Chapter 59: Karura, I'm Very Interested in You
"Sentaro!"
Pakura was livid, her eyes blazing with murderous intent. "You actually killed him?!"
The other Sand ninja stood frozen in shock and horror. They'd considered a thousand possible outcomes, but never imagined Sentaro would die like this.
This man... dared to do such a thing right in front of two jōnin—Pakura and Karura!
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
Uchiha Kazuki met the Sand Village delegation's furious gazes with apparent confusion. "He attempted to murder a Konoha citizen, so I executed him. What exactly is the problem?"
"But didn't you save that child?!"
Karura's eyes reddened, her teeth clenched as she demanded angrily, "Since the child survived, why did you have to kill him?!"
"The more you say, the less I understand your logic."
Uchiha Kazuki adjusted his glasses, smiling as he countered smoothly. "I was able to save that child because I possessed the ability to do so. So why didn't you save him? Was it because you chose not to?"
Hearing this, both Karura and Pakura found themselves speechless, even their anger momentarily faltering.
Did they not want to save him?
Of course not! Anyone with eyes could see they simply weren't fast enough!
"Is this how Konoha ninja treat their guests?"
Karura took several deep breaths, her chest heaving as her eyes blazed and her teeth remained clenched.
"This is precisely how we Konoha ninja conduct ourselves."
Uchiha Kazuki discarded the handkerchief he'd been using to wipe his hands. It landed squarely on Sentaro's still-open eyes. His tone remained perfectly calm. "If you have any objections, you're welcome to lodge a formal complaint with the Hokage at any time."
"Well said!"
"These Sand ninja need to see what the strongest ninja village is really like!"
"That's right! Konoha is the strongest!"
The Konoha villagers who'd been watching the spectacle suddenly regained their courage and began shouting their support even louder.
Even the Uchiha clan crest—which they'd previously regarded with suspicion—now seemed far more respectable.
They couldn't help it. This was simply too satisfying!
This was the pride that Konoha citizens should display! How dare these foreign village scum come to Konoha and provoke them?!
The Sand ninja, on the other hand, dared not voice their fury. They could only cast impotent glares of rage.
If looks could kill, Uchiha Kazuki would likely be torn to pieces by now.
"I've heard for years that the Uchiha clan of Konoha are all arrogant and domineering."
Pakura, with her fiery temperament, wasn't about to swallow this insult quietly. Murderous intent flashed across her pretty features. "I just don't know how skilled they truly are. Do you dare to fight me?!"
Even when she was young, she'd heard villagers speak in awe of how powerful the Konoha Uchiha were.
She'd finally secured this opportunity to visit Konoha specifically to test just how capable this so-called 'strongest clan in the shinobi world' really was.
So what if they're Uchiha? They act like every single one of them is a genius!
Observing Pakura's highly provocative gaze, Uchiha Kazuki responded with perfect composure. "If this were a battlefield, I might accept your challenge. But this is Konoha. Are you absolutely certain?"
"Hmph! What's wrong? Are you afraid?"
Pakura crossed her arms and raised her chin in an arrogant posture. "A prestigious Uchiha, too scared to even accept a simple challenge?"
"Your provocation is remarkably unsophisticated."
Uchiha Kazuki chuckled lightly. "However, since you're so insistent, granting your wish isn't entirely impossible."
Just as the two were about to clash, the atmosphere around them nearly freezing solid—
"Wait! Don't fall for it, Pakura."
Karura suddenly spoke, breaking the tense standoff.
Although she was equally furious, she still retained a shred of rationality.
Their purpose in coming here wasn't to provoke open conflict with Konoha, but to use appropriate means to assess Konoha's current strength and weaknesses.
Moreover, Pakura's Scorch Release techniques were extremely lethal. Regardless of how the challenge ended, the Sand Village would inevitably become a thorn in Konoha's side—which would directly contradict the Kazekage's explicit instructions.
She'd intervened just in time to stop Pakura's challenge. Turning back, she glared coldly at Kazuki. "I will report this entire incident to the Kazekage truthfully!"
"Tch. Consider yourself lucky."
Pakura smiled coldly, abandoning her plan to fight here and now.
"Of course, that's entirely your prerogative. I have no authority to interfere."
