The flame on Mukai's finger kept changing colors as he slowly brought it closer to Pakura:
"Teacher Pakura, Chakra is the fuel that drives a flame,
but how you make that fuel burn depends on your imagination.
Only when you understand the nature of flame can you know how to increase its power."
The teasing look vanished from Pakura's face. She held out a hand and created an Extremely Steaming Murder fireball, slowly bringing it closer to the little flame on Mukai's finger.
Elder Chiyo watched the two of them swap roles, deep in thought.
Before long, as Mukai continued adjusting the flame's temperature,
Pakura, using her Extremely Steaming Murder fireball as a sensor, could feel that her perception of flames had deepened considerably.
The color of the Extremely Steaming Murder in her hand also began to change.
The originally orange-red fireball grew brighter and brighter until it turned bright yellow.
Even Chiyo, sitting nearby, could feel the heat of the flame.
Unlike the tame little flame in Mukai's hand,
the bright yellow fireball in Pakura's hand began to churn violently, giving off an air of danger.
"All right, Teacher Pakura, the temperature is already above 1,500 degrees. That's enough for now.
Just take your time consolidating your control at this level. If you raise the temperature recklessly and lose control, it could be dangerous."
Pakura nodded and tossed the Extremely Steaming Murder fireball onto a nearby stone slab.
Soon, where the flames had dissipated, much of the stone slab created by Earth Release: Earth Shore Return had melted.
Pakura closed her eyes and reflected on what it had felt like to raise the temperature just now.
Mukai's guidance with the flame alone had benefited Pakura greatly.
She went over the sensation many times, and only after making sure she wouldn't forget it did she smile sweetly:
"My very best student, you've helped your teacher so much.
Tell me, how should I repay you?"
Mukai rubbed his nose and pointed at the thick tunnel on the side of the deep well:
"We're all family here. No need to stand on ceremony.
I've been waiting ages for you to break through with your flame temperature, Teacher Pakura!
Come on, there's no time like the present. How about experiencing the second factor in a flame's power together with me today:
the transfer and control of temperature?
Let's burn through this entire tunnel!"
At that, Pakura used the Body Flicker Technique to appear beside Mukai again and pull him into her arms:
"You little brat, so you wanted your teacher to work for free!
I knew you couldn't possibly be this kind!
I was wrong about you!"
"Ah, ow, ow, ow! You've misunderstood me, Teacher Pakura..."
Watching Pakura and Mukai fool around, Chiyo smiled and accepted the cup of tea Konan handed her:
"Young lady, sit down and rest for a while too.
There's no need to be afraid. Although you aren't a Sunagakure ninja, as long as you're Mukai's friend, we aren't enemies.
Besides, everyone was a victim of the wars between countries before."
As Chiyo spoke, she glanced at Sasori, who was sitting beside her.
Ever since Sasori's parents died in the Second Shinobi World War, he had grown more and more withdrawn.
If Mukai hadn't had an influence on him, Chiyo would have started worrying long ago that Sasori might turn evil.
He certainly wouldn't be like he was now, often writing to her even while busy here at the border oasis.
It's wonderful to have a child like Mukai around!
Chiyo narrowed her eyes and lovingly stroked Sasori's hair.
Sasori merely turned his face away with a haughty air, but didn't dodge.
As Chiyo stroked his hair, she said:
"Sasori, what do you think about having Mukai become a teacher at the Ninja Academy after the Chunin Ninja Exams?"
Sasori froze for a moment at his grandmother's sudden question. After thinking for a while, he said:
"Ever since Mukai came back injured from the Land of Rain last time, it really seems like his mind has opened up.
Although his total Chakra hasn't made a qualitative leap, he really does know a tremendous amount.
He has excellent judgment too. Take the idea behind a puppet like the Mountain God Mecha, for example.
It raises a puppeteer's safety to an extremely high level. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call him a genius.
Now he can even give Pakura, a Jonin, pointers on Ninjutsu.
He really is amazing.
But Granny, you know the situation in the village too.
The people on the Third Kazekage's side won't agree."
Granny Chiyo nodded and tucked her hands into her sleeves, looking just like a harmless little old lady.
But the sharpness in her eyes hadn't diminished in the slightest from her younger days:
"Those people only care about their own power. What can they do besides fight among themselves?
Pay them no mind. You and Mukai can focus on growing stronger.
I can still protect you for a while yet.
Those who lay hands on people from their own village will be called to account sooner or later!"
Only after Mukai promised her quite a few delicious meals did Pakura finally let him go.
Pakura had already known Mukai's specific plans before this project began.
She simply hadn't been able to help before because she couldn't raise the temperature.
Now the entire tunnel had been excavated and laid,
leaving only this final step.
Mukai called it tunnel hardening.
After hearing Mukai's plan, even Chiyo, experienced and knowledgeable as she was, was astonished by the ingenious idea:
"Use flames to melt the rock and turn the entire tunnel into a single whole?
What a fantastical idea.
Can it really be done?
Should I borrow some other ninja from the village to help?"
Mukai politely declined Chiyo's offer.
In the current Sunagakure, not only were the main elemental ninjutsu users on the Kazekage's side,
but looking across the entire village, there were only a handful of ninja to begin with, and hardly any who specialized in Fire Style.
Let alone anyone at Pakura's level.
Even Pakura hadn't been able to melt the rock and sand before,
let alone anyone else.
Across the Shinobi World today, those who specialized in Fire Style were mostly in Konoha.
Especially that bunch of red-eyed Uchiha.
Even though they were allies, Mukai could still tell what mattered more.
He shook his head and said:
"I appreciate your offer, Elder Chiyo. There's a lot going on in the village right now,
and the capable ninja all have assignments of their own,
so there's no need to trouble them.
This job isn't too difficult, and it's also a good chance for Teacher Pakura to get some practical experience controlling her flames.
Building this tunnel is actually a process of improving our strength too.
Just watch!"
As he spoke, Mukai looked at Konan, who had been quiet the whole time:
"Konan, has everyone on Yahiko's side been notified?
Make sure no one in the Land of Rain goes near that reservoir or the deep well."
Konan pressed her lips together and nodded:
"They've... they've all been notified.
We've also received the paper cranes with replies from Yahiko and Nagato.
They started evacuating people from the area around the reservoir the day before yesterday.
No one is allowed within several hundred meters, so don't worry."
Only then did Mukai nod in relief. He beckoned to Pakura, and together they went to the entrance of the tunnel, which was over two meters in diameter.
"Teacher Pakura, use Scorch Release: Extremely Steaming Murder in a moment and raise the flame's temperature as high as possible.
Make the whole fireball fill this tunnel. Will that be a problem?"
Pakura lowered the White Phoenix Mecha's faceplate, flexed her hands, and gave him a thumbs-up:
"Don't worry, it's nothing!"
Pakura quickly formed Hand Seals, drawing on most of the Chakra in her body. Huge, bright yellow flames erupted from both hands.
Scorch Release: Extremely Steaming Murder!
Beside her, Mukai also quickly finished forming Hand Seals and spat a nature-transformed Wind Release from his mouth:
"Wind Release: Whirlwind Great Breakthrough Technique!"