The thick mist began to gradually dissipate, and the Hidden Mist Ninja who had been secretly observing were ready to intervene and stop the fight.
From the current perspective, aside from Yoru being a bit weak, the performance of the other two in this three-person team battle had already met their expectations. They could consider assigning a Jonin to guide them.
Thinking this, the Ninja couldn't help but look towards the one among them who was serving as an instructor.
"We must congratulate you in advance. Remember to treat us to a meal."
After Tian Yin and Yoru withdrew from the mission and explained the reason, he had keenly realized that this would be an opportunity to convince his superiors that these three he had chosen possessed immense potential.
So he immediately reported the matter without delay, even pulling some strings along the way, to ensure it could be implemented so quickly.
"Hahaha, absolutely, absolutely."
The instructor Ninja's smile couldn't be suppressed at all. He firmly believed that in the future, these two would become famous, and the reputational benefits would boost his credibility... the future position of Hidden Mist Village's school principal would be his for the taking!
"Hmm? She hasn't lost her fighting ability yet?"
A Hidden Mist Ninja's words drew everyone's gaze back to the battlefield.
At that moment, Ameyuri Ringo stood in place, looking at Tian Yin, who had just been injured by her jutsu not far away. Uncharacteristically, she took no action and simply stood there.
In contrast, Tian Yin's current appearance could be described as somewhat pitiful.
Her clothes were full of small holes from the earlier Lightning Balls, with faintly visible red wounds covered by a layer of black soot. She looked as if she had just come back from digging coal.
At this point, Ameyuri Ringo finally spoke.
"Hmm~ Not bad Transformation Jutsu. Can't see any flaws on the surface at all."
As she spoke, she even clapped her hands.
Poof!
Seeing she was exposed, Tian Yin had no choice but to release the Transformation Jutsu. Looking at Tian Yin, who was completely unharmed, Ringo whistled with interest, then continued with her shark-toothed smile:
"Impressive. How did you dodge it?"
"It seems your intuition isn't always effective, huh."
Answering a question with another question. Ameyuri Ringo tilted her head in confusion.
But the next second, with another poof, white smoke rose from Tian Yin's body once more. Then, a figure with no injuries but somewhat torn and dirty clothes appeared before Ameyuri Ringo.
"You... must be really bored."
Transformation Jutsu followed by another Transformation Jutsu, and the goal was just to mock her intuition?
"Relieved. I really thought you had some special sensing ability."
Tian Yin genuinely felt Ameyuri Ringo's perception of her was absurd, so she also wanted to test if she could see through this double transformation.
"Hmph! You're just oozing an untrustworthy aura all over. Do I need special sensing for that?"
What kind of 'untrustworthy aura' was that?
Tian Yin was speechless. Was that something intuition could do? And who said she was untrustworthy! She always spoke from genuine emotion, which actually reduced many flaws. This point had even been recognized by Danzo's trusted aides in Root.
"Alright, alright. So, what now? We've fought to this point, isn't that enough? Let's cool off for a night, do some missions, and then I'll treat you to that new dessert shop."
Tian Yin intended to reconcile.
"Both kids are recovering their Chakra, guaranteed. Otherwise, they'd never suddenly stop fighting and start chatting."
The Hidden Mist Ninja observing in secret couldn't help but nod in agreement, then continued watching the fight.
Wasn't this more interesting than life-and-death struggles on missions?
"No! But honestly, you're not bad. You have brains and tactical ability. I just can't stand your pretentious type! I'm going to tear off your mask!"
As she spoke, a brilliant blue electric light surged from her body once more.
"Chakra recovered, huh? Perfect, my preparations are almost complete, hehehe~]"
Three hand seals in an instant: Dragon, Ox, Hare.
Ameyuri Ringo, who had intended to advance, halted her movement, not daring to recklessly charge forward for the moment.
"[This is a basic Water Release jutsu, Water Fang Projectile. The amount of water produced will vary drastically depending on the Chakra used. And although I hate to admit it, this woman's Chakra reserves are indeed a bit higher than mine.]"
