agagaf

Pakura was uncertain about Scorpion's true strength. He was a private person, someone who kept to himself and was completely absorbed in his interest for puppets. It was difficult to even get a glimpse of him on most days.

And Takuya? She hadn't even met him in person until the day she got captured.

Scorpion's reputation in Sunagakure was pretty good, while Takuya's name had already echoed across the entire shinobi world.

But could they really stand up to the Third Kazekage?

That was a big question mark.

In Pakura's eyes, Takuya and Scorpion were clearly biting off more than they could chew, playing with fire, daring to provoke someone of the Kazekage's caliber.

"Scorpion, can I at least know why?" The Third Kazekage asked with a tight smile, his anger evident despite his forced calm.

He wanted to lash out at Scorpion, but he restrained himself, holding back his fury.

Scorpion glanced at the Kazekage briefly before his gaze returned to Takuya. He didn't bother offering any kind of explanation to the Kazekage.

"Simple," Takuya smirked, "Watch over Pakura. Just make sure she doesn't get caught up in the fight. I don't want my future little follower to end up dead here. Leave the rest to me."

Although they were supposed to be working together, Takuya wasn't counting on Scorpion to help him kill the Third Kazekage—he planned to do it himself.

Scorpion's role was just to keep Pakura safe and be the one to take the fall after it all.

"Alright," Scorpion replied without much interest. He didn't know where Takuya got his confidence, but since he wasn't being asked to fight, he wouldn't argue.

Controlling two of his puppets, he led the powerless Pakura into the cave, shielding her from the inevitable clash to come.

With her chakra sealed, even a stray shockwave could be fatal for her.

"If that's the case, then just go to hell!" The Third Kazekage roared, rage boiling over as betrayal gnawed at him.

What infuriated him the most was Scorpion's complete disregard for his question, his refusal to even acknowledge him.

Fueled by his fury, the Kazekage made his move.

Countless iron sand particles lifted into the air, transforming into a storm of sharp needles that rained down on Takuya, covering him from every angle.

The dark iron needles blended into the pitch-black night, shrouding the entire area around Takuya, while Scorpion and Pakura watched from a distant treetop.

What a pointless attack.

Transforming iroand into a mass of needles for an area-wide attack seemed unnecessarily complicated to Takuya.

It wasn't that the power of the attack was lacking, but the shape—the transformation into needles—felt redundant.

In Takuya's opinion, both Rasa and Gaara were much more efficient than the Third Kazekage.

Unlike the Kazekage, who enjoyed turning iron sand into peculiar shapes for his attacks, Rasa and Gaara preferred a straightforward, wide-range approach—something much more suited to their sand-manipulating powers.

"Zzzz..."

A brilliant blue light erupted into the darkness. Wielding his Kusanagi blade enveloped in crackling lightning chakra, Takuya didn't bother dodging.

Flashes of lightning destroyed each of the incoming iron needles. Moving swiftly, Takuya closed the gap, slashing towards the Kazekage.

The attack style left much to be desired—wide-ranged attacks held little threat to Takuya.

He wasn't Hatake Sakumo, but when not using other abilities or the Sharingan, Takuya's combat style did share similarities with Sakumo.

The main difference lay in the level of agility—Sakumo's speed and flexibility were superior, whereas Takuya had raw power and favored a head-on assault.

"Magnet Release: Iron Sand Pillar!"

Seeing Takuya charging at him, the Kazekage, with his head lowered, calmly controlled the iron sand around him.

After falling for Takuya's tricks once before, the Kazekage had learned his lesson—whether Takuya activated his Sharingan or not, there was no way he would meet his gaze directly. He couldn't risk being caught in another genjutsu.

A massive iron pillar, over two meters thick, formed in front of the Kazekage, shielding him from Takuya's attack.

"Zzzz..."

Sparks flew as Takuya's Kusanagi blade, charged with the piercing power of lightning chakra, struck the iron pillar, leaving a deep gouge but failing to break through to the Kazekage behind it.

"You brat, that kind of attack won't work on me. Your agility falls far short of Hatake Sakumo's," the Kazekage sneered.

Unless Takuya could break through his iron sand constructs, there was nothing more he could do—the Kazekage figured he could just wear Takuya down.

"Come on, brat. I know you activated the Mangekyo Sharingan. Show me what the Uchiha's so-called legendary power is made of," the Kazekage taunted.

Word of Takuya's Mangekyo Sharingan and his slaughter of the Kaguya clan had spread across the shinobi world—Kirigakure had ensured that Sunagakure received all the information, free of charge.

Out of all of Takuya's techniques, the one that truly concerned the Kazekage was his Mangekyo Sharingan.

"Magnet Release: Iron Sand!"

Trying to provoke Takuya, the Kazekage altered his approach.

A torrent of iron sand began to swirl around him, resembling a dark sea surging towards Takuya.

The title of "Strongest Kazekage" wasn't given to him for nothing. As Rasa's teacher, he could use the same combat style, though he seldom did—the chakra consumption was too high.

"Magnet Release: Desert Coffin!"

The dark sea of iron sand surged, swallowing Takuya. The Kazekage raised his right hand and clenched it into a fist, commanding the dark tide to crush Takuya like a giant iron hand.

"What an annoying nickname," Takuya muttered.

The Kazekage kept calling him "brat." Despite Takuya's young age, he wasn't the only one who'd earned that nickname. However, as his power and reputation had grown, almost no one in Konoha referred to him that way anymore.

"Shhhhh..."

A sharp noise pierced the night as brilliant blue light split open the dark tide. Takuya broke free from the iron sand, jumping out of its grasp.

"Envelop him!"

The Kazekage wasn't naive enough to think he could easily defeat Takuya. Raising his hand again, the black waves of iron sand moved to envelop Takuya once more.

"Lightning Release: Piercing Thrust!"

Enveloped in lightning chakra, Takuya's entire body became like a blade, charging at the Kazekage.

Such explosive speed!

The Kazekage's eyes widened in surprise—he had underestimated Takuya's raw power. Lightning chakra had impressive piercing abilities, but against him, it just wasn't enough.

The iron sand surrounding the Kazekage moved quickly, forming a thick wall in front of him. A heavy, impenetrable iron barrier stood between him and Takuya's attack.

Takuya's strike was stopped in its tracks by the Kazekage's iron defense. He retreated quickly, distancing himself, his eyes narrowing.

The Kazekage's grin widened. "You can't break through my defense, Takuya. Let's see how long you last against the strongest Kazekage!"

The standoff resumed, each preparing for the next clash. Takuya glanced over towards where Scorpion and Pakura were watching.

"Scorpion, don't interfere no matter what," Takuya ordered without looking back.

"I already said I wouldn't," Scorpion replied from his perch. He kept his eyes on the battle, calculating his next moves. If Takuya truly could pull this off, it would change everything.

Pakura watched in stunned silence, her heart pounding. She couldn't comprehend what she was seeing—a rogue puppet master and a shinobi from an enemy village working together to take down her Kazekage. She had no idea what to think or do, so she watched, her hands balled into fists.

The Kazekage scoffed, his focus unwavering. He had no intention of losing. He had faced countless foes, and this boy would be no different—no matter what tricks he had up his sleeve.

Takuya stood there, his eyes locked onto the Kazekage. His smirk widened as he activated his Sharingan, the crimson eyes spinning and locking onto his target. The next phase of the battle was about to begin, and he would show them just why the Uchiha name inspired fear.

Scorpion -> Sasori

A screeching, metallic noise rang out, sharp enough to send chills down the spine.

The Third Kazekage flinched as instinct took over, jerking his head to the side just in time.

In the blink of an eye, the edge of a blade skimmed past his face, cutting so close it sliced a blue strand of his hair. The atmosphere seemed to freeze as the smell of iron filled the air; a trickle of blood appeared on his cheek, rolling down in a crimson bead.

I'm bleeding?

The Third Kazekage stood, stunned, as though the realization took a moment to sink in. His proud defense—his Magnetic Release—had been breached so simply, almost casually. He'd built his reputation around this power, and here he was—cut.

If his reaction had been even a fraction slower, it wouldn't have been just his hair. The blade would have pierced straight through his face.

Even now, a shallow wound—barely more than a scratch—marked his cheek, but it was a mark nonetheless.

The Kazekage... injured?

Pakura's eyes went wide, her disbelief almost palpable.

She knew the kind of power Magnetic Release held. Not just from the Third Kazekage, but even Rasa, her constant rival, had been a formidable foe thanks to his mastery of it.

But now, the indomitable Kazekage had been hurt. The impossible had happened.

Pakura couldn't make sense of it, but Sasori wasn't quite so rattled. His mind, ever calculating, focused on one thing: the weapon Takuya wielded. The piercing speed, the raw power behind the blade—it wasn't just any ordinary weapon. It was something with incredible force, something that could breach any defense. It was lightning. The nature of that weapon—using Lightning Release to its absolute max—was a direct counter to his magnetic manipulation.

If it had been him standing there—could he have blocked it?

I need new puppets," Sasori mused, his thoughts drifting to contingency plans.

"Die!"

