Buy One, Get One Free! Pakura's Apprentice!

Tobirama, who had been explaining the nature transformation of Paper Style chakra to Konan, suddenly paused.

"What's wrong, Sensei?"

Konan blinked her big eyes, her face full of curiosity.

Tobirama stroked his chin, one brow slightly raised.

"Tch, I left in too much of a hurry and forgot an extra."

Since he had taken Pakura back with him, leaving Maki—the little apprentice who had always followed Pakura around—in the hands of those white-eyed wolves from Sunagakure would probably not end well for her.

If he was going to do this, he might as well do it thoroughly.

A family had to be kept nice and complete.

"Konan, practice on your own for now. I'll be back soon."

"Huh? You're leaving again?" Konan's little mouth pouted as she was about to say something.

Whoosh!

A flash of golden light.

The tall figure before her had already vanished into thin air.

Konan looked at the empty chair and angrily crumpled the origami in her hand into a ball.

"Stupid Sensei!"

Land of Wind, the ruins of Sunagakure.

Rasa was directing the surviving ninja as they cleared rubble and rescued the wounded.

His face was covered in dust, and exhaustion filled his expression.

The humiliating treaty he had just signed weighed on his chest like a mountain, making it almost impossible for him to breathe.

But for the sake of the village, he could only endure it.

Buzz!

Space rippled.

A figure that made every Suna Ninja's soul tremble suddenly appeared before Rasa once more without warning.

"Waaah!!"

Several Suna Ninja carrying stones nearby were so frightened that they dropped them on their own feet. Some even collapsed onto the ground, their faces deathly pale.

"H-He came back!!"

"Is he going back on his word and killing us all?!"

Rasa's heart clenched violently. Suppressing his fear, he forced himself to step forward, his voice trembling.

"L-Lord Hokage? Do you have any other orders? The reparations are already being prepared, really..."

Tobirama waved a hand, cutting off his pleading.

"Relax. I'm a man of my word. I said I wouldn't kill you, so I won't."

Just as Rasa let out a breath of relief, Tobirama continued.

"I suddenly remembered that the one called Pakura seems to have an apprentice?"

"Her name is Maki, right?"

Rasa froze, then immediately understood. Cold sweat broke out across his body.

Was this going to be extermination?

Or perhaps...

"Y-Yes, there is such a child." Rasa did not dare lie.

"Bring her here. Now."

Tobirama's tone was calm, but it left no room for doubt.

"Since the teacher has gone with me, there's no point leaving her apprentice here. I'll take her too, so you won't get annoyed seeing her later, or take your anger out on her."

Rasa's expression shifted several times.

He had indeed considered that although Pakura was gone, her apprentice remained. Perhaps she could still...

But facing this god of slaughter, how could he dare say even half a word of refusal?

"Yes... Hurry! Bring Maki here!" Rasa roared over his shoulder.

Less than two minutes later.

A little girl of around seven or eight was brought over by two Suna Ninja.

She wore Sunagakure's traditional clothing and clutched a piece of cloth tightly in her hands. Her eyes fearfully scanned the ruins around her, then the man before her who radiated a terrifying aura.

"Lord Hokage, she has been brought." Rasa lowered his head.

Tobirama gave her a look.

Her aptitude was average, but she was obedient. She would make a decent assistant for Pakura in the future.

More importantly, she could be used to keep Pakura in line.

"Fine. I'm taking her."

Tobirama grabbed the little girl by the back of her collar, lifting her like a chick.

"Work hard, Kazekage Rasa. I have faith in you."

Whoosh!

Golden light flashed once more.

The figure disappeared.

Rasa collapsed onto the ground, gasping for air. His clothes were already soaked through with cold sweat.

"That disaster... is finally gone..."

Konoha, Tobirama Residence.

Whoosh!

Tobirama appeared in the living room with Maki in hand.

The little girl had not yet realized what had happened. All she felt was a blur before her eyes, and the endless yellow sands vanished, replaced by elegant furniture and bright lights.

"We're here."

Tobirama set her down.

Maki curled up in the corner of the sofa, trembling. Tears pooled in her eyes, but she did not dare make a sound.

Though she was young, she understood what had just happened.

Her village had been destroyed, her teacher taken away, and now even she had been captured by this Devil.

"Stop shaking. It's not like I hit you."

Tobirama casually tossed her a bag of snacks. He had grabbed it from the coffee table earlier; it seemed to be part of Konan's stash.

"Sit here and don't run around. Your teacher, Pakura, will be back soon."

"Don't worry, I don't eat children."

With that, Tobirama turned and headed upstairs.

Maki hugged the snacks and blankly watched Tobirama's retreating back. Hearing that her teacher would return settled her heart, if only a little.

Second floor, study.

The moment Tobirama pushed open the door, he felt an aura of resentment wash over him.

Konan sat at the desk with her arms crossed, her cheeks puffed up like a pufferfish, her back facing the door.

Hearing the door open, she deliberately gave a heavy snort and turned her head away.

"Oh? Whose vinegar jar got knocked over?"

Tobirama walked over with a smile and poked Konan's puffed-up cheek.

"You could hang a soy sauce bottle from it."

"Hmph!"

Konan slapped his hand away and turned around, her big eyes full of grievance.

"Sensei is a big bad guy!"

"You were teaching me ninjutsu, then suddenly ran off to catch another girl!"

"And the one downstairs too! You had that big-chested sister go find Lady Tsunade just now!"

"Does Sensei think Konan isn't obedient and want to replace me with another apprentice?"

The more Konan spoke, the more aggrieved she became.

In her heart, Tobirama was her entire world.

She had been a homeless child taken in by him. What she feared most was being abandoned again or having someone else take her place.

