Awakening

"Juri, fall back. I'll take the lead."

"Hey, Senju! How dare you order me—"

Before she could finish, Tsugima rushed in front of Juri and drew a short sword from his clothing.

The clang of metal rang out—the sliver of silver blade that emerged from its sheath blocked the enemy's sudden strike.

It had been a close call.

Juri sucked in a breath.

Body Flicker Technique.

This was a foundational Taijutsu technique that concentrated Chakra in the feet, allowing the user to move in an instant beyond their normal limits and dramatically increase their speed.

Because it was difficult to use for long, it was one of the most suitable techniques for surprise attacks and escape.

Though its principles were different, a Body Flicker Technique perfected to its utmost could deliver surprise attacks in close combat that rivaled the famed Flying Thunder God Technique of the Second Hokage, Tobirama.

Tsugima drew the blade that had blocked the enemy's strike all the way from its sheath in one smooth motion, knocking the enemy's sword aside.

The Kumogakure Genin leaped backward in sync with Tsugima's movement, putting some distance between them.

Tsugima charged after him without hesitation.

He dodged the enemy's Kunai with movements that seemed to skim along the ground, making full use of his windlike speed.

"Are you kidding me?!"

The curse that slipped from Juri's lips was full of frustration.

Before Tsugima had charged, he'd glanced at Juri as if even speaking to her would be a waste of time. It had wounded her pride.

—Are you saying I'm a burden?!

Juri pulled a scroll from her Ninja Tool Pouch and snapped it open in midair.

It bore a Weapon Summoning Formula.

With a poof of smoke, the scroll fell to the ground.

What emerged from the smoke was a throwing weapon far too large to be called a Shuriken.

It was almost big enough to cover Juri's upper body. She grabbed it as though dragging it out.

She swung her arm down in a straight line, throwing the Shuriken at Tsugima's back as he fought the enemy.

Tsugima pursued his opponent, aiming for his neck as he swung his short sword in a backhanded slash.

The Kumogakure Genin deftly flicked Tsugima's blade upward with the tip of the short sword in his reverse grip.

Not only that, but while standing in front of Tsugima, he formed Hand Seals with his free hand.

Normally, both hands were needed to form Hand Seals and perform a technique.

But now and then, there were people who could perform techniques using only one hand.

This Kumogakure Genin was presumably one of them.

The way his mouth bulged like a frog's and his head tilted back made Tsugima realize he was about to use a technique.

At this rate, he'd be hit "in every sense of the word"—Tsugima quickly drew back his outstretched arm and swept his own legs out from under himself, disrupting his balance to dodge.

"Lava Release: Rubber Bullet Technique!!"

The rubber bullet fired from the Kumogakure Genin's mouth grazed Tsugima's hair as he forcibly changed his posture.

Ignoring the pain of having his hair ripped out, Tsugima braced himself with both hands, stopping his body from toppling over.

"What?!"

The Kumogakure Genin cried out in shock.

A gigantic Shuriken appeared before him—it was Juri's Fuma Shuriken, flying in from behind Tsugima.

The Kumogakure Genin leaned back and narrowly dodged it. As the enormous Fuma Shuriken whizzed past his face, he broke into a cold sweat and fired a rubber bullet into its side.

"Hah!"

The Fuma Shuriken shot upward after being struck, drawing the enemy's attention.

Taking advantage of the opening, Tsugima swept his leg at the Kumogakure Genin.

His opponent reacted quickly to the low attack, avoiding the sweep with a back handspring just before he was knocked off his feet.

But that wasn't the end of it.

"It's not over yet!!"

"Damn you people!!"

Juri roared—the Shuriken that should have been knocked away changed course in midair as she swung both hands downward.

The Shuriken plunged vertically, aimed at the Kumogakure Genin's exposed stomach.

With no way to push off in midair, the Kumogakure Genin couldn't dodge. He let out a resentful cry.

But this was a team battle.

"Water Release: Water Bullet Technique!"

The Kirigakure Ninja, who had kept his distance until now, unleashed the Water Release: Water Bullet Technique.

It was a basic Water Release technique that Tsugima had once been skilled at, too.

The technique spat a mass of water from the user's mouth, and the size of the mass depended on their Chakra reserves.

Judging from the size of the waterball, the Kirigakure Genin didn't have much Chakra. Tsugima pushed off with all four limbs and sprang into the air using the strength of his arms.

