Although Pakura was a bit naive and didn't fully grasp the malice of human hearts, she still needed saving.
Not only because of his larger plan to control Sunagakure, but even more so because she was now his woman. How could Gen possibly stand by and let her be killed?
So, he followed patiently behind her, staying close at all times to prevent accidents.
He wasn't about to repeat the mistake of Minato Namikaze, who, despite being the fastest shinobi alive, still failed to arrive in time at that so-called "crucial moment" engineered by Obito.
The path Pakura traveled was exactly the ambush point from the original story: a narrow mountain trail with sheer cliffs on either side, perfect for hiding attackers. With the dense mist hanging over the island, ambushes here were nearly undetectable without keen sensory abilities.
As expected, a good-looking Mist ninja with a kind, honest smile stepped out of the fog.
After a brief, polite exchange, he stepped aside and gestured for Pakura to go ahead.
She walked forward unsuspectingly, until the Mist ninja's smile twisted with malice. He whipped out a kunai, eyes full of hatred, and lunged at her back.
But unlike the original story, his blade never landed. His body froze mid-motion as if trapped in ice.
Two black lines crept up from his legs, racing over his entire body. The Mist ninja's expression twisted in shock as he realized something was very wrong.
At that same moment, Pakura sensed something amiss behind her. She turned, stunned to see the Mist ninja frozen in place, then her expression changed sharply.
A faint whistling filled the air. Dozens of kunai poured down like rain from the fog. Pakura barely had time to pull a weapon from her pouch. She braced herself—too late for Ninjutsu. Even if she survived, she'd be grievously wounded. Her only hope was to summon reinforcements after taking the hit.
But just as she steeled herself, a figure appeared at her side.
An arm wrapped around her waist. Black chakra surged outward, forming a towering half-skeleton giant.
It was as black as ink, its eyes burning crimson like twin lanterns, a nightmare silhouette in the mist.
The kunai clattered harmlessly against its ribs, deflected with sparks.
"It's me," said a calm voice.
Startled, Pakura had already thrust her kunai in reflex—until she heard the voice. She froze, then turned with wide eyes full of relief.
"Gen! Why are you here?"
"We'll talk later. Let's deal with this first."
With Pakura still in his arm, Gen leapt upward, the black Susanoo climbing with him.
The ambushers above gasped as the colossal figure appeared among them. Fear froze many on the spot—an instant death sentence.
Gen's Soul–Soul Fruit ability activated. Souls and glowing lifespan orbs ripped from the terrified Mist shinobi, streaming into him. Some bodies slumped onto the cliff; others toppled into the abyss.
This ambush squad was led by a Jonin with several Chunin. The "smiling face" shinobi had only been bait. Pakura was famous in Sunagakure—if trickery failed, they planned to overwhelm her with numbers.
But against Gen, fear outweighed hatred.
"Mangekyo Sharingan!"
"The target's man is here—retreat!" the Jonin shouted.
The survivors turned and fled without hesitation.
Gen sneered. "Retreat? If I let you walk away, where's my dignity?"
He set Pakura down, pressed his right hand to the ground, and released deep red flames.
Uchiha Flame Formation!
Flames roared skyward, forming walls of fire that sealed the battlefield like a cage.
The panicked Jonin slammed headlong into the barrier. Flames crawled across his body, engulfing him in seconds. His screams echoed briefly before silence fell, leaving behind a charred husk.
Gen clicked his tongue. "In such a rush to die? Impatient fool."
Perhaps it was a mercy. At least his soul could pass into the Pure Land—unlike the rest of his comrades.
The trapped Mist ninja stared at the blazing walls, despair flooding their faces. Against Pakura, they might have fought to the death. Against Gen, terror hollowed out their will. Their fear allowed him to harvest their souls and lifespans with ease.
Soon only the frozen bait ninja remained, immobilized on the trail. Gen straightened, the black Susanoo dissolving into mist.
Pakura watched the massacre with awe. "The Mangekyo Sharingan… terrifying as ever. You really are incredible."
Smack!
Her admiration was cut short by the sting of a sharp slap on her rear.
"Ah!" Pakura squealed, bouncing instinctively, then clutched her backside with both hands, glaring with tearful eyes. "Why did you hit me!?"
Gen's face remained cold. "Have you forgotten what I told you back in the Land of Grass?"
Her confidence faltered. She stammered, "Wh-which line are you talking about…?"
"One must always guard their heart against others."
"You waltzed into enemy territory, alone, without precautions. You believed whatever they told you. Do you really think peace talks erase hatred? Foolish! Childish!"
His voice hardened into a roar. "Do you realize what would've happened if I hadn't been here? Look up!"
Pakura, trembling, obeyed. Her eyes locked with his Mangekyo Sharingan—then the world shifted as she sank into his Genjutsu.
Words alone were too weak. If she couldn't grasp the lesson, he would make her live her death from the original story. Only then would the truth etch itself into her very soul.