"Did you really beat Uncle Kazekage?"
Pakura and Xuanhui walked side by side down the street, with Kakuzu and Orochimaru behind them, carrying bags of all sizes and munching on tasty food.
"Then could you train with me for a little while?"
Xuanhui looked into the girl's eyes. A hint of anticipation shone in her clear gaze.
"Just for a little while."
"Let's go, then. I'll take you to the training ground."
After winding their way through the streets, the four arrived at an open training ground.
"What do you want to practice?"
"Anything, as long as it makes me stronger."
Xuanhui studied Pakura's unwavering gaze. She seemed to mean what she said.
He remembered how this hero of the Hidden Sand Village had made her name during the Third Shinobi World War, only to die horribly at the hands of her foolish, incompetent leaders...
"Can I ask why you want to become stronger?"
"Because Uncle Kazekage said that once I'm strong, I can protect my village."
A textbook answer. The Third Kazekage still had some work to do when it came to educating children.
Xuanhui shook his head.
He beckoned to Pakura.
"Your Uncle Kazekage asked me to teach you Taijutsu. Come at me with whatever Taijutsu you like."
Pakura swallowed, then drew her kunai and shuriken, gripping them tightly.
"Even if you beat Uncle Kazekage, I still have a chance if we're only using Taijutsu!"
Pakura swept her slender arm out, sending three shuriken flying toward Xuanhui from the left, center, and right.
Immediately afterward, she tossed two kunai upward with her other hand, targeting his head and ankle.
An attack on vital points combined with an attempt to cut off his escape. An ordinary person would certainly get hit if they panicked; the proper response was to