His triceps bulged, and veins stood out on his biceps.

"Good, I knocked it away!"

"Did you, though?"

"What? No way!"

The Kirigakure Genin basked in the satisfaction of having protected his comrade, while Juri scoffed at him.

The Shuriken that should have been knocked away was still aimed at the Kumogakure Genin.

He wanted to use Water Release again, but the Shuriken was too close to the Kumogakure Genin.

"Fuma Shuriken: Shadow Windmill. Witness the Shurikenjutsu passed down through the Uchiha Style!"

It wasn't anything special.

She'd simply hidden another Shuriken in the shadow of the enormous Fuma Shuriken. It was a simple concealment technique.

But its very simplicity made it so effective.

What's more, Juri had infused her Chakra into the Shuriken, allowing her to control it remotely to a certain extent.

Just before the water bullet hit, she slowed the Shuriken concealed in the shadow, sacrificing the first one to preserve the other.

"I got you!!"

"It's the Substitution Technique..."

Juri shouted.

Tsugima murmured calmly.

As it struck, the Kumogakure Ninja disappeared in a puff of smoke, replaced by a section of log.

Tsugima searched his surroundings, his ears picking up the rustle of leaves.

The sound wasn't too far away, but the source wasn't close enough to reach immediately, either.

Out of the corner of his eye, Tsugima caught sight of the Kirigakure Genin, frozen in surprise.

He'd been watching from the beginning, and the Genin was clearly weaker than the Kumogakure Genin.

After making a split-second decision, Tsugima threw a Shuriken at the Kirigakure Genin.

The Kirigakure Genin scoffed at the single Shuriken, but the next moment, his eyes widened in shock.

"Ninja Art: Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique!"

This technique multiplied a single Shuriken dozens of times using Shadow Clones. Considering its effectiveness and versatility, it required very little Chakra.

It also consumed just one piece of ninja equipment, making it one of Tsugima's favorite techniques—kind to both his Chakra reserves and his wallet.

There was no escaping the barrage of Shuriken.

The Kirigakure Genin cowered and raised his arms to shield his face.

"Lava Release: Rubber Wall!"

"Thanks, you saved me!"

Countless Shuriken sank into the rubber wall created by the arriving Kumogakure Genin.

Tsugima wouldn't let this opening slip by—not when the Kirigakure Genin had just breathed a sigh of relief and the Kumogakure Genin had just finished performing his technique.

"Body Flicker Slash!!"

Hidden in the shadow of the Shuriken barrage, Tsugima circled around to the side using the Body Flicker Technique.

The Kumogakure Genin reacted to Tsugima's approach at astonishing speed, though half a beat too late.

Tsugima had been caught off guard by the counterattack, never expecting his opponent to turn the tables at that moment. He couldn't defend against it.

Blades flashed, and blood spurted.

His hand clamped over his head, covering his left eye—the blood poured between his fingers.

"Senju..."

Tsugima returned to Juri's side, a red gash stretching from his cheek to his shoulder.

He had managed to protect his neck by drawing his shoulder up at the last instant, narrowly avoiding having his carotid artery severed.

Tsugima's face twisted in pain. The gash on his cheek was deep enough to expose the bone, and blood streamed down like a waterfall.

The wound continued down to his shoulder. One of his arms hung limply, drenched in blood.

One had lost an eye. The other had lost an arm.

The Kumogakure Genin had lost half his vision, and Tsugima's techniques had been suppressed. Faced with the disadvantage, Juri struggled to hide her shock.

Senju Tsugima was the peak that Uchiha Juri had challenged many times but never managed to reach—a loathsome rival she nevertheless ought to aspire to.

Juri knew that even after losing his techniques for a time and becoming a dead-last, Tsugima had, over the past two years, returned to the ranks of Konoha's strongest Genin.

Though Juri had always been fiercely competitive with him and hated to admit it, she held a little respect for Tsugima, too.

He was unquestionably strong. Juri had thought their bickering days would go on forever, that Tsugima would always wear that irritating, foolish grin—

"Juri, don't just stand there!!"

Tsugima's furious shout and the discordant clang of metal jolted Juri back to her senses.

Tsugima had rushed forward to protect Juri, who was being targeted again, and was now being held at bay by the Kumogakure Genin, who had seized his chance to swing his short sword with both hands.

Tsugima's blade was longer, but the balance of strength was different when wielding a weapon with one hand versus two.

