Asuka received a message from Shiga district two days prior to Rina's arrival there. The messenger was a chubby young woman who had brown hair that was neatly braided. She stated that her brother was one of the many men who had been abducted by a witch in their district. She also mentioned that the news of how Kazuo's team had brought down the Hasegawa brothers gave her the courage to personally request their help. The young lady offered the Sage of couple of notes as payment and bowed her head on the floor.
"You're the only two I can think of who've been to the Grass region." Asuka told Kazuo and Mikoto after she had summoned them to her office. "I've heard about a sorcerer from there… Grass Witch Rani but I don't know her abilities. Do you guys think you can handle this mission? Miss Fujiwara who's waiting outside had personally requested your team."
"Hanzo-sensei had told us about Rani and if she's a Fudoshin, I'm sure Kazu-kun and I can take her down," said Mikoto. After graduating she requested to stay in the school whilst she saved some money from her missions to move out.
"She's right, and we've also been training our asses off these past five months." Kazuo was still at the school and was set to graduate the following year together with his friend Haru. When it came to taijutsu lessons, he was always top of his class since he was already at a fighting level comparable to that of the Sage. His theory and general knowledge skills, however, needed much work.
"Part of me wishes Taku-kun could be here with us," said Mikoto. He'd be coming up with possible escapes if we were to be ambushed.
"In the event that things go south you are to return back home," said Asuka. "If there aren't any questions you're free to go and prepare for your departure tomorrow with Miss Saki Fujiwara."
For the trip Kazuo armed himself with the two swords Kajin and Raijin neatly sheathed on his waist. Mikoto carried her tantō and a dozen shuriken. When the next morning arrived, the duo took off with Saki to the Grass region. Along the way, they passed through Kaen village where they rested for one night and continued on their journey the following day.
Kazuo and Mikoto had to stock up on a few more supplies since their companion kept on eating like a caterpillar any chance she got. Other than that she lived with her grandmother and brother, Saki did not give the Lightning ninjas any further information as their trip was mostly filled with sounds of her munching on some snacks. It took the trio a week to reach their destination which would have taken Kazuo and Mikoto only five days if it were just the two of them.
"Rina-sama a trio of three young people have just entered the district and one of them is an adolescent male fitting your description," said Chikao.
"Thank you." So he's finally arrived.
"I see you've decided to go." Rani noticed Rina prepare to take off. "I do hope it's worth it."
Rina left without a response.
The lightning duo and their companion strolled into the Shiga district and before they got any further than the main entry point they were welcomed by a Shadow kunoichi.
"Inazuma Kazuo… you'll pay for what you did!"
Kazuo and Mikoto stopped and readied themselves to fight.
She looks kinda young to be a witch, Kazuo thought as his hand hovered over Raijin's hilt.
"Huh, why have you two stopped?" Saki asked after chewing on the last morsel of her rice cake. She stared in front of her, "Oh–oh."
"I am Kageyama Rina, the Shadow Princess and I will be taking your life!" She charged at Saki in a single leap and connected her side arm to the latter's thick neck. Before Saki plummeted to the grown, Rina switched her direction midair and turned towards Kazuo with a kick.
Damn… she's fucking fast! Kazuo raised both arms to protect his face.
The swift blow landed with so much force that Kazuo's feet slid on the grass as he got pushed a short distance away. The surrounding locals saw that there was an imminent battle and fled the scene. When Rina's feet touched the earth she did not give her opponent a moment to rest. She punched Kazuo without ceasing, however, he blocked and dodged her attacks. A few punches connected square on his face and when he covered it Rina kneed him in the gut. Kazuo was sent flying before landing with his back on the ground.
"Why you!" Mikoto charged towards Rina with her tantō as she saw her friend's body moving slowly in the air. "HAAA!"
Rina dodged the knife swings before she landed a kick that pushed Mikoto a few metres back.
Kazuo woke up from the ground with a sharp stinging pain on his face as well as a bit of blood on his lip. Damn… that's some punch! He wiped his lip and made the Chinmaya mudra with one hand whilst he drew out Raijin with the other.
Raijin: Rakurai!
A white streak of lightning emanated from the blade of the chokutō. Kazuo then shortened the distance between him and Rina in almost a second, charging at the Shadow ninja with a swift downward cut. Rina dodged sideways just in time to avoid a fatal attack, however, the sword sliced through her long ponytail and a piece of her clothing.
He's definitely faster than Kagemaru. She leapt backwards and made the Prana mudra. "That won't happen again…" Dete kite (Come forth)!
A dark aura exploded around Rina and a shadow mace materialized on her hand. She held onto the handle and then swung the sharp and heavy sphere that was connected to the short stick with a black chain.
Mikoto awoke to see Kazuo and Rina going at it in full force. Her friend had resorted to dual wielding in order to defend himself from the barrage of shadow attacks. I can't just sit back and watch. She tried to come up with a plan. A few moments later, she got up and channeled her prana with a Vayu mudra. A green and wavy aura formed around her body. She infused the energy round her short blade and rushed towards the Shadow ninja.
Rina sensed Mikoto behind her and veered out of the way. She took the defensive, but the duo were too slow to land a serious attack. What are they up to? She thought as they stopped advancing.
"Kazu-kun, remember the seventh maneuver."
"Yeah… I'm right behind you!"
The duo jumped backwards and Mikoto threw six shuriken with both hands. Soon after Rina blocked them with her mace, another six followed. Two projectiles from the second round grazed Rina's arm and, as the barrage stopped, she charged at them.
Kajin: Moeru!
Kazuo appeared in front of his comrade as the fire sword blazed with blue flame. He drove Rina's mace to one side and Mikoto slid underneath him, thrusting her tantō at the Shadow Princess' exposed torso. Rina pushed Mikoto's hands aside and gutted her with a knee. As Mikoto rolled on the grass, she ignored the pain and got up quicker than before.
"My revenge is with him," said Rina, her gaze piercing through Mikoto. "But I have no qualms about putting you to sleep as well." She made the Adi mudra with her free hand. Sokubaku (Binding)!
Black chains materialized from Mikoto's shadow and twirled around her body. As the chains tightened their vice grip, they resembled a boa constricting its prey. "Aaaahh!" she shrieked out loud.
"Let go of her!" Kazuo's face was blood red as he swung around Kajin haphazardly.
Rina dodged Kazuo's uncoordinated attacks with ease and formed the Chinmaya mudra. "I'll show you how it feels to lose someone you care for."
Kage genzō: Yume no Fūkei!