The kunai pressed stubbornly against the blade, restraining Naori's draw. A piercing metallic screech accompanied dazzling sparks, illuminating the cheeks of the two women.
Mao stared intently at the gorgeous Double Tomoe, showing no intention of letting go. The fighting spirit in her eyes burned ever more fiercely.
"Clang."
The high heat generated by the friction between the colliding blades finally caused the kunai in Mao's hand to give out. It shattered along the clearly visible cracks on its surface and fell to the ground.
"Fine blade."
Having leapt beyond the reach of the ninja sword, Mao gazed at its coldly gleaming blade and sighed in satisfaction.
Naori looked at the Futsu-no-Mitama in her hand with slight surprise. Its sharpness had exceeded her expectations. A kunai forged from refined iron had barely held on until the blade was drawn from its sheath.
"Clack."
The crisp sound of Shuriken colliding rang out between Mao's fingers. Looking into Naori's Sharingan, she said, "Let's test whether the Futsu-no-Mitama can cut through Shuriken."
"Of course it can!"
Kohei, who had been watching from the side, exhaled a cloud of smoke and shouted at them.
"Old man, we won't know until we try!"
Mao, completely focused, rapidly flicked her arm and hurled the Shuriken from her ninja tool pouch at Naori in quick succession.
The Shuriken filling the sky spun rapidly through the air, forming howling black rings. Every flight path was seen through by the Sharingan.
The incoming Shuriken maintained a peculiar rhythm under Mao's control.
Naori lightly tightened her grip on the hilt. The icy feel of the metal against her palm brought the boiling blood in her body to a halt.
This was a test, not a battle.
She reminded herself of that inwardly, then silently swung her blade upward. The flashing