"I-I'm coming to help—get out of my way!"

"I won't let you. You're useless, Miss Uchiha."

"Why, you... How dare you run your mouth, commoner! Don't underestimate the Uchiha!"

A water bullet skimmed past her. Juri was about to charge, but planted her feet and leaped backward.

The Kirigakure Genin grinned as he sensed his side had the advantage, getting under Juri's skin.

As Konoha and Kirigakure clashed, Juri raised her staff in an instant and swung it down at the Kirigakure Genin with the force of a predator pouncing on its prey.

The Kirigakure Genin crossed the Kunai in both hands to block the blow, then fought back against Juri's staff techniques with his Two-Sword Style.

Tsugima glanced at Juri, who had been so completely baited, and sighed helplessly inside.

His face was covered in blood, and he grinned, managing an awkward, affected, obnoxious smile.

He casually spoke to the Kumogakure Genin, who looked as though he wondered if Tsugima had lost his mind.

"You're pretty strong. Can you tell me your name?"

"I see... For Senju Tsugima, whose name is carried on the wind, to ask mine—looks like I'm not a nobody after all."

In this bloody world of ninja, plenty of people asked to exchange names with enemies they respected.

They were the kind of battle-crazed fighters who found joy in having their names passed down, knowing they could die at any moment.

Kumogakure Ninja were mostly warmhearted and passionate.

The Kumogakure Genin had "mistaken" Tsugima for one of them.

"My name is Dodai. I'm from Kumogakure—hey, you—!"

Before the Kumogakure Genin—Dodai—could finish his line, Tsugima went on the offensive, and Dodai let out an angry roar.

Tsugima spat out a thin twig, about the size of a bamboo skewer, with a sharp point.

It was small, but that was no reason to underestimate it. The tiny spear could easily pierce human skin.

The attack was aimed at his opponent's face from a distance too close to dodge completely. Taking advantage of his carelessness, Tsugima was certain he'd won.

But Dodai was no pushover.

He instantly lowered his head "forward," changing the point of impact.

The tiny spear bounced off the metal forehead protector.

His finishing move had been dodged. Tsugima panicked, and while he was still shaken, his opponent drove a knee into his side.

Tsugima was sent flying, and his sword slipped from his hand.

He'd wanted to kill the man after "showing off" his technique, but it hadn't gone as planned.

He'd been lucky Dodai thought he'd only had a Senbon in his mouth.

"You asked my name just to use it as an opening?! You despicable man!!"

Dodai's furious roar crashed down on Tsugima.

Enduring the pain of his ribs creaking, Tsugima rose to his feet. "I think so too," he said with a laugh.

"Lava Release: Rubber Barrage!!"

"Oh, no..."

Countless rubber bullets formed and shot toward Tsugima, trying to pierce him.

Tsugima raced across the ground like a gale, leaping between the trees.

Keeping up this pace while losing so much blood would make him collapse before long.

"Senju, come back over here first! Damn it! The nature transformation matchup is against us...!!"

Juri wanted to support him with Fire Release, but the Kirigakure Genin kept disrupting her with Water Release.

Not only that, but her Fire Release was at a disadvantage because of the elemental matchup. Her flames were broken apart, and she was hit by the impact of the Water Release techniques several times.

The Uchiha's flames had actually lost to someone like him!

--Even though Juri had the advantage in overall ability, this ultimately came down to the clash of elemental natures.

Juri could unleash Fire Release with a power of 100, but her enemy could cancel it out with Water Release at a mere 10.

The elemental affinities involved in a change in the nature of ninjutsu could have an enormous impact.

Juri could only use Fire Release, and she had yet to awaken her Sharingan. A ninjutsu battle with the Kirigakure Genin would become a war of attrition.

With no other choice, Juri switched to close-quarters combat once again.

She raised her staff, thrust, swept it sideways, and blocked.

The Kirigakure Ninja dodged the thrust and the sweep, then blocked her strike with his forearm guard.

So this wasn't working either? Juri furrowed her brow in frustration.

Juri's flank was completely exposed as she stopped her staff, and the Kirigakure Genin aimed a spinning kick at it.

Juri bent her knee to shield her abdomen while sliding her blocked staff along the enemy's forearm guard.

The accelerating staff carried immense force. If all went well, it would land a heavy blow on the unguarded Kirigakure Genin's flank.

Juri's staff was as strong as steel, and her own physical strength was nothing to scoff at.