The Kazekage's rage boiled over, his normally composed demeanor shattered. The sting of that shallow wound on his face felt like an insult that burned his pride.

He roared, and suddenly, the sky itself seemed to darken as a tidal wave of iron sand surged toward Takuya, swallowing him whole. The sheer volume and speed were staggering. This was the power of the "Strongest Kazekage" unleashed without restraint.

And Takuya was too close, still recovering from his attack. He hadn't yet pulled back his stance, leaving him entirely exposed. In an instant, he was enveloped, iron sand swirling around him like a living storm.

Is it over?

Sasori glanced at the scene, considering his next move. If Takuya didn't have some kind of trump card, this was the end of the line. Sasori had seen what happened to those caught in that iron sand—the Kazekage made sure there was nothing left to recover.

"I told you," Pakura said, her voice cutting through the tension like ice, "you had no chance. It's impossible to stand against the Kazekage."

She stared at Sasori, her gaze cold. "You better start thinking about how you're going to explain this to him."

Sasori didn't react. He had no intention of letting Pakura's taunts get under his skin. His plan was already set—retreat. That was until, out of nowhere, something shifted.

Suddenly, Takuya's chakra flared, a surge of raw energy that forced the swirling iron sand to swell outward, bulging unnaturally as if something inside was about to explode.

"What… what the hell?"

The Third Kazekage's eyes widened, disbelief etched into his features. He tightened his fists, growling in anger as he roared again:

"Magnetic Release: Iron Sand Burial!"

He poured more chakra into the sand, determined to crush whatever resistance there was. He would squash Takuya until there was nothing left, until the sand itself was dripping in his remains.

BOOM!

A massive black spear erupted from the heart of the iron sand, tearing through its density with overwhelming force. It moved like a missile—straight for the Kazekage.

Startled, the Kazekage leaped back, narrowly avoiding the attack. The iron sand, as though it had lost its will, fell to the ground like a cascading waterfall of black powder, revealing what had burst free from within.

A giant—a towering figure—stood in the midst of the fallen iron. Its shape was humanoid, a black colossus holding a knight's lance. Its massive body seemed to pulse with dark chakra, like swirling, glowing tattoos. In the moonlight, it almost looked like a part of the night itself.

Susanoo!

The Kazekage felt his stomach tighten as the word left his lips. The intelligence had been right: Takuya possessed the Mangekyō Sharingan. But this... this wasn't what the Mist Village had reported. The sheer power of the Susanoo—its physical presence—was beyond anything he'd imagined.

Sasori turned, his eyes meeting Pakura's for just a moment. They both understood the significance of what they were seeing.

They had thought Takuya was finished—but they were wrong. The eerie glow of those crimson eyes, the massive black form of the Susanoo, shook them both. The information they had on the Sharingan—on its potential—was pathetically lacking compared to the reality now before them.

Pakura could barely comprehend it. "Is this... his trump card?" she whispered.

Within the Susanoo, Takuya looked almost relaxed. He smiled, his face exuding confidence.

"That was close," he admitted, his voice almost casual. "Gotta say, you've got some serious power. Your control over that iron sand is something else—way beyond what Rasa or even Gaara could do. Makes sense though, right? You don't get called the Strongest Kazekage for nothing."

The Kazekage stared back, seething, his fists clenched in rage.

Takuya tilted his head, as if considering something. "You've heard of the Mangekyō Sharingan before, haven't you? It's gotta be from the stories about Madara Uchiha. That's what's got you so on edge, right?"

The Kazekage sneered, his pride bubbling over. "Madara Uchiha? Hah! Just an old ghost, long buried in the past. Today, I'll show you what real strength looks like. Let's see if your Mangekyō and your Susanoo can stand up to me!"

The title of "Strongest Kazekage"—it wasn't just a name. It was a mantle he carried, one that symbolized his prowess and unmatched strength.

Takuya smirked, a faint grin spreading across his face. "Mere grains of sand, daring to challenge the radiance of the full moon?"

Pakura blinked, speechless. Sasori glanced at her, then back to Takuya and the Kazekage.

If they hadn't been standing in the middle of a battlefield, they might've thought they were at some sort of exaggerated boasting contest.

The Kazekage's face darkened with anger, his pride now stung beyond repair. "Grains of sand? You think so little of me?"

Takuya only laughed. "If you're gonna boast, you better be ready to back it up," he said, his voice full of taunting amusement.

The massive black figure shifted, moving with an almost unnatural swiftness. The lance it wielded was brought to bear, thrusting forward like a lightning bolt aimed right at the Kazekage.

BOOM!

Iron sand responded, surging forward to intercept the oncoming lance. The black sea of sand roared and crashed, forming wave after wave against the giant's assault. The lance cut through, but the resistance slowed it down, robbing it of the momentum needed to land a decisive blow.

"Is this your so-called moonlight, Takuya?" the Kazekage spat, sneering. "You'll have to do better than that."

The Third Kazekage had managed to block Susanoo's attack, his ego swelling. He was ready to start boasting, maybe even mock Takuya for his efforts. But before he could speak, something changed. The attack that had seemed to weaken moments ago was suddenly back—and it was different.

What?! How is this possible?!

The spear hadn't just strengthened; it had picked up speed. His jaw dropped as he realized the shift.

This doesn't make any sense.

No… no, this isn't about power. It's speed.

Just as he made that realization, the spear accelerated further—its speed unnatural, as if the air around it shattered. In less than a heartbeat, the spearhead was already in front of him.

At that moment, the Third Kazekage's body had barely begun to react, his hand only just beginning to rise in an attempt to defend. He was too late.

Whoosh!

The dark spear plunged straight through his chest.

The Kazekage could barely process what happened. He felt the chill of the steel as it pierced his flesh, and almost immediately, he coughed out a mouthful of blood. The crimson droplets splattered across the spear's dark surface, painting it in streaks of red. His body shook, a deep and all-consuming pain taking over.

His face was twisted in disbelief—eyes wide and filled with shock. Why? he thought, his mind racing in desperation. How did Takuya's attack suddenly become faster?

Then, it hit him—the Mangekyō Sharingan. That subtle movement. The swirl of Takuya's eyes. He recalled it, the intricate shape of Takuya's Mangekyō twisting as he had watched, unnoticed amid his own arrogance. He should have paid attention. The signs were all there, but instead, he had been caught up in his own pride, focusing on his insult, his mockery—how Takuya had compared him to mere grains of sand while calling himself the radiant moon.

Now here he was, impaled and powerless, his life slipping away with each passing moment.

He wanted to say something—anything—but all that came out was another gush of blood. His vision started to blur, the world around him fading.

Takuya stepped forward, lifting the spear even higher. The Kazekage's body hung limply from the end of the weapon, swaying as blood continued to drip from his wound. Takuya looked at him, a cold and detached expression on his face.

"It seems Uchiha Madara didn't leave enough of a lasting impression on your village," Takuya said. His voice was calm, almost regretful. "Otherwise, you might have understood the power of the Mangekyō Sharingan. You might have respected it."

He paused for a moment, then added, "But I think after today, no one will make that mistake again."

Takuya studied the Kazekage's lifeless eyes and shook his head slightly. "Mere grains of sand," he repeated, his tone sharp. "That's all you ever were. And grains of sand have no business challenging the radiance of the moon."

The spear twisted in his grip, and he gave it a firm shake, dislodging the Kazekage's body. The Third Kazekage's corpse slid off the spear, hitting the ground with a heavy thud. The sound echoed across the battlefield as the body bounced once, then settled into stillness. His eyes stared blankly into the distance, the shock of his defeat frozen on his face.

Sasori had been watching from a distance, hidden behind a cluster of rocks. He had believed in the Kazekage's strength—had believed in his victory. But now, as he watched the once-mighty Kazekage lying dead on the ground, Sasori's heart pounded in his chest.

His usual composure was gone. He found himself unable to move, his feet rooted to the spot. His eyes darted to Takuya, who still stood with the spear in hand, his expression cold and distant.

"Hey, Sasori." Takuya's voice broke through the silence, and Sasori felt a chill run down his spine.

"The body is yours," Takuya said, his tone devoid of emotion. "But I'll make sure everyone knows what happened here. They'll know it was you who lured the Kazekage here and orchestrated his death."

Sasori's mouth went dry. He knew what Takuya was saying—knew the consequences. "You'd better start running," Takuya continued. "When word spreads, the entire village will be after you. Don't think you can stick around. Unless you want to deal with that, I'd suggest disappearing."

Sasori clenched his jaw, his mind racing. He couldn't afford to stay, not after what had just happened. Without saying a word, he moved forward and grabbed the Kazekage's lifeless body. He glanced at Takuya once more before vanishing into the shadows, moving as fast as he could.

The Susanoo's aura around Takuya began to dissipate, the immense figure fading away like smoke in the wind. As the battlefield quieted, Takuya looked around until his eyes fell on Pakura.

She stood off to the side, her eyes wide, her face pale. It was as though she couldn't quite comprehend what had just happened—like she was still trying to process it all.

Takuya walked over to her, his footsteps soft against the ground. "I hate to say it, but I've just cut off any chance you had of going back to your village," he said, his voice carrying a hint of regret. "Whether or not you betrayed them doesn't matter now. The Kazekage died because of the signal you left. That's all they'll care about."

