Mission Conflict

Pakura of the Scorching Style, an elite Beauty Jonin of Sunagakure.

Because she often exposed her smooth back, she was also known as "Beautiful Back" Pakura.

With her Kekkei Genkai, Scorching Style, she had gained a certain reputation in the ninja world.

However, Pakura was still relatively young now, so her strength had not yet reached its peak.

It wouldn't be until the future Third Shinobi World War that she would truly shine.

At that time, Pakura would grow into a Kage-level powerhouse, earning commendations from the Fourth Kazekage Rasa multiple times for her great contributions in the war.

She would thus become a hero of Sunagakure, highly respected.

But her final fate would be tragic.

Because Sunagakure was unable to continue fighting both Iwagakure and Kirigakure on two fronts, Pakura was tragically betrayed by the village's higher-ups and became a sacrifice to end the war with Kirigakure.

While recalling the information about Pakura, Qingshui arrived before the Trio and shielded them behind him.

At this moment, Pakura had already subdued Okubo Yahiko, who was trying to escape, in a few moves and handed him over to three Suna Ninja who had arrived.

They were Pakura's subordinates and looked a few years older than the Trio.

Clearly, Pakura and her group were also on a mission.

Qingshui did not recognize Pakura's subordinates and looked at her sternly, asking, "Pakura, why are you interfering with our mission?"

Pakura, whose identity had been revealed, was not surprised. She had experienced similar things many times.

Without answering Qingshui's question immediately, Pakura first scanned the Trio, a hint of surprise on her face.

She had just witnessed the Trio working together to deal with Okubo Yahiko, so she was somewhat surprised by their strength at such a young age.

Such talent would be among the very top even in Sunagakure.

Second only to herself and Rasa at the same age.

Both she and Rasa had mastered a Kekkei Genkai, and ordinary geniuses would not be their match.

Then Pakura looked at Qingshui. Upon discovering that Qingshui was wearing a Konoha forehead protector, her originally indifferent expression changed slightly.

Just as Qingshui felt that things might become troublesome when he recognized Pakura, Pakura had the same thought after recognizing Qingshui as a Konoha Ninja.

Once two major ninja villages were involved, it would not be a small matter.

"Because our mission is to capture this guy alive."

After Okubo Yahiko's matter was exposed, a noble from the Land of Wind released a bounty mission to Sunagakure to capture him alive.

This was because his beloved concubine's family had been murdered by Okubo Yahiko.

Under the concubine's constant pleas, the noble immediately declared that he would capture Okubo Yahiko alive and then torture him thoroughly to vent his concubine's anger.

On account of Qingshui being a Konoha Ninja, Pakura offered an explanation.

Yes, it was only because of Qingshui's identity as a Konoha Ninja that she would give him face.

Unlike Pakura, who had already gained fame in the ninja world at a young age, Qingshui was currently an unknown nobody.

Although he had fought Hanzo two days prior, the news had not yet spread, and not many people knew about it.

Pakura clearly did not know about this.

Therefore, she believed that offering an explanation was already giving him a lot of face, and if Qingshui was sensible, he should take his people and leave.

But this was only her belief; Qingshui did not think so.

In the past, he would have directly abandoned the mission in such a situation.

But now that he had become stronger, would he still have to endure such humiliation?

Absolutely not!

Thus, Qingshui responded with a very firm attitude: "Then, unfortunately, this guy is also a target of our current mission. We are here to kill him!"

Upon hearing this, Pakura felt that Qingshui was being somewhat tactless.

Although she had not reached the point where people would unconditionally abandon their missions, at least someone like Qingshui should have proactively abandoned the mission upon encountering her.

Unless there were truly powerful individuals from Konoha hidden in the shadows.

In fact, from the very beginning, Pakura had been puzzled by the strange combination of Qingshui and the other four.

The reason for her confusion was that the Trio were not wearing ninja headbands, which indicated that they had not yet become ninjas.

Since they were not ninjas, they normally would not be able to accept missions.

Thus, Pakura made a guess: Konan and the other two were actually young geniuses secretly cultivated by Konoha.

This mission was a practical training exercise for them.

Therefore, she believed that Qingshui was merely the nominal captain, and there were stronger individuals hidden in the shadows protecting the Trio.

Of course, this was just her guess.

So, to verify, Pakura, full of confidence and pride, spoke again.

"Since you recognize me, you should know you are absolutely no match for me."

Her three subordinates all looked on with admiration and worship, not thinking there was anything wrong with Pakura's statement.

After speaking, Pakura stared intently at Qingshui, not missing any change in his expression.

But Qingshui merely gave a dismissive smile. Before he could say anything, Konan was the first to retort.

"How dare you say such a thing? Qingshui Big Brother is very strong!"

"Exactly, exactly! I don't think you're Qingshui Big Brother's opponent. If you don't want to get hurt, you'd best return the target to us voluntarily!"

Yahiko, who had already been won over by Qingshui, quickly chimed in.

In the eyes of the Trio, Qingshui possessed the strength to fight Hanzo, the "Demigod."

How could Pakura, who looked to be around the same age as Qingshui, possibly be his opponent?

With their limited knowledge, they naturally didn't know the identity and reputation of Pakura, the Scorching Style ninja.

"What a bunch of ignorant fellows. Teacher Pakura is the renowned 'Scorching Style' ninja. The Qingshui Big Brother you speak of is no match for Teacher Pakura."

"These guys don't even have ninja headbands. Clearly, they're still ninja academy students. How could they possibly know how formidable Teacher Pakura is?"

"Big Brother, you'd best give up the mission voluntarily. Otherwise, if you anger Teacher Pakura, even if you're a Konoha Ninja, you won't avoid getting hurt."

Hearing Konan and Yahiko belittle Pakura, Pakura's three subordinates retorted, unwilling to be outdone.

Each held their ground, and thus they began to argue.

Pakura paid no mind to the bickering of a group of children. Her attention was solely on Qingshui's reaction.

She had initially thought Qingshui was being defiant and unyielding towards her because a Konoha powerhouse was secretly backing him.

But Qingshui's dismissive smile just now made her uncertain of her guess.

After all, if he were relying on the backing of someone powerful, Qingshui wouldn't have reacted like this.

Did I guess wrong? Is this guy simply arrogant and ignorant?

Qingshui was unaware of Pakura's thoughts. He stopped Konan and Yahiko, who were still arguing with Pakura's subordinates, and then looked at Pakura, saying.

"Seeing as you are Suna Ninja, I don't wish to escalate this. As long as you return the target to us, you may leave safely."

After hearing this, Pakura was almost amused to the point of anger.

She, the dignified Scorching Style ninja, was being looked down upon by an ordinary Konoha Ninja.

"Since that is the case, let us settle this with our skills."