Panicking, the Kirigakure Genin pulled back his blocked kicking leg and swiftly kicked at Juri's knee.

It was less an attack than a step in an evasive maneuver.

The Kirigakure Genin leaped backward, and the impact threw Juri off balance.

Her swing only scraped the Kirigakure Genin's clothes. Juri clicked her tongue.

Using her staff for support, she steadied herself and faced off against the Kirigakure Genin. The stalemate continued.

"Senju Tsumaji!!"

"Shut up!!"

Using the rubber bullets to draw Tsumaji in, Dodai closed in on her again.

He used a forward-entry maneuver and brought his short blade down in a slash.

Dodai was aiming for Tsumaji's other shoulder.

Tsumaji slapped the descending blade aside with her palm, deflecting its path toward the inside of her body.

If her exposed shoulder or collarbone were slashed diagonally, she would lose all means of attacking next time.

In that case, even if it meant taking a greater risk, she would use her armor-protected torso to take the blow—so she thought.

Tsumaji endured the excruciating pain and moved her injured arm.

She pulled a kunai from the Ninja Tool Pouch at her waist—and Tsumaji and Dodai crossed paths.

"—You really are worthy of the 'Senju of the Forest.'"

"You make it sound so nice. What a raw deal."

Dodai praised Tsumaji, one arm hanging limp at his side.

Tsumaji gave a wry smile.

Dodai's strike had cut through Tsumaji's armor with ease, leaving a gash deep in her muscles.

Tsumaji endured the agony of her muscles being torn and powered through it.

If she could pay the price in her own flesh, then next time she would break the enemy's bones.

Using the principles of the Body Flicker Technique, Tsumaji channeled Chakra into her feet and leaped powerfully into the air.

Her flying kick, launched with astonishing force, became an incredibly sharp knee strike. It hit Dodai's arm—and shattered the bone.

Should Dodai be praised for turning his arm aside at the last moment, reducing the damage from Tsumaji's counterattack? Or should Tsumaji be praised for injuring one of Dodai's arms and thus gaining an advantage over One-Eye?

The answer was clear from the sight of Tsumaji lying on the ground.

A sea of blood slowly spread around her.

Seeing Tsumaji fall, Dodai dropped to one knee.

His thigh was stained red, with Tsumaji's kunai embedded in it.

"Senju! You're lying!! You're lying!!!"

"Juri... stop shouting. Act... like a ninja."

Juri's anguished cry echoed through the forest.

Even when she tried to run over, the Kirigakure Genin got in her way.

In a faint voice, Tsumaji scolded Juri for letting her emotions take over.

Tsumaji slowly stretched out her hand. With a puff of smoke, a cute, palm-sized slug appeared.

"Katsumaru, please."

"Leave it to me!!"

The slug that crawled over Tsumaji's body was a Split Body of Katsui, whom Tsumaji had summoned in the past.

By seniority, he was Ketsuyu's younger brother.

He was a young slug with whom Tsumaji had formed a new contract, since she could no longer summon Katsui.

"Anyway, I'm fine now—" Tsumaji wobbled to her feet and smiled.

Fine, my foot—Juri knew Katsumaru was still young, and his healing ability was even weaker than that of an ordinary medical ninja.

"A summoning animal... This is bad."

Watching Tsumaji's shallow wound gradually heal, Dodai grimaced in frustration.

Whether or not you had a way to recover could mean a tremendous advantage in a battle of attrition.

"Lava Release: Rubber Wall Technique."

A viscous liquid emerged from Dodai's tightly pursed lips.

The liquid coated his broken arm and quickly dried into a cast.

"Guh—"

Neither of them could move freely, but if things continued like this, Dodai would have the advantage.

To put some distance between herself and Dodai, Tsumaji jumped into a tree.

But that single movement left her breathing ragged and her steps unsteady.

"Senju! Don't push yourself!! Damn it—you, get out of my way!!"

The Kirigakure Genin blocked Juri as she tried to run over.

Veins bulging at her temples, Juri put all her strength into her fastest sweeping strike against the Kirigakure Genin.

She didn't care if he blocked it—as long as she sent him flying in one blow!!

With her gaze sharp and all her strength poured into the swing, the strike had the power to send the Kirigakure Genin flying along with his guard, just as its momentum suggested.

"What is this..."

A faint mist enveloped Juri.