Pakura's face was blank, her body motionless. It was as if she'd turned to stone, unable to move or react.

Takuya sighed and reached out, placing a hand on her shoulder. "It's not about whether you were loyal or not," he said. "It's about perception. And as far as they're concerned, you're a traitor. That makes you guilty."

Pakura still didn't respond, her eyes fixed on the spot where the Kazekage's body had fallen. Her mind was a whirlwind, the reality of the situation sinking in slowly.

Takuya gave her a moment before he spoke again. "We need to go," he said, his tone more gentle. He took hold of her arm, urging her forward. "We're heading back to the Konoha camp."

Back at the Konoha camp, Hatake Sakumo and Nara Shikashige were gathered in the command tent. Maps and documents were spread across the table in front of them, the atmosphere heavy with tension.

"We've taken heavy losses," Sakumo said, his fingers pressed to his temples in frustration. "Sunagakure's forces outnumber ours two-to-one. With the Mist Village putting pressure on our other front, we're stretched too thin."

Shikashige nodded in agreement. "The Mist Village's offensive has only intensified. We can't afford to send more reinforcements here. Orochimaru hasn't called for backup yet, but even if he does, I don't see where we'd pull support from."

Sakumo sighed, his exhaustion visible. "This war is taking a toll on all of us. It's getting harder to hold our positions."

Suddenly, they heard footsteps approaching the tent, and both men immediately went on alert. Sakumo's hand instinctively moved toward the hilt of his sword.

"Who's there?!" he called out, his voice tense.

"It's me, sir."

Takuya stepped into the tent, Pakura following closely behind. Her face was still pale, her expression distant.

Sakumo's eyes widened slightly at the sight of Takuya, and his posture relaxed, though his face held a mix of emotions. Relief, frustration, and curiosity all crossed his features. "You've got some nerve showing up now," he said, unable to hide the exasperation in his voice.

Shikashige's eyes narrowed as he looked at Takuya. There was no warmth in his gaze, only suspicion. "You've got a lot to answer for," he said.

Takuya raised his hands, his lips curling into a small, easygoing smile. "Take it easy. I bring good news."

Shikashige's expression didn't change. He glanced at Pakura, noting her disheveled appearance and the dazed look in her eyes. "Good news?" he asked, his voice dripping with doubt. "Because from where I'm standing, it looks like you've been off doing whatever you want."

Takuya chuckled, shrugging his shoulders. "I've been busy, that's for sure. But I promise you—this is news you'll want to hear."

Shikashige crossed his arms, his skepticism evident. "This better be good, Takuya."

Takuya's grin widened slightly, confidence returning to his eyes. He glanced back at Pakura, then at the two commanders in front of him. He was ready to reveal everything that had happened—the battle, the Kazekage's defeat, and the implications for the war effort.

Everyone knows that the Yagami Clan, once renowned during the Warring States period, now has only Takuya left to carry on its legacy.

Adding new members to the clan is certainly a good thing, but there's a time and place for everything!

"....."

Damn it!!!

Shikashige Nara, are you serious?

You can come up with such bizarre ideas?

Ignoring a still-recovering Pakura, Takuya rolled his eyes and said:

"Does killing the Third Kazekage count as a contribution?"

"I even killed that old hag Chiyo."

Shikashige Nara slapped the table and stood up, furiously pointing at Takuya:

"You brat! Tsunade entrusted everything to you, and this is how you repay her? Running off and leaving me, an old man, to deal with everything? Do you want to work me to death? Not to mention..."

His face suddenly changed as something dawned on him.

"You killed the Third Kazekage?"

"You're not joking, are you?"

Shrugging, Takuya sat down, poured himself a cup of tea, and took a couple of sips. Under the astonished gazes of Shikashige Nara and Hatake Sakumo, he calmly said:

"Killed him. I gave the body to Sasori. Using Pakura's markings as bait, I coordinated with Sasori to lure the Third Kazekage out and personally killed him. You two seniors can spread the news tomorrow."

Shikashige Nara: "....."

Hatake Sakumo: "..."

Give us a moment. We need time to process this bombshell.

After confirming several times that Takuya wasn't joking, Shikashige and Sakumo felt as if their hearts were about to leap out of their chests.

The Third Kazekage is dead?

Just like that?

If this news gets out, what will become of the Sand Village?

Forget waging war—they'll be busy cleaning up their internal messes for a long time.

For Konoha, however, this news is both shocking and uplifting.

"What about her?"

After finally regaining their composure, the two turned to look at Pakura, who stood nearby like a lost soul, seemingly devoid of purpose.

Takuya waved dismissively.

"Don't worry about her. She bears unavoidable responsibility for the Third Kazekage's death. It's equivalent to me severing her path back to the Sand Village. Give her some time to cool down, and she'll accept it."

"Now, spill it. How the hell did you pull this off?"

The two seniors exchanged a glance and then grabbed Takuya, blocking any chance for him to slip away.

Knowing Takuya's tendencies, if they didn't force him to explain now, he'd claim exhaustion and go off to bathe and rest.

Today, no matter how tired or dirty you are, you'll explain everything before you rest!

Otherwise, we old geezers won't let you off!

Realizing he couldn't escape, Takuya reluctantly sat down and recounted the events in detail.

Am I getting old, or has the world just gone insane?

The Third Kazekage, gone, just like that?

The pen in Shikashige Nara's hand snapped with a crack, and Hatake Sakumo rubbed his face with a bitter smile.

This was a feat even he couldn't have achieved, yet Takuya managed it.

Still, for the Sand Village, this was an unmitigated disaster.

It would likely throw them into chaos for quite some time.

The two seniors exchanged silent looks for a long time before Shikashige Nara finally spoke:

"Should we report the news as-is?"

He could hardly imagine the Sand Village's reaction once the news spread.

They'd probably go mad, frantically searching for the Third Kazekage.

"No need."

Although Takuya had killed the Third Kazekage himself, he preferred to let Sasori shoulder more of the blame for now.

"Let's give Sasori more credit and shift the blame onto him. The Sand Village will direct more of their hatred toward him. After all, Sasori is Chiyo's grandson and Ebizō's grandnephew."

"With the Third Kazekage dead, the Sand Village is bound to descend into chaos. Chiyo and Ebizō have just been reinstated, but they clearly can't control the situation. Meanwhile, Pakura is here with me, and Sasori has defected. That leaves only Rasa to take over the Third Kazekage's authority."

"Rasa isn't exactly a generous or trustworthy person. Once he's in power, he'll likely be wary of Chiyo and Ebizō, which works to our advantage."

For Takuya, extra accolades and achievements didn't matter much. At this point, ensuring chaos in the Sand Village was the best strategy.

Rasa himself was no saint—ambitious, ruthless, and narrow-minded, traits reminiscent of Konoha's Danzo.

He would stop at nothing to achieve his goals.

To secure his position, he'd even been willing to sacrifice Pakura, a shinobi with immense potential. This spoke volumes about his ruthlessness.

Not to mention his later actions.

Others say even a tiger won't harm its cubs, but Rasa had no such scruples. To produce a perfect Jinchūriki, he caused the death of his own wife and nearly drove his son insane.

Gaara's life was nothing short of tragic. A premature baby, he lost his mother at birth.

To ensure Gaara grew up cold-hearted, Rasa used the death of his brother-in-law to traumatize him further.

Takuya couldn't help but wonder: Is this something a human being could do?

If Rasa ascended to power, Takuya was confident his paranoia and scheming would make life miserable for Chiyo and Ebizō.

The Sand Village would become a mess internally, making it impossible for them to continue waging war effectively.

"That's a brilliant idea."

Shikashige Nara's eyes lit up, agreeing with Takuya's reasoning.

Rather than seeking personal fame or recognition, creating internal chaos in the Sand Village and deflecting blame onto Sasori was far more beneficial.

Tapping his fingers on the table, Hatake Sakumo smiled knowingly.

"The Sand Village might just implode on its own, giving us the perfect opportunity to counterattack and expand our gains."

"Then I'll leave this matter to you two seniors."

Having said everything he needed to and provided his suggestions, Takuya hoped Shikashige and Sakumo would leave soon and stop harping on his previous disappearance.

"Alright, we won't disturb your rest any further. I'll send someone to bring hot water shortly."

Shikashige Nara and Hatake Sakumo decisively got up and left.

If Takuya had managed to kill the Third Kazekage, his earlier desertion of the camp was a minor issue by comparison.

Considering his accomplishments, they could let it slide.

Since he had performed such a significant service, he deserved a good rest.

"You and your... uh, companion... cough, I mean Pakura, can wash up first. We'll get started on preparing to spread the news."

Nearly slipping up, Shikashige Nara quickly exited.

Pakura, who had been lost in thought, suddenly flushed and shot a frosty glare.

Hatake Sakumo awkwardly rubbed his nose.

"Hey, I didn't say that. Why are you glaring at me?"

Sure enough, women are difficult to deal with—the prettier and more well-endowed, the harder they are to handle.

Figure it out yourself, kid. I'm out.

