Byakuya couldn't exactly tell her, "I've got a god's-eye view." Because he did, he knew the Third Kazekage of Sunagakure hadn't simply gone missing—he'd been killed by Chiyo's grandson, Sasori, who had turned him into a one-of-a-kind puppet...
Their interests were about to become closely intertwined, after all. He had to give Pakura an explanation.
Byakuya regretted letting the truth slip so readily. Hadn't he just brought trouble upon himself?
"I can even find the Sunagakure Ninja stationed in the Land of Rivers. You think I couldn't figure out something like this?"
Pakura asked, "Did Root uncover any solid intelligence?"
"How could they? We don't even know where Sasori is."
"So you really were just guessing?"
The Third Kazekage had been missing for so long, and without any apparent reason, that most people in the village believed he was probably dead.
That had created a power vacuum, which was why Rasa and the others were competing for the Kazekage's seat so frantically.
"Yeah. I'm a Konoha Ninja, so I look at things differently from you."
Pakura sighed softly.
The wind carried her voice away.
The two of them went on to discuss the state of their respective villages.
She asked in surprise, "Is Konoha's rear really that vulnerable?"
"Yes and no. Konoha's reserves are beyond what the other ninja villages can imagine. There's the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki still in the village, for one. Even the Anbu alone is full of hidden talent. Besides, Root, led by Shimura Danzō, might look like it belongs to the Anbu, but the two organizations have long since become separate.
"If Sunagakure attacks Konoha in a fit of madness, it'll only smash itself to pieces. If things go well, Rasa might be able to cover the Sunagakure Ninja's retreat and save a few survivors to return to the Land of Wind."
Pakura sighed. "The Third, Sarutobi Hiruzen, is staying in Konoha instead of going to the front lines himself. That shows you how strong Konoha is. Sunagakure can't hold a candle to it."
"And there are Mitokado Homura, Utatane Koharu, and Torifu Akimichi. They were all students of Senju Tobirama, and they're staying behind in Konoha as a precaution."
They reached the outskirts of Bone-Binding Princess the Azure-Black Serpent's territory.
Byakuya didn't rush inside.
He sat on a dry rock to rest, chewing on a Military Ration Pill.
Only once his stamina, mental energy, chakra, and other stats had recovered to their peak would he have a chance of subduing her.
Pakura folded her arms, watching with an air of leisure, as if she were enjoying a show.
"Does it snow in Sunagakure during the winter?"
"Sometimes, but very little. The snow melts into the sand as soon as it touches the ground, vanishing without a trace. The village is short on water year-round, so we can only grow crops that can withstand drought."
"What about water storage?"
"Every household has its own storage. Things are fine during the rainy season, when we can store plenty of water. But once the dry season comes, everyone depends on the clean water the village distributes each day."
Byakuya asked curiously, "Groundwater?"
"Yeah, groundwater. I worry that after a few generations, even that might dry up.
"The First Kazekage once rejected your Hokage's plan to distribute the Tailed Beasts. He wanted to trade them for land and resources suitable for survival, but in the end, he failed."
"Times have changed. Right now, Konoha is the best military ally Sunagakure could have."
"I agreed because I trust you, and there's a very good chance we'll fail," Pakura said uncertainly.
Byakuya smiled. "You know exactly how strong Sunagakure is right now, and you understand my plan. You know it's the most feasible option and the best one for Sunagakure. Even if Rasa has Magnet Release, he'll still fail."
He paused.
Stretching his limbs and sensing the Flying Thunder God Formula he'd left nearby, he cautiously approached Pakura. "Someone as fond of taking risks as Rasa is bound to fail. Sunagakure would be better off with a peace-loving leader like you."
Pakura shook her head. "You're wrong. I love peace for Sunagakure. For the village's development, I'm willing to sacrifice the interests of other small countries."
"That's reality. To survive in the cruel Shinobi World, you have to take from others. As for those who claim they'll bring true peace to the Shinobi World, every last one of them is an evil, crafty old schemer."
"How much longer do you need to rest?"
"Not long. I was going to wait a while before subduing Bone-Binding Princess, but since I need to prove I'm a worthy partner, I suppose I'll have to do it now."
Pakura stared straight at him. "Can't you take off your mask?"
"Maybe later."
"I don't even know who you are. How am I supposed to contact you?"
"It's better if you don't. Danzō has countless spies in Konoha, and Sunagakure isn't united, either. The way we're working together now suits us just fine. All you have to do is make your own choice when the time comes, and all I have to do is put in a good word for you in front of Danzō."
Pakura said, "That makes some sense."
She represented those in Sunagakure who wanted peace. But right now, their numbers weren't growing; they were weak and timid. Only after Sunagakure suffered a defeat could they rise up.
That was why Pakura had a chance to compete for the Fourth Kazekage's seat after the attack on Konoha's heartland failed.
After resting and recuperating for nearly an hour, Byakuya checked his ninja tools, straightened his mask, and asked, "You're really going to stand by and watch? You won't help me?"
"..."
Seeing Pakura remain silent, he smiled. "If something happens to you in Sunagakure in the future, I won't stand by and do nothing."
With that,
he leaped into the forest.
Bone-Binding Princess, the one from Ryūchi Cave, was waiting there.
No one knew how many years this forest had existed. Miasma hung over some parts of it.
The moment Byakuya stepped inside, it was as if he'd stirred the nerves of the entire forest. In an instant, danger lurked everywhere.
All kinds of poisonous creatures came out of the woodwork, attacking him from places he never would have expected.
The same thing had happened the last time he came here. Byakuya wielded his Ninja Sword with ease.
His improved swordsmanship talent had given him complete mastery over the Ninja Sword, as if it were an extension of his arm.
Byakuya deliberately made a racket to draw out Bone-Binding Princess the Azure-Black Serpent.
At the same time, he sensed the Natural Energy nearby. If it fluctuated violently, that meant Bone-Binding Princess was close.
He leaped onto the canopy of a large tree, cutting down several venomous snakes that lunged at him along the way.
He didn't know what kind of snakes they were, but he could still tell they were highly venomous.
"Storm Release: Thousand Blades!"
Developing ninjutsu while standing on Senju Tobirama's shoulders had one great advantage: the techniques he developed had simplified Hand Seals, too.
He didn't have to use forty-four complex Hand Seals like Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet required. Of course, Senju Tobirama's version of Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet had simplified Hand Seals as well.
In Byakuya's view, Senju Tobirama was an even more talented ninja than Senju Hashirama when it came to ninjutsu.
It was just that Senju Hashirama could brute-force his way through anything, and he also had the ridiculously powerful Wood Release Kekkei Genkai.
Even Uchiha Madara, with his Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan and complete control over the Nine-Tails, couldn't beat him.
Byakuya opened his mouth and spat out a burst of lightning about fifty centimeters long and as thick as an index finger.
The Thousand Blades struck the trees and ground. Dazzling lightning flashed first, followed by explosions and sweeping flames.
Storm Release chakra soothed the muscles throughout Byakuya's body, keeping him perpetually ready to fight for his life at a moment's notice.
Watching from afar, Pakura murmured, "Shuten-doji is growing just as fast as Namikaze Minato once did."
She thought through the young ninja in Sunagakure, but couldn't find a single one who could compare to Shuten-doji.
Then Pakura mocked herself inwardly. Wasn't it precisely Shuten-doji's bright future in Konoha that had made her decide to work with him?
Before you continue