The world had united under a single federation, bringing together major powers and countless smaller nations. While large-scale wars had become nearly impossible, minor conflicts and skirmishes between small countries still occurred.
The role of ninja had shifted as well. Instead of being primarily warriors, they now served the people more directly. Most missions involved escorting caravans or handling minor problems—though dangers like rogue beasts and bandits still required intervention.
Currently, Sakiya and Ino were assigned an escort mission, tasked with accompanying a photography team to the Snow Country.
---
The next morning, thanks to Nanako's habit of acting as a living alarm clock, Sakiya was awake right on time.
At the breakfast table, she sat in her little dinosaur pajamas, eating while chatting.
"Mom, Dad, I'm making a contract today. Looks like I'll be heading to the land of ice and snow."
Her mother, Sakiya Kihana, smiled and nodded.
"We know. Ino already told us. Be careful, Sakiya."
Sakiya took a bite of her bread, chewing thoughtfully before nodding.
"Don't worry. This is a mission under my command. With the team we have, no one in the world can stand against us."
She grinned. "Besides, it's not just me and Ino. We have other members too!"
Her parents exchanged glances before nodding in reassurance.
"Then we can rest easy."
Nanako, who had been quietly listening, suddenly looked up in surprise.
"Sis, are you going on a long trip today? I remember you and Ino talking about it."
Sakiya popped a rice ball into her mouth, wiped a bit of juice from her lips, and nodded.
"Yep, it's been a while since I've gone on an adventure."
"If that's the case—I want to go too!"
Nanako banged her hands on the table, her eyes filled with determination.
Sakiya raised an eyebrow at her little sister's outburst.
"This is an actual mission. There's a chance we'll encounter enemies."
Nanako didn't hesitate.
"I'm not afraid! If I want to grow stronger, I'll have to face real challenges sooner or later. Besides, if you come back even stronger, I don't want to be left behind!"
Sakiya stared at Nanako's serious expression, lost in thought.
Her parents exchanged another look before turning back to their youngest daughter.
"Nanako, you're still young. You could become a burden to your sister."
Nanako remained firm.
"I've already started training! I've learned the basics! I won't hold anyone back!"
Her parents still looked concerned and turned toward Sakiya for a final decision.
After a moment of contemplation, Sakiya finally spoke.
"Alright. If you're that determined, I'll take you with me."
She adjusted her blindfold, her expression turning serious.
"And with me by your side, no one can harm you."
Though their parents still had their worries, they eventually nodded.
"Nanako, don't cause trouble for your sister."
Nanako's face lit up, and she responded proudly.
"Of course not! I am the light and shadow that guides the world! I will prove my strength!"
Sakiya made up her mind and nodded to Nanako.
"Alright. If you're that determined, I'll take you."
With that, she placed a hand on her blindfold, her expression serious.
"And with my protection, no one will be able to harm you."
Her parents, Kitahara Kira and Sakinoko, exchanged glances. They were still worried but ultimately reassured.
"Nanako, don't be a burden to your sister while you're out there," her mother reminded her.
Nanako nodded firmly, puffing out her chest.
"I won't! I am the light and shadow that guides the world! I won't cause trouble for anyone!"
Her parents fell silent, unsure how to respond.
---
That morning, Sakiya and Nanako headed to the meeting point.
In a small wooden house, Ino, Shikamaru, Choji, Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, Sakuragi, and Tsuchiya Tsukigami were already gathered.
Their client, a middle-aged man with black-rimmed glasses, sat to the side, waiting.
Suddenly, the door swung open.
Light flooded in, casting a long shadow over the room as a figure stood in the doorway.
Everyone turned to look.
Sure enough, it was a girl with a blindfold.
Sanuma Asama, the client, examined her carefully. At first glance, she had a distinct presence—something about her stood out. And that blindfold was hard to miss.
Sakiya glanced at the group and greeted them with a casual smile.
"Oh~ good morning. Looks like you all remembered the contract."
Ino and the others stared at her in silence.
Sakura sighed and muttered, "You're the only one who ever forgets."
Sakiya tilted her head, grinning, as she strolled inside. Behind her, Nanako followed, looking around with curiosity.
Seeing Nanako, the others were surprised.
"Nanako?"
Ino frowned and looked at Sakiya.
"Sakiya, why did you bring Nanako here?"
Ino's eyes widened as she suddenly realized something.
"Wait... Are you actually bringing Nanako with you?"
"Nani?!"
Everyone was shocked.
Sakiya simply crossed her arms and said casually, "Of course. You know, on this grand adventure, my word is final. I can do what I want."
Nanako, standing behind her, showed no fear. She lifted her chin confidently.
"I won't be a burden! Don't underestimate me just because of my age!"
Her determination surprised everyone. After all, she was only four years old.
At that moment, their client, Asama, hesitantly interrupted their conversation.
"Excuse me… You're the one from Konoha, right?"
Sakiya smirked, tilting her head up slightly.
"That's right. Though honestly, this title doesn't mean much."
Asama studied her carefully. She didn't look like a ninja at all—just an ordinary girl with a blindfold, dressed like any other kid. Innocent. Harmless.
Was he being scammed? He turned to Ino and the others for confirmation.
To his surprise, Naruto, Ino, and Shikamaru all nodded at him reassuringly.
Asama then glanced at the small child standing beside Sakiya.
"And… this kid? She's really coming along?"
Sakiya nodded, completely serious.
