"Screech!"
Under the blazing sun, a sand hawk suddenly dove, its hard-as-iron, sword-sharp beak instantly piercing a yellowish scorpion that nearly blended into the desert below.
It then extended its equally sharp talons, seized the scorpion, and spread its wings to take off in delight at its catch!
"Now, Maki!"
"Ninja Art: Cloth Binding Technique!"
A young girl wearing Sunagakure's distinctive headscarf, with purple paint streaked across both cheeks, rapidly formed hand seals. A roll of white cloth shot through the air like a ribbon, wrapping tightly around the sand hawk as it tried to fly away and binding it into the shape of a mummy.
"Success!"
Having successfully captured the sand hawk, the girl immediately jumped about in celebration. Judging from her voice and build, she was probably quite young.
"Congratulations, Maki!"
At that moment, a beautiful woman with a fiery figure and even more daring attire walked over.
She had dark green hair tied into a bun atop her head, while the locks hanging by her temples were dyed orange.
Even beneath such scorching sunlight, she wore an extremely revealing backless outfit, seemingly unconcerned about getting sunburned.
"Pakura-sensei!"
The girl held the mummy-like sand hawk in both hands and raised it high as though seeking praise, swaying it from side to side with an undisguised cheerful smile on her face.
"Wonderful!"
Pakura casually praised her a few times before saying, "Although you've captured it, getting it to acknowledge you and become your summoning beast won't be so easy. You'll still need to subdue it with your own spirit and will."
"I understand, Pakura-sensei. I'm ready to break in a hawk!"
Maki said with a serious expression.
"Mm, I believe in you!"
Pakura reached out and patted her disciple's shoulder, encouraging her. "With its help, you'll definitely pass the