Kapitel 145: Pakura's Treatment Beyond the Battlefield (2)

Hikari's decision to save Pakura was strategic and deeply considered. It primarily presented an opportunity to align with such a highly capable, genius shinobi, fostering a relationship that would help him navigate the complex dynamics of the shinobi world in the future.

Moreover, by aiding Pakura, he saw a potential pathway to bring Sunagakure into his sphere of influence, mirroring his previous successes with Kirigakure.

If Pakura were to ascend to a leadership position such as the Kazekage, her alliance with him could significantly enhance his strategic positioning as well.

Yet, the circumstances of their encounter held an element of coincidence that even Hikari hadn't anticipated.

As the clash between Konoha's and Suna's forces erupted around this strategic location, Hikari remained concealed within his tactically chosen ambush position, poised to strike at the most advantageous moment to benefit his forces.

Utilizing his Byakugan, which boasted a superior range compared to any other Hyuga on this front, he soon detected the unexpected development involving Pakura and Sasori and that whole stabbing in the back scene.

The unfolding scenario captured his immediate attention, prompting him to intervene directly. Consequently, he swiftly moved to assist, foregoing his initial plan to join the battle.

This decision meant that he missed the opportunity to leverage his formidable strength in a surprise attack that could have given Konoha a significant advantage.

Other hidden Hyuga members basically acted without him, but he got something way more important.

Nonetheless, it was true that Pakura had been on his radar long before this moment—not just for her tactical value but also because she had struck a chord with him during his previous life experiences with the original story.

Despite her minor role, Pakura's unique blend of tragic backstory, loyalty, and striking beauty had left a lasting impression on him.

She was one of the characters he remembered most vividly, admired not only for her potential as an ally but also for her personal qualities that resonated with his sense of aesthetics and narrative.

A deeper part of him even somewhat respected people like her, a people fundamentally different from someone like him.

The chance to connect with Pakura had always been a goal for Hikari, albeit one he expected to pursue gradually and carefully.

That fate would bring them together so suddenly—and under such circumstances—was unexpected.

Therefore, this "easy" opportunity to save her life and potentially secure her loyalty was something he had hoped for but not expected.

The serendipity of the situation was not lost on Hikari. It was a stroke of extraordinary luck, almost as if the universe had conspired to place him at the right place at the right time.

Given the entrenched hostilities between their villages and even their personal positions, the likelihood of forging a connection with Pakura under normal circumstances was slim.

So, from the beginning, Hikari recognized that a similar betrayal, from the Sunagakure to the one happening in the original series, in this reality, might be the only opening for a connection, but such an event was impossible for him to predict or "time."

Therefore, his hopes of forging a bond under such specific and dire circumstances were minimal; before today, it was more of a thought experiment than a complete plan.

Yet, fate had played into his hands in an almost miraculous fashion. Just as Pakura was betrayed, Hikari was conveniently nearby and able to intervene at the critical moment.

It was an alignment of circumstances so perfect that it seemed like a gift from fate itself.

He hadn't expected to be presented with such an opportunity where he could step in as the "hero saving a beauty" at just the right moment, yet it played out exactly like that.

Nevertheless, from another angle, the events surrounding Pakura today made logical sense when considered within the broader context of the ongoing Third Great Shinobi War and the specific dynamics of this timeline in comparison to the original one.

Hikari knew from the original story that Pakura's betrayal and assassination happened during this same WW3, but the timing and circumstances had shifted significantly here.

With Konoha's power posing a persistent, heightened threat, this time around, it seemed unlikely that Rasa, the Kazekage, would consider weakening his village by eliminating its most capable shinobi before achieving a decisive victory over their biggest current enemy, Konohagakure.

Additionally, today was meant to be a crucial moment for —an aggressive push into the Land of Fire aimed at securing a strategic and possibly final triumph that could force Konoha into signing severely disadvantageous treaties, signaling a clear, conclusive victory for the Sunagakure.

In this altered reality, Rasa's decision to order Pakura's assassination on this particular day suggested he no longer deemed her completely necessary beyond this precise moment.

Hikari also speculated that Rasa could not wait even a second longer after this point in time, perhaps stemming from the unintended consequences of his own actions and what he considered another Butterfly Effect he had inadvertently triggered in this world regarding the Sunagakure.

In this alternate timeline, Pakura had grown significantly stronger than in the original series, possibly due to the ripple effects of changes Hikari had influenced everywhere globally and geopolitically.

All of this caused Rasa to act probably earlier than in the original series and not even wait until the end of WW3. He probably didn't want to give her a second more time to develop her strength anymore.

Also, by choosing to eliminate Pakura during the chaos of this critical battle, Rasa had the perfect cover to mask her assassination.

The tumult of war would easily obscure the true nature of her demise, making it appear as just another casualty in the heat of conflict.

However, Rasa hadn't anticipated Sasori launching his attack prematurely, nor could he have predicted Hikari's timely intervention and successful rescue of Pakura. These unexpected factors disrupted his carefully laid plans.

Hikari already understood that he had indeed become one of the key figures globally, not only in terms of personal strength but also in terms of political power and influence.

Therefore, he was always acutely aware of the various Butterfly Effects his actions had likely triggered in this timeline.

These included unexpected developments like Might Duy demonstrating his formidable power earlier than expected and surviving the aftermath, Tsunade overcoming her phobia decades sooner than in the original timeline, and other significant changes.

Hikari recognized that these were just a few examples, and he anticipated encountering many more ripple effects that would continue to shape the future in unforeseen ways.

As Hikari refocused on the immediate situation, he realized it was time to shift the conversation with Pakura towards more strategic discussions.

With her initial medical needs addressed and her condition stabilized, the opportunity to lay the groundwork for their future collaboration was at hand.