Whether for identification purposes or deeper cultural reasons, the equipment and aesthetic styles of different hidden villages are distinct. You can usually tell where a ninja belongs at a single glance—especially when they're wearing a "dog tag" forehead protector.
While Ui's protector was hidden beneath his mask, and Asuma and Kurenai currently had their faces buried deep in the fur of the multi-headed hound, Yamashiro Aoba's Konoha forehead protector was clearly visible.
It wasn't surprising that Pakura called out their affiliation. And given Ui's recent "fame" in the Land of Wind, he suspected it wouldn't be long before she identified him as the Shiroyaksha (White Yaksha).
Ui remained on high alert. Scorch Release was a nightmare to deal with, and he prepared for the woman in front of him to strike at any moment. Since she had opened with a greeting, protocol dictated he reply with some nonsense of his own.
"The hero who repelled the Stone's invasion, the Bloodline Limit user Pakura of the Scorch Release... why is such a prominent figure in the Land of Rain right now?"
It was a confrontation. As a Konoha shinobi, Ui was questioning a high-ranking Suna ninja—an Elite Jonin, no less, while he was technically just a Chunin.
Surprisingly, Pakura actually answered. "If you must know... it's for a mission."
A classic non-answer. Naturally, she wasn't going to reveal the specifics of her objective.
"Konoha ninja, Suna has no obligation to explain its movements to you," she added coldly.
"No," Ui replied without hesitation. "While Konoha and Suna are not in a master-servant relationship, we have only just signed a peace treaty. Every move Suna makes causes tension in the Leaf. When a ninja of your caliber appears deep within the territory of our enemy, we cannot help but suspect that Suna has designs against Konoha once more."
Ui framed his words to make it seem as though his squad had specifically infiltrated the Land of Rain just to track her.
It was a surreal scene. Deep in the heart of Amegakure territory, surrounded by superior numbers of Rain Ninjas, these two invaders were casually debating politics as if the local forces didn't exist.
Ui's squad—though consisting only of four people and a dog—held a certain presence. The Multi-Headed Hound, with its three heads scanning the area and saliva dripping from its fangs, was a terrifying sight. Its six aggressive eyes were enough to make anyone hesitate.
The battle had turned into a bizarre three-way standoff.
The Debt of the White Yaksha
Pakura didn't respond to Ui's political posturing immediately. Instead, she locked eyes with him. Has she figured it out? Ui wondered.
"Speaking of which," Pakura said, her voice dropping an octave. "Your appearance reminds me of a description in a village mission brief. During the final clash between Konoha and Suna, an individual infiltrated the undefended Sand Village and caused massive, indiscriminate destruction... Konoha ninja, you are the one they call the Shiroyaksha, aren't you?"
There it was. The Fuma clan had recognized him by his seal-less Lightning Style; an elite like Pakura only needed his physical description. After all, there was a blood debt between them.
Though her tone remained steady, there was a distinct "gnashing of teeth" quality to her words. Ui couldn't help but wonder—did I blow up her husband or something? Was it a 'just married' situation?
He wasn't foolish enough to admit it out loud, though.
"Currently, Konoha and Suna are allies. Peace has been achieved," Ui said with an air of righteous indignation, as if the Sand village deserved to be bombed. "Any actions taken during the war were merely means to facilitate that peace. Now that peace is here, there is no reason to dwell on the specific tactics used by either side. Jonin Pakura, you have no right or reason to attack us. Or do you wish to shatter the hard-won peace between our villages?"
"You think invading the Sand and destroying civilian infrastructure was a 'means to peace'?"
Ui shrugged. "Factually speaking, it accelerated the peace process, didn't it?"
Pakura fell silent for a moment, then suddenly burst into a cold, hollow laugh.
"You're a smooth talker, White Yaksha. But the damage you did to Suna... that's a grudge that 'peace' cannot erase. You might be a hero to the Leaf, but you are an absolute enemy to the Sand."
It seemed his reputation in Suna was far worse than he realized. Since the "Aerial Infiltration Incident," he was likely ranked right alongside the White Fang in their hierarchy of hatred. He was easily in Suna's Top 5 "Ninjas We Most Want to Kill Personally."
Pakura dropped the subject of peace treaties. "You said attacking you would affect the peace between our nations. But tell me... if I kill you all right here in the Land of Rain, do you think anyone will ever find out?"
She took a step forward, her orange orbs of fire beginning to hum. "Even if the Konoha leadership suspected me, do you think they would restart a world war just for one small squad?"
They wouldn't.
Ui answered instantly in his mind. Knowing the Third Hokage's personality, he wouldn't break a vital peace treaty over a single missing squad—even if his own son was in it. To some, that was weakness; to the Hokage, it was the "Big Picture."
"So, you're confident you can keep us here?" Ui asked, while subtly signaling Aoba to prepare. He knew this wasn't going to end with a handshake.
"Absolutely."
To the confusion of the surrounding Rain Ninjas, the two "allies" prepared to kill each other. If it were any other Konoha ninja, things might have stayed civil, but Ui had hit Suna where it hurt.
Aoba jumped onto the back of the Multi-Headed Hound, and the creature immediately backed away, putting distance between the wounded and the upcoming blast zone. Aoba knew that in a fight against Scorch Release, he'd only be in the way.
Pakura lunged forward, orange orbs of death spiraling toward Ui.