Konoha's Tag-System Ninja

Chapter 134: Chapter 134: Remember, You Must Call Me Lord Shūichi!

In the Land of Rivers, inside a mountain cave, a flickering bonfire cast dancing shadows across the walls.

Pakura, lying down, twitched her eyelids and slowly opened her eyes.

Her vision was blurry at first, and her mind felt sluggish. "Is this... the Pure Land?"

As her sight cleared, Pakura instinctively followed the light. She turned her head and saw the fire—and the figure sitting in front of it.

'Who is he? Why does he seem familiar...'

'A fallen comrade?'

"Comrade...!"

Memories flooded back to Pakura—she recalled being stabbed in the back by a Mist ninja. Her heart immediately ached with sorrow.

Her former comrades had betrayed her!

Those people had used her as a bargaining chip, offering her to the Mist!

Pakura wasn't a fool. She quickly pieced it together.

"You're awake."

Suddenly, a gentle voice rang out, startling Pakura. "Who... who are you?"

"Is this the Pure Land?"

Shūichi couldn't help but laugh. "The Pure Land?"

"There's no way I'm going to a place like that with you."

Turning to look at her, Shūichi smiled and said, "Pakura, long time no see!"

Pakura's eyes widened in shock. "You... Shūichi Hoshita!"

She was so agitated that she tried to move, but pain instantly surged through her body, making her head throb.

Sweat beaded on her forehead as she looked at Shūichi. "Did you save me?"

Shūichi stood up, poured a cup of his homemade salt-sugar water, and brought it to her lips. "Who else could it be?"

"You think you're dreaming?"

"Drink up—you need to replenish your fluids."

Pakura looked down at the bamboo cup in his hand.

Shūichi added, "Don't worry, I haven't used it. I made it just for you."

"You're lucky to have met a medical expert like me, or you'd already be dead."

Pakura drank the water in one go and then stared at Shūichi. "Why did you save me?"

Shūichi put down the cup and sat back by the fire. "There are many reasons."

"First, you're the envoy sent by Sunagakure to Kirigakure."

"Even though you were betrayed, saving you might disrupt the alliance between Sunagakure and Kirigakure."

"And even if it doesn't, it could at least delay them a little."

"Second, you hold quite a few secrets in that head of yours, especially about Sunagakure's next moves."

Pakura gave a bitter, mocking smile. "I knew it..."

Shūichi grinned and asked, "What, did you think I saved you out of pity?"

"Or because of your beauty? I'm not that shallow."

Pakura turned her head, staring blankly at the shadows dancing on the cave ceiling. "What do you want to know?"

"After all, I've already been betrayed by them. How ridiculous for a so-called hero..."

Shūichi asked, "Is Sunagakure's next move after the alliance with Kirigakure to attack the Land of Fire?"

Pakura responded flatly, "That's correct."

"But to be precise, they plan to first join forces to take over the Land of Rivers, with Kirigakure claiming the parts that once belonged to Konoha. After that, they'll invade the Land of Fire together."

"Though I don't know the specifics of the plan."

"I've said what I needed to. You can kill me now..."

Shūichi shook his head. "How weak."

Pakura spoke softly, "Do you plan to use my hatred against them?"

"I am filled with anger, but my hatred is for the higher-ups in the village who sold me out, and for Kirigakure."

Shūichi stood and walked over to sit beside Pakura, lifting her chin with his hand.

Their eyes met!

Staring into Shūichi's sharp, domineering, and predatory gaze, Pakura suddenly felt intimidated. But with her chin held firmly in place, she couldn't pull away.

Shūichi leaned in, his voice low and commanding. "Pakura, I saved your life."

"So, from this moment on, you belong to me—you are my property!"

"Without my permission, you are not allowed to die."

With that, Shūichi released her chin.

Pakura let out a small grunt of defiance and turned her head away.

Shūichi's tone softened a bit. "Of course, I'm not someone who's unreasonable with my subordinates."

"Don't worry, I won't make you kill innocent people from Sunagakure. But when it comes to those higher-ups, or enemies from other villages, you'll have to follow my orders."

With that, Shūichi began to undo Pakura's clothes.

Startled, Pakura tried to move despite the intense pain. "What... are you doing?"

"I'm a medical ninja."

Shūichi clarified, "Besides, I'm not even twelve years old!"

Hearing this, Pakura's cold expression suddenly flushed red, and she stopped resisting.

