But Hyuga Shinichi had no idea what Pakura was thinking. Holding Black Stone's notebook, he walked straight toward her.
Although he hadn't been the one to capture the Evil-Slaying Blade first, he had still saved Pakura's life at the crucial moment.
By rights, this mission should have counted as completed by both of them, but there was something else that puzzled Hyuga Shinichi.
There had been no one named Hyuga Shinichi in the original story, which meant Pakura should have died early during this mission.
Instead of dying during the Third Shinobi World War, when Sunagakure's higher-ups decided to use her as a bargaining chip to reconcile with Kirigakure.
But Hyuga Shinichi did not know that his appearance had nearly changed Pakura's fate.
Earlier, the Eye-Nose-Ear Squad had infiltrated the Land of Wind and uncovered a great deal of useful intelligence, causing Sunagakure considerable losses.
To make up for those losses, the higher-ups had deployed a great deal of manpower. That was also why this lucrative mission in the Land of Iron had been handed over to Pakura's team.
Hyuga Shinichi simply did not know how great the changes brought about by the flutter of his tiny butterfly wings would be.
"Um..."
"If you're going to kill me or torture me, just make it quick!"
Hyuga Shinichi had wanted to ask Pakura whether he could be considered a participant in this mission as well, so that both teams could receive the mission reward.
But before he could even finish speaking, Pakura interrupted him, wearing an expression as though she were ready to die.
This made Hyuga Shinichi wonder whether the shock had left Pakura a little... on edge mentally.
Seeing Hyuga Shinichi stare at her with such a strange expression, Pakura felt even more embarrassed and irritated, so she shouted.