"Brother Xuanhui..."
Pakura's emotions were a tangled mess.
She wanted to repay his kindness and find out what she could do for him.
Yet his answer was still all about looking out for her.
Even if his request sounded a little... unbelievable...
The Hidden Sand Village's leaders... had no reason to persecute someone who had been hailed as a hero of the village, did they?
But Xuanhui had been her idol when she was younger, and he had also saved her life.
On one side was her debt to the man who had saved her; on the other was her debt to the village that had raised her.
Pakura felt torn. After all, Xuanhui's words sounded a little like an attempt to sow discord, but deep down, she still believed he wasn't that kind of person.
She really did need to stay alert when dealing with the higher-ups.
"Brother Xuanhui, I will."
But aside from that...
Is there really nothing else you need?"
"I'm going to set up a laboratory soon. Want to come work as my assistant?"
Pakura scratched her cheek awkwardly.
"I can help you find someone, but I'm a ninja of Sunagakure..."
"That's all right. There's no rush."
Xuanhui placed a succulent slice of roast beef on Pakura's plate.
It would hurt you to hear this, but you won't be a ninja of Sunagakure much longer.
"You're still young. You have plenty of time to repay me. I don't expect you to do anything. Just knowing you want to is enough to make me happy."
Pakura thought for a moment, then seemed to make up her mind.
"I could ask the higher-ups for permission to study abroad. Then I could come work for you."
"No, there's no need for that."
Seeing the thoughtful look in Pakura's lovely