Seeing those familiar faces lying in the pit, Pakura's body trembled uncontrollably.
These were the comrades who had once fought beside her on the battlefield.
But now, every one of them had become a cold, lifeless corpse.
At the edge of the pit, she even saw a young girl, barely ten years old.
"Rasa… you damned monster!"
Pakura gritted her teeth so hard that her lips bled.
Everything had happened exactly as Yuzuru once predicted. The moment she left the village, Rasa immediately began eliminating anyone connected to her.
He didn't even spare children who had just graduated from the academy.
"Who's there?!"
The disorder in her breathing was instantly detected by the guards stationed near the pit.
Without hesitation, Pakura opened her mouth.
"Scorch Release: Extremely Steaming Murder!"
Several fireballs streaked across the night sky, reducing the nearby guards to shriveled husks.
She cast one last glance toward the Wind Kage Building before turning away and vanishing into the night.
————
————
Kumo.
Yuzuru walked alongside Karura through the streets.
Seeing Karura's distracted expression, Yuzuru said, "Karura, don't worry too much. I've already sent people to Sunagakure."
"Once Rasa realizes he won't get anything useful out of Yashamaru, he won't risk provoking a war with Kumo by killing him."
"Trust me, it won't be long before Yashamaru arrives safely."
Hearing his reassurance, Karura nodded. "I know, Yuzuru."
Even if she understood logically, she still couldn't suppress her anxiety until she saw Yashamaru with her own eyes.
She shook off her scattered thoughts and asked, "I've heard there are rebellions everywhere lately. Is the situation getting out of control?"
Yuzuru gently patted her head, smiling. "Some conservatives refuse to accept the new order. It's nothing serious."
"Before absolute power, anyone who won't submit has only one path—death."
Though he had already taken over the Land of Rice Fields, the Land of Frost, the Land of Hot Water, the Land of Iron, and others, he simply didn't have enough manpower to maintain full control over every region.
Under those circumstances, uprisings were inevitable.
And easily resolved.
Once he slaughtered enough rebels to terrify the rest, the unrest would die off.
"Yuzuru-sama!"
Two Anbu from Kumo appeared before him and saluted. "We have brought Yashamaru back."
"We also encountered Pakura from Sunagakure on the way. She claims she came to see you."
Before they had even finished speaking, Karura had already darted past them.
"Yashamaru!"
He rushed into her arms, eyes reddening.
Karura's tears flowed as well. "Yashamaru… have you been well all these years?"
The little boy who once followed behind her was now taller than she was.
Yashamaru wiped her tears gently. "My life didn't change much. But after Rasa became Kazekage, I was imprisoned in a dungeon."
"But don't worry. It's all over now."
Then he suddenly froze—eyes widening. "Sister… you're pregnant?!"
Karura touched her stomach and introduced, "Yashamaru, this is my husband, Yuzuru."
"He negotiated with Rasa to bring you back."
Yashamaru bowed immediately. "Yuzuru-sama, it's an honor to meet you."
Yuzuru nodded with a smile, then instructed the Anbu, "Go find Tōdai and have him arrange accommodations for Yashamaru."
"Karura, take your time catching up. I won't disturb you."
After everything they'd been through, the siblings had countless things to share. Best to leave them some privacy.
Karura glanced gratefully at Yuzuru and whispered in his ear, "Yuzuru… you're making noodles for me tonight."(T/N: Huh!?)
Head lowered, she pushed Yashamaru away quickly.
Seeing her shy expression, Yuzuru's heart swayed.
'She is craving for his noodles? Great, making noodles is what I do best.'
After she disappeared into the distance, Yuzuru finally pulled back his gaze.
Then he turned toward Pakura, who stood quietly nearby.
"Come with me."
Silently bowing her head, she followed him.
He brought her to a restaurant and chose a private room.
After ordering several dishes, he finally spoke. "Pakura, have you accepted reality?"
Her fist clenched as she gritted her teeth and nodded. "Rasa killed all of my subordinates… and blamed everything on me."
On her way to Kumo, she had learned the truth.
The night she escaped the village, Rasa declared her an S-rank missing-nin, accusing her of butchering her own comrades.
To the people of Sunagakure, she was nothing more than a traitor who murdered her allies in a failed grab for power.
She looked at Yuzuru with a firm gaze. "You told me that if I swore loyalty to you, you'd help me get revenge, right?"
Yuzuru nodded. "Correct."
Pakura fell silent for a moment, then stood abruptly as if making a final decision.
"I am willing to serve you—just help me kill Rasa!"
Her strength alone could never reach the Fourth Kazekage.
To avenge her fallen comrades, she could only rely on Yuzuru.
"A small matter," Yuzuru said calmly, taking a bite of food. "But how can I be sure you truly intend to serve me?"
Pakura immediately approached him, dropped to her knees, and asked, "Yuzuru-sama… do you trust Karura?"
Yuzuru blinked, then laughed. "Of course. Karura is my woman. Naturally, I trust her."
Pakura lowered her head, voice unwavering. "Then allow me to become the next Karura."
Yuzuru froze briefly, then turned to face her fully.
From this angle, he held an unobstructed view of her flawless, pale back.
The famed beauty of the "bare-backed kunoichi" was no exaggeration.
A faint smile tugged at his lips as he gently placed his hand on her head.
"In that case… show me where your limits lie."