The hazy mist dampened the tips of her reddish-brown hair, which was tied into two high pigtails resembling rabbit ears, one on each side, perfectly symmetrical. They were much like the pair of "Thunder Blades: Kiba" in her hands, one of the few twin swords among the Seven Ninja Swords of the Mist Village.
Ringo Ameyuri walked energetically behind Mangetsu Hozuki, nearly bouncing with each step.
Her raised pigtails swayed back and forth.
It was clear to see that the girl was in a delightful mood.
As for why she was so happy, the Mist ninjas in the group were well aware. The "Thunder Release Prodigy" was known throughout the Mist Village as a battle maniac. Even the children knew that this petite girl fought fiercely!
During a recent meeting, the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura Karatachi, had decided to send Mangetsu Hozuki and his team to assist the Leaf Village ninjas, honoring their contract with the Leaf. He gave Mangetsu some discretion to choose his team members.
At that time, Mangetsu mentioned two names.
One of them was Ringo Ameyuri.
"Ameyuri, control your emotions. We're still in the village, and it'll be a while before you get to cut anyone," Mangetsu warned, noticing the excited girl behind him. Being similar in nature, he knew that if Ringo's excitement reached its peak without an enemy to fight, she might turn her blades on her own allies.
Once people like them got into the thrill of battle, they became consumed by it.
It was like his grandfather, the Second Mizukage, Gengetsu Hozuki, who chose to fight to the death against the Second Tsuchikage rather than retreat. That fight wasn't a do-or-die situation, unlike the Third Raikage, who sacrificed himself fighting over ten thousand Stone ninjas to allow his comrades to escape, fighting for three days and nights until he died of exhaustion.
"Will it really take that long?"
Ringo pouted but then quickly smiled again. "It's fine, though. Chihaya will spar with me! She'll keep me company."
Mangetsu was taken aback for a moment, realizing who "Chihaya" referred to. "Uchiha Chihaya? Ameyuri, are you two close?"
"We're friends," Ringo replied quickly.
"Friends?"
Mangetsu's face showed genuine disbelief.
"If you're friends, then... you spar?"
"Of course!"
Hearing Ringo's definitive answer, Mangetsu was momentarily speechless. Was this what they called love through fighting? Incredible!
"But Chihaya's really strong. I can't defeat her yet! In fact, a few times, she nearly took me down. Luckily, my Thunder Release: Body Flicker Technique has improved a lot recently. Wind Release does counter my Lightning, but only when it comes to swordplay. Chihaya's wind hasn't yet disrupted the lightning in my body. I'll surpass her in speed soon."
As she spoke, arcs of electricity flickered across Ringo's body.
In the next instant, the girl used her Thunder Release: Body Flicker Technique, dashing forward at such speed that even Mangetsu barely saw her move. Unable to endure Mangetsu's (in her eyes) sluggish pace, she shot off like an arrow, racing uncontrollably toward the Leaf Village camp.
"So fast!"
"I didn't even see her move!"
"As expected of the Lightning Release prodigy. Not many in the Cloud Village could match her in Lightning Release," the jonin in the group murmured, awed by Ringo's strength.
"Hey, no way! Ameyuri, your progress is ridiculous!" Mangetsu exclaimed, watching the electric blur vanish into the mist. He quickly gave chase, feeling both astonished by her rapid growth and pressured by the fear of being surpassed.
He could still barely track Ringo's movements now, but if she got any stronger... being overtaken by her would be a blow to his pride. For the first time, he envied Ringo for having a friend like Uchiha Chihaya to spar with without holding back.
"Combat is the fastest way to grow."
That was the life philosophy of the Second Mizukage, Gengetsu Hozuki.
But now wasn't the time for such thoughts. As he watched the electric flash speed toward the Leaf ninja camp, Mangetsu shouted:
"Ameyuri, stop!"
"You're heading for the Leaf Village camp!"
