Chapter 58: Pakura's Submission

Half a year may not seem like much, but it can change a lot.

At the very least, Pakura's home had changed significantly.

Previously, the room only had basic furnishings—a bed, a cabinet, a table, and a bench.

Now, the room was filled with various daily necessities, making it feel much warmer. It resembled a cozy nest for a single woman.

Seeing Yami burst in, Pakura didn't even lift her head. She continued knitting the sweater in her hands and said calmly, "Is there anyone in Konoha who could possibly bully you? You should be grateful you haven't bullied others instead."

Even icebergs eventually melt. Not to mention, Pakura had always been someone with a passionate nature.

After half a year of living together, at least when it came to Yami, her attitude had changed completely.

She had also learned quite a bit about Yami's background and personality.

He was a little devil, more arrogant than any of the heirs of the Kazekage she'd seen in the Land of Wind. Of course she wouldn't believe his excuses.

"It wasn't anyone from Konoha; it was an Iwa-nin." Yami picked up his cup and drained it in one gulp. Then he sighed. "Didn't I go on a mission a few days ago? It was supposed to be a simple supply escort, but we got ambushed by Iwa-nin along the way."

Pakura's hands finally stopped. She looked up at Yami with concern and carefully examined him. "Were you injured?"

"No."

Yami shook his head. "The team was ambushed by two jōnin. I killed them both, but it wasn't easy."

Pakura snorted coldly. "Always pretending to be upright while playing dirty behind the scenes. That's Ōnoki's style."

Yami's mouth twitched.

If she hadn't added the second part, he would've thought she was criticizing Hiruzen.

Still, there was nothing wrong with her description of Ōnoki.

He provoked the war with Konoha, led nearly ten thousand Iwa-nin to ambush the Third Raikage, then turned on Sunagakure when the tide turned. Now both sides were enemies.

Even during the relative peace of the future, he didn't behave. After Orochimaru's assault on Konoha, Iwagakure was the first to invade, only to be repelled by Hayama Shirakumo. Later, he frequently hired members of the Akatsuki to carry out shady missions.

Ōnoki had always been the troublemaker of the shinobi world. A perfect example of an old man who wouldn't die and just kept scheming.

"Pakura, I want to learn Scorch Release from you," Yami said, getting straight to the point. "I realized on this mission that ordinary elemental jutsu still have too many flaws. Only a kekkei genkai can overcome those limitations."

"Scorch Release…" Pakura's expression turned thoughtful. She remained silent for a while, then finally nodded.

"With your mastery of Fire and Wind Release, there's a strong chance you can learn it. I'll teach you."

"Hehe, you're so good to me." Yami cheered and threw himself into Pakura's arms, quickly finding a comfortable position.

Pakura couldn't help but smile.

This brat finally acted like a kid.

"Pakura."

Yami suddenly spoke. "You've been in Root for a long time now. Don't you want to leave?"

Pakura's expression turned complicated.

She understood what Yami meant by "leave"—a complete break from the past.

But…

After being betrayed, she no longer wanted to live as a shinobi.

As if sensing her inner conflict, Yami raised his head… though he couldn't see her face, it was blocked.

"Pakura, don't overthink it. I've already said, I'm not recruiting you for Konoha. I'm recruiting you for myself."

"I need your strength. I need your help in the future. But only for me, not for the village."

"But what if you become Hokage?" Pakura asked calmly. "Just like Rasa. We used to be comrades, but he didn't hesitate to betray me."

"You're comparing me to that kind of trash?" Yami frowned, clearly displeased. He sat up immediately.

"Nothing will change even if I become Hokage. And once I do, I'll be invincible in the shinobi world. Why would I need to sacrifice you to gain anything?"

"Who knows if the five great nations will even still exist by then?"

Pakura was surprised. "You want to destroy the other nations?"

Yami nodded calmly. "The existence of so many countries is a mistake. If I have the power, I won't be as indecisive as Senju Hashirama."

Pakura thought Yami's idea was crazy… but she also felt he was right.

If there weren't so many large and small nations, there wouldn't be so many shinobi wars.

The shinobi village system had only existed for fifty years, yet three world wars had already erupted. War had lasted longer than peace.

