The training grounds outside Konoha were empty that night.
A quiet breeze rustled the leaves, moonlight spilling across the earth. Perfectly peaceful. Too peaceful.
I narrowed my eyes, footsteps slowing. "...You can come out now, Shisui."
A ripple of chakra shimmered behind me. Then—he appeared, leaning casually against a tree, arms crossed, Sharingan faintly glowing.
"Sharp as ever," he said with a smile that didn't reach his eyes.
I smirked. "You've been following me for days. Did you really think I wouldn't notice?"
He shrugged, but his tone was serious. "I wanted to believe it was nothing. That you were just… too perfect to be true." His gaze hardened. "But I saw you in the forest, Akari. The way those rogues fell. That wasn't normal."
I tilted my head, feigning innocence. "Maybe I'm just really good."
Shisui's lips pressed into a thin line. Then he blurred—faster than my eyes could follow—appearing at my flank, kunai drawn.
I barely twisted aside in time, his blade grazing my cheek. Warm blood slid down my skin.
"...So this is how it's gonna be," I whispered, my voice low.
Shisui didn't answer. His Sharingan spun, tracking every twitch of my muscles.
The dance had begun.
He was fast. Faster than anyone I'd faced since arriving in this world. His movements were sharp, precise, a storm of speed and steel.
But I wasn't human.
My arm split, flesh twisting into a spear that lashed out like lightning. He dodged cleanly, countering with a kick that sent me skidding across the dirt.
"Your body…" he muttered, eyes narrowing. "It's not normal. You bend, stretch—like something else entirely."
I grinned, baring sharp teeth I usually kept hidden. "You sound almost impressed."
He didn't reply. Instead, he blurred again, his form flickering between illusions and reality. Crows burst into the air, shadows splitting—Genjutsu.
I stumbled for a heartbeat, surrounded by endless Shisuis, their Sharingan glowing red.
"Show me who you really are," their voices overlapped, echoing.
I steadied myself. My regeneration burned, flesh knitting where he'd struck me.
"Careful, Shisui," I said with a dangerous smile. "If you keep pushing, you might not like the answer."
And then I struck back—tendrils erupting from the ground like serpents, swiping through his clones. They popped one by one, until only the real Shisui remained, standing a few meters away, breathing hard.
For a moment, silence.
He lowered his kunai slightly, eyes searching mine. "Akari… what are you?"
I hesitated. The truth pressed at my lips—but then I saw Kushina's smile, Minato's warmth. My promise to protect them.
"I'm someone who doesn't want to hurt you," I said finally, voice softer than I meant. "But if you force me… I won't hold back."
The words hung between us, heavy with unspoken meaning.
Shisui's grip on his kunai tightened. His Sharingan flickered. But instead of striking, he exhaled slowly.
"I'll find out," he said, almost gently. "No matter how much you hide… I'll uncover it."
And then—he vanished into the night, leaving me alone under the moon.
I stood there, breathing hard, heart racing.
Not from fear.
But from the thrill of the fight.