Sunagakure.
When Pakura returned, Rasa was utterly shocked to hear the news.
Because according to his plans, and even those of most of Sunagakure's leadership...
Pakura should never have come back.
After all, they had betrayed Pakura in exchange for peace with Kirigakure.
Even if they were unwilling to admit it...
They knew perfectly well that if Pakura returned knowing the truth...
Then things would certainly look grim for them in Sunagakure.
Of course, no one knew exactly what had happened.
But she had already returned.
Rasa gazed toward Wind Canyon in the distance, his expression darkening slightly.
"You're saying Pakura is back?! Why didn't you report this to me in advance?!"
Rasa felt as sick as if he had swallowed a fly.
Seriously?!
Pakura was already on her way back, and these people hadn't even thought to warn me?!
Hearing Rasa's words, the shinobi delivering the report had no idea what to say.
Well...
Report it in advance?!
But what was there to report in advance?!
"We didn't encounter her along the way. Besides, Lady Pakura... there shouldn't be any problem, should there?"
The shinobi hastily offered an explanation.
In truth, he didn't understand why Rasa wanted him to report something like this.
Wasn't that completely unnecessary?!
Besides, more importantly, Pakura was Sunagakure's hero. Why did Rasa make it sound...
As if Pakura were some kind of criminal?!
Did a hero like Pakura need to report her return before she could come home?!
Of course, that was only his own impression.
He figured he might be overthinking it, and perhaps Rasa hadn't meant it that way.
Either way, he genuinely hadn't given the matter much thought.
Wasn't that how everyone saw it?!
Indeed, after hearing his words, Rasa suddenly realized something.
Apart from those involved, no one else seemed