Naruto: One Eye Tenseigan

Mai, ever the burst of energy, adjusted her seated position nearby. She stretched her arms above her head, feigning relaxation. "You know, Mina," she began, her voice light and casual, "you're not the only one feeling it. I'm tired too."

Mina blinked, glancing over at Mai, surprised. "You are?"

"Duh," Mai replied with a laugh, throwing herself back to lie on the ground. "We've been running for two days straight. It's not exactly a walk in the park."

Tomaru, leaning against a tree with his arms crossed, raised an eyebrow but didn't interrupt. He watched the exchange with his usual calm demeanor, his sharp gaze assessing Mina's reaction.

"But…" Mina hesitated, glancing at Mai's casual posture. "You don't seem tired."

"That's because I'm awesome," Mai said, grinning. "But even awesome people need a break sometimes. Seriously, Mina, cut yourself some slack. You're doing fine."

Mina's shoulders relaxed slightly, though the guilt in her eyes hadn't entirely faded. "It just feels like I'm slowing everyone down. I should've trained harder before the academy. I should've been more prepared…"

Tomaru finally spoke, his tone steady and matter-of-fact. "You're not slowing us down."

Mina looked up at him, startled by the conviction in his voice.

Tomaru pushed off the tree, stepping closer. "You're a kunoichi, Mina. One with strengths we rely on. Stamina is just one aspect of being a shinobi. It's not the only thing that matters."

Mai nodded enthusiastically, sitting up. "Yeah! And besides, you're the brains of this operation. Do you know how many times we've used your traps and strategies to get out of tight spots? You think I could come up with that stuff? Pfft, no way."

Mina's lips twitched into a small smile, though she quickly tried to hide it. "I guess… but still, if I were stronger—"

"Then you'd just be trying to do everything," Tomaru cut in, his tone firm but not unkind. "You're part of a team, Mina. You don't have to be perfect at everything. That's why we're here—to cover each other's weaknesses."

Mina stared at him, the sincerity in his words sinking in. She felt a weight lift from her chest, her guilt easing for the first time since they'd started this mission. "Thanks," she said softly. "Both of you."

Mai grinned, her usual energy returning full force. "Good! Now that that's settled—" Her expression suddenly shifted, her face scrunching up in discomfort. She fidgeted, her legs bouncing slightly as her eyes darted to the side.

Mina noticed immediately. "Mai? Are you okay?"

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine," Mai said quickly, waving a hand dismissively. Her voice was higher-pitched than usual, betraying her unease.

Tomaru frowned. "You don't look fine."

Mai jumped to her feet, her movements stiff. "I just, uh—need to stretch my legs! Yeah, that's it. I'll be right back!" She hurriedly darted into the trees before anyone could question her further.

Tomaru and Mina exchanged a glance, his expression unreadable while she looked mildly puzzled. 

Mina blinked, watching her leave. "She seemed… urgent." 

Tomaru sighed, shaking his head. "She always finds a way to add drama, even to the simplest things." 

Mina chuckled softly, her earlier tension fully replaced by a growing sense of ease. The two sat in companionable silence for a moment, the forest around them peaceful despite the urgency of their mission.

"Tomaru," Mina began, her voice quieter now. "I really mean it—thank you. I didn't realize how much I needed to hear that."

Tomaru met her gaze, his expression softening. "You don't need to thank me, Mina. I'm just telling the truth."

She felt her cheeks warm slightly, though she quickly looked away to hide it. "Still, it means a lot."

Tomaru nodded, his tone light but sincere. "Good. Just remember it the next time you start doubting yourself."

Mina smiled, a quiet warmth blooming in her chest. 

A moment later, Mai returned, her usual boisterous energy back in full swing. "Miss me?" she asked, plopping down between them as if nothing had happened.

"No," Tomaru replied flatly, earning a mock glare from her.

Mai shot back, plopping down next to Mina. "What'd I miss? Did Tomaru lecture you more, Mina?"

Mina shook her head, her smile now easy and unguarded. "Nope. Just some quiet time. It's been… nice."

Mai raised an eyebrow, pretending to look scandalized. "Quiet time with Tomaru? Wow, Mina, you've got more patience than me."

—

Sayuri's swift arrival disrupted the battlefield like a thunderclap. Zabuza's menacing grin faltered as her scimitar deflected the Kubikiribōchō mid-swing, the metallic clash echoing across the bridge.

Kakashi, slumped nearby, his single visible eye watching Sayuri with a mix of relief and curiosity.

