Near Konoha.
"Tap!" "Tap!" "Tap!"...
In a quiet forest, the crisp sound of footsteps rang out. A graceful figure slowly made her way into view.
Her long, jet-black hair flowed down to her waist. Her fair, pretty face was framed by a pair of striking black-and-white eyes, fixed intently on the path ahead.
She was tall and graceful, having completely outgrown the innocence of her girlhood. Her figure was alluring and elegant.
She raised a hand and aimed at a section of rock wall in front of her, then cried out,
"Hado #33: Sokatsui!"
As soon as the words left her lips, pale blue flames gathered in her fair palm, then shot toward the massive rock wall!
"Rumble—"
The surging flames erupted and scorched the wall. The intense heat weakened the rock, and pieces gradually crumbled away.
The color of the entire wall changed dramatically.
The blazing pale blue flames continued to burn. The woman lowered her hand slightly and said in a clear voice,
"That was decent. It seems I can still unleash nearly half its power even without the incantation..."
Just then, her voice abruptly cut off.
She whipped her head around to glance at the forest behind her. Her pretty face quickly turned icy cold!
Her clear black-and-white eyes instantly turned crimson, and a three-tomoe Sharingan appeared in each. She stared into the woods and asked coldly,
"Who's there!?"
"Whoosh—"
A gentle breeze stirred through the forest, making the leaves rustle.
From a shadowy corner beneath the trees, a figure slowly emerged. His pale face and narrow, snake-like eyes fixed on the woman with interest. In a hoarse voice, he said,
"How interesting, Uchiha Sakuya. You've mastered the strange jutsu that only Sosuke can use."
At the sight of him, Uchiha Sakuya furrowed her brow slightly. Her