Satsujo’s breath slowed as she assessed the situation with acute focus. The battle had been intense, with every move calculated and executed in an effort to best her opponent. Yet, the mistake had come at the most critical moment. She had underestimated Hariku's speed and the destructive potential of Sunagakure’s signature Iron Sand. As her swords, one in each hand, slashed through the air, the metallic edges gleamed with the promise of cutting through anything in their path. But as soon as the blades came into view, something had shifted. Hariku’s fabled Iron Sand seemed to almost sense the metal’s presence, drawn to it like a magnet. There was no time for a second thought or hesitation. The very instant Satsujo felt the resistance in her swing, she knew something was wrong, but it was already too late. The Iron Sand had latched onto her swords with a force that sent a shudder through her arms, pulling the blades to an almost impossible standstill.
Her heart skipped a beat as her swords, once her trusted extensions, turned against her. The steel glinted dangerously, poised at her neck, ready to cut with a mere flick of the wrist. A fatality in the making. Satsujo could feel the weight of the situation, the coldness of the blades that mirrored the seriousness of the battle. Yet, there was something else—an odd thrill, a spark of admiration. She couldn’t help but smirk. “Well played,” she murmured under her breath, almost impressed by Hariku’s skill. "This is what I’d expect from a capable kunoichi of Sunagakure. Seems like they haven’t lost their touch." Her focus shifted briefly as the Iron Sand clone that had been advancing on her disappeared, crumbling into grains of sand, leaving behind only the controlled power of her own blades. Just as she prepared to adapt, a voice echoed softly from behind her.
The words caught her off guard for a brief moment, and her eyes widened slightly as she instinctively tensed. A sharp awareness washed over her as the situation took a new turn. She knew the voice before she even turned—Hariku, the blonde kunoichi, was closer than Satsujo had expected. Satsujo, still in a poised stance despite the perilous situation, sheathed her twin wind swords back at her waist. She kept her composure as the weight of Hariku’s words settled in, but her expression remained unfazed, almost neutral. “Like you said,” she replied evenly, her voice steady, “I’m on an important mission, and I don’t have the luxury of playing politician for a village that’s already got capable Kunoichi like yourself.” Her words were measured, but there was a quiet undercurrent of determination that was impossible to ignore. Her gaze remained locked ahead as if she could already sense the direction this confrontation was heading. “I would appreciate your help," she continued, her voice now more serious, "but I can't promise you that I’ll be returning to the village...depending on how this ends. This matter has gone on for far too long." The words carried weight, each syllable a reminder of the complexity of her position. Satsujo was no stranger to difficult decisions, and this mission—one that involved personal, political, and strategic stakes—was one she had no intention of abandoning, no matter how much pressure the village might try to exert on her. The wind whistled softly around them, swirling the grains of sand in the air as the desert's heat pressed in, matching the pressure mounting between them.
Location: Suna Peninsula
Posting Order: Satsujo -> Hariku
Post Time Limit (PTI): 3 Days
Skip Points: ll