Giving Takuya a "good luck" look, Hatake Sakumo promptly disappeared.

What the hell!!

You start trouble and leave me to clean up the mess?

Takuya stared in disbelief, utterly speechless.

"Alright, stop glaring at me. If you keep that up, your eyes are going to pop out. You should be thinking about what you're going to do from here on out."

With the news spreading, the path for Pakura to return to Sunagakure had effectively been cut off.

Without the Third Kazekage, without Chiyo or Ebizō in power, and with Rasa—her adversary—assuming the leadership, there would be no chance for Pakura to make a comeback.

Takuya could be sure that Rasa would pin the blame for the death of the Third Kazekage and the betrayal of Sasori squarely on Pakura.

It didn't matter how innocent Pakura was.

Rasa wouldn't hesitate to make an example of her.

"You really think I can't go back to Sunagakure?"

Pakura's gaze was complex as she looked at Takuya. She didn't even know how to feel about him anymore.

After taking in the shock of it all, Pakura realized that she was finished.

There was no going back to Sunagakure.

Even if she hadn't intended for her marker to lead to the death of the Third Kazekage, it had set everything in motion.

From what she knew of Rasa, if he took power, he would never let her live in peace.

Takuya shrugged, regret evident in his voice.

"You know who Rasa is. With Sasori escaping, and no way to capture him, who do you think is going to take the blame?"

Blaming Konoha wouldn't do any good—it would just be seen as ridiculous. After all, Wind and Fire Countries were at war.

Enemies killing each other was just par for the course, right?

If anyone was to blame, it was the supposed "Strongest Kazekage" who turned out to be all bark and no bite!

The so-called "Strongest Kazekage" got taken down by a teenage shinobi. Were they really going to go around bragging about that?

"Now, you're down to two choices. First, once the war is over, I let you go as promised, and you live as a rogue ninja, drifting around the shinobi world while avoiding Sunagakure's ANBU."

"Second, you give it all up and join Konoha."

"And you're sure that if I join Konoha, I won't face hostility and rejection?"

Shinobi defecting and joining other villages wasn't unheard of, but they seldom had a happy ending.

Surveillance was the least of the issues; hostility and rejection were usually guaranteed.

Some defectors didn't even make it through the interrogation process, dying in custody before they ever had a chance to prove themselves.

"As long as you don't betray Konoha, I can assure you'll be fine. If anyone gives you a hard time or treats you unfairly, I'll take care of it."

It sounded simple.

Pakura wanted to curse him. If it weren't for Takuya, she wouldn't have had to face this choice in the first place.

From the moment she got captured, her world had started to change.

Now she regretted it all—bargaining with Takuya had been a mistake.

If she had just let herself be humiliated and captured by Konoha, Sunagakure might have been able to get her back after the war.

Now, it was too late.

From the moment the Third Kazekage died, everything had spiraled out of control.

At this moment, Pakura felt like her world was shrouded in darkness.

It was a tough choice, but one she had to make. Either hope Takuya kept his word and let her go after the war, or defect and join Konoha.

There was no third option.

The first option relied on Takuya being truthful. Even if he was, her future would be nothing but hiding and running.

Joining Konoha was also risky. Who was to say Takuya wouldn't turn on her once he'd extracted all the use he could from her?

Where there were people, there were power struggles, and Konoha's internal struggles made Sunagakure's look simple by comparison.

The things that Danzo had done were well known.

Even in Sunagakure, Pakura had heard what kind of person that old man was.

Defecting shinobi were definitely among Danzo's primary targets.

Pakura did not want to find herself defecting to Konoha only to be targeted by hidden agendas, or worse, killed without even understanding why.

"Think it over. It's not like this war is going to end overnight."

Takuya wasn't in a hurry to make Pakura decide. Even with the death of the Third Kazekage, the war wouldn't end just like that.

No matter how disorganized things got, Sunagakure would at least keep fighting for a while longer.

"Sir."

It was then that the person sent by Shikashige Nara arrived.

Takuya enjoyed a taste of the perks that only big shots got—soaking in a nice hot bath.

"..."

You really are shameless!

Seeing Takuya completely ignore her, treating her like she was invisible as he stripped and jumped into the bath, Pakura's eyelids twitched violently.

She had half a mind to draw a blade and strike him down right then.

Clenching her teeth, turning her back to him with her arms crossed, Pakura gritted out:

"So, this talk about joining Konoha, it's really about working for you, isn't it?"

Going through all this trouble for the sake of the village?

Pakura doubted that. It just didn't make sense.

If she were in his position, she would never take such a thankless risk. Because if things went wrong, it would all be on her.

The only explanation was that Takuya wanted her to submit to him.

On the surface, she'd be joining Konoha, but her true loyalty would be to Takuya Yagami.

"More or less."

Completely relaxed in the hot water, Takuya sounded almost amused.

Pakura was catching on.

"To Konoha, you're just another shinobi. Whether you join or not doesn't make much difference.

But to me, having you means having someone capable under my command. You're skilled, your Scorch Release is powerful, and, well, you're attractive and have a good figure. Satisfied with that explanation?"

"That's all?"

Veins bulged on Pakura's forehead.

Takuya nodded, still facing away from her.

"Why would I want to recruit some random guy to follow me around? Am I crazy?

If it were Rasa, he'd be locked up waiting for interrogation."

"Now, stop standing there. Help me scrub my back. Don't forget our agreement."

"..."

Pakura stared for a few seconds before her face flushed crimson.

"There was nothing in our agreement about me helping you bathe!!!"

"I just said to scrub my back. Who said anything about bathing?

If anyone should be worried about someone taking advantage, it's me."

"You...!"

Do you want me to kill you? Do you really want to die that badly?

Helping you scrub your back is me taking advantage of you?

Pakura was fuming.

"Hurry up and scrub my back. I'll remove the seal on you."

"..."

The seal placed on Pakura was going to be removed eventually. Removing it now was a way for Takuya to gain her trust.

It was a show of confidence and value in her, with a small condition attached—nothing major, but it got the point across.

Takuya believed that if Pakura had any sense, she wouldn't try to run.

Even if she managed to escape, life wouldn't be any better.

Besides, Pakura had no real choice here. From the moment she was captured, her freedom had slipped away.

Good lesson learned.

Hidden in the shadows, the ANBU looked at one another, their eyes filled with respect.

Support Naruto: I Traveled with a Max Level AccountNo wonder Lord Takuya could have it all, while they couldn't even catch the attention of the girls they loved. It turns out their methods were far too crude.

Lesson learned, truly learned.

"Hey, stop moving around!"

"You were the one who bumped into me, and now you're blaming me for moving? Why not blame yourself for having such a good figure?"

"..."

After helping Takuya scrub his back, Pakura was exhausted, not from physical exertion but from sheer frustration. The tension was already high, but Takuya kept making everything worse.

What made Pakura lose her mind even more was that when it was her turn to bathe, Takuya showed no intention of leaving.

At least he didn't look; instead, he turned his back to give her some privacy. Pakura let out a sigh of relief.

Of course, Takuya had already sent the hidden ANBU away.

He might not care as a man, but there was no way he would let anyone else stay hidden while Pakura took her bath. That would be indecent.

"Lady Tsunade, this is urgent information from the frontlines!"

The intelligence agent rushed into the Hokage's office. Tsunade, sitting at the desk, frowned slightly, gesturing for him to place the scroll on the table. She asked offhandedly, "The old man still isn't back yet?"

The Third Hokage had gone to the Daimyō's palace to negotiate war support, but he still hadn't returned. At this point, Tsunade was about ready to curse.

The intelligence officer grimaced. "It seems the negotiations have hit a deadlock. It may still take some time before they reach an agreement."

"Those Daimyō bureaucrats are always difficult, especially during wartime."

Tsunade knew all too well what kind of people they were, so she wasn't too disappointed.

Shaking her head, she picked up the scroll from her desk.

The moment she opened it, her eyes widened, and she jumped to her feet, almost knocking over her desk and its scattered papers and scrolls.

Good heavens!

Really impressive!

I just wanted you to do more, and you went ahead and took out the Third Kazekage!

However...

Well done!

The Third Kazekage was always a backstabbing snake, and Tsunade had long despised him.

Sure, alliances based on profit were never everlasting. But the Third Kazekage flipped allegiances faster than any woman ever could. What was the point?

Time and time again, he'd launch attacks without declaration, as if Sunagakure was just toying with Konoha.

And when defeated, he would come back to negotiate a peace treaty, whining about how hard life was for Sunagakure.

Then, whenever an opportunity arose, he'd stab them in the back once more.

Among nations and shinobi villages, the only thing constant was interest, not alliances or enmities. That was common knowledge.

The problem was, others at least provided some pretext or justification before switching sides. The Third Kazekage didn't even bother—he just attacked like a thief. Nobody could accept behavior like that.

Even the Third Mizukage found reasons before launching a war. But the Third Kazekage? He just resorted to cheap backstabbing.

Now he was gone, and Tsunade couldn't help but think: "Serves him right."

"Excellent!"

She slapped her desk with excitement, unable to hold back her grin. The gloom that had hung over her these past few days seemed to vanish, leaving her in a noticeably better mood.

