The Battle: An Interloper from the Past!

...Well, Aldo. I should take my leave, as my shift will be starting soon.

Right, your job at the tavern. I gotta admit, a Kunoichi working as a waitress seems like a weird idea... But I think I'm getting used to it. Have a good shift, Tsubame!

Thank you, Aldo. I will work hard for my customers, alongside Suzume. All right, Suzume, let's go.

Meow!

Meow...?

Suzume, what's wrong?

Me... meow...!

Suzume? Suzume?! Talk to me!

Meee...ow...

She looks like she's in a lot of pain! What's happening?!

No, this can't be... Could it be that we are out of time?

Out of time...? What do you mean?

I...

Aldo. We must go to the Moonlight Forest.

Moonlight Forest? Why?

There is a good chance that a herb called Moongrass grows there. It can fortify one's mind and restore their strength, and should work on Suzume's condition as well.

Okay. I've never seen or heard of Moongrass before, though. Do you know what it looks like?

I do. Hang on just a little longer, Suzume... I'll save you. I promise.

Me... ow...

We better get to the Moonlight Forest right away!

......

...So ending Suzume's life was too much, for her, it would seem. But this will be where her hesitation must end. Your abilities as a ninja will finally be tested, Tsubame...

So, Tsubame. Where should we look for this Moongrass?

Let me see. I've heard that it doesn't grow under direct moonlight, but only under the indirect reflection of its light.

...There!

Here, eat this, Suzume. I know it's difficult, so take your time...

Mreow...

Suzume!

Oh, it works! Thank goodness...

Meee...ow...

Shoot! It's not working!

No...!

How long do you intend to keep running from this, Tsubame?

Huh?! Who's there?!

To have come this close without me noticing...

You are mistaken. I did not bother to mask my presence. The reason you failed to notice me was because you failed to keep your senses in tune, too occupied with that wretched thing. Truly shameful, Tsubame. You are not fit to be a ninja.

A ninja?!

What are you doing, Tsubame?!

Aldo... I am a runaway ninja. A traitor, in the eyes of my clan. An assassin coming to take my life was always a possibility.

Come now. We're both from the same clan. No need to be so hostile.

......

Though I must say, I'm surprised. I see you have kept your ninja skills in good shape, even after leaving the clan.

Of course I have. As a runaway, my skills are all the proof I have of being a ninja!

Haha... You, a ninja? Strange to hear such words from someone who couldn't even kill Suzume.

Grr...

Kill Suzume?! What are you talking about?

It's exactly as it sounds, young man. A ninja must follow an order no matter how unacceptable they may find it, without hesitation, weakness, or mercy. Even if that order is ending the life of one's own kin.

What are you saying? Why would Tsubame need to kill Suzume?!

Hm... You know nothing, don't you?

The curse placed upon Suzume is an incredibly strong one, cast by a powerful sorcerer during the war with the Land of Ro. Her current feline form is merely a temporary point in her transformation. Before long...she will transform into a horror, the likes of which have never been seen before.

A horror?

Indeed. A monster, a calamity, capable of tearing mountains asunder.

Now! How long do you intend to continue your meaningless delays, Tsubame!

......

The curse has already progressed, and it is only a matter of time before she transforms. Enough of this resistance. Kill Suzume like you were originally ordered to. Once it is done, we shall permit your return to the clan.

No...

......

I... I refuse! I will not back down, not until the very end!

So stubborn... You are a gifted ninja, but that power clouds your judgment. You have lost sight of what must be done.

Very well, then. But know that I shall be watching the proceedings from the shadows.

......

Hey, Tsubame. Was all that true?

Yes. All of it is true.

It happened three years ago. The Land of Mi, the nation my clan served, and the neighboring nation of Ro became entangled in war. I was tasked with slipping across the border to create turncoats, traitors within Ro's army. The plan was to take young Suzume with me, disguise ourselves as a pair of orphan sisters, and open the border gates from within.

And the plan worked.

They told you and Suzume to do this, even though you were just kids? I know you're ninjas, but...

I've told you before, Aldo. There are children who become ninjas as young as ten years of age. I had just turned ten when I completed my first solo mission and was accepted as a full-fledged ninja. By the time the war came around, I had enough experience to be considered a mid-level operative.

That's unreal...

The person who had welcomed us into Ro was the sorcerer. Before she died, she used all of her power to unleash a curse on Suzume and me, who had betrayed her. "You foul, deceitful clan of spies," she spat. "You deserve the forms of beasts to match your natures!" I managed to dodge it, but Suzume...

That's how she got cursed.

