Kirigakure.
Surrounded by the sea, the village was shrouded in mist all year round, visibility perpetually low.
Pakura walked along a mountain road, her eyes scanning the surroundings with vigilance.
Although the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, and the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura, had already reached a secret understanding regarding a ceasefire between their villages, this was still the territory of the "Bloody Mist Village."
Caution was never unnecessary.
…
"If only I could've brought that Wood Release boy back to Sunagakure…"
Pakura sighed softly as she walked, a trace of regret flashing across her beautiful face.
If the Sand could gain a Wood Release user, what a boon that would be.
…
It was nothing more than wishful thinking.
…
Pakura had always been loyal to Sunagakure, willing to give everything.
Yet in the end—
her loyalty was repaid with betrayal.
…
Later, when she was revived during the Fourth Great Ninja War, having lost all faith in the shinobi world, she sought revenge against everyone to vent her resentment.
…
A pitiful and tragic kunoichi.
…
"Are you Lady Pakura?"
A gentle voice emerged from the dense mist.
Moments later, a tall, well-built man stepped out slowly. He wore a warm smile, appearing harmless.
A jōnin of Kirigakure—sent to receive her.
…
"I am Pakura."
She nodded lightly.
…
"Please, this way."
He gestured toward a fork in the road ahead.
…
Pakura gave a soft "Mm" and followed.
…
At that instant—
he moved.
…
A flash of cold steel cut through the mist.
A kunai drove straight into her waist.
…
He twisted it, deliberately worsening the wound.
…
"What are you doing!?"
Blood flowed down her pale skin.
Pakura leapt back several meters, but the pain forced her to one knee.
Her face turned pale as she glared at him—anger and disbelief intertwined.
…
"I am a diplomatic envoy of Sunagakure!"
"If you kill me, aren't you afraid of reigniting war between our villages!?"
…
"Hahaha!"
The Kirigakure jōnin sneered.
"Pakura, how naïve."
"You still don't understand?"
"You are the sacrifice sent by Sunagakure!"
…
Her mind went blank.
Then she roared—
"The Kazekage would never do something so despicable!"
"Even if I die, I will never betray Sunagakure!"
…
"Let me make it clear so you can die without regrets."
"Kirigakure fears your Scorch Release."
"The condition for peace—"
"is your death."
…
"Understand now?"
He sneered.
…
Pakura froze.
…
"So… that's it…"
…
The truth shattered her.
…
"Time to die."
The jōnin snapped his fingers.
…
Instantly, more than a dozen Kirigakure ninja appeared on the surrounding hills.
An ambush.
…
"To ensure success."
…
"Kill her!"
…
Dozens of kunai flew toward Pakura.
No escape.
No survival.
…
As she closed her eyes in despair—
a calm voice sounded in front of her.
…
"Wood Release: Wood Locking Wall."
…
Rows of wooden pillars rose instantly, forming an impenetrable barrier.
…
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Kunai struck the wood and fell harmlessly.
…
Pakura slowly opened her eyes.
…
Before her stood a young figure.
Short.
Masked.
Wearing a black cat mask.
…
Kai.
…
At that moment, he wasn't just a savior.
He was like a god descending.
…
Why… did he save me?
…
She remembered their earlier clash.
His gaze had been full of killing intent—like a predator.
…
So why?
…
What did he want?
…
She couldn't understand him.
…
"Wood Release…? You're from Konoha!?"
The Kirigakure ninja's pupils shrank—then burned with greed.
…
If they captured him, perhaps they could gain one of the Seven Ninja Swords!
…
"Kill him!"
…
But before the order fully left his mouth—
Kai moved.
…
Like a cannonball, he appeared before the jōnin.
A palm strike—
to the abdomen.
…
"Wood Release: Impalement Technique."
…
Pfft!
Wooden spikes erupted, piercing through the jōnin's body.
…
Instant death.
…
Then—
Kai became a reaper.
…
Using the Body Flicker Technique, he weaved through the mist.
…
Three minutes.
…
All Kirigakure ninja—
dead.
…
+5000 energy.
…
Sharingan Lv.2 (5700 / 1,000,000)
Still a long road ahead.
…
Now that his Asura's Chakra had reached Level 3, his next goal was upgrading the Sharingan.
Three tomoe—
far stronger than two.
…
He walked up to Pakura.
…
"Big sister Pakura," he said gently, "you're not dead yet, right?"
…
She almost coughed blood.
…
A Sand jōnin reduced to this—and mocked like this?
…
And his voice—
so gentle—
yet his words so infuriating.
…
"I'm… still alive," she replied coldly.
…
"Good. I was worried."
Kai nodded seriously.
…
"Since you're fine—"
"I'll take my leave."
…
He turned and walked away.
…
No hesitation.
No chivalry.
…
Pakura stared at her bleeding wound—
speechless.
…
This… is "fine"?
…
Her eyes reddened.
…
"…If you chose to save me…"
"Why not take me with you?"
…
For the first time, her voice carried a hint of pleading.
…
Because staying—
meant death.
…
Even someone like Pakura—
feared death.
…
Kai stopped.
Turned.
Walked back.
…
A grin spread across his face.
…
"How could I abandon someone as pretty as you, big sister?"
…
"Let's go."
…
He lifted her into his arms.
…
The movement tugged at her wound—
she let out a soft groan.
"Ah… it hurts…"
…
"Big sister, I'm a bit rough."
"Just bear with it."
…
Before Kirigakure could react—
they vanished into the mist.
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