Ninja Art: Hidden Mist Technique—a high-level Water Release jutsu passed down in Kirigakure. It generated mist over the surrounding area and obstructed vision.

To Juri, whose Sharingan had yet to awaken, the Chakra-infused mist was an intangible barrier she couldn't overcome.

Her vision swallowed by the mist, Juri shouted in frustration.

"Come back, Senju! They're trying to separate us!!"

She couldn't afford to underestimate Genin from other villages anymore.

The two from Kirigakure and Kumogakure had only teamed up temporarily, but in some respects, their teamwork surpassed that of Tsumaji and Juri.

And one of them was a formidable foe, one who had pushed Tsumaji—who could easily handle Juri—into a fierce struggle and left her badly injured.

Katsumaru was treating her, but if they were separated like this, Tsumaji would undoubtedly be killed.

"Juri, run."

—I can't win.

Tsumaji's voice, drifting through the mist, made Juri's vision go dark.

Senju Tsumaji—was going to die.

Memories of her parents flashed through her mind.

Memories of the warmth and love they had given her while they were alive surged up.

Among the three overlapping smiling faces was that familiar, hateful, stupid face.

—Am I going to lose her again?

"Ah..." A trembling voice unlike her own escaped her beautifully shaped lips.

"I'm Senju Tsumaji. Nice to meet you!"

Her fury at being put on the same team as the hateful Senju, and her genuine irritation at Tsumaji's far-too-casual attitude.

"Here."

"Wow, thanks."

The Uchiha crest—the rose was the color of a blazing inferno.

The only reason she accepted it so honestly was that it was the first flower she had ever received in her life.

"Wahahahaha!"

Unlike the reactions she'd gotten as a child, the days she spent competing with Tsumaji weren't as unpleasant as she'd expected.

"Why didn't you come to me!"

When she followed Sakumo, she'd actually been happy. Like a friend, she'd truly been happy.

She finally understood something.

Why Juri had always treated Tsumaji so harshly.

She'd felt—and firmly believed—that if she could make Tsumaji cry, her own heart would heal.

Because on the Face Rock, Tsumaji had once stood beside Hashirama. That "Senju"—the one Juri had leaned on for support, the one who had saved her from her pain, even if only for a time—had once held her Forehead Protector and quietly... cried.

Juri's heart had been frozen since childhood.

Ever since her parents had died, she had run from the pain and stopped growing emotionally.

So when Tsumaji praised her looks today, Juri couldn't hide how shaken she was.

She had realized that men and women couldn't stay children forever—that people grew up.

A little thought would have been enough to understand the meaning of her unease, but Juri turned it into anger and escaped the whirlpool of her thoughts.

She thought that way, she could return to the way things had always been.

But now Tsumaji was facing death.

If she did nothing now, she would lose that everyday life all over again.

Something that had been sealed away since childhood began to beat, shattering Juri's mask from within.

The awakening roar of her heart, long frozen in time, announced that it was crawling up from a deep slumber.

★

"If I don't hurry... and finish this..."

Her breathing was ragged.

Katsumaru's treatment had helped, but it seemed the blade had been coated in poison, leaving Tsumaji's movements slack and sluggish.

If she hadn't summoned Katsumaru, she would probably already be dead.

"But it's only a matter of time."

She sank into a crouch as if sliding down, and it seemed she could no longer stand.

Where had things gone wrong? This wasn't an opponent she couldn't beat.

The mist had already spread to Tsumaji's feet.

Thinking of Ina, wishing Sakumo were there, Tsumaji lamented her situation—but she still hadn't noticed something was wrong with her.

"Is it around here?"

"Yeah, up in that tree."

"—They're here."

Voices came from the roots of the tree where Tsumaji was.

It was Dodai and the Kirigakure Genin.

Whether the mist had some tracking ability or the Kirigakure Genin was a sensor, her position had apparently been discovered.

She tried to move, but could only manage the slow movements of someone paralyzed.

It would have been fine if they had only taken the scroll, but judging by Dodai's fury at having his pride wounded, they were more likely to kill her.

To think I'd end up here... She clenched her back teeth.

"Hey, Senju! Where are you!!"

"Ah, that idiot..."

Why isn't she running? Hearing Juri's voice nearby, Tsumaji spat the words bitterly.

It was practically as if she were saying, Come find me.

She wanted to tell Juri to run, but her trembling throat wouldn't let her speak properly.