Uchiha Kazuki showed complete indifference to threats involving the Kazekage. His gaze swept over the assembled Sand ninja as he chuckled softly. "By the way, I suggest everyone mind their words and actions going forward—to avoid any repeat of today's... unfortunate incident."
Even after such a brutal display, he could still smile. Karura and Pakura both committed this young Uchiha's face to memory.
Smiling while casually snapping someone's neck.
"Don't worry about that!"
Karura puffed out her cheeks, glaring at him fiercely.
Despite her angry expression, her gentle features made her look strangely endearing rather than intimidating.
"Compared to her, I find you far more interesting."
Uchiha Kazuki's eyes flickered slightly as he uttered this seemingly random observation, then smiled with meaningful intent before turning to leave.
"???"
Karura was completely dumbfounded.
"Was he... flirting with you just now?"
Pakura's expression turned equally strange. After all, that comment was practically begging to be misinterpreted.
"Ugh!"
Karura made a sound of disgust, huffing indignantly. "That man is a complete bastard!"
The brief confrontation concluded, and the Sand delegation followed Uchiha Kazuki to their lodgings.
Thanks to the earlier intimidation, the Sand ninja were noticeably more subdued during the remainder of the journey.
All visiting ninja from foreign villages were housed near the back mountains, with numerous ANBU deployed in the surrounding area to monitor their movements.
Back in their assigned rooms...
Karura immediately sought out Pakura and spoke earnestly. "Pakura, you were too impulsive today. If you'd actually fought that man here in Konoha, we would have been the ones to suffer the consequences."
"I know, but I just can't accept it!"
Pakura bit her lip, anger still burning in her eyes. "That bastard is too arrogant! He actually killed Sentaro right in front of us!"
"I understand how you feel. I'm furious too."
Karura's tone softened slightly as she sat on the edge of the bed, gently trying to comfort her companion. "But have you forgotten the Kazekage's explicit instructions?"
"I remember, Karura."
Pakura took several deep breaths, gradually regaining her composure. "Don't worry. I'll control myself."
"What do you think of that Uchiha Kazuki?"
Just thinking about that face made Karura feel disgusted. She gritted her teeth. "Such a young jōnin with such incredible Body Flicker speed... he must be one of Konoha's rising stars among the new generation."
Although their encounter had been brief, Uchiha Kazuki had left an extremely deep impression.
It's often said that you can judge a master's skill from a single exchange.
While the Body Flicker Technique was one of the fundamental advanced techniques, using it with such seamless fluidity demonstrated that the user was no ordinary shinobi.
"He's tricky, I'll admit, but not insurmountable."
Pakura shrugged, appearing quite confident as a smile played across her lips. "Besides, don't forget, Karura—I'm a Scorch Release user. If we really fought, that guy definitely wouldn't be a match for me!"
Scorch Release was a kekkei genkai created by combining Wind and Fire Release chakra natures.
Its terrifying destructive power could evaporate all moisture from an enemy's body in mere moments, reducing them to a desiccated husk.
This unique ability had earned the young Pakura tremendous prestige among Sunagakure's younger generation.
"This joint Chunin Exam organized by three major ninja villages probably isn't as simple as it appears."
Thinking about this made Karura's expression grow somber. She spoke softly. "Sentaro was the most talented among them, but unfortunately... if it weren't for that man—he's absolutely detestable!"
Not only had he killed Sentaro, but he'd also made that bizarre comment toward her!
Karura despised that Uchiha with every fiber of her being.
[End of Chapter 59]
Author's Note:
Kazuki just keeps collecting enemies! 😈 Not only did he execute a Sand genin in cold blood, but he also baited Pakura into nearly starting an international incident AND made that cryptic comment to Karura.
But what did he mean by "I'm more interested in you"? Is it:
A) Simple flirtation/psychological warfare
B) He sees something special about her (she IS Gaara's future mother)
C) He has plans involving her specifically
D) All of the above
Notice how effortlessly Kazuki manipulated the entire situation—from the execution being "justified" to preventing Pakura's challenge through Karura's intervention. Classic Spectator Pathway manipulation!
What do you think Kazuki's interest in Karura means? Drop your theories!
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