Pakura of the Scorch Release.
An elite jōnin of Sunagakure.
A woman whose name already carried weight in the ninja world, despite her relatively young age.
Because she often fought with her back exposed—smooth, unarmored, and unguarded—she was mockingly and admiringly referred to as "Beautiful Back" Pakura. Yet no one who truly understood her strength would dare focus on such trivial details during battle.
Those who underestimated her paid with their lives.
Her Scorch Release, a terrifying bloodline limit that combined wind and fire to create superheated orbs capable of instantly evaporating all moisture in the human body, had already earned her notoriety across several countries.
At this point in time, Pakura had not yet reached the peak of her power.
That would come later—during the Third Great Ninja War.
In that future war, she would rise to the level of a true Kage-class combatant, repeatedly earning military achievements, personally acknowledged by the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa.
She would become a symbol of Sunagakure's might.
A hero.
And yet, her fate would be unbearably cruel.
When Sunagakure could no longer sustain a two-front war against Iwagakure and Kirigakure, the village elders would betray her without hesitation, handing her over as a sacrifice to end the conflict with Kirigakure.
A hero abandoned by her own village.
Aosui knew all of this.
And as these thoughts flickered through his mind, he stepped forward, placing himself firmly in front of Konan, Yahiko, and Nagato.
Protecting them.
By now, Pakura had already subdued Okubo Kiiya.
The rogue ninja, who moments earlier had been on the brink of death, had attempted to flee in panic the instant Pakura intervened.
But the gap between them was absolute.
Pakura had intercepted him effortlessly, striking pressure points and binding him with practiced efficiency before handing him over to three arriving Sunagakure ninja.
They were her subordinates.
Each of them older than the three children behind Aosui, and clearly more experienced.
It was obvious—Pakura and her team were also on a mission.
Aosui didn't bother memorizing the faces of her subordinates.
His gaze remained fixed on Pakura.
Calm.
Serious.
"Pakura," Aosui said evenly, "why are you interfering with our mission?"
Pakura showed no surprise at having her identity exposed.
She had long since grown accustomed to that.
Instead of answering immediately, she glanced past Aosui, her eyes briefly lingering on the three children behind him.
A trace of genuine surprise crossed her face.
She had seen their earlier coordination.
Their timing.
Their composure.
For children of that age, their strength was abnormal.
Even within Sunagakure, such talent would be considered top-tier.
Only she and Rasa, both bearers of bloodline limits, could claim superiority in their age group.
Ordinary prodigies couldn't compare.
After assessing the children, Pakura finally looked back at Aosui.
That was when she noticed the forehead protector.
The Leaf Village symbol.
Her expression shifted subtly.
Just as Aosui sensed trouble the moment he recognized her, Pakura felt the same unease upon realizing he was from Konoha.
Once two major villages were involved, things were no longer simple.
"Our mission," Pakura said calmly, "is to capture this man alive."
She gestured slightly toward Okubo Kiiya.
After his crimes were exposed, a noble from the Land of Wind had issued a high-level mission to Sunagakure.
The reason was simple—and ugly.
Okubo Kiiya had slaughtered the family of one of the noble's most beloved concubines.
Driven by grief and hatred, the concubine demanded revenge.
The noble promised her that Okubo Kiiya would be captured alive and tortured until death.
Pakura explained all of this without embellishment.
She only offered such an explanation because Aosui was a Konoha ninja.
That courtesy alone reflected her respect for Konoha's status.
If Aosui had been from a small village, she wouldn't have bothered explaining anything.
In her view, that was already generosity.
If Aosui were sensible, he would withdraw with his people immediately.
After all, compared to her, Aosui was an unknown.
His clash with Hanzo two days earlier had not yet spread.
Pakura had no idea who she was actually facing.
Thus, she assumed the situation was obvious.
But Aosui did not share her view.
In the past, he might have backed down.
But now?
Now that he possessed strength, insight, and conviction—
Should he still swallow humiliation?
Absolutely not.
"This man," Aosui said firmly, "is also our mission target."
"And our orders are to kill him."
Pakura's eyes narrowed slightly.
She regarded Aosui as reckless.
Someone in his position should have yielded the moment they encountered her.
Unless…
Unless a true Konoha powerhouse was hiding nearby.
From the beginning, Pakura had been puzzled by the strange group composition.
The three children wore no forehead protectors.
They weren't official ninja.
And yet, they were participating in a mission.
That shouldn't be possible.
Gradually, a theory formed in her mind.
These children were likely secret talents being cultivated by Konoha.
This mission was merely practical training.
Aosui, then, might only be a surface-level leader.
The real protector could be hidden nearby.
To test this, Pakura straightened, her confidence radiating outward.
"Since you recognize me," she said coolly, "you should understand that you are no match for me."
Her subordinates nodded instinctively, admiration clear on their faces.
Pakura's gaze locked onto Aosui, watching for hesitation.
Fear.
Doubt.
Anything.
But Aosui merely sneered.
Before he could speak, Konan stepped forward.
"What gives you the right to say that?" she snapped.
"Brother Aosui is really strong!"
Yahiko immediately followed.
"Exactly! You're no match for him! If you don't want to get hurt, you'd better hand the target back to us!"
To them, Aosui was the man who had faced Hanzo the Salamander.
How could someone of similar age possibly surpass him?
Pakura's subordinates scoffed.
"What ignorant kids."
"Teacher Pakura is the Scorch Release ninja."
"Your 'Brother Aosui' doesn't stand a chance."
"They don't even have headbands—just academy brats."
Arguments erupted on both sides.
Pakura ignored the children entirely.
Her focus never left Aosui.
That scornful smile…
It didn't belong to someone relying on backup.
Could she have misjudged him?
Was he truly just arrogant?
Aosui raised a hand, silencing Konan and Yahiko.
Then he looked straight at Pakura.
"Out of respect for you being Sunagakure ninja," he said calmly,
"I don't want to escalate this."
"Hand the target over."
"And you can leave safely."
For a split second—
Pakura nearly laughed.
Not out of amusement.
But anger.
She, Pakura of the Scorch Release, was being dismissed.
By an unknown Konoha ninja.
"If that's your answer," Pakura said coldly, chakra beginning to rise,
"then we'll settle this the ninja way."
The air grew heavy.
Rain hissed as it struck the ground.
A mission conflict had become inevitable.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)