Chapter 16: Pakura's Doubts
Meanwhile, Hōzuki Kōgetsu was fighting Jack with growing delight.
Because Jack knew about his abilities, she remained on constant guard against his Hydrification Technique. However, since her own magical energy was already running low—and Chizuki had no spare mana left to support her—she gradually began to fall into a disadvantageous position. Kōgetsu could clearly see that as well.
He knew Jack was already at the end of her rope. At this rate, victory was only a matter of time, and that naturally put him in a good mood. Even so, Kōgetsu still had a certain degree of respect for this white-haired little girl who had managed to exchange blows with him.
After all, he was from one of Kirigakure's great clans in the Land of Water. His lineage traced back to the Second Mizukage himself. He was proficient in all kinds of Water Release, and his swordsmanship was exceptional. Yet this completely unknown little girl had managed to fight him for dozens of exchanges without falling behind. That was no small feat.
What a pity. If she weren't an enemy, that would've been nice.
Forget it, forget it. Why think about all that? Better to get rid of her quickly, then kill Pakura and that other brat afterward.
Hōzuki Kōgetsu thought it over seriously, then nodded to himself in approval.
Yes. That's the plan.
As he thought that, Kōgetsu took a moment to glance back in Pakura's direction.
The moment he did, he nearly bit his own tongue in shock.
What the hell?! What kind of nonsense is this? Is that little brat using medical ninjutsu? Are you kidding me? Has Konoha's educational standard gotten that insane? Can any random kid now control chakra with this level of precision? Since when are Konoha genin this ridiculous? How the hell is anyone supposed to fight this? Are you even letting the other ninja villages survive anymore?!
Of course, if he knew that Konoha's Seventh Hokage would one day also be a genin, who knew what he'd think then.
Yeah. No problem there.
The moment Hōzuki Kōgetsu realized what was happening, he knew that if he just stood there and watched Pakura recover her strength, he might as well go drown himself in a bathhouse.
So, panicking, he immediately forced Jack back with a swing of his blade, activated the Hydrification Technique, and transformed into a stream of water that shot straight toward Chizuki and Pakura.
He absolutely could not let her continue healing.
Absolutely not.
Watching Hōzuki Kōgetsu charge toward them with murderous momentum, Chizuki panicked as well. But there was nothing he could do about it. He was only a genin—there was no way he could stop him.
At this point, everything could only be left to Pakura.
Thinking that, Chizuki frantically urged [First Aid] in his heart, praying it would heal faster.
Maybe it was just his imagination, but he felt as if the light on the ring had grown brighter, and the life force flowing from it had become even denser.
Then, when the final trace of light from the ring disappeared into Pakura's body, the eyes she had kept tightly shut suddenly opened.
A sharp radiance burst from her gaze as though it had substance. A powerful aura erupted from her slender body like a phoenix reborn from the ashes.
Under the pressure of that overwhelming presence, the ground around her began to crack. The temperature in the air rose rapidly, and even Chizuki, standing nearby, felt his throat grow dry and hoarse.
"Holy shit!"
Hōzuki Kōgetsu, who had been rushing straight at them, bore the brunt of it.
Or rather, that aura had been directed at him from the start.
A wave of heat slammed into his face and instantly sent him flying backward. While still in midair, he couldn't even maintain the Hydrification Technique. His body reverted to normal, and he crashed to the ground in a miserable heap.
"Hmph."
The corner of Pakura's lips lifted slightly as she rose to her feet and let out a quiet snort.
Violent chakra fluctuations swirled around her along with the current of air. Raising one graceful hand, she brushed aside the orange bangs that had been blown out of place across her forehead.
As if deep in thought, she stood there in silence for a long moment. Then, without warning, she shifted her gaze and fixed it upon the disheveled Hōzuki Kōgetsu not far away.
"My injuries are still severe. I can move my chakra now, but my body's agility has dropped quite a bit, and my reactions are much slower as well..."
"But it's enough."
Noticing the gaze directed at him, Hōzuki Kōgetsu swallowed hard and slowly raised his head. A flicker of fear showed in his eyes, but he crushed it almost immediately, replacing it with grimness and malice as he glared back at her.
Their gazes collided in midair, faintly sparking with killing intent, and the atmosphere grew visibly tense.
"Heh. You're Hōzuki Kōgetsu of the Hōzuki Clan from Kirigakure, right? You really do deserve to die. But before that, I want to ask you a few questions."
Pakura's moist, clear eyes swept over Kōgetsu's body before she broke the silence and spoke.
"Ask me questions? Hahaha... what do you want to know?"
Just like Pakura, Hōzuki Kōgetsu was also carefully observing her, his gaze sharp and probing.
Right now, he truly couldn't read her condition.
Earlier, he had taken advantage of Pakura's carelessness and arrogance, using strategy to ambush her and inflict serious wounds. But then this little brat from Konoha had somehow used medical ninjutsu to bring her back from the brink. Worse still, she now looked almost fully recovered.
Under those circumstances, rashly attacking would be unwise. Better to observe a little longer.
Pakura narrowed her eyes slightly, pressed her lips together, and asked the question she most wanted answered.
"I want to know what kind of deal Sunagakure's higher-ups made with Kirigakure. I want to know the exact terms of this ceasefire agreement!"
By the final sentence, Pakura could no longer suppress her emotions and shouted it aloud.
Watching Pakura's back from the side, Chizuki let out a sigh.
He truly pitied this woman.
From a hero of her village to a bargaining chip in political negotiations between nations—her whole life had been lived under the schemes of others. Probably only when she was together with her disciples had she ever truly been happy.
Hearing Pakura's question, Hōzuki Kōgetsu burst into loud laughter. His hatred for the woman who had killed those dear to him seemed to fill every corner of his body in that moment.
With endless malice written across his face, he said:
"Hahahaha... so that's what you want to know? Fine! Then I'll tell you!"
"Your beloved village, in order to wage its decisive battle against Iwagakure, wanted a ceasefire with us in Kirigakure. And the most important condition in that ceasefire agreement... was your life!"
"Yes—you! You, the so-called hero of Sunagakure, whose hands are stained with the blood of our Kirigakure shinobi... your life!!"
"..."
Pakura fell silent.
No one knew what she was thinking at that moment.
But standing behind her, Chizuki could see her shoulders trembling faintly. Even so, he had no idea how to comfort her. In the end, a thousand possible words condensed into nothing more than a quiet sigh.
After a long while, Pakura slowly raised her head.
There was no longer any trace of emotion on her face. Or rather, it would be more accurate to say that all emotion had been erased, leaving only endless coldness.
Her gaze remained calm as she looked at Hōzuki Kōgetsu. Her lips moved slightly as she spoke:
"I... understand now."
"And you... should go see your friends."