"Relax. For me, this mission is about as difficult as taking out the trash. I'll protect this 'ultimate messenger of light and darkness.'"
Asama felt his nerves fraying.
This… is Konoha's ninja?
As if sensing his frustration, Ino walked over and patted his shoulder.
"Don't underestimate Sakiya. She's a war hero. Her contributions to the last war were the greatest."
"Really?" Asama still wasn't convinced.
Ino smiled knowingly. "It's true. I know she doesn't look like a strong fighter, but you'll see once things start happening.
Besides, it's not just her—you've got the rest of us, too. Your mission budget isn't enough to hire this many ninjas if we weren't serious about it."
Asama hesitated, but then glanced at Sasuke, who carried a Shinobi sword, and Shikamaru, who stood calmly assessing the situation.
These two at least seem reliable… It should be fine.
Finally, he sighed and got back to business.
"Our goal is to travel to the Land of Snow to shoot a movie. We've had this project planned for a long time, but due to… circumstances, it was delayed.
Now, we're finally ready to resume. Fans have been complaining about the long wait."
Asama scratched his head sheepishly.
"As for the Land of Snow, it's a remote area. They haven't joined the alliance yet.
Since we don't know what dangers we might face, we need your protection."
"Got it!"
A simple escort mission. Everyone nodded in understanding.
Sakiya smirked, full of confidence.
"Don't worry! There's no mission in this world that I can't handle."
"With my power, nothing can stand in my way."
Just as she finished speaking, a crew member suddenly ran over, panting.
"Bad news! Miss Kazee ran away again!"
Asama's eyes widened in shock.
"What?!"
He immediately turned to Ino and the others, his voice urgent.
"Kazee has run off. Right now, the top priority is to bring her back!"
Ino frowned. "Bring her back? Why would she—"
"No time to explain! Just go after her!"
"But—"
Before Ino could ask more questions, Shikamaru cut in.
"Questions later. Let's move."
Without another word, he took off running.
Sakiya's lips curled into a grin—this was getting interesting. She immediately followed, with Nanako close behind.
The rest of the group quickly joined the chase.
As they ran, Naruto looked confused.
"I still don't get what's going on."
Sasuke, staying silent, was already ahead of everyone. Though he started last, he quickly outpaced them all.
Shikamaru leaped onto the rooftop, scanning the chaotic crowd below as they chased after something—or rather, someone.
He could already tell that Kazehana Koyuki was heading in that direction.
But before he could react, two small figures shot past him at incredible speed.
Shikamaru blinked in surprise.
"Nanako's actually keeping up? Well… I guess she is Sakiya's sister, after all."
"The game starts now, Nanako!" Sakiya called out, her voice full of excitement.
"I know!"
At their pace, they quickly reached the front of the pursuit.
Ahead, Kazehana Koyuki was galloping away on horseback.
Sakiya raised her hand, framing the target with her fingers.
"Locked on! Nanako, Plan One—Shining Strike!"
Nanako, small and quick, had to move her legs at an almost comical speed to keep up, her feet blurring like a tiny motor.
But her face was completely serious.
"Understood!"
Despite her intense sprint, she didn't break a sweat, making it seem effortless.
Sakiya nodded approvingly.
Just ahead was a sharp turn in the road.
"That's our spot, Nanako!"
"Got it!"
Nanako leaped across two rooftops, landing perfectly at the corner.
Now it was Sakiya's turn to lead.
"Ready?"
Nanako nodded firmly. "My power of light and shadow is prepared!"
"Alright!"
Instead of following Nanako onto the streetlamp, Sakiya remained on higher ground to oversee the battle.
Nanako balanced on the streetlamp, eyes locked onto the turn.
And then—Kazehana Koyuki came into view, still riding at full speed.
"Now!"
"Light Current Strike! Face the power of illumination!"
Nanako activated one of Sakiya's signature techniques—Shining Gaze.
Her eyes flashed with an intense light.
Kazehana Koyuki, caught in the blast, was instantly blinded.
Her horse, startled, reared up on its hind legs, unable to see where it was going. Losing her balance, Koyuki tumbled from the saddle and hit the ground.
"Ow..." She groaned, rubbing her forehead as she sat up.
Two shadows dropped down beside her.
Sakiya and Nanako had arrived.
Sakiya gave Nanako a thumbs-up.
"Nice work, Nanako!"
Kazehana Koyuki stared at them in confusion.
"Who... are you two?"
Sakiya and Nanako exchanged glances and grinned.
"If you really want to know..."
They spun dramatically, then clasped hands before striking a synchronized pose—a heart shape between them.
Nanako spoke first, her voice filled with confidence.
"I am the one who walks between light and shadow!"
Sakiya followed up, tilting her head slightly as she covered one eye with her hand.
"And I am the one who brings the end to all things!"
Kazehana Koyuki blinked, completely lost.
"...What?"
Sakiya adjusted her pose, pointing directly at Koyuki with dramatic flair.
"I am the embodiment of power beyond sight!"
Nanako struck her own exaggerated stance, holding her hands up in a way she clearly thought looked cool.
"And I am the messenger of light and darkness!"
Silence.
Kazehana Koyuki stared at them, utterly baffled.
Her eye twitched.
Did the light from earlier blind her? Was she hallucinating?
Or had she just hit her head too hard?
No… She was pretty sure these two were actually standing in front of her, saying the most ridiculous things she'd ever heard.
She clenched her fists in frustration.
"WHO EVEN ARE YOU?!"
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