If Yami's vision came true, even if conflict remained, its scale would be far smaller.

It wouldn't be like the shinobi wars, where lives were treated like dirt.

She glanced around the small house. Every inch and every corner was familiar to her now.

In the end… Pakura nodded.

"Remember what you said. I'll only fight for you."

[Host and Pakura's bond has reached the third stage. Kekkei Genkai: Scorch Release unlocked]

Yami grinned. "Of course!"

Yami took Pakura out of the Root base. Danzō quickly received the news.

He understood that Yami's recruitment of Pakura had succeeded, at least for now.

After a brief hesitation, he chose not to interfere.

After the upcoming Chūnin Exams, Yami would be exposed to the eyes of every major power. Having more powerful allies around him was a good thing.

Even if Pakura was unreliable, she wouldn't pose a problem in the short term.

It was essentially added insurance for Yami's safety.

Danzō summoned Yamanaka Fū and forged a Root ninja profile for Pakura—codename: "Chi." It included fake mission records and fabricated family ties.

From then on, Pakura officially had Konoha citizenship and was no longer an illegal resident.

On the bustling commercial street, the crowds were lively. Every shop was doing great business. There were shinobi and civilians alike. Many smiled as they walked, relaxed and carefree.

Pakura stared at the scene, dazed.

Compared to Sunagakure and even the other nations, Konoha had a unique air of peace and prosperity.

Living here, one couldn't even feel the presence of war. Unlike other shinobi villages, the atmosphere wasn't heavy or oppressive. In Sunagakure, it was rare to see such harmony between shinobi and civilians, and the social hierarchy was strict.

Even a genin would be addressed as "sir" by regular people.

"…It's amazing," Pakura murmured subconsciously.

Yami nodded. "It really is."

Konoha was the friendliest and safest place for ordinary people.

Though he disliked Hiruzen, it was due to political conflict.

Yami didn't deny the man's achievements.

Under Hiruzen's decades of leadership, Konoha had never lacked young talent. And even if battles raged outside, he never allowed enemy forces to enter the Land of Fire. He had turned Konoha into a genuine paradise.

Hmm…

Though Yami felt others could've done the same.

Well, not his old man. He was a war hawk—not suited to lead a village. Far too extreme.

The two entered a clothing shop, picked out some new clothes for Pakura, and bought other daily items before heading back.

Once home, Yami handed the bags to a staff member and led Pakura upstairs to choose a room.

"This one is the biggest. That one's closest to my room. Don't pick the one at the end, it's the old man's. He doesn't come back often, but it's still his."

"This one's fine," Pakura said, pointing to the room closest to Yami.

"Alright. I'll have someone clean it up later."

Yami stroked his chin. "But I won't be living here for long. After I pass the Chūnin Exams, I'll move out."

"This place isn't good?" Pakura asked curiously.

The Shimura house was modest in style, but its décor was elegant and expensive. Just the furniture was worth more than Asuma.

"Well, this is still the old man's house." Yami shook his head. "I want a place of my own. Plus, I plan to live with Izumi. Staying here forever isn't an option."

Pakura immediately gave him a look of disdain.

She knew who Izumi was. Yami had even shown her a photo—a very cute little girl.

They were still just kids, and they were already thinking about living together?

No wonder Konoha had so many shinobi. It was because of early romance!

Yami noticed the judgment in her eyes and felt his integrity had been attacked. "What are you thinking?! I just want to live closer to Izumi. Her situation within the Uchiha clan isn't good. If she moves out early, she won't have to suffer."

He wasn't about to say he didn't want to live in Uchiha territory and get caught up in Itachi's drama.

"Alright, alright, I was wrong." Pakura realized she'd misunderstood and tried to pat Yami's head to comfort him, but he smacked her hand away.

"Come on, let's get inside. I'll remove the seal on your tongue."

Pakura was surprised. "You're going to remove the seal?"

Yami looked at her blankly. "Isn't that obvious? Your chakra's still sealed. Am I working for you, or are you working for me?"

"You're not afraid I'll betray you?"

Pakura was touched but still asked, "I'm Kage-level. Are you really okay leaving no backup plan?"

Yami glanced at her indifferently. "If I didn't trust you, I wouldn't have brought you out in the first place. Stop overthinking. Get in already."

