Encountering Sunagakure

This operation left no room for further scheming—every member Shiba Seika had chosen was truly his own.

Two of them came from his original squad.

One was Masuda Ikki, who had fought alongside him outside Kusagakure just two days prior.

Though a bit simple, this man was absolutely loyal to Shiba Seika.

The other was named Karasuba, the very one who had first taught Shiba Seika Lightning Release. Later, after Shiba Seika's strength quickly surpassed his, he became completely convinced of Shiba Seika's superiority.

The final teammate was one of Konan's younger sisters, named Ajisai.

Shiba Seika had crossed paths with this girl several times in the organization before, but he'd never remembered who she was.

It wasn't until this trip, when Ajisai immediately used Summoning Technique to call forth a flock of birds, taking on the team's reconnaissance and scouting duties herself, that Shiba Seika suddenly recalled this girl's other identity—

She was the Animal Path of Pain's Six Paths in the original story.

Or more precisely, she was the corpse that a future, corrupted Nagato would use to create the Animal Path puppet.

(Ajisai)

But for now, Ajisai was still just an innocent, carefree little girl. She deeply admired Konan and often followed behind her, which frequently led to others in the organization teasing her as Konan's little tail.

Thinking of this, Shiba Seika couldn't help but sigh.

When he thought about it carefully, Konan in the original story had actually suffered quite a bit. Her mutual friend Yahiko was turned into the Deva Path puppet, and one of her few close female friends was later made into one of the Pains.

As a Naruto fan in his past life, Shiba Seika had once been obsessed with the stylishness of the Akatsuki Organization's red clouds and black robes, but who had ever considered whether Konan, living in that environment, truly didn't feel suffocated?

Lost in memories, his thoughts wandering, Shiba Seika unconsciously poured a great deal of pity and compassion into the look he cast toward Konan for a moment.

Unexpectedly, that fleeting glance was caught by Konan.

"What's wrong, Seika? The way you looked at me just now seemed full of sympathy?"

Caught red-handed, Shiba Seika felt a brief moment of embarrassment, but he quickly covered it up with words.

"It's nothing. I was just thinking that in the past, Sister Konan, you mostly handled logistics at the base, but recently, because of me, you've been going out on missions frequently. I feel a bit guilty."

Konan smiled, deliberately catching up a little, and reached out to pat Shiba Seika's head as they flew.

"You're overthinking it, Seika. Didn't you just teach me before that we're comrades and should trust each other?

Since you call me sister, of course I'll protect you. Doing missions with you isn't a burden—it's something I want to do."

Beside them, the petite Ajisai immediately pouted, jealous. "And me, Sister Konan! I call you sister too—you can't forget about me!"

Konan smiled gently, then turned to soothe Ajisai. "Alright, alright. I'll protect Ajisai too."

Only then did Ajisai show a happy smile.

Masuda Ikki, following behind, wore an affectionate grin and whispered to Karasuba beside him, "Don't you think Leader Konan has become gentler lately? I remember she didn't used to smile this much. This must all be Captain Seika's doing!"

He clenched his fist emphatically. "To protect such a beautiful smile, I will follow Captain Seika to the death! Karasuba, what do you think?"

Karasuba remained expressionless, not even turning his head.

"I don't know. I play with blades. I feel it's not as valuable as Captain Seika's Kenjutsu..."

"..."

Soon after, following the intelligence provided by Hanzo the Salamander, the five of them quickly approached the campsite where the Sunagakure squad had previously stayed.

Ajisai reacted first, raising her hand to signal everyone to stop.

"Hold it! My summon beast found some traces by the river ahead."

Traces singled out at a time like this were clearly out of the ordinary.

Everyone immediately went on alert, pulling out their Ninja Tools and weapons, ready for battle.

Shiba Seika asked, "Any ninja spotted nearby?"

"Not yet."

Ajisai closed her eyes, seemingly using some special method to share her summon beast's senses.

She was expanding the search range.

But before two seconds had passed, she opened her eyes in terror, tears streaming uncontrollably from the irritation, and she shouted.

"No good! They're coming!! Watch out! There's a woman—she's terrifying—she vaporized my bird in an instant!"

Hearing this, Konan immediately spread her paper wings and soared into the sky!

"Ajisai, don't sacrifice your summon beasts! I'll handle reconnaissance!"

Masuda Ikki and Karasuba also quickly and smoothly spread out.

Everyone was an experienced ninja. Though this encounter came suddenly, they remained calm and swiftly prepared to meet the enemy.

Shiba Seika stayed by Ajisai's side, protecting her while continuing to gather information.

"Vaporized? Did that woman use Fire Release? A Fire Release ninja from Sunagakure?"

As far as he remembered, wasn't Sunagakure's specialty their unique Sand Release techniques and puppet mechanisms?

Ajisai, still shaken, gripped a Kunai tightly in her hand.

"I don't know either. It was a very special kind of Fire Release—looked like a floating fireball, but the moment it touched my bird, it completely evaporated it! That feeling... it was terrifying!"

That description made Shiba Seika's heart skip a beat.

He thought of a unique Kekkei Genkai and muttered to himself, No way.

But the suspense didn't last long.

Ajisai's summon beast, the little bird, being cleanly taken out meant the enemy had spotted them even earlier!

Soon, Shiba Seika and the others clearly caught sight of several Sunagakure ninjas in their field of vision!

One of them was laughing arrogantly. "Haha! You've got a death wish! We hadn't even gone looking for you yet, and you Rain Ninja are already delivering yourselves to our doorstep!"

Another, outwardly calm but inwardly just as proud, stood atop a high tree crown, looking down at Shiba Seika and the others as he spoke.

"You must be the so-called Akatsuki Organization, right? Hand over all the wealth and supplies you've gathered recently, and we might just consider letting you live!"

But these two Sunagakure ninjas, who had successively spouted arrogant nonsense, couldn't even catch Shiba Seika's attention.

All his focus was now locked onto the Sunagakure woman who appeared last!

Her rare mix of tea-brown and orange hair, her signature black sexy open-back top, her long, well-proportioned figure, and her smooth, fair bare back—these were the most striking labels on her!

Shiba Seika smiled bitterly, realizing his earlier no way guess had come true.

The newcomer was exactly who he thought—

The hero of Sunagakure, the Kekkei Genkai ninja, Pakura of the Scorch Release!

For a moment, Shiba Seika wanted to grab her by the ear and demand an answer.

A powerhouse like you—why aren't you out on the front lines of the Great Ninja War making a name for yourself? What are you doing holed up in a small country like the Land of Rain?