"Get ready for an announcement," Tsunade instructed, turning to the intelligence officer. "Tomorrow morning, we'll make it public: Our village hero, Takuya Yagami, has captured Pakura, an elite jōnin from Sunagakure, and even persuaded Sasori to defect. Together, the three of them killed the Third Kazekage, whose body was taken by the rogue Sasori."

Wait—this is huge!

The intelligence officer's eyes widened in astonishment.

"If we're going to spread this, we need to coordinate. Make sure the information reaches the other nations too. Let them see just how disarrayed Sunagakure has become."

"The war has only just begun, and they've already lost two elite jōnin—both of whom defected—and their Kazekage is dead. Sunagakure is going to be the laughingstock of the shinobi world."

"Understood, Lady Tsunade. The Intelligence Division will cooperate with the ANBU to spread the word."

The intelligence agent nodded and left.

Tsunade's cloudy mood had turned sunny. She had been feeling exhausted, but now, her spirits were lifted.

This was definitely some morale-boosting news.

Spreading this information would certainly boost the morale of their forces—though it might be a bit rough on Orochimaru.

After all, the coastal battlefront had become a drawn-out tug-of-war, with neither side able to gain an advantage.

And with Tsunade stepping into the limelight to compete with Orochimaru for the title of Hokage, the Third Hokage's backing went to her.

Orochimaru was bound to feel frustrated.

The war was dragging on, bad news from the village piled up, and now came news of this major victory from another front, further highlighting his difficulties.

"Tsunade-nee, time for dinner."

With all her friends off fighting in the war, Kushina—being too important to leave the village—found herself rather lonely. Fortunately, Tsunade was still in Konoha, so Kushina would often visit to chat and bring her meals.

Knowing Tsunade, she'd forget to eat when she was busy.

It was nearly midnight, and upon learning that Tsunade was still working, Kushina decided to deliver her dinner in person.

"Mwah!!"

Feeling great, Tsunade couldn't help but hug Kushina and plant a few kisses on her cheeks, leaving her face wet with saliva.

Kushina squealed, jumping away in embarrassment. "Tsunade-nee, what are you doing?!"

"Nothing much. I'm just in a good mood, so I couldn't resist."

Tsunade tossed the scroll to Kushina, who took it curiously, while Tsunade opened the lunchbox and began eating heartily.

She was starving, but had been too busy to eat earlier.

Now, with her spirits lifted and food brought to her, her appetite had returned in full.

"Mmm, delicious!"

"Of course! The restaurant hired some great chefs."

Hearing the praise, Kushina beamed, her eyes practically turning into crescent moons.

Sure, she hadn't cooked the food herself—it was made by the chefs at the restaurant. But she paid their salaries, so it was practically the same thing, right?

Seeing Kushina so pleased, Tsunade rolled her eyes. She was tempted to make a snarky comment.

But knowing that if she did, Kushina might take the food away and refuse to deliver more in the future, Tsunade wisely kept her thoughts to herself.

Never mess with the person in control of your meals. Never.

Tsunade nodded her approval, and Kushina's smile grew even wider. She waved the scroll and started reading.

"Whoa!"

Kushina gasped in surprise, causing Tsunade, in the middle of eating, to choke.

"Cough, cough! Damn it, girl, why are you screaming?! You scared me!"

"Tsunade-nee, the Third Kazekage is dead, and it was Takuya who killed him. Has he really grown this strong?"

"..."

You're only realizing how powerful your man is now?

Tsunade couldn't help but roll her eyes. Whenever it came to Takuya, Kushina turned into a clueless fangirl—beyond help.

"That's amazing!"

Even as Tsunade rolled her eyes, Kushina didn't care. She hummed a happy tune, all her worries seemingly vanishing as she returned to her usual lively self.

"Kurama, did you see that? Takuya pulled off another incredible feat. He's just amazing."

Support Naruto: I Traveled with a Max Level AccountKurama: "..."

I don't even want to comment on you!!

In the sealed space, Kurama yawned.

Takuya was strong; that much was clear. Just how strong, though, Kurama wasn't entirely sure.

But was the Third Kazekage really that impressive?

Getting killed wasn't such a surprising feat! Look at you, smiling until your eyes turn into little crescents. Really, not even an ounce of self-respect.

Kurama felt a twinge of pity for his host.

She was such a good girl, how could she fall for an Uchiha brat?

Sure, Takuya didn't have the Uchiha name, but he did have the bloodline. Once those Sharingan activated, it was terrifying.

Ever since he foolishly crossed the with Snowy, Kurama had kept a low profile.

More importantly, it was because of fear.

From two years ago, Kurama had felt Takuya's aura becoming more and more like that of the man who had once forcefully controlled him.

"It's such a pity that I can't leave the village. Wouldn't it be great if I could fight alongside Takuya?"

Suddenly, Kushina's smile faded, and she sighed:

"Mikoto can fight alongside Takuya on the battlefield, but I have to stay here in the village."

There's nothing I can do about that. I don't have the authority to let you out.

If Tsunade were to become the Fourth Hokage, she could certainly allow Kushina to leave the village.

But Tsunade wasn't.

Currently, she was just acting as an interim Hokage, and there was still a long way to go before she officially became the Fourth.

At such a critical time, Tsunade didn't want anything to jeopardize her position.

Though Kushina was already plenty strong.

Tsunade didn't want to give people reasons to criticize her, in case someone used it as an excuse to come at her day in and day out.

As it stood, unless there was a significant upheaval that forced Konoha's hand, the higher-ups would never allow Kushina to leave the village.

As for such an upheaval... would it ever happen?

"Damn it, who is this Pakura?"

"She's a very pretty woman, with an amazing figure, dresses provocatively, and she's strong too. I'd say she'll probably reach Kage-level in a few years," Tsunade replied with a mischievous glint in her eyes, intentionally trying to provoke Kushina.

Tsunade even went so far as to grab Pakura's profile from the desk and hand it to Kushina.

Looking at Pakura's profile, Kushina pouted unhappily:

"Why would Takuya bring someone like her along? Isn't Mikoto's and my strength enough?"

Kushina started to feel a sense of crisis.

The more upset Kushina became, the more Tsunade wanted to laugh.

She used to think that Kushina didn't care about this kind of thing. After all, Takuya was close to both Mikoto and her.

But Kushina always acted carefree, as if it didn't bother her.

Now it seemed that she wasn't indifferent—she just knew how to choose her battles.

With Pakura's arrival, Kushina couldn't contain herself.

Why am I the only one who can't leave the village?

Throwing the scroll onto the desk in frustration, Kushina stormed out, leaving Tsunade blinking and muttering to herself:

"Did that girl really get mad?"

Oh well, no point worrying about that.

Tsunade sped up her meal. She had too many things to handle and didn't have the time or energy to worry about Kushina.

Leaving the Hokage office building, Kushina wandered into the park and plopped down on a bench, frustrated.

"Kurama, I miss Takuya."

Usually, Kushina could hang out with Mikoto, chat, have meals, go shopping.

But now that Mikoto was at the frontlines, and Tsunade was so busy, Kushina was alone again. It felt just like when she had first arrived in Konoha.

Always alone.

"If you miss him, go find him. You humans are so strange, always making up weird rules to restrain yourselves."

You're asking me about this?

Kurama squinted, looking at Kushina with disdain:

"You used to be a powerless little girl, unable to resist. But now, with my help, you could wipe the floor with Konoha—why are you still following those ridiculous rules?"

What Hokage's Will of Fire, what restrictions for Jinchūriki to stay in the village—Kurama was tired of hearing about all of it.

Every time Takuya left, Kushina would vent to Kurama, share her worries.

Kurama felt less like a Tailed Beast and more like a counselor for a lovesick girl.

"Leave the village... to find Takuya?"

Kushina's heart skipped a beat—she was tempted.

Kurama was right. Right now, there was no one in Konoha who could stop her.

She had just been reluctant to put Tsunade or Takuya in a difficult position, so she obediently stayed in the village.

That had been fine until Pakura appeared, making Kushina feel insecure.

She didn't want that woman to get too close to Takuya. Whether Pakura was coerced or had no choice, Kushina didn't care.

My man—you stay away from him!

Or else.

Yawning, his long tails swaying, Kurama's eyes flashed with cunning as he began to suggest a plan to Kushina.

"Leave a Shadow Clone behind to take care of things, then slip out of Konoha unnoticed.

With my help, you'll get out successfully, and you can head straight to the border to find Takuya Yagami. Old, unreasonable rules should be broken."

"Go, Kushina. I'm sure you'll make things easier for Takuya on the battlefield."

Kurama kept pushing, not because he wanted to control Kushina or escape himself.

He was just tired of being cooped up in Konoha and wanted to see the outside world.

So why not coax Kushina into sneaking out to the border? Who knows, maybe they'd even run into Shukaku, that big idiot.

"But..."

Kushina almost agreed immediately:

"If I do that, Tsunade might be in trouble. She wants to become the Fourth Hokage; I don't want to make things harder for her."

"You idiot!!"