Ameyuri Ringo made up her mind. If Tian Yin used a large amount of Chakra, she would retreat, then utilize her Lightning Release Chakra to charge in and capture her once she was exhausted.
If it wasn't that much, then she would gauge the direction, bypass it with taijutsu, and engage her in close combat. This time, she would definitely not repeat her previous mistake!
As her thoughts concluded, a massive torrent of water spewed from Tian Yin's mouth, covering such a wide area that Ameyuri Ringo's current taijutsu couldn't possibly circumvent it.
"[Foolish! This looks like a move that leaves no retreat. But if that's the case, based on what I know about you, there must be a trick.]"
Thinking this, Ringo immediately turned and smashed the Water Clone that had already closed in behind her!
She had always remembered that Tian Yin had created two Water Clones back then. Now she could retreat without any worries.
Seeing Tian Yin kneeling on one knee and hearing her weak, rapid panting, Ameyuri Ringo didn't hesitate for a second. She stepped onto the now-powerless water flow and lunged forward to capture Tian Yin.
Something's wrong!
Ameyuri Ringo suddenly remembered the earlier double Transformation Jutsu. This scene was strikingly similar to that moment!
But where was the follow-up? Tian Yin herself was already exhausted and weakened, and the Water Clone meant as a backup had already been destroyed by her. Could Tian Yin have used another Water Clone during the brief moment of visual obscurity provided by the Hiding in Mist Technique?
Was that possible? Even if her Chakra was at Chunin level, it couldn't possibly be that abundant. Otherwise, how could she have had any strength left to withstand her Lightning Release?
Crack!
"Minazuki Yoru! Ah!"
Her foot was completely frozen, and then Ameyuri Ringo felt a powerful, forceful impact on her chin.
"Sorry! I think I controlled my strength properly..." Before losing consciousness, this was the last sentence Ameyuri Ringo heard.
When she woke up again, Ameyuri Ringo found herself bound to a tree with iron chains. In front of her were her two "teammates" happily eating dessert.
"Oh, Little Apple is awake."
"Apple?! My name is Ameyuri Ringo! You despicable person, you didn't fight me fairly one-on-one, you chose two against one!"
The truth wasn't complicated. The other Water Clone had gone to wake up Yoru and arranged a strategy with her.
To prevent Ameyuri Ringo from noticing this, Tian Yin had reused the "double Transformation Jutsu" strategy to make her destroy the Water Clone.
But what Ameyuri Ringo didn't know was that Tian Yin had actually hesitated at that moment. Because the element of protesting too much was somewhat obvious, but if she didn't do it, Ameyuri Ringo's vigilance would have shifted elsewhere.
"We're a team. It's everyone's responsibility to correct an uncooperative member."
Tian Yin held out a dessert to Ameyuri Ringo's mouth, a smile on her face.
"A gloating smile. Who said we're a... Hey!! What are you doing?! Why are you taking off my shoes?!"
It was then that Ameyuri Ringo realized her shoes had been taken off by the two of them at some point, and Tian Yin had somehow produced a feather from somewhere.
She swallowed hard... "Is it tasty?"
Ameyuri Ringo's eyes were vacant. Her newly freed hands were feeding pieces of dessert into her mouth one after another.
"Mmm..."
Very obedient.
"What tasty things do you want to eat after we finish the mission tomorrow?"
Tian Yin asked, stroking the head resting on her lap.
"The dumpling shop run by Aunt tanaka in the east. I heard it was good a long time ago. And there's a grilled fish place in the west. Also, the oden shop in the southeast is pretty good too."
"Alright, alright. How about we try a different place each day from now on."
"Mmm~"
Ameyuri Ringo's hair had an unexpectedly nice texture. Tian Yin couldn't help but increase the pressure a bit, and then a pleasant sound escaped.
"As expected of Lady Tian Yin! You managed to tame... I mean, get along with Ringo-san so quickly."
Having witnessed the entire process, Yoru's admiration for Tian Yin reached new heights.
"[Should I strive to become a high-ranking official in Kirigakure? Wouldn't it be fun to trigger a 'three years, then another three years' event then?]"
For a moment, Tian Yin was immersed in some inexplicable fantasy.