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[NTU] [ARC-15] Chapter : 194
🕑 Added 2024-10-26 16:11:19 +0000 UTCGlancing at Pakura, who was now quietly composed, and the kunai scattered on the ground, Toshiro acknowledged Pakura’s remarkable calm under pressure. Even with pursuers closing in, she showed no signs of fear.
"What exactly are you doing here in Sunagakure?" she asked, her voice edged with suspicion. While Toshiro was more concerned about the approaching soldiers, Pakura’s focus lay elsewhere. She scrutinized him, her gaze sharp and wary.
"With your level of skill, you wouldn’t be wandering around Suna without reason," she continued, suspicion sharpening her tone. "Tell me... what are you really here for?"
After cleaning her wounds, she swallowed a few pills and administered an injection, steeling herself. With kunai clutched in both hands, she took a defensive stance, her eyes never leaving Toshiro.
"..."
'Why should it matter to you why I’m here, traitor?' Toshiro thought, but he kept this to himself. He knew Pakura’s loyalty to the village was unshakable.
“Sight seeing,” he answered dismissively, glancing towards the approaching footsteps outside. His mind was more on whether those soldiers were specifically after Pakura; otherwise, she wouldn’t have time to question him.
“What’s your relationship with this woman?” Pakura persisted, her distrust evident as she nodded towards the Hostess.
“We’re just... Well,” Toshiro hesitated before finally saying with a grin, “a customer and a Hostess.”
Toshiro hadn’t planned on explaining himself, but as he looked at the kunai in Pakura's hand, he raised an eyebrow. 'Isn’t she being a bit too emotional?' he thought.
If it weren’t for the sand ninja outside and the need to avoid blowing her cover, he might’ve reminded her to reconsider her attitude.
“Hostess and customer?” Pakura’s expression grew more severe, clearly unimpressed by his explanation. The scene she’d walked in on—the two of them in close proximity, the woman dressed in barely any clothing—suggested an intimacy that was hard to deny.
“Believe it or not... I only arrived this afternoon,” Toshiro replied with a shrug.
"But... I must admit, not all the women in Sunagakure are as robotic as you. Some, it seems, have a bit more... passion."
Meanwhile, back at the Kazekage Building, Fugi and his companions—the very ones who had attacked Pakura—were now orchestrating their next move.
"Pakura hasn’t been captured yet? Send more operatives—she's the perfect scapegoat. We can’t afford for her to slip through."
"Deploy all available forces," Fugi instructed. "We need to have a handle on the ANBU, the village leadership, and every patrol unit."
"And keep a close watch on the Jinchuriki. We can’t risk any disruptions."
One by one, ninja operatives were dispatched across the village. Backed by high-ranking officials and allies, these loyal subordinates helped Fugi tighten their grip on all critical sectors in Sunagakure, determined to ensure every piece was in place.
Rasa would soon be nothing more than a memory.
"When that time comes, I’ll be able to reach new heights," Fugi thought. With the support of the power behind him, the Sunagakure would no longer have to cower as it did now.
“You’ve truly surpassed my expectations, Fugi!”
Just as he was executing his plan to take control, savoring visions of the village’s future and his own, a familiar voice interrupted his thoughts, freezing him in place.
Turning slowly, Fugi's face turned pale, disbelief etched in his eyes as he recognized the man standing behind him.
"Impossible! Wasn’t Pakura…?"
He could barely speak as he looked at the unexpected figure. "The body was there—how are you still alive?"
Fugi's gaze drifted to a withered corpse lying a short distance away.
The figure, like Rasa, wore a robe signifying the title of Kazekage, though it had become shriveled and charred from Pakura’s scorching technique.
“It was just a decoy. Nothing unusual about that,” Rasa said coolly, his expression hardened as he regarded the main conspirator who had plotted his assassination.
“These two planned the assassination of the Kazekage,” he announced coldly. “Take them into custody. If they resist, kill them on the spot and bring me their heads!”
With that, Rasa ordered his ANBU guards to apprehend the two conspirators. Any fleeting hope Fugi had dissipated as Rasa’s demeanor darkened even further.
Today’s assassination attempt was unlike any he’d seen; these two were mere pawns in a larger scheme.
“Kazekage-sama, we have detained the two suspects. What are your orders for the next steps?”
A figure in a Sand Ninja combat uniform, with a white cloth wrapped around his head and oil paint across his face, kneeled before Rasa, awaiting further instructions.
“Bring those involved in tonight’s attempt under control,” Rasa ordered, his tone resolute. “Screen them carefully, and if any refuse to follow orders…” He paused briefly, his expression hardening. “Eliminate them on the spot.”
Too many had revealed their allegiance tonight. It wasn't just the ringleaders from various departments—many had joined the pursuit of Pakura. While the leaders could be dispensed with, there were also countless followers. For the stability of the village, it was critical to minimize unnecessary casualties among the misguided.
“Yes, Kazekage-sama!”
After receiving the Kazekage's orders, the Sand Shinobi was about to leave when Rasa called him back.
"Maki!"
Stopping in his tracks, Maki turned as Rasa handed her a list without another word.
Taking the list with a heavy heart, Maki felt its weight more than its paper could hold. Just seeing the first name told her all she needed to understand Kazekage’s intent. The silence between them made the unspoken command clear.
"Go," Rasa said firmly, unfazed by Maki’s expression. Then, pulling the Kazekage hat low over his face, he veiled himself completely and walked toward his office.
“Yes, Kazekage-sama,” Maki replied, bowing before leaving with quiet reverence.
Maki’s mouth twitched slightly, but she kept her thoughts on the list Rasa had given him to himself. He understood all too well that tonight was merely the beginning; it was only the underlings who would fall now.
Soon, when the Kazekage began a more thorough purge, one misstep could mean his own life was on the line.
"You’re really not going to hide?" Toshiro asked Pakura as the sound of heavy knocking came from the shop door, signaling a squad of Sand Shinobi ready to storm in at any moment.
While urging Pakura, Toshiro quickly began searching for his clothes. After the sand bath and massage, he was left only in a pair of underpants—not exactly ideal for a potential fight.
The bell above the door jingled.
Toshiro had just finished dressing and was preparing to confront the Sand Shinobi when the sound of an intense scuffle erupted from the doorway. Shouts and questions filled the air, laced with confusion and anger.
“Who are you? Why are you attacking us?!”
It was a question not only for the attacker but one that puzzled Toshiro himself. Why would the Sand Shinobi suddenly be fighting among themselves?
"Kazekage-sama has issued orders to detain all unauthorized ninjas on the spot. Anyone who resists is to be killed immediately!"
