Pakura, the war hero of Sunagakure.
She made outstanding contributions to the village during the Third Great Ninja War. Her reputation within Sunagakure is second only to the Fourth Kazekage. She is also a formidable, Kage-level kunoichi.
Well, it's more accurate to say she's an elite jonin.
After all, her classification as Kage-level is purely based on the devastating destructive power of her Scorch Style. In other areas, Pakura is only on par with a standard elite jonin.
Even so, no matter which village she's in, she would be considered an invaluable asset, someone with the weight of a Kage.
There aren't many like her in the ninja world, but unfortunately, there are plenty of twisted thinkers.
Not only in Konoha—other villages are no different.
Sunagakure had been worn down completely by the prolonged war, and the daimyō was cutting spending by reducing the number of shinobi and missions.
To reconcile with Kirigakure and focus on the threat from Iwagakure, Pakura's life was the "sincerity" they offered.
Officially, she was sent on a confidential mission. In reality, she was sold out to Kirigakure and was killed, her back riddled with kunai and shuriken.
Such a pity for that perfect back... Ahem, no, such a waste of a powerful shinobi.
A thought surfaced in Yami's mind. Now that he knew the mission's time and location, could he intercept it?
It would be difficult, but there was room to maneuver. Root had more than enough resources to make it happen.
"Seiji, Ryo, can you tamper with Matsumoto Giku's memory?" Yami suddenly asked.
Yamanaka Ryo was briefly stunned, but quickly lowered his head and responded, "Yes. She's just a civilian, so it won't be hard."
"What about hiding it from Yamanaka Inoichi?" Yami glanced at him.
"This…" Yamanaka Ryo looked troubled. "Clan Head Inoichi is the strongest mind expert in the clan. His control over the brain is far beyond mine. It would be impossible to deceive him."
"Forget it." Yami waved his hand. "Just erase the memory about the reconciliation between Sunagakure and Kirigakure. It's fine if it gets discovered let her be handed over to the old man."
"As long as the memory isn't restored, it's fine."
With Danzō backing him, even if something was exposed, it wouldn't matter. It had nothing to do with him anyway.
"Yes." Yamanaka Ryo didn't ask any further and turned to enter the room to erase Matsumoto Kiku's memory.
...
The next day, Hizashi's team, having completed their mission, set out to return to Konoha.
Matsumoto Giku, in a dazed state, was being carried by Hizashi. She had no memory of what had happened the night before, and Hizashi and the others didn't notice anything unusual.
Three days later, the group returned to the village.
Seeing the fatigue on Yugao and Kurenai's faces, Hizashi showed concern and told them to head home and rest. He would handle the mission report alone.
After the three parted ways, Hizashi brought Matsumoto Giku to the Intelligence Interrogation Division, then headed to the Hokage's office to wait for the summons.
However, what Hizashi didn't know was that after the three had parted, they met up again not far away at Ichiraku Ramen.
After finishing three bowls of ramen in a row, Yami let out a satisfied sigh and said to Kurenai:
"Kurenai, before Hizashi-Sensei gets home, go to the Hyūga clan and tell the clan head all about his glorious actions."
Kurenai turned her head in surprise. "Didn't you promise Hizashi-Sensei not to tell the clan head about it?"
"Yes, I did say that.." Yami puffed up his chest righteously. "But I didn't say I would go. I asked you to go."
"Cough!!"
Yugao, who had been sipping tea, choked on it, looking at Yami in disbelief.
Aren't kids these days too sly?
Kurenai was the type who loved drama and chaos. She teased, "That's a big risk. Unless you call me 'Onee-san,' I won't help you with something so bad."
"Kurenai-Onee-san!" Yami immediately acted cute, making Kurenai burst into laughter.
"Let's go, if we wait any longer, Hizashi-Sensei might be back."
Kurenai left quickly after slapping the money on the table.
Yugao silently mourned for Hizashi for two seconds, but she didn't feel even a bit guilty.
She also believed Hizashi needed a little punishment. Even if he was already a hopeless middle-aged man, what if he led little Yami astray?
...
Elsewhere—
Hizashi, unaware of the trap being set for him, had been sitting outside the Hokage's office for about half an hour when a jonin from the Nara clan stepped out.
"Shikaya."
"Oh, Hizashi. Just got back from a mission?"
"Yes, I'm here to report to the Hokage."
"Haha, me too. Let's grab a drink sometime?"
"I've been leading a team recently, so I have some free time. I'll get in touch."
"Alright, see you around."
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Nara Shikaya left. Shortly after, Hiruzen's voice came from inside the office.
This time, the other two elders weren't present. Only Hiruzen and a tall, white-haired man with vivid red face paint were in the room.
Hizashi bowed respectfully. "Hokage-sama, Jiraiya-sama."
Jiraiya laughed heartily, walked over, and draped his arm around Hizashi's shoulders. "Hizashi, we've known each other for ages, no need for such formality."
Hizashi smiled as well. "I'm just genuinely happy to see Jiraiya-sama again."
Back during the wars in the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind, Jiraiya had served as the frontline commander. They were quite familiar with each other from that time.
"Let's catch up later, after we finish business,"
Hiruzen said calmly, pipe in his mouth, exhaling a slow ring of smoke. "Tell me the details of this mission. How did the children perform?"
As soon as Yami's group returned to the village, the Anbu had already informed Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Jiraiya had been specially summoned to listen as well.
"Well, it went like this..." Hizashi began his report—
(To be continued.)
***
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