Yes... The clan considered Suzume to be a threat, and gave me the order to swiftly end her life.

But I could never follow such an order! So, I decided that I'd rather be a runaway than take Suzume's life. We drifted to this continent to escape the grasp of those chasing us.

I see...

Since then I've visited many disenchanters to have them look at Suzume's curse. None of their methods have worked. However, there is one more thing I've found that might have some effect...

What would that be?

Suzume's form has not yet changed from that of a cat. I have been told this is because Suzume's unbelievable physical strength and spirit have kept the curse at bay. No matter how strong her spirit is, though, if her strength should falter...

So by that logic... If she regains her strength, she can keep resisting the curse?

In theory, yes.

In that case, we better hurry and find something that can help her!

Agreed. It just so happens that I heard a rumor in the tavern that resilient plants grow in a town in the desert.

I see. Then, we should head to Zarbo.

I see. Then, we should ask the Synth Hydra to take us to this desert town.

Okay, this is Zarbo. But which desert plant was the rumor talking about?

I'm not certain of the details. Let us ask the locals and see.

W-Wait! You're not using that shadow skill, are you?!

I am, as situation calls for it. Go!

Mee...ow...?

Suzume?

She ate it by herself... Maybe she can tell that that's the plant that will help her?

I hope that's true... How is it, Suzume?

Meow!

Maybe it's just me, but it looks like she has gotten a bit better!

Mreow...

Huh?

Meee...ow...

Suzume!

What's wrong? Was it the wrong plant?!

No, Aldo. According to the information I gathered, the plant she just ate was the right one. It is the most resilient species that exists in this region...

So why, then?!

It is simple... The curse has grown to the point where neither strength nor spirit can hold it back.

No... But then Suzume is...

Mrow...

She's writing on the ground again... Suzume, don't exhaust yourself like that!

...... "Thank you, but it's fine. I want this all to end." Suzume... Why? How could you...?!

"But before I die, I would like to see my favorite place one more time." ......

......

...Very well. I will take you home.

But, that's...

Please don't get me wrong. I haven't given up. As long as Suzume hasn't been completely taken over by the curse, there is still a small shred of hope.

Right. And maybe she'll feel a little better once she sees home.

I truly hope so. We must journey through the Inanari Plateau to reach her favorite place. Aldo... Would you accompany us?

Of course. Let's head to the Inanari Plateau.

Mew... Meow...!

Suzume! Hold on. We're almost there...

Mreow...

She looks so awfully weak now... I can't bear to watch. Why does Suzume need to suffer?

If only I had been more aware of our surroundings... If I had been quicker at taking down the guards at the gate... Suzume would never have been struck by the curse.

It wasn't your fault! The one to blame is the Land of Mi, who sent kids like you and Suzume out into battle!

No, Aldo. By then, I was already a ninja, and a ninja must follow their master's orders no matter what. Now I'm just a runaway who abandoned my clan. But back then, I was a ninja in every sense of the word.

So much so that I failed to protect my sister because I was following orders... How despicable.

Still, I can't just accept this!

Suzume...

She hardly has the strength to stand anymore...

Look at this scenery. Nothing has changed. We used to head up that path to train at the temple, before it fell into ruin. Together, all three of us sisters...

Three sisters... So Kamome was there, too.

Three sisters...? Not two?

Are you happy to see our favorite place again? You've come home, to the place you yearned for...

Meee...ow...

...My mind is made up. I have no more misgivings.

Tsubame?

Suzume. You have done very well. You can leave everything to me now.

Me...roow... Meeeeoooow!

Suzume! Suzume, talk to me!

It's no use, Aldo... She has already lost herself. I'm sorry, Suzume. I'll try to keep this as painless as possible.

She's your sister, Tsubame! How can you just cut off your feelings like that?!

...Because I'm a ninja.

And so is Suzume. She must have been prepared for this moment for a long time. Aldo. If you can not face this, then I must ask you to step aside.

...Ugh!

Fine. I'm ready. I may not be a ninja... But I'll do this for Suzume. I'm going to keep trying to make this right until the very end!

If that is what you wish, Aldo. We shall fight together, then. Dear sister, prepare yourself...!

This is it.

You... You're that ninja we met in the Moonlight Forest.

That's right. I have been in the shadows, watching you. Tsubame. I see you're finally ready to become a true ninja again.

......

No! Tsubame, it's not over yet! You can't give up!

Do not try to stop me, Aldo. This is my duty as a ninja... And as Suzume's sister!

Here we go! Ninja skill...!

Tsubame!

...Golden Blizzard Jutsu!

Grrrooh...?

Huh?

What's happening?!