"Stop, you fool!"
No matter how much Mangetsu yelled, it was useless. The over-excited girl was already eager to find her friend for a sparring match. His shouts went in one ear and out the other. To Mangetsu's frustration, he could only barely keep up with Ringo's Lightning Release: Body Flicker speed, let alone surpass her!
At the same time, the Leaf ninjas had gathered in the courtyard, awaiting orders from their commander.
But before Sougen Uchiha appeared, the sound of thunder from outside the camp caught everyone's attention. The sensory ninjas quickly detected Ringo Ameyuri charging toward them, followed by Mangetsu and a large group of Mist ninjas.
"What's going on? Is the Mist breaking the alliance?" Hyuga Masayuki activated his Byakugan, his shock and anger mounting as he watched the approaching Mist ninjas. His immediate assumption was that they were turning against the Leaf to join forces with the Cloud Village. Many others had similar thoughts, and several ninjas instinctively drew their weapons.
Tension filled the air, like an invisible pressure settling over the courtyard.
If the Mist ninjas intended to break the alliance, the Leaf ninjas were ready to fight to the death and give these traitors a brutal lesson.
In the midst of this tension, a fast-moving bolt of lightning shot through the open gate into the courtyard.
"Bang!"
The fiery Gunbai fan suddenly embedded itself into the ground, and Ringo Ameyuri slammed headfirst into it, getting launched back the way she came. Mangetsu quickly used his Hydrification Technique to transform into water, avoiding being sent flying with her.
"That was close!" Mangetsu reformed, wiping nonexistent sweat from his brow.
"What are you doing, Mangetsu Hozuki?" Sougen Uchiha stood on the end of the Gunbai's handle, balancing delicately while looking down coldly at Mangetsu, his crimson eyes radiating a chilling killing intent.
"This is a misunderstanding," Mangetsu quickly called off his group of Mist ninjas and raised his hands, showing he had no ill intentions.
The brilliant young ninja knew full well how Ringo's actions could be misinterpreted, which was why he had been chasing after her to stop her. Unfortunately, stopping an overly excited Ringo was no easy feat.
"Ameyuri came to spar with Uchiha Chihaya. They're good friends and often spar together. She just got too excited thinking about spending a long time with Chihaya and lost control for a moment."
"Chihaya's friend?" Sougen turned his gaze toward Ringo, who was now walking normally.
Despite the painful-looking collision with the Gunbai, she had only suffered some minor bruises and scrapes. After enduring plenty of Wind Release suppression from Chihaya in their battles, Ringo had shifted her Lightning Release training inward, focusing on physical enhancements. Her body's durability had increased significantly, which is why she didn't suffer any broken bones from the impact.
"Uchiha Clan Leader, is Chihaya here?" Ringo asked, ignoring her foolish behavior earlier and eagerly looking for her friend.
Unexpectedly—
"Ameyuri, what are you doing here?" Uchiha Chihaya appeared, her red eyes filled with confusion as she looked at her friend.
"I'm here to help you fight the Cloud ninjas!" Ringo replied, and the two girls huddled together, chatting excitedly. Their behavior confirmed that they were indeed friends, though their version of friendship was quite unique. Sougen had never seen Chihaya so close with another girl before.
Seeing this, Sougen signaled for the Leaf ninjas to relax slightly. It seemed the Mist weren't here to break the alliance after all.
"So, if that was a misunderstanding... could you explain your real purpose now?" Sougen asked, jumping down from the Gunbai and retrieving the fan from the stone as he addressed Mangetsu.
"My apologies, Uchiha Clan Leader," Mangetsu said, his expression turning serious. "I am Mangetsu Hozuki, sent by Lord Mizukage with 1,200 comrades to fulfill the contract between our villages. I ask for your understanding that due to the village's current difficulties, it was impossible to gather more troops."
"However, I assure you that all 1,200 of my comrades are seasoned fighters."