The birth of the Kazekage's second child brought a rare air of joy to Sunagakure.
Though the villagers still lived in poverty, life was far better than during the war.
At the very least, they had enough basic supplies to survive. The Kazekage occasionally distributed extra rations or necessities, like the gifts the villagers received to celebrate the birth of his second child.
Compared to other villages, Sunagakure didn't have many powerful clans or those with kekkei genkai, giving civilian shinobi significant influence. This, along with his benevolence, had earned Rasa the title "The Kindest Kazekage," further raising his standing among the villagers.
...
Inside the Kazekage's Tower
"Yes, Lord Kazekage. I guarantee the mission will be completed."
Pakura, whose figure was as striking as her skills, accepted the mission scroll with a respectful bow.
"You may go. Return as soon as possible."
"Yes."
Rasa watched Pakura's departing back, his expression deep in thought.
The Land of Wind was vast and sparsely populated, with its southern coastline frequently raided by rogue squads from the Land of Water. Since becoming a Chūnin, most of Pakura's missions had been to exterminate these rogue Kirigakure shinobi. Her Scorch Release had claimed countless lives, making her a hero in Sunagakure—and a nightmare for the Mist ninja.
This mission was no different. She was to travel to a southern outpost and lead the Sand shinobi in eliminating a Kirigakure squad that had been sighted there.
After ten consecutive days of travel, even the elite jōnin Pakura felt weary. The dust and grime clinging to her didn't help her mood either, but there was no time to stop.
Passing through a narrow valley, a gentle breeze brought a rare moment of relief, lightening her spirits.
...
Two more days…
Suddenly—
Whizz! Whizz! Whizz!Boom!
Countless kunai rained down on her, many laced with explosive tags.
"What? An ambush?" Pakura quickly evaded the barrage, disbelief flashing across her face.
Had the southern outpost been overrun? That would be the only explanation for an attack this far into the Land of Wind. Judging by the intensity of the assault, there were at least a hundred attackers.
"Earth Release: Earth Flow Spears!"
Pakura weaved through the relentless attacks, but a stray kunai grazed her arm. Blood seeped through her sleeve, and her heart sank.
"Water Release: Raging Torrent!"
The attacks kept coming without a moment's respite. Every dodge was met with another wave of kunai and ninjutsu. And with no cover in the valley, she was trapped.
This was a calculated ambush. The enemy knew her strengths and had prepared accordingly.
"I need to break through."
"Scorch Release!"
Flames engulfed the valley, blinding the attackers temporarily.
"Water Release: Torrential Rain!"
"Sealing Jutsu: Five-Seal Barrier!"
Water extinguished the flames, revealing Pakura's position once again. Her enemies wasted no time, tightening the trap.
Pakura's several attempts to break out were thwarted, leaving her with more wounds and rapidly depleting stamina.
"Ha! She's weakening. Finish her off!"
The attackers—numbering at least two hundred—closed in. Among them were several jōnin, and the valley was rigged with traps and barriers. Even with all her skills, Pakura couldn't escape.
"Take her head! We'll be heroes—"
A sudden, agonized scream cut through the din.
"What? She's right there—how is she still standing?"
"Enemy attack! Fall back!"
"It's… a Kage-level shinobi!"
Before they could react, a voice rang out:
"Wind Release: Vacuum Wave!"
A nearly invisible air blade swept across the valley. Rocks, Mist ninja—everything in its path was split in two, even jōnin.
The survivors scattered in terror.
On the ridge stood a dark figure. Pakura, leaning against the valley wall, looked up at her savior. Squinting against the sunlight, she whispered, "Lord Kazekage? Did the southern outpost…"
But as the figure came into focus, her expression turned pale and wary.
"Danzo…"
Danzo watched her closely. "I just saved your life. Come up here. No need for that defensive stance—not even at your best could you stop me."
Pakura, still cautious, climbed the steep valley wall. Outside, the bodies of her enemies confirmed their identities as Mist ninja, but her confusion only deepened.
"Treat your wounds. Don't die on me now—I didn't rush here for nothing."
Pakura began bandaging her injuries, though she never let down her guard.
"Ask your questions. No need to be so tense. You're not even worth my time."
Danzo's suffocating aura made it clear he wasn't bluffing. The pressure forced Pakura to cough up blood, leaving her too weak to remain on guard. She sat on a flat rock, resigned.
"Why are you here in the Land of Wind?"
"For you."
"Me?"
Danzo's cryptic smile only deepened her suspicion.
"You're just cargo. Not very valuable, but useful enough."
A sudden spike of killing intent made Pakura cough up more blood.
"Try anything, and I'll make sure this trip was a waste." Danzo's eyes sharpened, locking onto her as she knelt weakly.
"You're stubborn. I'll need someone to explain things."
At his signal, two figures emerged from behind a rocky outcrop. Their Sand shinobi uniforms were unmistakable.
"Take off your masks."
They obeyed, revealing dazed expressions—clear signs of genjutsu.
"Baki!" Pakura gasped, recognizing one of them.
"Baki?" Danzo mused. "Well, that's a nice bonus. The other one's useless."
Without hesitation, the second guard drew a kunai and slit his own throat, collapsing in a pool of blood.
"You—!"
Pakura's eyes blazed with hatred. Danzo considered making a sarcastic remark but decided against mimicking Orochimaru's theatrics. Too distasteful.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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