Taiichirō leaned forward, whipped the long sword from his waist, and charged, a dangerous cold gleam closing in.
Xiao You's gaze sharpened. She really couldn't underestimate any opponent in battle.
She sighed, deeply ashamed of having looked down on him earlier.
Whoosh!
Her Byakugan tracked the path of his attack, and she couldn't help marveling inwardly.
So this was swordsmanship?
In a mere instant, the coldly gleaming blade had reached her abdomen.
But his speed was so great that he could only thrust straight ahead, unable to change direction.
Realizing this, Xiao You steeled herself and swiftly twisted aside.
Slash!
A crisp tearing sound rang in Xiao You's ears.
"Mm."
She glanced down at her abdomen.
Though she had dodged the blade, the Sword Aura contained in it had still sliced a large opening in her clothes, exposing her pale skin.
Xiao You hadn't wasted that instant either. Her hands rapidly formed hand seals.
"Water Release: Swift Water Arrow!" A thin stream of water shot from between the Evil Ghost Mask's snarling lips and struck Taiichirō's shoulder.
Splat...
Blood sprayed in an instant. This time, even Taiichirō's armor had failed to stop the attack.
"Argh..."
Taiichirō immediately halted his missed attack, then clutched his agonizing shoulder and rapidly retreated.
"You actually saw through my speed and dodged that attack."
He stared in disbelief at the torn clothing over the woman's abdomen. There wasn't a single wound beneath it.
At the sight, waves of helplessness welled up inside him.
The speed he took such pride in couldn't even land a hit on one person.
This woman was probably exceptionally powerful even among ninja, yet in all his years roaming the Shinobi World, he had never heard of anyone like her.
*Could she be an elite ninja trained by one of the