Besides, words could lie, but the system's bond rewards couldn't.

If even someone at the third-stage bond couldn't be trusted, then no one in the world could be loyal.

"Okay."

Pakura smiled brightly.

She finally knew her choice was right.

Following Yami… even if she died, she wouldn't regret it.

At that moment, the village of Sunagakure, which had always occupied a corner of her heart, vanished completely.

All that remained was the image of one person.

At 5 PM, Yami picked up little Izumi as usual.

Her black hair had grown much longer, nearly to her waist. She had also grown taller.

Seeing Yami had come to get her, she was overjoyed and quickly followed.

"Yami, are you going to take part in this Chūnin Exam?" Izumi asked curiously along the way.

The village had been preparing for it recently, and Izumi had heard a bit.

"I heard Itachi will participate. The elders say he'll definitely make chūnin."

"He'll be there." Yami held her hand and said slowly, "I know. The Third Hokage wanted me to team up with him, but I turned it down."

"Izumi, I'll be moving out after the exam. Do you want to leave the Uchiha clan too?"

"…Huh?"

Izumi blushed and replied shyly, "Yami… we're still young… Isn't that inappropriate?"

Yami's face darkened.

Girls were supposed to mature earlier, right?

He hadn't even been thinking that far ahead.

"It's not cohabitation. Just living nearby," Yami explained. "That way we can train together. It's also close to the academy and the commercial district. It'll be more convenient for you and your aunt."

"I see…"

Izumi looked a little disappointed but soon focused on the idea.

She wanted to be closer to Yami.

She didn't have many friends in the Uchiha clan. The other clansmen looked down on her and her mother because of her father's status.

But there were still two problems.

First, she had to convince her mother to agree.

Second, could they afford to live near Yami?

Yami had already anticipated these issues.

"I've already found two side-by-side houses. Mine is bigger. The other one is smaller, but perfect for you and your aunt."

"You can rent it first, then buy it later once you've saved up from being a ninja."

"You can ask your aunt when you get home. I believe she'll agree if it's good for you."

Izumi nodded nervously. "I'll ask her tonight."

"Alright." Yami smiled.

As long as Izumi left the clan, no matter what happened to the Uchiha, she wouldn't be caught in it.

If Konoha could protect one Uchiha Sasuke, it could handle one more.

Soon, the two arrived home.

Seeing the mature woman in the house, Izumi was confused. "Yami… who is she?"

"Hello, Miss Izumi." Pakura smiled. "I'm a member of Root. Codename: Chi. I'm responsible for guarding Master Yami and handling some of his daily affairs."

It was the first time someone had called her "Miss." Izumi blushed. "Just call me Izumi! I'm starving, so I'll leave Yami's safety to you!"

Pakura's smile didn't fade. "I'll protect Master Yami with my life."

"Alright, enough chatter. Let's eat. I'm starving." Yami interrupted and rubbed his belly as he walked inside.

After dinner, Pakura and Izumi got along well.

No one could dislike such a gentle, lovable girl. And as Yami's childhood friend, Pakura made an effort to bond. Their relationship quickly warmed, and they dropped the formality.

After the meal, Yami checked Izumi's training progress.

A year ago, she already had the strength to graduate. Another year had passed, and her growth had been steady.

Once she awakened her Sharingan, her chakra would grow rapidly, and she could soon become a chūnin.

Yami planned for her to stay in the academy for one more year. Once she graduated, maybe he could even be her jōnin.

Hearing that there was a chance to be on the same team as Yami, Izumi eagerly agreed.

As night fell, Yami walked Izumi home to the Uchiha district. After returning, he took Pakura to the underground training chamber.

"Let's begin. I want to master Scorch Release before the Chūnin Exam."

Getting the third-stage bond reward had been a nice surprise. But he still needed Pakura's experience with Scorch Release to master it fully.

With her guidance, his progress would definitely accelerate.

Pakura didn't say much. She quickly entered teaching mode and began explaining her experience in training Scorch Release.

(To be continued.)

***

For every 200 PS = 1 extra chapter. Support me on patreon to read 30+ advanced chapters: patreon.com/Blownleaves.