Juri's voice wandered through the mist. By chance or by fate, it was steadily moving toward where Tsumaji was.

Juri wasn't naturally a sensor, and her ability to detect presences was poor. If she wandered through a mist-filled battlefield where enemies lurked, it meant death.

"Forget her. Deal with the despicable Senju first."

"Yeah—Dodai, behind you on the right!"

The Kirigakure Genin thinned the mist around himself, giving Dodai a clear view.

As Dodai turned with his short blade raised, a massive Fuma Shuriken came hurtling toward him.

"That's the Uchiha's!"

The discordant clang of metal striking metal rang out. Dodai dodged the first Fuma Shuriken and deflected the second as it followed close behind.

A puff of smoke burst behind them.

Thinking Tsumaji had done something, Dodai and the others turned around, but they couldn't see through the thick mist.

Even if the Kirigakure Genin could make out the general area, he couldn't discern the details.

In that case, they might as well kill her. The two of them threw kunai toward the spot where Tsumaji had been.

"Did she get away..."

The dry sound of kunai piercing wood rang out, and they realized Tsumaji had escaped.

The Mist Village Genin sensed Juri's chakra right beside Tsugema's.

Clicking their tongues in annoyance, they chased after them.

"Are you still alive, Senju?"

"Juri, you... how..."

Held in Juri's arms, Tsugema sank into self-loathing, overcome with shame.

Juri sneered at Tsugema's stammering and leapt from tree to tree.

"I transformed into one of the Fuma Shuriken: Shadow Windmill and got close to them. They were too wary of the second one to notice that the first was me."

The "poof" that had sounded behind Dodai and the others was Juri undoing her transformation.

Juri gave a mocking laugh, looking pleased with herself.

"No, that's not what I meant. How did you know where I was? You're not a sensor type."

Juri stayed silent in response to Tsugema's question.

Even after they passed through the mist and continued fleeing, Juri never let Tsugema see her face.

"Ugh."

When they reached the ground, Juri threw Tsugema out of her arms.

Tsugema let out a strangled cry of pain.

As if stepping over Tsugema, who seemed ready to protest this rough treatment, Juri crouched down on one knee.

"Juri...?"

Juri leaned in close, nearly covering Tsugema, and met his gaze.

So close that her breath tickled, Tsugema was bewildered as Juri brought her cheek near his.

Beside Tsugema's ear, Juri whispered softly, as if tickling him.

"Actually... I've always wanted to do this to you, Senju."

"Juri... pff!"

Juri abruptly straightened and slapped Tsugema hard across the face.

So weak he could barely move, Tsugema had no choice but to wait for the flurry of slaps to pass.

Once, twice, three times—Tsugema teared up and said, "That's too much," but Juri only gave a bored snort.

"Wahahahaha! Yeah, that wasn't fun at all! That's right. I've always wanted to do that to you. But... not to the you of today. What are you in such a hurry for? You were even able to attack the Second Hokage, so what are you afraid of now?"

Her gaze seemed to say she would never tolerate a lie. It was colder than absolute zero—Juri would never forgive a man she considered at least her equal for showing such a pathetic side, for turning his back in cowardice.

At Juri's words, Tsugema finally realized what was wrong with him.

Tsugema, who should have valued teamwork, hadn't discussed anything with Juri. He'd been too caught up in showing off on his own.

Before entering this forest, he'd been fine.

He'd split up from Ina and Sakumo, teamed up with Juri, encountered an enemy, and been injured—.

Injured—.

"I see..."

Three years ago.

Was it already three years, or only three?

Simply put, Tsugema had lost his nerve.

Without Sakumo and Ina there, he'd had to face a powerful enemy "alone." He'd grown timid and panicked.

It was as if the man who had once killed Tsugema's shadow was somewhere in this forest. He had to get away as soon as possible—he'd been afraid.

And on top of that, he'd become arrogant.

He'd thought he could handle anything by himself.

How pathetic.

He hadn't realized it until Juri pointed it out, and as a result, he'd suffered a serious injury he could have avoided.

He'd also caused trouble for Juri.

No, it wasn't just trouble.

He really could have died.

Even a direct descendant of the Senju would be speechless.

Even the Will of Fire would be speechless.

Unlike three years ago, there was nothing he could use to make excuses, and nothing about him that deserved sympathy.

Tsugema had truly been swallowed up by his own weakness and arrogance, and had suffered a complete defeat.

That was why he was glad Juri was the one here with him now.

