Pakura

After receiving the intel, Beichen Haotian had barely spent a day back in Konoha before leaving again, heading straight for the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind.

The five great nations and five great ninja villages were all competitors. Naturally, the ninja villages with higher mission completion rates, better service, and greater strength were more popular with clients.

During missions, people from different ninja villages would sometimes even end up on opposing sides. For example, the person one village was protecting might happen to be the assassination target of another. Moreover, the five great ninja villages all had deep-seated grudges against one another. Some were even hereditary enemies who hated each other to the bone, and would fight the moment they met even without a mission-related reason. Thus, small-scale conflicts between the various ninja villages were actually quite common, though their scale was kept under control so they would not escalate into war.

With Hawk Eyes' assistance, and without any outside interference or desire to linger, Beichen Haotian traveled extremely quickly. He set out in the afternoon and reached the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind that night.

Oasis City occupied a very special location, situated at the junction of the borders of the Land of Fire, the Land of Wind, and the Land of Earth. It was an exceptionally unique region. Beichen Haotian vaguely recalled the plot and realized that it had some connection to this place. At the time, it seemed that Fourth Kazekage Rasa had led the Sand Ninja in stopping a conflict between the Land of Fire and the Land of Earth.

Oasis City was called an oasis, but that was somewhat exaggerated. Compared with the civilian cities in the Land of Fire, it fell far short. However, for the Land of Wind and the Land of Earth, whose territories were mostly desert and rock, it could indeed be considered an oasis. One could occasionally even see the Land of Wind's characteristic sandstorms and the Land of Earth's distinctive rain of rocks here. Perhaps because of its geography, the houses in this area were all decorated with varying amounts of greenery.

After entering Oasis City, Beichen Haotian first found a hotel to eat at, then found an inn to rest in and quietly waited. According to the information Hiruzen Sarutobi had given him, Scorch Release User Pakura would be passing through Oasis City on a mission sometime within the next two or three days.

Beichen Haotian was in no hurry. Every day, aside from practicing Hyuga, he wandered around Oasis City, eating and drinking. Because of its unique geographical position, Oasis City had fewer civilians than other cities. There were quite a few merchants from various countries, rogue ninjas, wandering samurai, and ninja village shinobi carrying out various missions. Its security was somewhat worse than that of other cities.

None of that mattered, though. Beichen Haotian paid no attention to other people; everyone walked their own path. If someone without the sense to block his way appeared, Beichen Haotian would not mind killing them casually.

A day and a half later, in a private room on the top floor of Oasis City's best restaurant, Beichen Haotian sat at a table deliberately moved next to the window and finally saw his target.

Pakura wore her green hair in a bun, with two locks of orange-red hair hanging over her forehead. She was dressed in a black, shoulder-baring, tight-fitting combat suit, with purple stockings covering her arms and legs. A Ninja Sword with a white diamond-shaped decoration and a red hilt was strapped to her back. Her serious face carried both confidence and youthful vigor.

Pakura walked at the very front. Five Sand Ninja Chunins followed behind her, two on either side and one in the rear. In the middle was a sedan with decorations that looked extremely bizarre to Beichen Haotian. They seemed to be carrying out an escort mission.

Pakura seems to be about the same age as me. Perfect, Beichen Haotian thought, his eyes fixed tightly on Pakura as she advanced.

To be honest, Beichen Haotian was feeling rather lonely. He was in the prime of youth, full of energy, and as someone who had lived once before, he knew exactly how these things felt. Once the desire arose, he did not want to suppress it. As for Tsunade and Konan, he could not rush things. Neither woman was easy to move. Beichen Haotian was not the sort of person to use force, nor could he bear to do such a thing, so he could only proceed gradually.

Pakura, on the other hand, came with far fewer concerns. Beichen Haotian had rather liked this character back on Earth. Although he would not use force, he had plenty of methods at his disposal. If she stayed by his side, sooner or later he would have a chance.

As for the Sand Ninja village? Beichen Haotian could only scoff. Even if Third Kazekage stood before him, he would not be the slightest bit afraid. Political pressure from Sunagakure on Konoha? Beichen Haotian could withstand it! Would the higher-ups led by Third Hokage, Danzo, and the others hand Beichen Haotian over for the sake of a mere female Sand Ninja? Even if the heavens themselves intervened and he had to be handed over, Beichen Haotian could simply defect from Konoha.

Go to war with Konoha? Setting aside whether it was worth it, even if Sunagakure dared, Konoha at this time was not a ninja village that could be shaken by one village alone. The village was filled with talented people and powerful experts. The old, middle-aged, and young generations all had formidable figures to offer. The Third Great Ninja War had not yet begun, and Konoha had not yet suffered its enormous losses. If Sunagakure dared to start a war over a single female Jonin, Konoha would show them what it meant for a father to beat his son senseless.

Therefore, Beichen Haotian had nothing to fear. As his strength gradually recovered, his true nature was almost fully revealing itself. The Great Swordmaster who had once been unrestrained, roamed the seas, acted according to his own preferences, ate the finest food, drank the best wine, and slept with the most beautiful—no, the women he most wanted to sleep with—was gradually awakening.

A ninja's senses were extremely sharp. Even someone who was not a sensor would notice after being watched for too long. Beichen Haotian's gaze was far too brazen, as though he intended to see straight through Pakura.

Pakura suddenly stopped. The coachman driving the carriage thought something had happened and stopped as well, while the other Sand Ninja also became alert and began watching the various pedestrians passing around them.

