"Tell me, if I killed all the higher-ups, would the Hidden Sand Village fall into chaos?"
Only after Pakura had calmed down did that question occur to her.
If a whole slew of higher-ups died, throwing the Hidden Sand Village into turmoil and hurting its civilians...
"You don't need to worry about that. I should have told you sooner.
The Third Kazekage sent me a letter earlier, asking me to help with his coup."
"Uncle Kazekage..."
There were still plenty of people who cared about her...
"One year. I'll give you one year.
By then, he should have built up enough support, and you should be strong enough to crush Rasa.
If you want, you can stay there and become Kazekage. If not, come back to me. There'll always be a place for you here."
How annoying...
Why did he always have to say such touching things...?
It wasn't as if I... wanted to hear them...
"Tonight... can I hold you while I sleep?"
Xuanhui's eyes widened in disbelief.
Girl, that came out of nowhere!
That wasn't even a sharp turn-that was a drift!
"Just for tonight..."
"Then I'll turn off the light."
Pakura got up and turned off the light, setting the bottles they had emptied on the bedside table.
Her hair spilled over her shoulders, and she looked just as captivating in the moonlight.
"Won't you get hot?"
"Then we won't use a blanket."
"Do you really have to hold me... forget it. Do whatever you want..."
Pakura swallowed.
She carefully climbed onto the bed and lay down beside Xuanhui.
She reached out, her fingers finding his left hand.
She carefully cradled his hand, then edged closer and hugged his arm.
"Pakura..."
Xuanhui turned his head to look at her profile.
Pakura turned toward him too, looking into