Two days later in Kaminari, Asuka summoned Kazuo and Mikoto to her office. When they arrived, she introduced them to a messenger from Shiga.
A chubby young woman with braids named Saki Fujiwara. The lady told them that Rani Sharma had abducted her brother and other men from her district.
"You two have been to the Grass Region," said Asuka, clasping her hands. She faced Mikoto and Kazuo. "Do you think you can handle it?"
"Hmm," Mikoto held her chin. Rani must be at least as strong as Hanzo-sensei. Making this a Level-S mission. "Search and rescue, right Asuka-sama?"
Asuka nodded. "Right."
"I see..." said Mikoto. Is that someone we can fight?
Kazuo grinned, punching one hand. "We'll take it!"
Saki's eyes lit up as she faced him. "I heard about how you brought down the Hasegawa Syndicate. That's what gave me courage to come here–"
"Kazuo and I might be able to stand a chance..." Mikoto looked at the Sage, her face showing worry. "But we'll try to avoid engaging if we can–"
"These past few months we've been training our asses off," said Kazuo. "We can handle it." He was scheduled to graduate the following year. With taijutsu, he was top of his class. However, his general knowledge still needed improvement.
Part of me wishes Taku-kun were here. Mikoto held her chin, returning to her thoughts. He'd come up with exit strategies for the worst-case scenarios.
Asuka asked Saki out and spoke once the latter had left. "I understand your concern," she said, pausing. "Miss Fujiwara already paid half the fee. For a Grass Region peasant to have that amount, I see how it can be suspicious. So, if things go sideways, abandon the mission and return home."
"Understood, Asuka-sama..." said Mikoto, bowing.
Kazuo bowed too. "Right, Lord Sage."
"It's settled, then. You can go prepare..."
The next morning, they took off with Saki on foot. For the journey, Kazuo carried Kajin and Raijin on his waist. Mikoto armed herself with a tantō and more than a dozen shuriken. Along the way, they passed through Kaen village, where they rested for one night and continued the following day.
Kazuo and Mikoto had to stock up on a few more supplies since their companion kept eating at every chance she got. Other than that she lived with her grandmother and brother, Saki did not divulge any further information. It took the trio eight days to reach Shiga. Had the Lightning ninjas gone alone, it would have taken them about five days or fewer.
[
Chikao rushed into Rani's cabin. "Rani-sama, Rina-sama... three people just arrived," he said, catching his breath. He turned to the Shadow Princess. "One of them is a young man fitting your description."
"Thanks," said Rina, arms folded. He's finally here.
"I see you've decided to go along with the mission." Rani stopped mixing potions and noticed Rina preparing to leave. "I hope the crown is worth it."
Rina took off without a response.
[
As Kazuo, Mikoto and Saki strolled along Shiga District, the Lightning duo came to an abrupt stop.
Kazuo and Mikoto looked at each other.
"Huh? What's the problem?" asked Saki, chewing on the last morsel of her mochi(rice cake). Before uttering another word, a dark silhouette appeared from her shadow. The Shadow Princess.
As Saki got knocked out, Kazuo and Mikoto leapt away. The duo immediately drew their weapons.
Once in full view, Rina cracked her knuckles. "Inazuma Kazuo... do you know why you're here?"
That was fast! Kazuo gulped, Raijin in hand. She looks kinda young to be the Grass Witch?
A black aura flowed from Rina's feet as she made the Prana mudra. "You murdered my Papa!"
That's not Rani, that's–"Rina!" Mikoto gasped.
"Correct... but use my name lightly again and you'll lose your head." Rina faced Mikoto with a smirk. "I'm not here for you, girl. If you don't want to die... leave."
"I'm not going anywhere–" Mikoto raised both hands and blocked Rina's kick. She's insanely fast!
Whilst midair, Rina spun into another kick that hit Mikoto's back and sent her flying. "Stay out of this!"
"Aargh!" Kazuo's face reddened. "You'll fucking pay!" he said, darting towards Rina at full speed.
Rina charged at him, leaving a shockwave. As the two collided, pieces of rubble flew upward. A loud boom followed immediately. The gap in skills between them was noticeable. She easily dodged all of his slashes and punched him in the gut.
Shit! Kazuo slid back on impact. From the corner of his eye, he saw several locals fleeing the scene.
When Rina landed on the grass, she swooped forward and attacked. Without giving Kazuo a moment's rest, she launched heavy punches and kicks. Kazuo dodged most of them. The ones that connected felt like being hit by boulders. The last punch to his jaw knocked him out.
Why you! Mikoto got up and advanced. Holding a tantō in one hand, she made the Vayu mudra.
Rina veered back and avoided a sharp wind slash. She dodged swift knife swings before landing another kick that hurled Mikoto away. "Too slow..."
Kazuo jumped to his feet, ignoring the stinging all over his body. Damn… that's some punch! He spat a bit of blood and wiped his lip. As he made the Chinmaya mudra, he channeled prana to his sword.
Raijin: Rakurai!
A white streak exploded from the chokutō. Kazuo shortened the distance between him and Rina within a second. He charged at the Shadow Princess with a swift downward cut. Rina swerved to one side and the chokutō sliced through her ponytail.
There's no doubt about it! He's stronger than Kagemaru! Rina looked at her strands of hair on the ground and leapt backwards. "That won't happen again…" she said, making the Prana mudra. Dete kite (Come forth)! A chain mace formed from her shadow, and she grabbed it with the other hand.
Mikoto witnessed Kazuo and Rina going all out. I can't just sit back and watch. Moments later, she got up while making the Vayu mudra and a green aura engulfed her body. Infusing wind around the tantō, she rushed towards Rina at full sprint.
Rina sensed Mikoto approaching from behind her and veered sideways–taking the defensive.
The battle became two against one. Rina took the defensive. However, the Lightning duo could not land a critical hit. They've stopped advancing? What are they up to? I have to stay on guard for anything...
"Kazu-kun..." Mikoto drew three shuriken in each hand. "Follow my lead," she whispered.
"Right behind you," said Kazuo in a whisper.
They scattered and hid behind some cabins.
Six shuriken flew at Rina and she blocked them with her mace. Another six followed and two of those grazed her arm. "Shit!" she muttered. As the attacks ceased, she charged in their direction.
Kajin: Moeru!
Kazuo emerged behind Rina and jumped into the air. His katana burned blue as he swung the blade at her. Before Rina could react, Mikoto appeared in front with a tantō aimed at her exposed torso.
Rina acted fast and made the Adi mudra. At that instant, her shadow mace morphed into a black sphere that surrounded her entire body. Bakuhatsu!
An explosion erupted, tossing the Lightning ninjas away. The duo broke their fall against nearby cabins.
As Rina appeared from a smoke cloud, she had the Adi mudra in hand. "My vengeance was with him but you've proven to be quite the nuisance as well." She gazed at Mikoto lying down. Sokubaku (Binding)!
Black chains emerged from Mikoto's shadow and twirled around her body. As they tightened, she shrieked in pain. "Aaaahh!"
"Let go of her!" Kazuo got up quickly, his face blood red. He ran towards Rina, swinging Kajin and Raijin haphazardly. "Leave her out of it! I'll fucking kill you!"
Rina dodged Kazuo's uncoordinated attacks and kneed him in the gut. As he was processing the pain, she kicked him in the head and he fell flat on the ground. "Pathetic!" She switched her gesture to the Chinmaya mudra and faced Mikoto. "It ends here..."
Kage genzō: Yume no Fūkei!