After leaving the island of Kirigakure, Uchiha Gen held Pakura in his arms and soared across the sea, riding the winds until they reached a high-class inn in the Land of Fire.
After such a long and draining journey, going straight home felt out of place. How could he not take the time to comfort his woman properly?
And comfort, in his view, wasn't just about words but it required real action.
First, he arranged for a lavish banquet. Fine food was the simplest way to brighten her mood.
After dinner, he led Pakura on a leisurely stroll through the nearby town. They wandered shop-lined streets together, hand in hand. Shopping, he had heard, was another way to lift a woman's spirits or at least distract her from heavy thoughts.
Finally, back in their room, they showered and let the night take its course. Sweetness spilled over into passion; their "dual practice" stretched long into the night, leaving only a few short hours for rest.
Fortunately, both were young and in peak condition. By morning, their vigor had returned, and Pakura, refreshed, wore a rare smile even through breakfast.
Gen sipped his tea and spoke casually. "At your pace, it's too soon to return to Sunagakure. Come with me to Konoha for a couple of days—it'll be a change of scenery."
"Konoha?" Pakura blinked, cheeks warming.
"Yes, Konoha. Why are you blushing?"
"My parents have long passed. I have no elders for you to meet…" Gen's brow furrowed, a little puzzled.
Pakura pursed her lips. "You might not have parents, but you do have a teacher and clan elders."
"Orochimaru-sensei isn't in the village. You won't see him. As for the clan elders—" Gen smirked. "I'm the clan head. Who would dare posture as an elder in front of me? Trust me, they'll be the ones scrambling to curry favor with you, not the other way around. What's there to be nervous about?"
Pakura still looked hesitant.
"Don't worry," he continued lightly. "You're my first girlfriend. If anything, they should feel guilty facing you. Sooner or later, introductions must happen, better sooner."
Cornered by his insistence, Pakura finally nodded.
Gen's smile returned. "Good. And when you leave, I'll personally escort you back so you don't have to waste strength on travel. I'm also planning to head to Sunagakure myself—to demand an explanation."
Pakura blinked. "Explanation?"
"Yes. First, to win you compensation and benefits. Second, to make it clear to them this wasn't my doing—otherwise suspicion might fall on me. After all, as your man, I can't just ignore such a serious incident."
Hearing those words, and remembering how he had appeared at her side at her most desperate moment, Pakura's heart swelled. Warmth bloomed in her chest. Truly, the greatest choice she had ever made in her life was meeting him back on the battlefield of the Land of Grass.
She smiled, eyes glistening, and whispered, "I'll listen to you."
Gen chuckled and playfully flicked her nose. "If only you were always this obedient."
"I'll listen to you from now on," she replied seriously, gaze soft as water.
"Alright, I know. Let's eat."
"Mm."
After breakfast, they checked out of the inn and made their way to Konoha.
By the time they arrived, the sun hung just above mid-morning. Instead of going straight home, Gen took Pakura on a tour of the village.
Compared to the harsh dunes of Sunagakure, Konoha was brimming with life. Even the architecture showed the difference.
In the Sand, houses were built thick to withstand storms and retain heat. Their monotone clay walls and lack of greenery made the entire village look dry and lifeless.
But here in the Leaf, buildings varied in style and color, splashed with vibrance. Green trees and bright flowers softened the streets. It wasn't just stronger military might that made Konoha the leading village, it was also this abundance, this atmosphere of life.
As they strolled hand in hand, Gen teased, "Feeling envious?"
Pakura gazed around, eyes bright. "Yes. Konoha's environment is too good. If only Sunagakure could someday…"
"Tch. not Impossible."
"How?" she challenged softly.
"Anything's possible, if you follow closely behind your husband."
Pakura gave a playful little nod. "Yes, yes, I'll follow closely."
Gen smirked but let the topic drop. Words were only words, time would prove everything.
Not long after, three Konoha Military Police officers on patrol spotted Gen. Seeing him, they immediately approached with respect. Two wore the Uchiha crest; the third was a new recruit from another clan.
"Chief!" they greeted in unison, bowing.
"This is my girlfriend, Pakura," Gen introduced without hesitation.
"Lady Pakura," the three bowed again.
Flustered but pleased by their politeness, Pakura quickly urged them to stand.
Gen, however, used the moment to delegate with ease. "You—go to my house and tell Mikoto to prepare more groceries for lunch. You—head to the Police Force headquarters and invite Kurenai, Anko, and Yugao to my house for lunch. And you—keep patrolling with your squad. Your salaries for this month will all be doubled. Report to Uchiha Sanji; I'll inform him myself."
The three exchanged wide-eyed glances. A simple greeting had turned into direct rewards. Their gamble had paid off.
"Chief, we'll complete the task without fail!"
"Go," Gen waved them away.
"Yes, sir!"
In a flash, they disappeared into the village streets.
Pakura gave Gen a sidelong look. "Wasn't that an abuse of authority?"
"Of course it was," Gen answered with a smirk.
"Doesn't that bother you?"
"That's exactly why your prestige back in Sunagakure keeps growing, yet you're still shuffled between frontline units instead of holding real power." He sighed theatrically. "Even those three youngsters grasped the truth better than you."
Pakura puffed her cheeks. "And what truth is that?"
"The key to promotion isn't how many merits you stack up, it's whether you worry about what your leaders worry about, think what your leaders think. If they say you can, you can, even if you can't. If they say you can't, you can't, even if you can. That's the truth." He tapped her shoulder with mock solemnity. "Silly girl. Reflect on that."
Pakura's eyes widened, her worldview shaken. "Wait… is that how you rose so quickly?"
Gen smirked. "No. I'm an exception. Don't copy me."
"…Half an exception, maybe," he amended when she gave him a look. "The Police Force is special. Forget it... you don't need to puzzle it out. In Sunagakure, others should be scrambling to please you. And outside Sunagakure, the only person you need to please..." he glanced around, found no one watching, then slyly smacked her firm backside, "...is me."
Pakura's cheeks flamed red. She glared at him, whispering, "Scoundrel…"
He laughed, tugging her hand. "Come on. Let's stroll a bit further."
Pakura let out a soft huff but walked alongside him, smiling faintly.
They wandered until midday, losing themselves in the bustle of Konoha's markets. Finally, at half past eleven, they turned toward the Uchiha compound together—ready to meet what awaited there.