---
The ROOT operative's tanto whistled toward my neck.
I triggered Shadow Blink, barely slipping past his strike, my body already screaming from chakra overuse.
"Damn it…" I muttered, weaving seals and charging forward again.
---
"You're pushing too hard!" Kushina shouted, her golden chains lashing out, forcing another operative back.
Mikoto flanked her, kunai in hand, precise as ever.
"I'm fine!" I lied, even as pain spiked behind my eyes again.
The world… shifted for a heartbeat.
Their movements slowed, outlines glowing faintly like afterimages.
Then it was gone.
---
I ducked under a tanto strike, spun low, and slammed my kunai's hilt into the ROOT operative's ribs. He staggered, surprised.
"What was that?" one whispered to another. "His eyes—"
"Eyes?" Mikoto looked at me sharply. "What happened to your eyes?"
"Nothing," I snapped, forcing another blink. My vision returned to normal… for now.
---
With renewed focus, I flashed forward again, hitting the same operative's jaw and sending him crashing into the ground.
The remaining two ROOT agents hesitated—rare for them.
"Change of orders," one said coldly. "Fallback."
---
They vanished into the shadows as fast as they appeared.
Kushina lowered her chains with a huff. "Well, that was fun. You okay?"
I nodded, hiding the slight tremble in my hands. "Just chakra burn."
Mikoto didn't look convinced. She stepped closer, her gaze lingering on my eyes.
"Are you… sure it's just chakra burn?"
"Yeah," I lied, because whatever was happening behind my eyes—it wasn't normal.
---
The System pinged again:
---
To Be Continued…
>