Kurama couldn't help but curse:

"You fool! If you go to the frontlines and help Konoha win, you'll be a hero, a big contributor to victory. Who would dare bring this up afterward? Besides, don't underestimate Tsunade."

"If she were so easily pulled down, would she dare to sit in the Hokage office in place of that old man, Hiruzen?"

"You're right."

Kushina smiled awkwardly, fiddling nervously with her fingers:

"So, should we go now?"

"Let's go!"

Kurama grinned, baring his sharp teeth:

"Leave a Shadow Clone. When it's dawn, let the clone go to the Hokage office and inform Tsunade that you've left. Trust her to handle things here. You just focus on finding Takuya."

"But I'm nervous..."

It was her first time doing something so rebellious, and Kushina, who had always been well-behaved, was feeling jittery.

Kurama: "..."

Enough! I can't stand this anymore.

Off you go!

Kurama forcefully took control of Kushina's body, forming the seals to create a Shadow Clone. After instructing the clone, Kurama made Kushina leave immediately, not even bothering to pack.

"..."

The Shadow Clone watched as the real Kushina, under Kurama's control, hurried towards Konoha's main gate, scratching its head in frustration.

You two have your fun, but why do I have to face Tsunade's wrath?

Is this really the best idea?

"Bang!!"

In a narrow alley, Kushina transformed herself into an ANBU operative and dashed quickly towards Konoha's main gate. As she approached an ANBU exit point near the gate, the guard on duty suddenly found his vision blurred, and before he knew it, a hand struck the side of his neck. His eyes rolled up, and he collapsed limply to the ground.

Disguised as an ANBU, Kushina confidently exited Konoha, heading towards the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Rivers.

"Knock, knock, knock!"

"Come in," Tsunade called out without looking up, her eyes still scanning the document she held.

"Hmm?"

Noticing something off, Tsunade put her file down and gave Kushina—who was acting oddly—a curious look.

"Kushina? Why are you here? Shouldn't you be resting at home right now?" she asked, puzzled by Kushina's uncharacteristic formality. "She even knocked," Tsunade thought, "When did this brat ever get so polite with me?"

"Uh..." Kushina's shadow clone scratched her head, then hurriedly said, "Kushina already left Konoha. She's headed to the border to find Takuya. That's all." With that, the clone quickly formed a seal and vanished inside the Hokage's office.

"..."

Tsunade's brown eyes widened in shock, and she froze.

That was a shadow clone? So, Kushina had already left the village to go find Takuya?

"That brat!"

Tsunade slammed her hand on the desk and stood up, rage boiling over.

"She sure knows how to create problems for me!!"

And... when did Kushina get so bold? Was this the Nine-Tails' doing?

Thinking about the fox's unruly and malicious personality, Tsunade's forehead vein throbbed visibly.

"Damn that Nine-Tails!!"

"Someone, come here!"

"Lady Tsunade."

An ANBU operative entered the Hokage's office, kneeling respectfully.

Tsunade quickly wrote down a report on a secured scroll about Kushina's departure from the village. She sealed it tightly before handing it over to the ANBU. Gritting her teeth, she ordered:

"Deliver this scroll to the Intelligence Division and have them send it to the western front as soon as possible. Make sure it reaches Takuya Yagami's hands directly. During delivery, nobody is to break the seal. Also, dispatch operatives to monitor Iwagakure's movements around the Land of Grass."

"Understood, Lady Tsunade."

The ANBU operative left with the scroll.

Tsunade slumped back into her chair, exhaling heavily.

"That brat... she really dares to run off like that. And now I have to clean up her mess!!!"

Yes, Tsunade was indeed covering for Kushina.

As for an excuse, she had already thought of one.

With the ongoing war and Iwagakure showing signs of restlessness, Konoha needed to finish the conflict as soon as possible—at least one of the fronts. So, she had "secretly dispatched Kushina" to the western front to support Takuya against Sunagakure.

She made up this reason to silence the elders and the Third Hokage. As for Danzo, she simply ignored him.

Even though the elders and the Third might be upset about Kushina leaving, it was the best justification she could come up with.

Iwagakure's recent suspicious activities were very real.

Dispatching Kushina to the frontlines was reasonable. As long as the Third Hokage didn't object, Tsunade doubted the elders could stir up much trouble.

"Just wait until you get back and see how I deal with you."

Mumbling angrily, Tsunade massaged her temples. She could practically feel her blood pressure rising thanks to Kushina.

Kushina moved quickly, but no matter how fast she was, she couldn't outrun a ninja eagle flying overhead. Unless she could use the Flying Raijin Technique to instantly teleport, there was no way she could evade detection.

Before dawn, the scroll had already reached the encampment.

"Lord Takuya!"

"What is it?"

Still half asleep, Takuya opened his eyes groggily as the ANBU operative entered. He slowly sat up. Pakura, who had been dozing beside the chair, also stood up straight.

The ANBU presented the encrypted scroll and said, "This is an urgent message sent directly from the village. Lady Tsunade specifically instructed that it be handed over to you in person."

"Thank you. Go rest."

An encrypted scroll? What was so important that it required this?

Takuya scratched his sleep-mussed hair, got up, dressed, and undid the seals on the scroll. He opened it.

"Cough, cough!!!"

Within seconds, Takuya's eyes widened dramatically, and he nearly choked on air.

What on earth could have been written in that scroll to shock him so much?

Pakura wondered silently.

She frowned when she saw Takuya looking at her with a peculiar expression.

"What are you looking at?" she demanded.

"Nothing. I just wanted to ask… Do you know how to comfort someone?"

"????"

Pakura was full of question marks.

"Don't look at me like that, just answer. Do you know how to?"

"No!!"

Seeing Takuya's baffling expression and strange question, Pakura turned her head away in irritation.

Comforting people? Since when did she ever do that?

It had to be the Nine-Tails' doing. Kushina wouldn't have the guts on her own.

Even if she did, she wouldn't choose such a critical moment to run away, especially since that would create problems for Tsunade and give the elders an excuse to confront her.

Kushina wasn't someone to act rashly. But add in the Nine-Tails, and it was a different story.

Takuya was sure of it. This was all the Nine-Tails' handiwork.

Still, Kushina coming here might not be a bad thing.

After all, the first time always sets a precedent. With this, future visits outside Konoha would be easier for her. Besides, it's good for her to get out for a bit.

As for whether Kushina wanted to fight on the frontlines, Takuya wouldn't push her.

But if she did join the battle, it would be a nightmare for Sunagakure, especially after losing the Third Kazekage.

Kushina was traveling towards the border. By now, the Nine-Tails had given back control of her body, and she was feeling a mix of nervousness and excitement.

This was her first time leaving Konoha since arriving there, nearly eight years ago. Seeing the outside world again—how could she not be excited?

And she was also about to meet Takuya soon, which made her speed up even more, as though she could fly straight to his side.

The consequences of leaving without permission were the least of her worries now.

Inside the sealed space, Kurama gazed wistfully at the scenery. Once, it had roamed the Land of Fire freely, like the wind.

The Land of Fire used to be Kurama's territory.

But that freedom was long gone, never to return.

Now, the Nine-Tails could only crouch in its seal, staring out at the world through Kushina.

Since Kushina was coming, Takuya figured he might as well make some preparations, to make sure Tsunade's story would hold up. The fewer complications, the better.

So, he called for Hatake Sakumo and Shikashige Nara.

As for Pakura, Takuya had already released the seal on her. True to his word, he hadn't lied to her.

He believed that as long as he was keeping an eye on things, Pakura wouldn't be able to cause trouble.

And with Kushina arriving soon, Pakura would have even fewer opportunities.

"Takuya, what's so urgent that you called us over this early?"

Sitting down and accepting the cup of tea Pakura handed him, Sakumo raised an eyebrow at Takuya, a strange look on his face.

The seal on Pakura had been lifted.

It looked like Takuya trusted her a lot.

But then again, why worry about it? If she ended up causing any trouble, Takuya would be the one dealing with it.

Sakumo didn't want to lecture Takuya just because he was the elder.

Shikashige, on the other hand, remained perfectly calm, as though none of it was any of his concern.

Support Naruto: I Traveled with a Max Level AccountWith the seal released, Pakura had already mentally prepared herself for the possibility of being watched or treated with suspicion.

However, she did not expect Hatake Sakumo and Shikashige Nara, two prominent figures, to treat the situation as if it were just a trivial matter, not worth any serious attention.

Having an assistant by your side definitely makes life easier, especially one who is easy on the eyes. Takuya sipped his tea, his body feeling warm and relaxed.

"I've called you both here to discuss something quite important," Takuya began.

"What is it?" asked Shikashige Nara and Hatake Sakumo, both setting down their teacups and focusing on Takuya, who sat at the head of the table.

Takuya rarely summoned them, especially not this early in the morning, so it had to be significant.

"Tsunade sent me an encrypted scroll, stating that there's some unrest from Iwagakure, and the coastal war with Kirigakure shows no sign of ending soon. That means we need to speed things up on our end."

Takuya intentionally made the situation sound a bit more dire to soften the impact of Kushina's arrival. The truth was, he wasn't entirely exaggerating.

Iwagakure really did seem ready to declare war on Konoha.

