Inside the Central Tower of the Kingdom of Loran.
Kaito took out a newly developed Dragon Vein–based chakra restraint, specially designed for ninja.
Once worn, the metal cuffs clung tightly to the wrists, continuously absorbing chakra. Combined with sealing techniques, they completely prevented any resistance.
Rasa and Pakura were already sealed by Kaito's techniques. With their chakra circulation disrupted, being shackled by such heavy restraints left them utterly powerless.
At this moment, Rasa—escorted into the underground prison beneath the tower—could only place his remaining hope on Karura.
Pakura, meanwhile, was taken by Mako to a separate prison reserved for female inmates.
Inside the meeting room, Karura sat stiffly, her heart filled with unease. She had never imagined the mission would spiral this badly—companions captured, the operation a complete failure.
"Let us begin the negotiation, Your Majesty," Kaito said calmly.
"This Sunagakure ninja wishes to discuss matters concerning the former minister, An Lushan."
"Something about puppet-material exports, I believe."
Seated upon a luxurious throne adorned with golden carvings and crimson cushions, Queen Sally listened quietly. Kaito stood beside her, composed.
Karura sat at the far end of the long oval table on an ordinary cushioned chair, nervously glancing around.
"State your name."
"Karura. Jōnin of Sunagakure."
"And I am Sally," the queen said evenly.
"Queen of this nation."
Karura lowered her posture completely—no trace of her earlier boldness remained.
"I understand the situation," Sally continued.
"You wish for Loran to resume supplying puppet materials to Sunagakure at the previous prices. Is that correct, Miss Karura?"
"Yes," Karura nodded quickly.
"That itself is not a problem."
Sally set aside the scroll sent by the Third Kazekage and folded her hands atop the table.
"However—"
"Your arrival caused unprecedented damage to our nation."
"You created a terror incident."
"And attempted to provoke conflict between Loran and the Land of Wind."
"W-Wait! Absolutely not!" Karura panicked.
She knew that if such blame stuck, the village would abandon them without hesitation.
"But your team did fight our All-Powerful Minister and attack our guard captain. That much is true, isn't it?"
"…Yes. But it was a misunderstanding," Karura admitted reluctantly.
"Misunderstanding?"
Sally's gaze sharpened.
The oppressive authority of a ruling monarch surged forth, making even a jōnin like Karura feel tense.
"Is national order something ninja are allowed to toy with?"
"Whether the Wind Daimyō knows of this or not—"
"Your Kazekage must give Loran an explanation."
"Otherwise—"
"Our people will respond in our own way."
"Do you understand, Miss Karura?"
"…Yes."
Sally exchanged a brief glance with Kaito. That was enough pressure.
Kaito cleared his throat and slid a document across the table.
"Sign this agreement on behalf of Sunagakure."
"If you do, relations between Loran, Sunagakure, and the Land of Wind will remain intact."
Karura glanced at the dense clauses, her nerves flaring—until Kaito interrupted.
"Just read the middle section."
"It's only compensation for economic losses."
"Not much money."
"Oh…"
She scanned the lines and relaxed slightly.
This man… he's actually reasonable.
Without hesitation, she signed her name.
"And a handprint," Kaito added.
"O-Oh."
Karura complied automatically, like an inexperienced graduate signing her first contract.
Kaito and Sally exchanged subtle smiles.
"Excellent. The agreement is now in effect," Kaito said.
"A copy will be given to your team to bring back to the Third Kazekage."
Karura nodded, finally beginning to regain her senses.
"Oh, right," Kaito added casually.
"An Lushan was executed for treason by order of our wise Queen."
"…I see. Then—when can I take my companions with me?"
"Take them?" Kaito paused, glanced at the document, and smiled faintly.
"Miss Karura."
"You signed a clause stating that—"
"To repair relations, you will remain in Loran as a teacher, educating our children."
"For a duration of two years."
"Our nation will pay you accordingly."
"You're not backing out, are you?"
"You—! I never agreed to that!" Karura sprang to her feet.
"You can refuse," Kaito replied mildly.
"Then we'll report that you attempted to incite conflict between our nations."
"Given our ties with the Wind Daimyō—"
"I'm sure he'll insist on a public, fair resolution."
Karura's face went pale.
She had been completely played.
She had no authority to sign this agreement—yet she had.
"…I understand," she said at last.
"Two years it is."
"But I must confirm my companions' safety."
"No problem," Kaito smiled.
"I trust you'll make the correct choice."
Sally added softly,
"This quarter's puppet materials will be delivered as agreed. If Sunagakure declines, we'll sell them elsewhere. Black markets pay quite well."
"…Understood. I'll convey everything to my teammates."
Later, in the prison.
"Karura! I'm here!" Rasa shouted when he saw her.
Once freed and escorted to the guest tower, the truth came out.
"You what?!" Rasa exploded.
"You signed that agreement?! That's overstepping authority!"
Pakura scoffed.
"If she hadn't, we'd be two corpses by now."
Arguments broke out—until Karura stopped them.
"The priority is leaving safely."
That night, in the guest rooms, Rasa proposed escape.
Karura refused.
"That would ignite a war."
"And not just with Loran."
"When great nations go to war, all they need is a single excuse."
She was right.
Eventually, the conversation shifted.
"All-Powerful," Pakura muttered.
"I've never heard of him."
"He said his codename is The Surgeon," Karura said quietly.
"'All-Powerful' is only an attached title."
Rasa stiffened.
"…That man."
"I know the name."
A Fire Country incident.
A massive jutsu spanning kilometers.
A former Konoha ninja—now an S-rank rogue.
Silence fell.
As night deepened, inner-city patrols withdrew, replaced by observation posts connected through electric communicators.
Soon, voices crackled through the devices.
"Another idiot has infiltrated."
"Copy that."
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