Tied for Dead Last

No good, Anya thought. Time to use the secret move Mother taught me!

I'm at a disadvantage in Taijutsu, Conan calculated at the same time. I need to attack from a distance!

As if they had read each other's minds, both leaped back to open up some space and reached into their Ninja Tool Pouches.

Conan pulled out a Shuriken, brimming with confidence. I used to be a Chunin, after all. My body may be smaller, but I haven't forgotten the basics! I'll hit her left shoulder dead-on and make her give up!

Anya read his thought instantly and tucked her left arm behind her back.

Whoosh!

The Shuriken flew straight toward Anya's left shoulder, but missed because she had dodged in advance.

Conan stared in shock. Impossible! It had to be a coincidence! I'll aim for her feet this time and cut off her escape!

Anya immediately began hopping about like a startled little rabbit.

What followed was a ridiculous display of anticipation. No matter where Conan aimed, Anya dodged a split second before he threw, twisting herself into all kinds of strange positions.

She crouched, spun, and even tripped over nothing. Every move took her just clear of the Shuriken.

Before long, Conan's supply of Shuriken ran out.

Conan stared at her in disbelief. No way. Is this girl a genius? Can she tell where I'm going to throw from the angle of my wrist?

"Hee-hee, Conan, you're out of Shuriken, aren't you?" Anya held up her one lonely Shuriken, her little face glowing with pride. "Anya's going to win!"

She recalled the air of a peerless master her mother had shown while throwing Shuriken the night before. Her small frame straightened, her gaze sharpened, and an invisible aura seemed to flare around her!

Her confidence was so