Night fell over the training ground in Konoha.
A graceful figure was practicing swordplay.
Her purple hair danced in the wind, her movements flowing effortlessly.
It was Uzuki Yugao.
Dressed in a black robe, she looked like a sword princess from ages past, elegant and beautiful.
Uchiha Sora arrived and quietly watched her train.
As though sensing his presence, the purple-haired figure suddenly stopped, then raised her longsword and attacked in Uchiha Sora's direction.
Uchiha Sora smiled faintly. He shifted his footing, darted forward, and drew the longsword at his waist to meet her.
Clang!
Their longswords clashed, throwing off a shower of sparks.
A smile blossomed on Uzuki Yugao's face as she withdrew her longsword. "Sora, what brings you to Konoha?"
Uchiha Sora put away his longsword too and smiled. "I haven't been back in a long time. Naturally, I had to come see my old friends."
"So you came specifically to see me?" Yugao asked delightedly.
Seeing the delighted smile on Yugao's face, Uchiha Sora naturally couldn't say he had come looking for a jinchūriki. He smiled and nodded.
Yugao was thrilled. She tossed aside her longsword and pulled Uchiha Sora down onto the grass nearby to chat.
Night had already fallen, and the two gazed at the starry sky as they talked about all sorts of amusing things.
As they chatted, Yugao's cheeks grew faintly red. She slowly leaned her head against Uchiha Sora's shoulder and gently closed her eyes.
The air seemed to grow utterly still, charged with an unfamiliar feeling.
A faint fragrance drifted into Uchiha Sora's nose. It was Yugao's scent.
"Yugao, I heard you left the ANBU?" Uchiha Sora asked, trying to ease the unusual tension.
Yugao paused briefly at his words, then nodded. "Yes. I've grown tired of life in the ANBU.