The night was as dark as ink.
Under the moonlight, Sunagakure was unusually quiet.
Chiya and Pakura stood atop a sand dune outside the village, looking toward Sunagakure in the distance.
The crimson glow of Chiya's Sharingan flickered faintly in the darkness as he turned to look at Pakura.
"Wait another two and a half minutes, then we'll enter the village."
"Mhm."
Pakura nodded seriously.
Chiya looked up at the moon.
Dark clouds would soon cover it.
At this moment, yellow sand filled the skies outside Sunagakure.
Two figures standing out there were simply too noticeable.
A thought crossed Chiya's mind.
He remembered the system notification he had ignored in the middle of the night yesterday after completing a mission.
"System, open the mission panel."
[Name: Uchiha Chiya]
[Age: 24]
[Chakra: 66 Ka]
[Special Skills: Senju Clan Physique, Sharingan (Eternal Mangekyo), Storm Release, Ice Release, Lava Release, Boil Release]
[Skills: Divine Art: Ikazuchi
Mangekyo Eye Techniques: Yomi Higan, Karmic Samsara, Tsukuyomi, Amaterasu
Forbidden Techniques: Izanagi, Izanami
Master Swordsmanship, Susanoo, Master Medical Ninjutsu, Master Fire Style, Master Genjutsu, Master Ninja Tool Techniques, High Speed Body Flicker Technique (Body Flicker Technique), Shadow Clone Technique, Three Basic Techniques, etc.]
The reward for intercepting Pakura's mission this time was Boil Release.
This Boil Release was a Kekkei Genkai that allowed him to release highly corrosive viscous fluids through ninjutsu.
In the Naruto world, the most famous user of Boil Release was Terumi Mei.
During her battle against Uchiha Madara, she had even melted the skeletal form of Susanoo.
Its power was truly remarkable.
Looking at the moon now hidden behind dark clouds.
Chiya turned back toward Pakura.
"Are you ready?"
Pakura took a deep breath before nodding.
The confusion had vanished from her eyes.
Only determination remained.
Chiya smiled faintly and reached out to hold her hand.
"Let's go."
Their figures flashed.
They became two dark shadows that silently slipped toward Sunagakure.
The two guards standing watch at the village gate only felt a blur before two shadows appeared before them.
Just as they were about to react.
Chiya's Sharingan slowly began to spin.
Before either ninja could respond.
They had already fallen under his genjutsu and stood there blankly.
Watching this scene, Pakura was once again amazed by Chiya's strength.
But more than that.
She felt safe.
With him here.
It seemed every difficulty could be overcome with ease.
After casually passing through the outer defenses.
They also knocked out two ANBU ninjas.
The two then hid inside a quiet alley.
Chiya removed the ANBU cloaks from the unconscious ninjas.
He handed one to Pakura.
"Put this on. It'll make moving around much easier."
Pakura accepted the clothes and quickly changed into them.
The ANBU uniform concealed her graceful figure.
Yet her eyes remained just as bright.
Looking at her, Chiya spoke softly.
"No matter what you see later. Stay calm."
Pakura remained silent for a moment before nodding.
Disguised as ANBU ninjas.
The two headed toward the Kazekage Building.
Along the way they occasionally encountered other ninjas.
But Chiya's genjutsu made their disguises flawless.
No one became suspicious.
Soon.
They arrived at the entrance of the Kazekage Building.
Two ANBU guards stopped them.
"Password."
A crimson light flashed in Chiya's eyes.
The guards' expressions instantly became blank.
Their bodies stiffened.
He lightly tapped them.
Both immediately collapsed unconscious.
Watching this, Pakura quietly asked.
"Won't this be too obvious?"
Chiya shook his head.
"Don't worry."
"My genjutsu will make them think they only dozed off."
The two dragged the unconscious guards into a corner.
Then calmly walked into the Kazekage Building.
The hallway was empty.
Only occasional footsteps echoed through the corridors.
Using the perception of his Sharingan.
Chiya avoided every patrol.
He led Pakura straight toward the Kazekage's office.
However.
When they pushed open the office door.
They found it empty.
Only the Kazekage's secretary was inside organizing documents.
Hearing the sound.
The secretary looked up at the two "ANBU" and frowned.
"What do you need?"
Chiya did not answer.
His Sharingan activated once more.
The secretary's eyes immediately became vacant.