Pakura ignored the others. Her sharp, beautiful eyes instantly collided with Beichen Haotian's brazen gaze.

Pakura frowned, assuming he was some frivolous noble from one of the countries. Disgusted, she lowered her head and continued walking, not even bothering to pay him any attention.

"What the hell? She's leaving? I have to make her come back," Beichen Haotian said with a frown.

He casually picked up an empty plate from the table and threw it down. With a crisp crack, the plate landed right in front of Pakura. Then Beichen Haotian met her somewhat angry gaze and crooked a finger at her.

Hmm, that gesture was a little frivolous, and the provocation in it was quite strong!

Beichen Haotian's action attracted not only Pakura's attention, but also that of the Sunagakure ninjas, the pedestrians, and the people inside the carriage.

"What is it, Pakura?" a deep, imposing voice rang out.

"Lord Kawaki, it's nothing. Just a small matter. I'll take care of it very soon," Pakura replied crisply.

Fine, hurry up. I still have to represent the Land of Wind in the Land of Earth and negotiate some trade issues with their officials.

"Yes." Pakura straightened her slightly bent waist, turned around, and reached Beichen Haotian's room in two leaps.

Pakura had just been planning to teach this ignorant noble disciple a proper lesson when his words left her stunned.

"Pakura, the Scorch Release User of Sunagakure, I, Beichen Haotian, officially notify you on behalf of Konoha that you are under arrest. Come back to Konoha with me obediently." After saying this, Beichen Haotian drained the wine in his hand and slammed the cup onto the table.

Crazy. What a lunatic. Those two words flashed through Pakura's mind, and she turned to leave. He had neither a forehead protector nor any detectable Chakra fluctuations, yet he dared to come arrest her alone? She had no time to waste on some young noble playing ninja games.

What the hell? This script is a little different from what I planned, Beichen Haotian complained inwardly, though his hands moved extremely quickly.

Water Style, Water Flow Whip.

A whip formed from condensed water appeared in Beichen Haotian's hand. With a flick of his wrist, it lashed toward Pakura's waist like a serpentine creature.

Pakura was already a Jonin, so her reaction speed was naturally not slow. She hurriedly dodged, then retaliated by firing three Shuriken at Beichen Haotian's vital points.

There was no need to dodge. Armament Haki covered his thumb and middle finger, hardening them until they turned black. He flicked his fingers repeatedly, and three metallic clangs rang out as the Shuriken flew back even faster than before.

Pakura hurriedly drew the Ninja Sword from her back and knocked the Shuriken away. She stared at Beichen Haotian grimly and thought, He really is a Konoha ninja, and he really came to capture me alone?

"Stop resisting and come back to Konoha with me obediently. I originally planned to throw you in prison. But after seeing how adorable you are, I've changed my mind. I'll take you back to be my maid. If we get along well, you can become my woman." A rare, shameless grin appeared on Beichen Haotian's face as he delivered the most infuriating words imaginable.

"You bastard! You dare look down on me? You dare insult me? I'll kill you!" Pakura flew into a rage like an enraged lioness, gripping her gleaming Ninja Sword as she charged at Beichen Haotian.

Beichen Haotian found it difficult to understand this woman's thought process. He admitted to looking down on her, but how had he insulted her?

The Ninja Sword descended toward Beichen Haotian with a chilling gleam, occasionally accompanied by kicks and other attacks. Her movements were fluid and decisive, displaying Pakura's solid foundation in Taijutsu.

However, from Beichen Haotian's perspective, there were still plenty of openings. He did not even need to use Observation Haki to evade these attacks with ease.

While dodging her attacks, Beichen Haotian taunted her, "Keep trying, keep trying! If you don't give it your all, you'll never know what despair feels like!"

After fifteen minutes, Beichen Haotian had basically figured out the patterns of Pakura's swordsmanship. He could dodge her even with his eyes closed.

At the same time, four Sand Ninja Chunins, worried about her and urged on by Lord Kawaki's orders from inside the sedan, arrived in Beichen Haotian's private room. They were immediately greeted by a shocking sight.

A young man wearing black trousers and a black shirt, draped in a mysterious and exquisitely tailored black cloak, was dodging Captain Pakura's ceaseless sword attacks with his eyes closed.

After a moment of stunned silence, the four Sand Ninja Chunins hurriedly prepared to join the battle. At that moment, Beichen Haotian's eyes suddenly opened. Killing intent erupted, chilling the air. He coldly stared at the four men and said, "If the four of you dare interrupt the game between me and beautiful Pakura, I'll butcher you."

The four men froze in place. Enveloped by the terrifying killing intent, they broke out in a cold sweat. They wanted to move, but they could not control their bodies at all. Their limbs trembled faintly from fear. Their reaction was much the same as Naruto and Sasuke's when they encountered Orochimaru during the Chunin Exams.

Pakura was also badly startled by Beichen Haotian's sudden burst of killing intent. Although it was not directed at her, even the aftershock made her heart pound with fear.

How many people has he killed? I've really gotten myself into serious trouble today, Pakura secretly lamented.

Huff, huff, huff. The intense exercise had quickened Pakura's breathing and drenched her in fragrant sweat, but she did not dare relax in the slightest.

"Tired? Do you want to rest before we continue? You haven't used your Scorch Release yet, either. Should we move somewhere more spacious so you can fully display your strength?" Beichen Haotian asked considerately, his tone sincere.

Pakura...

Thanks to Zhuhán Wàndāndàn for the recommendation ticket!