged uneasy glances.

"Uh... well, take care, then."

Sakiya said nothing.

Tsuchiya sighed.

"Alright, scatter!"

With that, the two of them quickly disappeared into the trees.

Sakiya, however, remained seated, cross-legged, lost in thought.

Hidden nearby, Chihiro observed them closely.

She nodded in approval at Tsuchiya and Sakuragi's strategy and stealth.

However, for abandoning their "cute little Sakiya," she deducted 100 points.

"Failed!" she muttered to herself.

At the same time, she sighed at Sakiya's carefree attitude.

"With a personality like that, how can I let her face real enemies?"

No—this time, Chihiro wouldn't go easy on her.

If Sakiya wasn't ready, she'd send her straight back to the academy.

The ten minutes passed quickly.

Chihiro stepped out of the trees.

"The test begins."

Sakiya slowly stood up and faced her.

Chihiro raised an eyebrow.

"Are you really planning to fight me head-on?"

She smiled.

"Let's go over the rules first. I'll be fighting seriously. If you manage to land three hits on me—any kind of hit—you win, and I'll acknowledge you."

Chihiro smirked, glancing toward Tsuchiya and Sakuragi's hiding spot.

"The second way to pass is to earn my approval. That one's simple—just prove your strength to me."

Hearing this, Tsuchiya frowned.

"That's way too vague. 'Approval?' So basically, she decides however she wants?"

Still, rather than feeling discouraged, his fighting spirit only burned hotter.

Chihiro turned back to Sakiya.

"Sakiya, you still have time to run."

Sakiya's face was serious.

"The Eye of Death will not lose."

Chihiro shrugged.

"Alright."

Without warning, she drew her short sword and slashed at Sakiya in a blur of motion.

The strike was fast—too fast.

Sakiya barely had time to process what was happening before the blade connected, sending her reeling.

Her eyes widened in shock.

From their hiding spot, Tsuchiya and Sakuragi's pupils shrank.

Their disbelief mirrored Sakiya's.

Because that strike had been too fast, too sudden—

And more than anything, they couldn't believe Chihiro would be so ruthless.

In the next second, Sakiya vanished in a puff of smoke.

Tsuchiya Tsukigami and Sakuragi were stunned.

"A clone technique? When did she—?"

Chihiro sliced through the clone, shaking her blade as she casually advanced.

"Sakiya, it seems I underestimated you."

Despite her words, Chihiro had already seen through the trick—Sakiya's real body was hidden behind a tree up ahead.

Realizing she had been discovered, Sakiya took the initiative, hurling a kunai while dashing forward.

Chihiro smirked.

"Oh? Coming straight to me? Bold move."

As Sakiya ran, her hands moved rapidly through a series of hand seals.

The moment she closed in—

"Water Release: Thousand Veil Curtain!"

A thin sheet of water materialized in front of Chihiro.

She narrowed her eyes and sliced through it with ease—only to find another identical water curtain forming around her.

Before she could react—

Splash!

The water exploded into a fine mist.

A kunai shot out from behind the veil.

Chihiro instinctively swung her blade to deflect it—but something felt off.

Her pupils shrank as she realized the kunai's trajectory was distorted by the water.

She felt a faint sting on her sleeve.

A thin cut had appeared.

Chihiro's expression darkened.

She understood now.

The layered water curtains had thrown off her depth perception, making her misjudge the attack.

Looking at the faint reflection of her own weapon in the water, then at the cut on her sleeve, she let out a small chuckle.

"Well, well... looks like I got caught off guard. Thanks for going easy on me, Sakiya."

Then her smile faded.

"But now, it's time to get serious."

Her hands formed rapid seals.

"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"

A powerful gust tore through the battlefield, instantly dispersing all the water curtains.

Sakiya was fully exposed now.

And...

She was crouched down, drawing a familiar magic circle.

Chihiro's eye twitched.

"Oh no, not this again..."

But for some reason, she hesitated to make a move.

Sakiya carefully finished the circle, then reached for the blindfold over her left eye.

With a swift motion, she pulled it away—revealing a glowing, intricate symbol.

She took a deep breath.

"Eye of Death! Death Stare!"

A brilliant light erupted from her eye.

Chihiro gripped her sword tightly, fully alert.

One second...

Two seconds...

An entire minute passed.

Chihiro's forehead creased.

"...That's it?"

Sakiya, still holding her pose, nodded seriously.

Chihiro's eyebrow twitched.

This little brat... was bluffing?!

Her patience snapped.

Raising her sword, she charged forward.

Hidden in the bushes, Tsuchiya and Sakuragi watched the fight unfold.

Tsuchiya idly chewed on a blade of grass.

"Hey, do you think we're kinda useless here?"

Sakuragi didn't even glance at him.

"Shh. I'm watching the show."

Meanwhile, Chihiro closed in on Sakiya, sword raised.

But Sakiya didn't flinch—

She simply called out again.

"Death Stare!"

A vein popped on Chihiro's forehead.

"Would you stop that?!"

Just as she was about to strike, a sudden flash burst from Sakiya's left eye.

Blinding light.

Chihiro instinctively shut her eyes, but it was too late—her vision went white.

She cursed internally.

[Damn it! She got me again?!]

Her sword slashed through empty air.

And the next thing she felt—

Was a light tap on the head.

Her breath caught.

That tap...

It was the same move she had used on Sakiya earlier.

Chihiro's fists clenched.

Fine.

If this was how Sakiya wanted to play, then—

Her hands flew through seals at lightning speed.

"Water Release: Water Wall!"

A powerful surge of water erupted forward.

A muffled thud sounded as something collided with it.

When Chihiro's vision returned, she saw Sakiya sprawled on the ground, drenched and struggling to get up.

As Sakiya finally lifted her gaze, she found Chihiro standing over her, sword in hand.

Her face paled.

Chihiro extended a hand toward her.

Sakiya hesitated—then reluctantly took it.

Chihiro helped her up, then casually ruffled her hair.

"Alright. We're even now."

Sakiya blinked in surprise.

Then, as if processing what just happened, she gave a small, barely noticeable nod.

Chihiro smirked.

"Oh? So you can get shy, huh?"

Sakiya kept her face neutral.

Chihiro chuckled and ruffled her hair again.

"Okay, okay. I'll admit it—the 'Eye of Death' is pretty strong."

At those words, Sakiya's face lit up with excitement.

"Of course! The Eye of Death is the strongest!"

—

Back in the bushes, Tsuchiya draped an arm around Sakuragi's shoulder.

"Hey, man."

"Hm?"

"Let's just go back to school."

Sakuragi sighed.

"Yeah...."

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