The sky was perfectly clear.
A gentle breeze swept across the grounds, ruffling the surface of the lake. Now and then, a fish poked its head out of the water, hoping to catch a flying insect.
At the center of the Lake Pavilion, Aizen and Tamako sat quietly, both wearing faint smiles.
They watched the scene with interest.
The children took their places on the grounds one after another.
The masked man, who always wore a grimacing mask and had never shown his true face, stood before them, his gaze somewhat cold.
The battle was about to begin.
Konan immediately formed Hand Seals!
Her usual delicate demeanor vanished, and her blue hair swayed gently in the air.
As she sprinted forward, several paper Kunai suddenly appeared between her slender fingers. She swept both hands out, sending them hurtling toward the masked man!
"Whoosh!" "Whoosh!" "Whoosh!"...
Several sharp sounds cut through the air. In the next instant, the paper Kunai were almost upon him!
Faced with the attack, the masked man didn't panic.
His body suddenly sprang into motion. With a series of strange movements, he slipped through the gaps between the paper Kunai.
Without pausing, he charged toward the approaching Konan!
Watching him easily dodge her projectiles and rush at her, Konan's eyes narrowed slightly.
Just then!
"Boom!"
A loud crash rang out across the grounds as Yahiko suddenly shot toward the charging masked man from the side, like a cannonball.
The masked man's expression darkened.
His rough hand swiftly reached for his waist.
"Shing!"
A dazzling blade flashed through the air!
The sharp arc of the blade swept forward like a crescent moon, and its cutting force carved a furrow several feet deep into the ground. It was a terrifying sight.
This casual strike successfully stopped Yahiko's headlong charge,