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Surrounded by the sea, the village was shrouded in dense mist year-round, visibility so low it felt like the world itself had been swallowed.
Pakura moved along a wide mountain road, her eyes sharp as she scanned her surroundings.
Even though the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, and the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura, had already reached a private understanding about a ceasefire between their villages… this was still Kirigakure's territory.
The so-called "Village of the Bloody Mist."
Being cautious here wasn't just smart, it was necessary.
If only I could bring that Wood Release boy back to Sunagakure…
Walking between the mountains, Pakura let out a quiet sigh. A flicker of regret crossed her bright, composed face.
If the Sand Village had another shinobi with Wood Release…
How incredible would that be?
It was nothing more than a wish.
A one-sided fantasy.
Pakura had always been fiercely loyal to Sunagakure, willing to give everything for it.
And yet, none of her sacrifices had ever been repaid.
In the end, she had been sold out by Rasa… handed over to Kirigakure like a bargaining chip.
Even after being revived during the Fourth Great Ninja War, the disappointment she felt toward the world never faded. That was why she'd chosen revenge… to vent the resentment buried deep inside her.
A pitiful… tragic shinobi.
"Are you Lady Pakura?"
A gentle voice drifted through the thick fog.
Moments later, a tall, well-built man stepped out slowly. He wore a warm smile, his demeanor calm and polite.
A Kirigakure jonin—sent to receive her.
"I am Pakura." She gave a slight nod.
"Lady Pakura, this way, please." The man gestured toward a fork in the road ahead.
"Mm."
She followed without hesitation.
And then—
The jonin moved.
A flash of cold steel cut through the night.
A kunai plunged straight into Pakura's waist.
Not only that—he twisted it, deliberately worsening the wound.
"What are you doing!?"
Blood streamed down her pale skin as Pakura leapt back, retreating several meters in an instant.
But the pain hit hard.
Her face turned deathly pale as she dropped to one knee, glaring at the jonin with fury and disbelief.
"I came as a representative of Sunagakure for negotiations! If you kill me, aren't you afraid of reigniting war between our villages? Countless lives would be lost!"
"Ha! Pakura, you really are naive."
The jonin's smile twisted into something ugly.
"Don't you get it yet? You were sent here as a sacrifice from the very beginning."
The words hit like a hammer.
For a moment, her mind went blank.
Then she roared—
"That's impossible! The Kazekage would never do something so despicable! Even if I die, I'll never betray Sunagakure!"
"Let me make it clear so you can die without regrets."
The jonin sneered.
"Kirigakure fears your Scorch Release. The condition for peace between our villages… is your death."
"Now do you understand?"
Pakura froze.
"…I see."
The truth shattered something inside her.
Even so, the jonin only clicked his tongue in amusement, as if mocking her stupidity.
What a waste, he thought. A beauty like her, about to die here.
But disobeying the Mizukage for the sake of a woman?
That was just asking to be killed.
"Time to die."
He snapped his fingers.
In an instant, figures appeared atop the low ridges on both sides.
A dozen… no, more.
Kirigakure shinobi, lying in wait.
"Kill her!"
At the command, dozens of kunai shot toward Pakura at once.
There was no escape.
No way out.
Death was certain.
Pakura slowly closed her eyes.
And then—
A calm, indifferent voice sounded in front of her.
"Wood Release: Wood Locking Wall."
Wooden pillars erupted from the ground, forming a solid barrier around her.
Clang. Clang. Clang.
Every single kunai struck the wood… and fell harmlessly.
Pakura opened her eyes.
Standing before her was a boy—not tall, not particularly old. A black cat mask covered his face.
Ken.
At that moment, he wasn't just her savior.
He looked like a god descending from the heavens.
Why… is he saving me?
Her thoughts wavered.
The first time they met, she had seen the killing intent in his eyes. He'd looked at her like prey.
So why now?
Why go out of his way to help her?
What did he want?
She couldn't read him at all.
"Wood Release? You're from Konoha?"
The Mist shinobi's eyes widened, then quickly filled with greed.
If they captured him and presented him to the Mizukage…
They might even inherit one of the legendary Seven Ninja Swords!
"Kill—!"
Before he could finish—
Ken was already in front of him.
Like a cannon shot, he closed the distance instantly and slammed a palm into the man's abdomen.
"Wood Release: Cutting Sprigs Technique."
Pshh—!
Sharp wooden spikes burst out, tearing through the jonin's body and turning him into a bloody mess.
Killed instantly.
Then—
Ken became a blur.
Using the Body Flicker Technique, he darted through the battlefield like a war god.
Three minutes.
That was all it took.
Every Mist shinobi lay dead.
At the same time, Ken gained over 5,000 energy points.
Sharingan: Lv.2 (5,700 / 1,000,000)
He still needed 995,000 more to unlock the three-tomoe Sharingan.
A long road ahead.
After raising his Sage Body to Level 3, his next goal was clear—upgrade the Sharingan.
After all, three tomoe were on a completely different level compared to two.
With that, Ken walked over to the weakened Pakura and spoke gently—
"Big sis Pakura, you're not about to die that quickly, right?"
The words nearly made her cough up blood.
A proud jonin of Sunagakure, wielder of Scorch Release—when had she ever been mocked like this?
And with that soft, pleasant voice no less!
How could he say something so infuriating so casually?
Suppressing her anger, Pakura forced a cold smile.
"Little brother, thanks for helping… I can still hold on."
"Good to hear. I was really worried about you just now," Ken said, putting on an exaggerated look of concern.
"Since you're fine, I'll be on my way."
"See you."
He turned and left without hesitation.
No grace. No hesitation. Nothing.
Pakura stared at the blood still pouring from her wound, speechless.
You call this 'fine'?
After a moment, her voice trembled slightly.
"…Since you chose to save me… why not take me with you?"
Her eyes reddened.
For once, the strong, unyielding Pakura showed weakness.
If she stayed here, what awaited her was nothing but a terrifying death.
She had no choice but to ask him.
No one could face death calmly.
Not even her.
Ken stopped.
Then turned back, walking over with a playful grin.
"With a pretty big sister like you, how could I just leave you behind?"
"Let's go."
He scooped her up into his arms.
The movement tugged at her wound, drawing a soft gasp.
"…That hurts."
"Big sis, I'm a bit rough. Just bear with it."
Before Kirigakure could react—
The two of them disappeared into the mist together.
"....."