Shūichi continued working on her injuries while remarking, "Plus, with all the wounds you had before, I've already seen everything."

Pakura clenched her teeth. "You little brat..."

Shūichi's sharp ears caught that, and he laughed. "You should be calling me Lord Shūichi!"

Pakura gritted her teeth in silence.

While treating her wounds, Shūichi teased, "What's the matter? The great Pakura of the Scorch Release, an elite jōnin of Sunagakure, doesn't appreciate being saved?"

"Or do you think I'm not qualified to be your superior?"

"You know I'm stronger than you, right?"

That damned brat!

Reluctantly, Pakura muttered, "Lord... Shūichi..."

A strange feeling of shame crept over her, especially since this guy was undoing her clothes.

Shūichi, hearing her reluctant voice, felt a wave of satisfaction.

This feeling... indescribable!

Could it be that this reluctance is what makes it so enjoyable?

Realizing his thoughts were straying, Shūichi quickly focused on treating her wounds.

After a moment, he finished the treatment and draped his outer robe over Pakura. "You should be fully recovered in two or three days."

"During that time, stay here. My Shadow Clones will take care of your food and water."

Pakura was surprised. "You're... leaving?"

"Remember, you must call me Lord Shūichi!"

Shūichi emphasized, then continued, "I have to return to Konoha."

"Although my presence might slow down Sunagakure and Kirigakure's plans, they could also decide to act sooner."

After a brief pause, just as Shūichi was about to exit the cave, Pakura finally spoke up. "I understand, Lord Shūichi."

Hearing this, Shūichi turned back with a smile. "Good, keep it up!"

...

After leaving the cave, Shūichi created a Shadow Clone to stay behind before heading back to Konoha.

---

In Sunagakure, in the Kazekage's office, Rasa was startled upon hearing that Pakura's body had been taken by a mysterious individual. He quickly asked his subordinates, "What did Kirigakure say?"

"The messenger from the Mist Village conveyed the Third Mizukage's message. They believe it was another village, most likely Konoha, that intervened."

"So, the alliance remains unchanged."

"However, the details of the plan will likely need to be renegotiated."

Upon hearing this, Rasa quietly let out a sigh of relief before asking, "Are you sure she's dead?"

The reporting Sand ninja quickly responded, "The Mist said that under those circumstances, there's no way she could have survived—unless the one who intervened was Tsunade of Konoha!"

Rasa was now completely reassured. "Go tell the Mist Village messenger that I will send a new envoy to discuss the plans."

"Yes, Kazekage-sama!"

---

In Konoha, at the Hokage's office.

Shūichi reported to Hiruzen Sarutobi the general details of how he saved Pakura of the Scorch Release from Sunagakure, as well as the intelligence he had gathered from her.

Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't help but sigh. "I didn't expect such a thing to happen."

"It seems Sunagakure has made quite a significant sacrifice to secure an alliance with Kirigakure. They must be extremely determined!"

After reflecting on the situation, Hiruzen asked, "Shūichi, what do you think Sunagakure and Kirigakure will do next?"

Shūichi pondered and replied, "They'll likely suspect it was us who intervened. While this might delay their alliance, it won't stop it."

"Additionally, even if they're unsure whether Pakura is alive or dead, they'll probably alter their original plans."

"My take is that regarding the Land of Rivers, Sunagakure and Kirigakure will try to bypass us and make a direct strike into the Land of Fire, avoiding our surveillance as much as possible."

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded slowly. "That does seem highly plausible."

"So, what do you plan to do with Pakura?"

Shūichi responded, "For now, I'll keep her working under me, but I won't officially register her as part of Konoha's forces to avoid giving Sunagakure any excuses."

"Pakura is very powerful, and if it comes to fighting the Mist, she'll be a valuable asset."

Hiruzen Sarutobi agreed that this was the best course of action for the time being. "Very well, I'll leave her in your hands then."

---

After leaving the Hokage's office, Shūichi stretched his arms lazily.

Tomorrow, the Hokage's office would officially announce his promotion to jōnin, making him the youngest jōnin in Konoha's history!

"First, I should head over to Konoha Hospital..."

Shūichi made his way to Konoha Hospital, where he wandered around, visiting Yakushi Nonō, Shizune, and others before heading out.

Once he returned home and freshened up, Shūichi went straight to his bedroom for a much-needed sleep.

He hadn't slept well in a while.