Already at war with Kirigakure and Sunagakure, Konoha couldn't afford to fight on three fronts. Even with the village's deep reserves, it wouldn't be sustainable.

Iwagakure was no joke—its strength far exceeded that of Sunagakure or Kirigakure. If they joined the fray, it would spell serious trouble for Konoha.

Konoha needed to end at least one of these conflicts quickly so that they could divert resources to dealing with Iwagakure.

Upon hearing this, both Hatake Sakumo and Shikashige Nara wore somber expressions. They knew well enough what an Iwagakure declaration of war would mean for Konoha.

"So… does this mean the village is sending reinforcements?" Shikashige Nara asked.

If they wanted to end the war with Sunagakure quickly, relying on their current forces wasn't enough. Unless Takuya revealed all his hidden power, reinforcements were the only reasonable course of action.

Pakura stood silently on the side, wondering if she could still escape.

Takuya didn't take any precautions against her, which made her feel both helpless and somewhat touched. Nobody likes to be treated with constant suspicion, and Pakura was no exception.

Takuya's trust left her both moved and trapped. She knew too much—every secret and strategy—and that made it impossible for her to leave.

Was this his way of roping her in? Pakura couldn't be sure. All she knew was that her situation was growing more and more complicated.

"Yes, the village has sent reinforcements," Takuya confirmed.

Shikashige seemed to understand what Takuya was doing, so Takuya wouldn't disappoint him.

"But it's just one person."

"..."

Are you kidding me?

One person?

Shikashige Nara's mouth twitched, while Hatake Sakumo rubbed his head, fighting the urge to slam the table.

One person as reinforcements? Was this some kind of joke?

This is exhausting—I've already retired, so why am I still caught up in this mess?

"Who did the village send?" Shikashige asked, feeling tired just thinking about it.

Ending this war quickly was easier said than done. If nothing else, they'd have to increase Takuya's role in the battlefield.

This seemed the most practical approach.

With the death of the Third Kazekage, both Sakumo and Takuya could act freely, throwing Sunagakure into disarray. It was the perfect time for Konoha to counterattack.

Driving Sunagakure back to the Land of Wind would lighten the burden significantly.

Without the Third Kazekage, who could Sunagakure field to oppose Sakumo and Takuya?

Chiyo could put up a fight, but Rasa was still inexperienced, and Ebizō's combat abilities fell short compared to Chiyo's.

With Sakumo and Takuya operating on the battlefield, at least one of them would be left unopposed.

Shikashige began strategizing. Though he didn't want to be burdened with the logistics of war, Iwagakure's looming threat forced him to take action.

It was crucial to end the Sunagakure conflict before Iwagakure made its move.

Kirigakure, at this point, was a lost cause, stuck in a deadlock.

"Kushina," Takuya said. "The reinforcements the village is sending is Kushina."

"NANI?!"

Hatake Sakumo and Shikashige Nara were stunned for a solid two seconds before they both jumped from their seats, expressions shifting dramatically.

Pakura felt like her brain had just been hit with a hammer.

Who was Kushina? Of course, she knew.

Konoha's Jinchūriki for the Nine-Tails.

Unlike other villages, Konoha rarely deployed its Jinchūriki in wars.

But now, an exception had been made. The Nine-Tails Jinchūriki was heading to the front lines—to face Sunagakure.

"Takuya, don't scare me like that," Shikashige's voice was trembling.

Oh, no. This is serious. Why is that little princess being sent here?

Why did Tsunade decide to deploy Kushina? Even if the Hokage wasn't present, this was a reckless move.

Shikashige admitted that Kushina was strong, but he was more worried about the potential for her to lose control.

Seeing Shikashige nearly in tears, Takuya held back his laughter.

"Ahem. I'm not joking, Shikashige-senpai. It really is Kushina. She's already on her way and will arrive after sunrise."

Just kill me now, why don't you?

Handling you and Sakumo is hard enough, and now you bring in that little firecracker—are you trying to kill me?

Good thing I'm smart enough to only handle my team and not the entire camp, Shikashige thought, shooting a sympathetic look at Hatake Sakumo.

Sakumo was relieved that he had always maintained his stance. Otherwise, he'd be the one suffering now.

Luckily, he didn't have to worry about such things—just do his job well.

Kushina... He sighed inwardly, rubbing his face. This is reckless.

Hopefully, that troublemaker wouldn't cause too much chaos.

"Regardless, if Kushina arrives, you're responsible for managing her, Takuya. Just make sure nothing happens," Shikashige said, resigned.

He had no other choice. If it were anyone else, he could handle them, but Kushina was different—her identity was far too sensitive.

Why do you all look so worried? Is Kushina really that terrifying? Or is it the Nine-Tails that's scaring you?

Takuya sighed internally. They were really overreacting.

But he agreed nonetheless, assuring them, "Don't worry, Shikashige-senpai. There won't be any issues with Kushina. If anything happens, I'll handle it. Besides, you're underestimating her."

"Underestimating her? I'm more worried about her losing control!" Shikashige snapped.

Did you miss the point here? I know Kushina is strong.

But remember that time she blew off a mountain top? That was because she couldn't fully control the Nine-Tails.

The truth was, when you channel a Tailed Beast's power, there's always the risk of it backfiring. This is why Konoha kept its Jinchūriki tightly secured.

Apart from political sensitivity, and internal power struggles, the biggest reason for Kushina's containment was the fear of her losing control.

Unlike other villages, the Nine-Tails wasn't something you could easily dismiss.

If it got loose, the chaos it would unleash would be unmatched.

"Hahaha..."

Takuya couldn't help but chuckle. He knew what others didn't—Kushina had formed an agreement with the Nine-Tails. There was no way it would lose control, not under these circumstances.

Takuya was confident, but of course, Shikashige and Sakumo had no way of knowing this.

Takuya could understand their concerns.

But understanding aside, it was still amusing. Takuya couldn't help but chuckle.

"Hmph, you handle this yourself, kid. I'm out," Shikashige grumbled, a bit embarrassed as he left the room, which only made Sakumo laugh as well.

Even at his age, Shikashige still acted so stubbornly.

Sakumo gave a small gesture of farewell before heading out as well, leaving Takuya alone in the command center.

The room quieted down, and Takuya enjoyed his tea. Pakura, who had been silently tidying up the teacups, suddenly spoke up.

"You Konoha people are planning to deploy a Jinchuriki into the battlefield. Aren't you worried about her losing control?"

"When has Konoha's tailed beast ever lost control?" Takuya countered.

Pakura frowned slightly. Except for the time Madara Uchiha forcibly controlled the Nine Tails, the beast had never actually gone on a rampage.

On the other hand, Sunagakure had been constantly troubled by Shukaku. It had plagued the First and Second Kazekages repeatedly, and even the Third Kazekage had his hands full trying to deal with it.

It wasn't until Shukaku was sealed inside the monk Bunpuku that it finally settled down.

When it came to the subject of tailed beasts going berserk, Sunagakure simply wasn't on the same level as Konoha.

Pakura sighed, somewhat irritated. She couldn't help but think Takuya was mocking her.

"Kushina Uzumaki is from the Uzumaki clan. The Uzumaki bloodline is inherently resistant to the influence of tailed beasts. As long as Kushina stays focused, there is no chance of the Nine Tails going berserk.

Besides, the Nine Tails and Kushina coexist peacefully now. A tailed beast going on a rampage is simply not going to happen!"

"A perfect Jinchuriki?" Pakura was shocked.

Kushina was a perfect Jinchuriki?

Takuya didn't bother hiding the truth.

"She hasn't reached the level of a perfect Jinchuriki just yet—she's close, but not quite there. I believe she will eventually get there, and the Nine Tails will come to accept it too."

"Besides, Kushina's reason for coming to the battlefield isn't the war—it's because of you."

Sending Kushina as backup?

What kind of joke was that? Even if Tsunade had too much to drink, she would never make such a reckless decision.

The real issue was that Kushina had already left. They needed a reasonable excuse to justify her actions.

Otherwise, her departure from the village would be seen as a defection, which, given her unique position, would be extremely problematic.

"Because of me?" Pakura pointed to herself, feeling bewildered.

She had never even met Kushina before, let alone had any connection to her. Why would Kushina specifically come to the front lines because of her?

"Yes, because of you," Takuya said with a serious expression, as he gave Pakura a warning. "That's why I asked if you knew how to please people. If you don't, you're definitely going to be targeted by Kushina."

"Why?"

Pakura was confused.

She was being singled out for no reason—it didn't make any sense.

It wasn't like she had a personal vendetta with Kushina. They didn't know each other at all, and there was no enmity between them.

Why would Kushina have any issue with her?

Takuya hadn't mentioned any of this to Shikashige or Sakumo.

Is he messing with me? Pakura wondered if Takuya was just making all this up for fun.

"Because you're a woman—an attractive woman, with a great figure, and you just so happen to be by my side. Alright, now go get me some hot water. I need to wash up."

Pakura left the command center in a daze, fetched the hot water, and only then did she realize what Takuya meant.

"Damn it!" she cursed, despite herself.

No matter how disciplined she was, Pakura couldn't help but let out some frustration over this situation.

