Orochimaru really felt that Shindai understood him when he heard Shindai had decided to make a compromise.
In fact, this time Orochimaru truly meant what he said—he actually wanted to take Shindai as his apprentice.
Because Shindai was sly and resourceful, Orochimaru wouldn't need to bother with all these tedious tasks—Shindai could handle them. That way, Orochimaru could focus entirely on his research.
Shindai grumbled, "Orochimaru-sama, aren't you just using me as a tool? I suppose I should be fine with it, right? Then why don't you go talk to Sister Nonou about it yourself?"
Orochimaru glanced at Yakushi Nonou, who was still tending to the wounded, then replied to Shindai, "You should discuss it with Nonou yourself. As for me, I'll have to return to Konoha and speak with Sarutobi-sensei before making any decision."
Orochimaru couldn't make any decision until he spoke with Hiruzen Sarutobi and gained his approval. Otherwise, for the sake of his research, he would still remain a member of Root.
Before Shindai could even ask when, his ninja gear pouch suddenly emitted a sharp beeping sound.
Shindai's expression changed instantly as he hurriedly pulled out a small screen from the pouch.
Sure enough, Pakura was already on the move!
"It seems it's time to set off," Orochimaru observed Shindai's sudden change in expression and guessed his fiancée Pakura had begun her move. He walked over to a pineapple-haired man and said, "Makoto, since Rock ninja have sent many Jonin but made no progress yet, they probably won't act rashly in the short term. During my absence, you'll be in charge of overall strategy and command."
The pineapple-headed man called Makoto by Orochimaru belonged to the Nara clan.
Nara clan shinobi were famously intelligent and usually responsible for devising strategies during wars.
"Yes, Lord Orochimaru!"
[Magnet Release: Iron Sand Wings]
Shindai immediately activated Magnet Release: Iron Sand Wings and flew into the air.
Looking down at Orochimaru on the ground, Shindai shouted, "Lord Orochimaru, let me carry you with my iron sand!"
"No need. Just fly straight ahead—I can catch up easily."
"Fine."
Right now, Shindai felt an extremely complicated mix of emotions: concern, fear, joy, and excitement.
Rapidly flapping his iron sand wings, Shindai sped swiftly forward.
...
Rasa finally couldn't hold back anymore—it was mainly because he couldn't endure the pressure much longer.
The Daimyo was pressuring him heavily. Right now, the Great Five Nations' daimyos were discussing ending the war, while Kirigakure seemed determined to fight Sunagakure to the bitter end. Therefore, the daimyo kept urging Rasa to quickly resolve the conflict with Kiri, reach a peace agreement, and bring this ninja war to a conclusion.
Rasa summoned Ebizō and other high-ranking officials to discuss how to achieve reconciliation with Kirigakure.
Chiyo didn't show up—she was at home, feeling dejected.
However, after hours of discussion, they had yet to come up with a solution. Even Ebizō, Sunagakure's top strategist, could not devise a good plan.
Due to the Bloody Mist Village policy, Kiri had become increasingly aggressive, making peaceful resolution through normal means nearly impossible.
Rasa suggested using Pakura as a bargaining chip for reconciliation with Kiri, since she had been the one who slaughtered Mist ninja most ruthlessly back then.
Therefore, Pakura was the person Kiri hated the most.
Initially, Rasa's proposal faced opposition. After all, Pakura had rendered tremendous service to Sunagakure and was known as a hero within the village. She also belonged to the first echelon of powerful ninjas in Sunagakure.
It would have been such a pity to abandon someone like Pakura.
But Rasa convinced everyone at the scene by arguing that achieving peace with Kiri had become urgent and necessary. Sacrificing one individual for peace was worthwhile. They eventually agreed to use Pakura as a sacrifice for reconciliation with Kiri.
Kiri also accepted Sunagakure's offer to reconcile using Pakura as the bargaining chip.
After receiving Kiri's agreement, Rasa immediately summoned Pakura and assigned her a secret mission: to serve as an envoy delivering an important scroll to Kiri. He specifically instructed her to leave Sunagakure discreetly.
As a ninja, Pakura naturally didn't refuse the mission. She took the scroll and departed from Sunagakure.
Right after leaving Sunagakure, Pakura recalled the small note Shindai had given her. When Rasa assigned her this solo mission, he told her to press the red button on the small box.
So Pakura took out the small box from her ninja gear pouch, pressed the red button, and continued on her way toward Kiri.
Shindai desperately pushed every bit of Chakra in his body, rushing toward Pakura.
When his Chakra neared its absolute limit, Shindai had no choice but to stop briefly to replenish some Chakra.
Shindai took out the device and checked it. "This direction... it really is heading toward Kiri!"
Estimating that when Pakura reached Kiri, he might still be en route himself.
"No good, I must go faster!"
Shindai swallowed two Military Rations Pills, replenished some Chakra, and continued forward at full speed using Iron Sand Body.
Three days later.
Pakura entered the Tea Country via waterway, then proceeded through another water route into the Land of Water, heading toward Kiri.
As she walked alone on the road, Pakura sensed something odd.
The unease came from the note Shindai had given her.
Shindai seemed to have already known that Rasa would assign her a solo mission.
Moreover, Shindai probably believed this mission would be dangerous for her.
Now that she thought about it, everything seemed highly suspicious.
She had killed Mist Ninja brutally back then in pursuit of military achievements, so the Mist Ninja held intense hatred toward her. This was nearly common knowledge throughout Sunagakure, and Rasa definitely knew about it.
Sending an envoy hated by Kirigakure itself to deliver a Scroll to Kiri didn't make sense. After all, it felt more like provocation than diplomacy.
Also, when she accepted this mission, Rasa specially reminded her to leave Sunagakure secretly without letting others discover.
Pakura slightly furrowed her brows. Something didn't feel right—everything was very off.
Was she really just being sent to deliver a Scroll? It felt more like there was some kind of conspiracy at play.
The Land of Water, surrounded entirely by sea on all four sides, could develop thick fog at any moment.
Just like now, Pakura was walking alone through a valley, completely shrouded in heavy mist reducing visibility drastically.
A Kiri ninja appeared ahead, walking toward Pakura.
"Lady Pakura of Scorch Release, I've come to welcome you. It's truly an honor to meet you."
The Mist Ninja stood before Pakura and smiled, saying, "Given the thick fog, you'll likely need a guide."
Pakura became alert inside but replied politely, "Thank you for your effort, though crossing a valley shouldn't cause anyone to get lost."
The Mist Ninja scratched his head awkwardly, "Well said indeed, my lady. Please allow me to guide you onward to Kirigakure. The path ahead is quite complex and easy to get lost in."
The Mist Ninja stepped aside, inviting Pakura to walk ahead first.
As Pakura moved forward, she discreetly reached into her ninja gear pouch.
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