If it had been Sakumo, he would have pretended not to notice, even if he understood everything.

Sakumo was the kind of ninja who could shoulder everything for a friend and still have strength to spare.

If it had been Ina, she probably would have said, "You've always been this useless. You can take your time getting better," accepted everything about Tsugema, and then kicked him in the butt.

Ina was a woman with the generosity to accept things as they were.

If it had been Dai, he probably would have told Tsugema that weaknesses could become strengths, talked things through with him as if they were Dai's own troubles, and urged them to get back on their feet together.

Dai was a man who cared for his friends more than anyone.

But that wouldn't do.

What Tsugema needed now wasn't kindness.

He needed someone stern enough to mercilessly knock down the nose he'd unknowingly stuck up.

He would never make the same mistake again.

He'd forgotten that there were limits to what he could do alone.

He'd gotten arrogant just because he'd gotten a little stronger.

With skills that couldn't even compare to Kakuzu's, what right did he have to act like some big shot?

The goal Tsugema was chasing was still far off in the distance.

Embarrassment and absurdity brought a smile to his face.

"Ha, hahaha!"

"That's creepy—" Juri grimaced and jumped back.

"Juri, I'm sorry. I was wrong. Thank you for saving me."

"Uh, ah, no, um, well, yeah. Don't mention it. That's what I'm saying, Senju... if you're scared, just say you're scared, you coward."

Sitting back down with his legs crossed, Tsugema placed a fist on the ground and bowed his head in apology.

Perhaps flustered by his sudden words, Juri turned her head sharply, keeping her flushed cheeks out of Tsugema's sight.

"This whole mess is your fault, Senju. Got it? You hear me? Seriously. If I hadn't been here, you wouldn't have been able to do anything..."

"You..."

As if relieved, Juri smiled gently.

Drawn in by that warm smile, Tsugema staggered to his feet.

Clink—a Kunai rolled to Juri's feet.

"Are you all right, Senju?"

Tsugema nodded, showing he was grateful.

Juri had knocked aside the Kunai thrown at Tsugema, who'd lost his mobility.

Seeing Tsugema's response, Juri lightly tapped the fallen Kunai with her toe, then kicked it away with a snap.

"Ha!"

A delighted breath slipped from Juri's vivid lips.

—He reacted.

He could react again!

Overcome with overwhelming joy, Juri's body trembled slightly, and a deep smile spread across her face.

"Attacking an injured man out of nowhere... hardly the height of elegance, you lot. Still, starting with the weaker one—mm. That's certainly... the standard way to fight. Hehehe."

"For the Uchiha, two against one is fair. Don't call us dishonorable."

Juri's voice, its pitch rising and falling uncontrollably, sounded a little breathless. Her presence was more alluring than ever before.

At the end of Juri's captivating gaze stood the two Genin.

The Kumogakure man caught in her stare bitterly looked away.

"Hey, Juri? You, you don't mean..."

Juri's abnormal state.

Her heightened spirits and rising combat ability.

And just now, her ability to sense Tsugema in the mist.

If there was one possible explanation, it was—

Before Tsugema could finish speaking, the scene changed abruptly.

Juri rushed in front of Tsugema as he was about to fall and drew a Kunai from her Ninja Tool Pouch.

Steel rang against steel—Juri blocked Dodai's short sword with her Kunai.

Juri tried to smash Dodai's already-broken arm with a spinning kick.

Dodai clicked his tongue and immediately leapt back, putting distance between them.

"I won't let you take me out that easily. I never imagined that in our earlier fight, you'd use that famous Senju as bait to test our strength... The Uchiha Clan, called the strongest, truly lives up to its name. What an incredible opponent..."

"Wahahahaha! Bow before the power of the Uchiha!!"

Juri tossed the Kunai up and toyed with it in her hand, then spun in place—she caught it in a reverse grip with a snap.

Her hair fluttered as a satisfied smile appeared on her face.

Tsugema started to say, "That's your—" as he looked over his shoulder at Juri, but the words died in his throat. He could only stare wide-eyed.

"Senju, stand back. You're not the one leading the charge. I am."

Two Tomoe danced in her eyes.

Those eyes were dyed crimson.

Here was the reason the Uchiha Clan was called the strongest.

The legendary Dojutsu feared by countless ninja.

The strongest Kekkei Genkai, passed down since the era of the Sage of Six Paths.

Its name was—