When he woke up, it was already around three in the afternoon. Shūichi headed out to stroll through the village, stopping to buy some underwear for Pakura, along with several black, backless outfits of different styles to suit her figure.

With such a beautiful back, it deserved to be properly appreciated.

...

After buying the clothes, Shūichi returned to the Land of Rivers.

When he dispelled his Shadow Clone and entered the cave, Pakura was sitting by the campfire, lost in thought.

"Here, I bought you some clothes."

Shūichi placed the bag at Pakura's feet.

Startled, Pakura realized it was the real Shūichi. "You... how are you back so quickly?"

"Body Flicker Technique!"

Shūichi didn't elaborate further.

Pakura looked down and rummaged through the bag, growing more embarrassed. This guy, how could he know my size so well...

"And everything's lace and backless... Does he have these kinds of tastes at such a young age?"

Seeing Pakura's expression, Shūichi quickly explained, "Hey, I picked them out based on your style."

Pakura turned her back to him. "Lord Shūichi, I'm going to change."

Shūichi clicked his tongue and flickered out of the cave.

Moments later, Pakura, now dressed in the new clothes, stepped outside the cave and was taken aback by the sight. "This is the southern part of the Land of Rivers, and... over there is the Mist Village's base?"

Shūichi nodded. "Exactly."

Pakura looked at the boy, who was significantly shorter than her, and asked, "You're far too bold. Kirigakure isn't without sensor ninjas, you know!"

Shūichi chuckled lightly. "Don't worry, it only looks close. It's actually quite far."

"Well? Do you feel like rushing over there?"

Pakura scoffed, "I'm not foolish, nor am I blinded by hatred."

That's only because I saved your life!

Shūichi silently scoffed to himself.

After a brief pause, Pakura asked, "So, what are your plans for me?"

"Call me Lord Shūichi!" Shūichi corrected her again.

Pakura clenched her teeth. "Lord Shūichi, how do you plan to handle me?"

Shūichi nodded in satisfaction. "Don't worry, you won't need to become one of Konoha's people. You're just my subordinate, and you'll only follow my orders."

"Once your wounds are fully healed, we'll head back to the Land of Fire."

"Before the Sand and Mist attack the Land of Fire, I'll need you to go to the Daimyo's mansion in the Land of Fire on my behalf."

Pakura was startled. "The Land of Fire's Daimyo, you..."

Shūichi smiled. "You guessed right. I'm a double agent for both the Daimyo and the Hokage."

He handed Pakura the Yagakigami sword and continued, "This is the token."

"Your mission is to secure material support from the Daimyo to help me establish an underground research base."

Holding the Yagakigami sword, Pakura nodded. "Understood... Lord Shūichi."

---

In the blink of an eye, two days passed, and Pakura's injuries had mostly healed. Shūichi and Pakura left the Land of Rivers together.

This time, he didn't use the Flying Thunder God technique. By the second day, after they had entered the Land of Fire, Shūichi handed Pakura a mask and a black hooded robe, saying, "Let's split up here."

"I'll find you in three days."

Pakura nodded but hesitated for a moment before asking, "Aren't you afraid I'll run off?"

Shūichi confidently replied, "Without me, is there anyone in the ninja world who could treat you better than I do?"

Of course, this was just a boast.

His true confidence came from the Flying Thunder God seal.

"Remember, you have to call me Lord Shūichi!"

Shūichi emphasized once again.

Pakura clenched her fists, feeling frustrated. This guy really knows how to ruin the mood.

"Lord Shūichi..." she said, reluctantly but obediently.

Shūichi nodded in approval. "Work hard. If you do well, there will be rewards."

"And it won't be something meaningless like the 'hero' title the Fourth Kazekage gave you with no real benefit."

With that, Shūichi's figure vanished.

Pakura was silently fuming. That guy was clearly mocking me!

Wait.

Suddenly, her eyes narrowed. That Body Flicker Technique just now... was it the same as Konoha's Yellow Flash's space-time ninjutsu?

At such a young age... what a terrifying kid!

But... being the subordinate of someone with such limitless potential doesn't seem like a bad thing.

Just hope this jerk doesn't get himself killed too soon on the battlefield.

I, Pakura of the Scorch Release, am not someone who forgets a debt of gratitude!

With that thought, Pakura donned the mask and pulled up the hooded robe, then leaped toward the Daimyo's mansion in the Land of Fire.

(End of Chapter)

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