After being pummeled by the Panda Sage, the panda boy lay silently on the ground, staring at the sky.
The second and third panda brothers lay beside him, crying.
Yuki Seisui looked down from above, feeling a pang of sympathy.
After all, it was because of his words that these three had challenged the Panda Sage.
Sighing, he vanished in an instant. It's better not to see it—if I can't see it, I won't feel guilty.
=========
Back in the bamboo grove, Seisui looked at his bedroom, covered in dust, and rubbed his chin.
I really need to buy some new bedding.
He didn't want to be unable to stay inside every time he came home.
Stepping outside, his eyes fell on Uzumaki Kushina teaching sealing techniques to a group.
Seeing Seisui, Konan smiled and ran up to him, offering a paper flower.
"Brother Seisui, I think I'm close to mastering that Dance of the Shikigami technique you mentioned!"
Her voice was full of excitement. This was her independently developed jutsu—the perfect technique for her.
"Hmm?" Seisui blinked, then rubbed his chin, curious. "Can you show me?"
"Of course!"
Konan brought out her red umbrella, and her body began to change.
One hand transformed into white paper, and soon her whole body became a swirling mass of sheets, forming a miniature tornado in the air.
Under Seisui's astonished gaze, the paper tornado surged toward several wooden stakes nearby.
At the slightest touch, the paper's edges sliced into the stakes, leaving three-to-five centimeter deep cuts.
As she controlled the whirlwind, the stakes were completely enveloped, and within moments, what had been sturdy wood became scattered splinters.
Konan emerged from the tornado, but her face now bore the traces of stitched paper—a sign the Dance of the Shikigami was not yet over.
Without pause, she waved her hands, and a pair of pure white wings made of paper appeared behind her.
With the wings, Konan effortlessly floated into the air. Another paper tornado, larger than the first, spun outward.
The farther it went, the wider it expanded. Debris and dust were drawn in, shredded by the razor-sharp sheets.
Her target was another wooden stake. The tornado sliced it into splinters just as before.
Seisui couldn't help but exclaim, "Konan!"
This is exactly like Swimsuit Konan's first two skills!
Transforming into paper, immune to physical attacks, moving freely while striking—
Then forming a paper tornado to ensnare and shred opponents.
He had no doubt that, given enough explosive tags, she could unleash a full ultimate technique.
Konan smiled, snapping her fingers. The floating paper turned red.
Not only the paper, but she herself shifted with it.
If she had looked like an angel with white wings before, now she was a dangerous, otherworldly red—like a spider lily.
Her wings turned blood-red, and at her feet hovered a paper butterfly dyed the same color.
"This is my new jutsu!" Konan's voice rang out.
"It combines sealing techniques with swordsmanship."
Dance of the Shikigami: Butterfly!
The wings disintegrated, becoming floating crimson sheets. The paper butterfly gently set her down.
She flicked her hand, and the red umbrella appeared. Though she had bought a regular red umbrella on the street, this one was reconstructed entirely from red paper.
A sharp spike topped it, glinting dangerously, even though it was just paper.
Seisui's eyes shifted; he hadn't finished his own task today, but Konan was clearly capable of helping him.
And she doesn't fully understand her abilities yet. Perfect—I can help her while completing my own task.
A smile crept across his face.
"Thinking about something naughty again?" Minato appeared beside him, suspiciously eyeing Seisui, then following his gaze.
Seisui was staring straight at the transformed red Konan.
"Seisui, you really shouldn't… you already have Haru," Minato sighed, patting his shoulder.
Seisui snapped back, "What nonsense are you saying?"
"I'm just thinking about taking Konan to the dueling arena to practice her jutsu," he said.
"Huh?" Minato was ready to argue back, but hearing this, he was momentarily speechless.
After a pause, Minato said, "I want to see too!"
"Fine." Seisui glanced at Minato, thinking, the ultimate combination of stubbornness and curiosity.
With a hand gesture, Seisui spun the world. In an instant, Konan and Minato were transported to the dueling arena, with Seisui opposite them.
Konan, ready to demonstrate her jutsu, suddenly found herself in the arena.
Though not her first time, she was still awed. Every visit made her feel small.
Minato stood beside Seisui, grinning harmlessly. For once, someone else was about to get beaten, and he was thrilled—even though it was his junior.
Seisui didn't need to guess Minato's thoughts; after knowing him so long, his expression said it all.
Minato, this time you're in for a surprise!
At Seisui's command, the three were instantly restrained. Minato's vision blurred as he realized he was beside Konan, facing Seisui.
Wait… I just came here for fun, but now I'm caught up in this?
Seisui looked at Konan.
"Konan, you and Minato team up. I'll spar as a partner and see how your jutsu perform in battle."