These are... Gold coins?!

Meow-meow!

Meow! Meow! Meooooooooow!

Regaining consciousness after turning into a monster? How can this be?!

Suzume! I knew this jutsu would bring you back.

What was that? How did you manage to gather so many coins?!

...Wait! These are... There are counterfeits! Perfect counterfeits, right down to the shape, weight, and feel!

Counterfeits? Like fakes?! What's going on?

They say those who have mastered the skills of the earth can control even rare metals... But I've never seen such impeccable fakes! And to make this many fall from the sky... The amount of practice needed must have been tremendous!

Even so, this plan was less than ideal... Even now, I am using every ounce of skill I have to confuse Suzume's sight, hearing, touch, and smell. Suzume is such a connoisseur of money, however, that the probability of this working was fifty percent at best!

Still, I made up my mind to place my bets on that number. So... Thank you, Aldo. For saying that you would fight to make things right. Those words gave me the push I needed.

Wait, that wasn't what I... I didn't know what else to do.

To waste one's gift on something so vain...

To me, this is how a ninja's skills should be used, even if it is for something vain. I have always used my abilities to protect my beloved family. If that is not the way of the ninja, then I am happy to be called a runaway.

And even then, my skills will never go dull. I promise you that.

...I must say, resolving the situation without killing Suzume was entirely unpredictable.

I must report this matter to our master.

I suggest you leave this continent while you still can.

He's gone...

Yes... And it's probably best to listen to what he said.

After all, I am a runaway... Who knows when another hound might pick up my scent.

Let us return to the Migleina Continent...

Together, with Suzume.

Right. Let's all get back to Rinde!

So we've returned... Even though I'm originally from the East, this place feels more like home to me now.

I think I know what you mean. With enough time, any place can feel like home.

I suppose so. I think Suzume may feel the same way.

But that skill you did was pretty cool. What was it called again? The Kitty Bank Jutsu?

No! It is the Golden Blizzard Jutsu!

But to see Suzume so disheartened since I used that jutsu...

She was gloomy throughout our journey back, too.

Suzume, please. You have to cheer up sooner or later...

Boy, that face she made when the mountain of coins turned into a pile of rocks...

Yes... I still feel a tinge of regret about that.

But if I hadn't done so, you would have remained a monster. In fact, your transformation would have progressed, turning you into a calamity that would have ravaged the land.

......

*sigh* You are such a child, little sister.

Little sister, huh...? But if she hasn't turned back into a human, that must mean the curse still exists, right?

Most likely, yes. It seems to have calmed down, but we cannot rest until it is dealt with completely. Besides, the Golden Blizzard Jutsu is a one-time technique. I will not be able to use it again. That is why I had delayed its use for so long...

Right. Well, until Suzume's curse is dispelled, you can always count on my help. Luckily for us, we have friends who can do incredible things. We can even jump through time if we ask the Synth Hydra. I'm sure we'll find a way to remove Suzume's curse some day.

Thank you. Your words give me strength.

See, Suzume? Aldo says there's still hope. Please, you have to cheer up.

......

...Then I have no choice. I must show one skill I hold particularly dear.

Hold dear? Wait a minute. It can't be more drastic than Stealth or Sexy Jutsu, can it?!

Yes, it is. What are you so excited about?

More worried than excited, actually.

Oh, please. There is nothing to be concerned about.

You had better not look away, Suzume! Here goes!

Ninja skill! Maiff-a-faiff Vufu!

Huh? I couldn't really make out the words. What is she doing?

Meow... Meeow, meow!

Wow! That made Suzume bounce right back! Just what sort of skill was that?!

...Pfft!

Tsubame... Wh-What... What's with that face...?! Ah, I can't take it anymore! Hahaha!

Phew... I see it works just as well on you too, Aldo. Although, it is slightly embarrassing to see you laughing that hard.

S-Sorry... But seriously though, what was that?

That was the Make-a-face Jutsu.

When I was a mere rookie, just out of training... This was the very first ninja skill I created, to stop Suzume crying. At first, all it did was make her cry harder, or she'd just outright ignore me. I kept on refining my skills, though. And before I knew it, I could make Suzume laugh every time I used it.

Meeeow♪

That inspired me to work hard to create the ultimate Stealth and Sexy Jutsu... And finally, the Golden Blizzard Jutsu!

......

The Make-a-face Jutsu is a little crude to be considered a ninja skill... But it has always been my best jutsu of all.

I see. You know, I can almost imagine what you two were like back then. You're a great older sister, Tsubame.

It is very relieving to hear that.

Let us remove this curse one day. Together, as sisters.

Meow!