A life hanging by a thread… and a deal that binds the future.
A merchant ship bound for the Land of Bears.
Inside the cabin—
The frantic escape earlier had torn open her wounds again. Coupled with severe blood loss, Pakura's once radiant face had turned deathly pale.
She could feel her life slipping away.
With great effort, she lifted her head and looked at Kai, her eyes filled with quiet pleading.
"Little brother… if I die, don't throw me into the sea to feed the fish. Bury me somewhere beneath green shade… so I can always see the scenery."
Sunagakure was a land of endless desert—sandstorms and barren earth, devoid of green.
What Pakura longed for… was a peaceful life in lush mountains and fields.
And so, she made this request.
At the same time—
she knew the Mist shinobi hadn't lied.
Rasa had betrayed her.
Nothing hurt more than a heart gone cold.
"…No. I'll toss you into the forest and let wild beasts eat you," Kai said dryly, shaking his head.
"No! I refuse! I don't want to be eaten by beasts!" Pakura shook her head like a rattle drum.
How was that any different from feeding fish?
Kai, acting far older than his years, tapped her smooth forehead and teased, "Who knows? Maybe you'll survive. People need dreams—otherwise, what's the difference between them and salted fish?"
Pakura gave a bitter smile.
She knew her condition.
Only a highly skilled medical-nin could save her.
But here… on a merchant ship—
where would they find one?
After a brief silence, Kai spoke calmly.
"Let me try."
He had only learned the Mystical Palm Technique for a few days—enough for minor injuries.
But Pakura's wounds were severe.
Even he wasn't confident.
At this point…
it was up to fate.
"You're… a medical-nin too?!" Pakura's pale face filled with shock.
An eight- or nine-year-old boy—
with Wood Release…
strength comparable to a jōnin…
and now, medical ninjutsu?
"Genius" wasn't enough to describe him.
This was a monster.
Kai caught her reaction and lightly smacked her head, his tone turning blunt.
"I didn't say I can definitely save you."
"If you die, I'll still toss you into the sea. Don't let me waste my effort dragging you out of the Hidden Mist."
Then his expression shifted slightly as he spoke with a faint smile.
"But if I do save you… you have to agree to one condition."
Pakura blinked, puzzled.
"What condition?"
Kai enunciated each word clearly.
"I want you to submit to me."
Kai wasn't a good person.
Everything he did had a purpose.
Saving Pakura was no exception.
"…Heh… I agree," Pakura replied with a bitter smile.
She knew he had ulterior motives.
But he had still risked his life, charging alone into Kirigakure to save her.
That alone was sincerity.
Besides—
he was young, powerful, and filled with limitless potential.
Following him…
might not be a bad choice.
Certainly better than the village that stabbed her in the back.
"I'm starting."
Soft green chakra gathered in Kai's hands, then spread over Pakura's wounded waist.
As the cool chakra seeped in, Pakura felt an intense itching—like countless ants crawling and biting beneath her skin.
Half an hour passed.
Then an hour.
Then two…
Kai burned through massive amounts of chakra. Sweat beaded on his forehead, and the strain of constant focus left him exhausted.
But—
Pakura's wounds steadily closed.
In the end—
they were nearly fully healed.
The treatment… was a success.
Suddenly—
Pakura's body jolted.
As if waking from a nightmare, she instinctively reached for her ninja pouch, gripping a kunai and snapping into a combat stance.
"Oh? Planning to attack your savior?"
Kai sat cross-legged across the cabin, recovering his strength, watching her with a half-smile.
The treatment had drained him.
But killing her now?
Still effortless.
Once she recognized her surroundings, Pakura gave a wry smile and lowered her kunai.
Without Kai—
she would have died twice already.
She wasn't someone who repaid kindness with betrayal.
Kai narrowed his eyes slightly, smiling.
"Big sister… you remember our agreement, right?"
If she denied it—
no matter how beautiful she was—
he wouldn't hesitate to kill her.
"…Submit to you, right? I haven't forgotten…" Pakura sighed deeply, looking at him through the black cat mask.
Acknowledging an eight- or nine-year-old as her master…
it felt strange.
Kai's killing intent faded instantly, replaced by a playful grin.
"You're this pretty. How could I bear to kill you?"
Pakura finally relaxed.
If she had denied it just now—
she was certain—
he would have killed her without hesitation.
"So… as your subordinate, should I leave with you?" she asked.
Sunagakure had already chilled her heart.
She didn't want to go back.
Following him…
might be better.
Kai thought for a moment, then shook his head.
"No. Go back to Sunagakure. I'll contact you when needed."
Pakura was a renowned Scorch Release user.
Bringing her back to the Uchiha would be a disaster.
Sunagakure might even use it as a pretext to start a war—
and Konoha's higher-ups would gladly seize the chance to eliminate the Uchiha.
That risk—
was unacceptable.
Better to let her return.
To become a source of intelligence.
And besides—
as a village hero, the higher-ups wouldn't dare act against her openly.
After the Kirigakure incident—
she would remain cautious.
That settled it.
"…Understood, Master," Pakura said, her tone complicated.
Then she asked, "If I return… aren't you afraid I'll betray you?"
Kai smiled.
"Do you really think I can't kill you in Sunagakure?"
In that instant—
Pakura felt a chilling killing intent from him.
He meant it.
"…Since I saved you, shouldn't I get some interest?" Kai suddenly added, staring at her.
Pakura froze, glancing at him oddly before hesitating.
"You're still so young… I doubt you're capable of that…"
"I'm not talking about that!" Kai snapped, visibly annoyed. "I mean—do you have any valuable jutsu on you?"
"Oh…"
Pakura thought for a moment, then gave a helpless smile.
"No…"
Kai rolled his eyes.
You're seriously broke.
Soon—
the merchant ship docked.
Kai and Pakura parted ways.
Before leaving—
Pakura leaned in and kissed his cheek with a soft "mwah," smiling brightly.
"Master… thank you for saving me. I won't repay kindness with betrayal."
Then—
she waved and departed.
Returning to Sunagakure.
That moment—
when Kai stood before her, risking everything to save her—
had been etched deeply into her heart.
Because when she had nothing left—
and stood on the edge of death—
he was the one who stepped forward without hesitation…
Even if his intentions—
were far from pure.
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