Miscalculated!
From the first meeting, Amane understood that to raise Ameyuri Ringo's favor, she had to use the orthodox method.
That is, to present her true temperament and will for a contest. This way, even if their personalities truly didn't mesh, a good impression would remain in the heart of someone like Ameyuri Ringo.
In theory, it should be easy to handle, but unfortunately, Amane's current identity simply couldn't manage it.
So, Amane came up with the idea of a two-on-one. That way, even if Ameyuri Ringo wasn't convinced at first, she would be at a disadvantage within the team. Then, all that was needed was to 'use softness to overcome hardness' through successive missions, slowly fostering camaraderie, right?
However... Amane dodged a bluish-green bolt of lightning and, with cold sweat pouring down her back, glanced at Minazuki Yoru, who was already lying on the ground not far away. Her heart grew as cold and icy as the Bloodline Limit she possessed.
[Seriously, girl, were you always this weak?]
Chakra quantity was ultimately just one reference point. A Ninja's actual combat ability truly depended on the methods they possessed. Amane gained a practical understanding of this.
Just as initially predicted, when Amane and Yoru appeared before Ringo, she attacked.
Without uttering half a word of nonsense, she went straight for the kill!
Reacting swiftly, Amane pulled Yoru aside with a lateral jump and took the opportunity to deliver a kick, not aiming to inflict damage but merely to disrupt the opponent's attack rhythm.
After several sounds of physical blows, Ameyuri Ringo, seeing that taijutsu wasn't gaining her any advantage, began forming hand seals.
How could Amane let such an opportunity slip? Forming seals right in front of her opponent—how much did that overestimate one's own speed? Did she think she was Uchiha Itachi?
Yet, it was this very judgment that plunged Amane into her current troublesome predicament.
Ameyuri Ringo's hand seals were a feint. The moment Amane moved to interrupt, Ringo immediately switched her attack to target Yoru!
Although Yoru reacted and attempted to defend herself, the moment Ameyuri Ringo's attack landed, a flash of electricity suddenly erupted.
And then Yoru fell.
[As expected of a Lightning Release genius. Has she already mastered the Nature Transformation of the Lightning attribute?]
Amane had interrupted just in time, so Ameyuri Ringo hadn't completed a single seal. Yet, the attack that struck Yoru undeniably carried a lightning effect. Therefore, there was only one possible explanation.
Having been in this Naruto world for so long, Amane had gradually come to understand the rules of Ninjutsu release: essentially, the Shape Transformation and Nature Transformation of Chakra.
A Ninja manipulating the Chakra within their body doesn't inherently require hand seals, as can be seen from techniques like the Rasengan. Similarly, after mastering Nature Transformation—for instance, infusing Wind Release Chakra into a blade to create a vacuum slash—no seals are needed either.
So, what is the purpose of hand seals?
The answer is to assist in the Shape Transformation and Nature Transformation of Chakra, as well as its release and movement.
All twelve basic hand seals can be understood as treating Chakra like clay, shaping and coloring it from various directions to ultimately create a magnificent work of art.
This is also why the Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique requires as many as forty-four seals.
And theoretically, if one fully mastered the Shape Transformation of a dragon and the Nature Transformation of water, they could instantly release the Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique.
"As expected of a Lightning Release genius."
Amane attempted to initiate a conversation. After all, she was Uzumaki Naruto's sister; maybe she had a talent for 'Talk no Jutsu' too.
But Ameyuri Ringo paid her no mind. With an angry expression, her body crackling with electricity, she charged straight at Amane!
It seemed communication was hopeless. Feeling helpless, Amane could only dodge while beginning to strategize how to fight this battle.
[Just as I thought, there are Ninjas spying from the shadows. Sigh, this is also a hurdle a spy must overcome.]
It wasn't about suspecting their identities, but rather that Amane and the other two had fallen under the scrutiny of those higher up.
[Since that's the case, then so be it.]
As Ameyuri Ringo charged, Amane seized the moment and immediately activated the Body Flicker Technique. Then, without delay, she formed hand seals and performed the signature Ninjutsu of the Hidden Mist Village—the Hiding in Mist Technique.
Before two breaths had passed since the technique's activation, the entire area was completely shrouded in a thick mist. However, Ameyuri Ringo reacted swiftly, using Lightning Release Chakra to enhance her body. She still managed to grab hold of Amane just before completely losing her vision!
Her shark-like teeth revealed a ferocious grin, and then, just as she had done when knocking out Yoru with a single move, she released Lightning Release Chakra.
Boom!
"Ah!"
A thunderclap and a scream rang out simultaneously.
Brilliant!
The Kirigakure Ninjas spying from the shadows couldn't help but inwardly praise.
"To utilize the property of a Water Clone dissolving upon destruction to reflect the lightning's power back onto the user! This child's foundational knowledge is remarkably solid. More importantly, she can apply it in combat."
The previous moment had been incredibly fast, but it hadn't exceeded the Genin level, so they had seen it clearly.
First, she used the Hiding in Mist Technique, a visual-obscuring Ninjutsu, to pressure Ameyuri Ringo. Because Amane was a Sensing Ninja, once this technique was employed, her opponent would inevitably be forced into a passive position.
In such a situation, with Ameyuri Ringo also in a state of Lightning Release-enhanced physical prowess, even if they had been the ones present, the most they could have done was to charge in physically or immediately form seals to bombard with Ninjutsu.
But how old was Ameyuri Ringo? How many Ninjutsu could her Chakra reserves support at that age?
Therefore, the physical charge for close-range Lightning Release penetration damage was the only viable option. And Amane had already had her Water Clone swiftly pull her aside the moment she used it.
This exchange of offense and defense not only caused Ameyuri Ringo a minor setback but also successfully activated the Hiding in Mist Technique, securing an advantage for the ensuing battle.
"But what if Ringo had thrown an exploding tag just now?"
A Kirigakure Ninja observing from the shadows suddenly wondered.
"That was a Water Clone, not a Shadow Clone that disperses into white smoke upon contact. Even if it couldn't completely neutralize the exploding tag, it would have slowed the projectile enough for the Hiding in Mist Technique to activate. At most, she would have suffered some grazing injuries."
The Ninja who had asked the question nodded, feeling even more anticipation for the upcoming battle between the two.
Among the children still in the Trainee Ninja stage, even Chōjūrō would find it difficult to turn the tables after being forced into such a disadvantageous position. Unfortunately, Ameyuri Ringo was the sole exception.
Because the reason the Lightning attribute loses to Wind is due to elemental disadvantage and inferior direct damage.
Within the battle arena shrouded in thick mist, Ringo slowly closed her eyes. A brilliant blue lightning began crackling all over her body.
[I see. I suddenly feel I should focus my efforts on learning Lightning Release.]
Through her Sensing Technique, Amane discovered that within the currents of electricity covering Ameyuri Ringo's body, there was one spot where the arcs jumped slightly higher and more weakly than elsewhere—the location of her own true body.
The next moment, Amane's vision was flooded with brilliant blue light.
Lightning Release: Lightning Ball!