Seeing how insecure she looked, Tobirama's heart softened.

This little girl still lacked a sense of security.

He bent down and cupped Konan's little face in both hands, making her look directly into his eyes.

"Silly girl, what are you thinking?"

"Those people are either maids or tools."

"But you're different."

"You are the only personal disciple of Tobirama Uchiha, and half the master of this house."

"Do you understand?"

Konan looked into Tobirama's serious eyes, and her cheeks instantly turned red.

The only... disciple?

Half the... master?

"R-Really?" Konan asked softly, the grievance in her eyes instantly transforming into delight.

"When have I ever lied to you?"

Tobirama rubbed her beautiful blue-purple hair.

"The child downstairs is a companion for that maid of yours, so she won't disobey."

"As for you, all you need to do is focus on becoming stronger. In the future, in this Ninja World, no one but me will be able to bully you."

"Mm!!"

Konan nodded heavily, and her jealousy vanished in an instant.

She threw herself into Tobirama's arms, rubbing her face against his Hokage Cloak.

"Konan likes Sensei the most!"

"Konan will become stronger too, and help Sensei discipline those maids!"

Tobirama could not help laughing.

This girl had slipped into the role of lady of the house pretty quickly, hadn't she?

Just then, the sound of the front door opening came from downstairs, followed by a burst of hurried footsteps.

"Looks like the main character is back."

Tobirama patted Konan on the back.

"Come on, let's go watch the show."

First-floor living room.

Tsunade had just entered with Pakura.

Pakura was in terrible condition. Her eyes were vacant, and even her walking seemed mechanical.

Along the way, she had witnessed Konoha's prosperity. Compared with Sunagakure's miserable state, the defenses in her heart had crumbled bit by bit.

However, the moment she entered the living room and her gaze swept over the sofa.

Her entire body froze as if she had been struck by lightning.

"Maki!"

Pakura's voice became shrill, even cracking slightly.

Maki, curled up in the corner of the sofa, heard the familiar voice and abruptly looked up. Her tears instantly burst forth.

"Sensei!!"

The little girl cried out and rushed toward Pakura.

Pakura pulled Maki into her arms, her whole body trembling.

She suddenly raised her head and looked at Tobirama, who was slowly descending the stairs. Her lifeless eyes instantly filled with fury and fear.

"Tobirama Uchiha!"

Pakura gritted her teeth like a lioness protecting her cub.

"You promised me! You said that as long as I went with you, you would spare everyone else!"

"She's only a child! She doesn't understand anything! Why did you take her?!"

"You Devil! Come at me if you want something! Don't touch her!!"

In her eyes, Tobirama had taken Maki to threaten her with her apprentice's life, perhaps even... to torture the child before her!

This man was too terrifying. There was nothing he would not do!

Tsunade was also stunned for a moment before helplessly rubbing her forehead.

This guy... really moved fast.

Standing at the top of the stairs, Tobirama looked down at the hysterical Pakura with an amused smile.

"What are you yelling for?"

"I did this for your own good."

"For my own good?" Pakura trembled with rage. "Kidnapping my apprentice is for my own good?"

"What else would it be?"

Tobirama slowly walked down, every step seeming to land on Pakura's heartbeat.

He walked up to Pakura and reached out to lift a strand of her hair.

"If you leave your disciple in Sunagakure, do you think the people who just sold you out will treat her well?"

"She'd probably be ostracized the very next day, or even dealt with as your accomplice, wouldn't she?"

"I brought her here. She'll have food and shelter, and she can be reunited with you."

"Instead of thanking me, you're cursing me?"

Pakura froze.

She had been so consumed by anger just now that she had not considered this at all.

That was right...

Even Rasa could sell her out. As her direct disciple, could Maki still have a good life in Sunagakure?

But... was falling into this Devil's hands really better than staying in Sunagakure?

"Y-you... you really won't hurt her?"

Pakura's voice softened, carrying a trace of pleading.

"As long as you don't touch her, and don't make her do... do anything dangerous."

"I... I'll listen to anything you say."

"Please, Master."

She said those final two words with immense difficulty, yet with utter humility.

To protect her disciple, she had completely cast aside all her dignity.

Tobirama looked at the once-proud wielder of Scorch Release, now kneeling before him like a frightened little Koneko and begging.

The feeling of utterly shattering someone's pride really was satisfying.

"Don't worry."

Tobirama smiled and reached out to pat Pakura's cheek.

"I told you, I have no interest in children."

"As long as you behave and properly fulfill your duties as a maid."

"She'll live ten thousand times better in Konoha than she did in the Land of Wind."

Upon hearing that promise, Pakura's taut nerves finally snapped.

She collapsed onto the floor, clutching Maki in her arms as tears streamed down her face.

This time, it was not from anger, but from the relief of having survived a disaster.

"Thank you... thank you, Master..."

This expression of gratitude was countless times more sincere than before.

From that moment on, the defenses around her heart were completely breached.

In this unfamiliar Konoha, that devilish man had somehow become her only support.

Tsunade watched the scene, her gaze complicated as she looked at Tobirama.

"You really are an expert at manipulating people's hearts."

"You clearly abducted a woman by force, yet you somehow turned it into a hero saving a beauty."

Tobirama shrugged, walked over to the sofa, and sat down, pulling Tsunade into his arms by the waist.

"That's called personal charm."

"Alright, everyone's here."

"Tsunade, report the casualties, then... let's eat."

"Pakura, go help in the kitchen. Don't tell me you only know how to kill and can't cook."

"Yes... I'll go right away."

Pakura wiped away her tears, soothed Maki, then lowered her head and obediently headed for the kitchen.

Not a trace of resistance remained in her heart.