The documents in her hands slipped onto the floor.
Chiya walked over and asked coldly.
"Where is the Kazekage?"
The secretary answered mechanically.
"Lord Kazekage is in the conference room discussing the war with the senior officials."
Chiya continued questioning her.
"How much do you know about Pakura's mission?"
The secretary's lips trembled slightly.
"Lady Pakura... was sent to negotiate with Kirigakure."
"But in reality... it was a deal between the senior officials and Kirigakure."
"Her sacrifice... would buy Sunagakure a temporary ceasefire..."
Pakura's body trembled violently.
Although she had already guessed the truth.
Hearing it confirmed with her own ears still felt as if an invisible hand had tightly gripped her heart.
Sensing the turmoil in her emotions.
Chiya gently held her hand.
He turned toward the desk.
"Find the related scroll."
The secretary mechanically walked to the desk.
She opened a drawer and took out a sealed scroll.
Chiya accepted it and quickly opened it.
The scroll clearly recorded the conspiracy between Sunagakure's leadership and Kirigakure.
Its meaning was simple.
Sunagakure needed to show its sincerity.
Pakura, the Scorch Release user, would be offered to Kirigakure as a "gift" in exchange for breathing room during the war.
Standing beside him.
Pakura leaned closer.
Her eyes remained fixed upon the words written on the scroll.
Her fingers unconsciously tightened.
Her breathing became uneven.
The anger in her eyes nearly burst forth.
Chiya handed the scroll to Pakura.
She accepted it absentmindedly.
Chiya's gaze shifted toward the drawer.
He searched further and soon found another document.
It was a battle plan.
It clearly recorded the decisions made by Sunagakure's senior officials.
Since Iwagakure was fully focused on fighting Konoha.
Sunagakure would remain inactive.
They would wait until Iwagakure and Konoha exhausted each other before reaping the benefits.
Chiya sneered.
"Heh.
"They've planned it quite well."
He put away every piece of useful intelligence.
Then he took out a blank scroll from his ninja pouch.
Picking up the brush on the desk.
He wrote several large words upon it.
"Thank you, Sunagakure, for your gift."
"But hatred can never truly be erased."
"Prepare yourselves for Kirigakure's invasion."
The air around Chiya instantly became icy cold.
The scroll in his hand suddenly froze.
In the blink of an eye.
The entire scroll was sealed within solid ice.
The ice glowed with a pale blue light.
It was as though it were mocking Sunagakure's leadership.
Chiya placed the frozen scroll back into the drawer.
With the current weather.
Combined with the chakra he had infused into it.
The ice would remain preserved for three full days.
There was no chance it would go unnoticed.
Chiya turned toward Pakura.
"It's time to go."
Pakura remained standing there.
Her eyes stayed fixed upon the scroll that detailed the conspiracy against her.
Chiya walked over and softly said.
"This place isn't worth your attachment anymore."
Pakura slowly raised her head and looked at Uchiha Chiya.
The anger in her eyes gradually transformed into determination.
Taking a deep breath.
She quietly spoke.
"Chiya."
"Thank you for helping me see the truth."
Chiya smiled faintly.
He gently brushed her cheek.
"Between us. Why are you thanking me?"
A trace of tenderness appeared in Pakura's eyes.
She nodded seriously and tightly held Chiya's hand.
"Let's go."
The two quietly left the Kazekage's office.
They returned the way they had come.
Chiya's Sharingan activated once again.
Every guard they encountered fell under his genjutsu.
When they finally stepped out of the Kazekage Building.
The night breeze swept past them.
Pakura's long hair fluttered in the wind.
She looked back one final time at the village she had once devoted herself to.
There was no attachment left in her eyes.
Sensing her emotions.
Chiya quietly asked.
"Do you regret it?"
Pakura shook her head.
Her voice was unwavering.
"I have no regrets."
"My conscience is clear."
Chiya nodded.
"Then stay with me from now on.
"I'll be your home."
Pakura smiled gently.
The darkness in her eyes disappeared completely.
"Okay."
Just then.
The sound of someone crying echoed from the distance.
Pakura frowned slightly.
"That sounds like Maki..."
She immediately turned around.
Using the Body Flicker Technique, she rushed toward the sound.
Seeing this.
Chiya quickly followed behind her.
Maki?
That name...
Wasn't she Pakura's female disciple?
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