If you have a problem, go deal with Takuya Yagami, not me!

There was nothing inappropriate between her and Takuya.

Although the seal on her had been removed and her strength restored, Pakura had no thoughts of escaping. She obediently did whatever Takuya asked of her.

She knew she couldn't run. Takuya was always watching.

Meanwhile, Shikashige and Sakumo were quick to spread the news.

Soon, the entire camp was in an uproar.

"The Third Kazekage is dead?"

"No way! Wasn't he the strongest Kazekage? How did he just die like that?"

"The news came from the command center, so it must be true. Lord Takuya is incredibly strong—he captured Pakura with ease and, along with one of their own, took down the Third Kazekage."

"The people of Sunagakure must be furious right now."

"Hahaha..."

Imagining the chaos in Sunagakure, the Konoha shinobi couldn't help but laugh.

With no restrictions on information and some discreet encouragement, the news quickly spread through various channels.

"Lady Chiyo, has Lord Kazekage returned yet?"

Hearing the news, Sunagakure's ANBU couldn't stay silent any longer. They bypassed Ebizō and went straight to Chiyo.

"What?"

Chiyo frowned, her old, wrinkled face showing nothing but anger.

"Lord Kazekage is carrying out a very important mission. Does he need to report his every action to the ANBU?"

"We apologize."

The ANBU captain was sweating. He bowed deeply and said, "We collected some disturbing information about Lord Kazekage in the field, and we thought—"

"What information?"

"Also, this will be noted. How is it that you people in ANBU have gotten so sloppy that you bypass Ebizō and come straight to me?"

Chiyo's tone was icy, her mood even worse.

Anyone in her position would feel the same, especially given that Ebizō was her brother. Bypassing him like this was an insult she could not ignore.

The ANBU captain opened his mouth, only to close it again, a bitter smile on his face.

"There are rumors circulating that Konoha's Takuya Yagami collaborated with Pakura after capturing her. They say they then conspired with your grandson, Sasori, to kill the Kazekage, and that Sasori took the body with him."

"Bang!"

Chiyo slammed her hand onto the table in fury.

"Utter nonsense! Even if Pakura was captured and turned traitor, that would be her own failure. The village misjudged her. But what does any of this have to do with Sasori?"

"You should know the strength of the Kazekage yourself, shouldn't you?"

"Konoha must be spreading this misinformation to shake our morale. How could you be so gullible?"

"Has just a few years reduced ANBU to nothing but rumor-mongers?"

Chiyo was livid, berating the ANBU captain mercilessly.

She and Ebizō had only been away for a few years, but it seemed that was enough time for the ANBU to degrade into this sorry state. It was disappointing.

To come running to her over some baseless rumors—what nonsense.

The two villages were at war. Of course, spreading false rumors to demoralize the other side was a tactic. What was so surprising about that?

After being scolded, the ANBU captain didn't dare look up and answered meekly.

"But we checked the camp for Sasori. He's not here, and there's no record of him being deployed."

"Are you saying Sasori isn't in the camp, and there's no record of him being sent out?"

Support Naruto: I Traveled with a Max Level AccountChiyo wasn't one to easily get rattled by mere rumors.

She herself had spread plenty of false information against Konoha in the past. You couldn't put too much stock into rumors like that!

But the fact that Sasori was missing from camp—that was a real problem.

Sasori had recently been reprimanded by the Third Kazekage due to some self-inflicted injuries. Whether it was caused by the enemy or done deliberately, injuries required proper rest.

Sasori should have been in camp recovering. There was no reason for him to leave, especially without authorization.

"Find him immediately! Also, notify Ebizō and Rasa, and have them come here at once!"

Chiyo still held onto a sliver of hope, believing that Sasori wouldn't do something reckless. She was convinced all of this was just Konoha exploiting public opinion for psychological warfare.

The ANBU moved swiftly. With Chiyo's orders, it wasn't just a small squad that mobilized—the entire Sunagakure ANBU force that was on the battlefield was activated.

Despite their efforts, they couldn't find any trace of Sasori in the entire camp. His tent was empty, devoid of even the smallest personal belonging.

"Nonsense! There's no way the Kazekage could be dead!"

Rasa's face was flushed with anger.

To him, the Third Kazekage was invincible. Even someone as powerful as Takuya couldn't possibly kill his teacher.

As for Pakura, if she had turned traitor, so be it. Sunagakure could survive without her.

In truth, Rasa had never really liked Pakura.

Compared to Rasa's loud outrage, Ebizō was silent, his expression hard to read.

Soon enough, the ANBU returned with their report.

"Did you find him?" Chiyo asked, her voice trembling.

"Lady Chiyo, we could not locate Sasori within the camp. All of his personal belongings are gone. We also went to the Puppet Brigade, and they confirmed that Sasori had collected everything he had stored there as well."

Disaster.

Chiyo's heart sank.

"When did he collect his belongings?" she asked, taking a deep breath.

She clung to a shred of hope—maybe Sasori was merely repairing his puppets. It couldn't be true that he had joined forces with Takuya to assassinate the Third Kazekage.

If the Third Kazekage had been killed, Takuya would be hailed as a hero in Konoha. But Sasori would be branded a traitor—reviled across the shinobi world.

"He collected everything right after the Kazekage left."

"No one has seen him since."

"Sister!"

Chiyo nearly fainted, her knees giving way. Ebizō rushed to her side, helping her stay upright.

Leaning heavily on Ebizō, Chiyo managed to shout, her voice shaky but resolute, "Search! Send out teams immediately to find Lord Kazekage!"

"Yes, Lady Chiyo."

The ANBU quickly departed to carry out her orders.

"I will help with the search," Rasa said, standing up, but Chiyo shouted at him.

"And just what do you think you're doing?! The village needs you here! Sit down!"

With the Third Kazekage missing, and Sasori nowhere to be found, Pakura captured—Rasa was the last pillar of strength for Sunagakure.

If something happened to him as well, Chiyo would lose her mind.

The moment Rasa tried to leave, Chiyo's sharp tone stopped him in his tracks, forcing him to stay put.

With Rasa present, even if the worst had happened to the Third Kazekage, and even if Sasori had betrayed them, Sunagakure would survive. The foundation would still be intact, even if weakened.

But if Rasa fell too, the village would have no suitable candidate for Kazekage—a devastating predicament.

In this situation, both Chiyo and Ebizō would never allow Rasa to leave the camp.

While Rasa reluctantly sat down, clenching his fists in frustration, Chiyo herself took up watch over the camp, forbidding Rasa from stepping out. She wanted to prevent any unforeseen disaster.

Under her command, Sunagakure sent squads to scour the area, searching for any sign of the Third Kazekage.

They paid particular attention to the location where Pakura had left her markings. They deployed every possible method to investigate.

The battleground bore signs of intense combat, the forest heavily scarred. From the damage, it was clear that those who fought here were exceptionally powerful.

Iron sand and blood stains still remained on the ground. Upon receiving these reports, both Chiyo and Rasa felt their hearts sink.

At first, they refused to believe Konoha's rumors. Now, though, they had to face the grim possibility that there was some truth to them.

Sasori was still missing, and no matter how hard they searched, he and the Third Kazekage had both vanished without a trace.

Sasori's disappearance only lent more credence to the reports being spread by Konoha.

The Third Kazekage was dead.

The Sunagakure camp descended into chaos, but Takuya had no time to pay attention to it—Kushina had arrived.

"Takuya!!"

The moment she arrived, Kushina came rushing into the camp, leaping from a distance and landing directly in Takuya's embrace, like a swallow returning to its nest.

Whoa!

Takuya caught Kushina, nearly stumbling backward from the impact.

"I'm right here, why are you so excited?" he asked, smiling.

"I can't help it, I'm just so happy," Kushina replied, giggling as she clung to him tightly, her head resting on his shoulder. Her face was flushed with excitement, looking absolutely adorable.

With a grin, Takuya teased her, "You sure you want to keep hugging me like this, right here?"

"Uh..."

Kushina blinked, suddenly aware of their surroundings. They were in the middle of the front-line camp, with several shinobi watching them with amused expressions.

"Eek!"

Letting out a small squeal, Kushina quickly jumped out of Takuya's arms, hastily fixing her clothes, her cheeks growing even redder.

"Come on, let's head to the command center," Takuya said, taking her hand and leading her away, sparing her further embarrassment.

Once inside the command center, Kushina offered a shy greeting to the senior shinobi.

"Good to see you, Lady Kushina," said Shikashige, shaking his head with a sigh. This 'little princess' was going to be quite the handful.

"Hello," Sakumo smiled warmly, not reprimanding her for running off on her own.

Although Kushina had sneaked away from the village, neither Shikashige nor Sakumo knew that, and Takuya had kept the encrypted scroll from them as well.

"Alright, she's here now, and that's that. Let's not dwell on it," Takuya said, noticing Kushina's nervousness. He squeezed her hand reassuringly, giving her an encouraging look.

Now you're officially part of the reinforcements, not just someone who snuck away, so relax and don't worry.

Kushina smiled brightly, her fears melting away.

But then she remembered—Pakura. She wasn't here for the war, after all. She had other priorities.