The Next Target

Kiyomi froze for a moment.

"Thank you."

"But it's not enough," Sasuke said. "You still need to get stronger."

"I know," Kiyomi said. "I'll keep working hard."

Sasuke nodded.

"Good."

Three days later, they returned to Konoha.

The villagers welcomed them with cheers.

"The Hokage is back!"

"That's wonderful!"

Naruto waved to the villagers.

"Thanks for all your hard work, everyone."

Watching the scene, Kiyomi felt warmth spread through her heart.

This was Konoha.

This was the place she wanted to protect.

On the third day after returning to the village,

Kiyomi practiced Chidori at the Training Ground.

Blue lightning crackled across her hand.

"It's still not stable enough," she frowned.

"That's because your Chakra Control still isn't precise enough."

Sasuke had appeared beside her without her noticing.

"Teacher Sasuke."

"Keep practicing," Sasuke said. "I'll watch."

Kiyomi nodded.

She took a deep breath and gathered Chakra again.

This time, her Chidori was a little more stable than before.

"Not bad," Sasuke said. "But you can do better."

"How?"

"Compress the Chakra," Sasuke said. "The more you compress it, the more powerful it becomes."

Kiyomi tried to compress it.

But the Chidori suddenly exploded.

"Ah!"

The blast sent her flying.

Sasuke caught her.

"You rushed it," he said. "Take it slowly."

Kiyomi steadied herself.

"I'll try again."

"No," Sasuke said. "That's enough for today."

"Why?"

"Because we have a visitor."

Kiyomi turned around.

A figure in a black cloak stood at the entrance to the Training Ground.

"Who are you?"

The figure pulled back her hood.

She was a young woman.

Her hair was silver.

"My name is Sylvie," she said. "I'm a former member of the Kara Organization."

Kiyomi immediately became wary.

"You're with Kara?"

"A former member," Sylvie stressed. "I've already left."

"Why did you leave?" Sasuke asked.

"Because