Naruto's gaze darted between the imposing Zabuza and the new arrival. His heart pounded as hope flared within him. "She's here to help us, right?!"

"Stay back," Sayuri commanded, her tone leaving no room for argument. Her focus never wavered from Zabuza, whose expression shifted from amusement to grim determination.

"You're different from the rest," Zabuza muttered, lowering his blade slightly as he assessed her. "I can feel it."

Sayuri's lips curved into a faint smile, but it carried no warmth. "You'll feel more than that if you don't surrender."

Zabuza laughed, a guttural sound that sent chills through the air. "Bold words. Let's see if you can back them up!"

Zabuza surged forward, his blade slicing through the air with deadly intent. The sheer weight and force of the Kubikiribōchō would have shattered any conventional defense, but Sayuri was already moving.

In a blur of motion, she sidestepped the attack, her movements impossibly fast. The massive blade crashed into the ground, sending dirt and debris flying, but Sayuri's counterattack was immediate.

The chain of her scimitar lashed out like a serpent, wrapping around the hilt of Zabuza's weapon. With a sharp tug, she yanked the Kubikiribōchō from his grasp, sending it spinning through the air before it embedded itself into the ground several meters away.

Zabuza's eyes widened briefly, but his snarl returned just as quickly. He lunged at her with his bare hands, his speed and strength still formidable despite his injuries.

Sayuri met his charge head-on, her scimitar flashing in a precise arc. Zabuza twisted to avoid the blade, but her follow-up was relentless—a kick aimed at his injured side. The impact sent him stumbling back, his boots dragging through the dirt as he fought to regain his footing.

Zabuza roared, his voice echoing through the clearing as he charged again. His movements were wild but purposeful, each strike designed to close the gap between them. Sayuri evaded his attacks with fluid precision, her scimitar flashing as she deflected his blows.

Every step of their dance revealed the stark difference in their abilities. Zabuza's attacks, once a force of unstoppable destruction, now seemed sluggish and predictable against Sayuri's swift and calculated movements.

In a single, seamless motion, she feinted a strike with her scimitar before driving her knee into his abdomen. The impact forced the air from his lungs, and he staggered back, clutching his side.

Zabuza coughed, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth as he glared at her. "You…"

Sayuri didn't respond. She simply stepped forward, her scimitar raised for the finishing blow.

But just as she moved to strike, a glint of silver caught her eye.

Her reflexes took over, and she spun, her chain snapping through the air to deflect a hail of senbon needles aimed at Sasuke's unconscious body. The needles clattered harmlessly to the ground, but the diversion was enough.

Sayuri's gaze snapped to the treeline, where a figure stepped forward—a shinobi wearing the distinctive mask of Kirigakure's ANBU.

Zabuza seized the moment, lunging toward his discarded sword. Sayuri's scimitar whipped around, the chain retracting as she aimed to intercept him.

But then, the unexpected.

The faint chakra signature she had been tracking suddenly surged. A figure materialized from the mist, their movements swift and silent. In an instant, they were at Zabuza's side, shielding him from Sayuri's strike.

The figure's face was obscured by a mask, their identity hidden beneath the eerie anonymity of Kirigakure's ANBU. Their hands moved in a blur, releasing a hail of senbon aimed at Sayuri.

Sayuri deflected the needles effortlessly, her eyes narrowing as she reassessed the situation. The masked figure didn't engage further. Instead, they hoisted Zabuza onto their shoulder with practiced ease.

The figure's voice was calm, almost mechanical. "Enough."

Sayuri's scimitar hovered mid-air, her stance steady but tense. She watched as the masked figure began to retreat, the mist thickening around them once more.

Zabuza's voice, though weak, carried a hint of bitter amusement. "Next time, kunoichi… I'll be ready."

Sayuri didn't respond. She simply watched as the mist swallowed them whole, their chakra signatures fading into the void.

She turned back to Team 7, her expression softening slightly as she surveyed the damage.

"This fight is over," she said firmly, her voice breaking the silence. "Focus on your injured."

Sakura rushed to Naruto's side, her trembling hands fumbling with the medical supplies in her pouch. Tears streaked her face as she worked frantically to stop the bleeding from his arm.

"I'm sorry, Naruto," she choked out, her voice thick with emotion. "I should have been stronger… I should have done more."

Naruto's face was pale, his breaths shallow, but his voice was steady despite the pain. "It's okay, Sakura… you did your best…"

Sayuri observed the scene silently, her sharp eyes taking in every detail. Behind her, Kakashi finally allowed himself to collapse onto one knee, exhaustion overtaking him.