章 153: Chapter 152
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"..."
Pakura didn't have an answer for Toshiro's question. He was right—returning to Sunagakure would likely lead to anything but a warm welcome. The thought of what awaited her there made her uneasy, leaving her with nothing but silence in response.
Toshiro broke the silence. "How about... coming back to Konoha with me?" he suggested, his tone surprisingly gentle. "Even though the Uchiha clan isn't in the best position right now, with my influence, I could bring you to Konoha without much trouble. The Sandaime Hokage wouldn't object."
He paused, considering the risks. Bringing a ninja from another village—especially one as renowned as Pakura—would be a bold move. But the Third Hokage had been lenient with him, as long as he didn't betray the village.
"You might not be able to resume your life as a ninja," Toshiro continued, "but at least you'd have a stable place to call home."
"Moreover... in time, the Sandaime might ease up on his surveillance, and you could eventually become a regular Konoha ninja," Toshiro added. He knew that Konoha wouldn't immediately trust a new ninja from another village; they would monitor them closely and restrict their missions. But after a few years, regaining full status as a ninja wasn't out of the question.
"No need! I have my own plans," Pakura replied, unmoved by Toshiro's offer. She had been formulating her own strategy ever since she woke up. Initially, she had considered returning to Sunagakure once she was healed and exacting revenge by killing the village's high-ranking officials.
But as she calmed down, doubts crept in. If she went through with her plan, it would only bring more suffering to the village and its ninjas. Besides, going back to Konoha with Toshiro was never something she seriously entertained.
"You're not seriously thinking about becoming a rogue ninja, are you? Sure, with your skills, it wouldn't be hard to survive as one... But the world of rogue ninjas isn't as simple as you might think!" Toshiro cautioned. "Even with your strength, the fact that you were betrayed by your own people in Sunagakure raises concerns about your judgment. If you were to go solo in the rogue ninja circles, you'd be wiped out before long."
Pakura was undeniably talented in combat and chakra manipulation—skills that had earned her the title of 'Pakura of the Scorch Release' at such a young age. But despite her power, she had been betrayed by her own village, which spoke volumes about her naivety in dealing with people.
"Being a rogue ninja isn't just about raw power; it's a different kind of battle altogether," Toshiro concluded, his tone a mix of concern and realism.
"There's no need for your concern!" Pakura dismissed Toshiro's kindness with a cold tone.
"I just don't want to see you get sold out like a fool after I went through the trouble of saving you," Toshiro retorted, his sarcasm cutting through the air as Pakura's expression darkened.
"Alright... dinner's ready. In your current state, you should be able to handle this," he said, turning his attention back to the carefully grilled sea fish, now golden on both sides. Toshiro glanced at Pakura before sharing half of his meal with her, despite his earlier frustration.
"After all, good food should never go to waste!" he added with a hint of satisfaction as he savored the aroma of the freshly grilled fish.
Compared to training, clan matters, and the complexities of village life, Toshiro found the greatest satisfaction in the food of this world—especially ingredients infused with chakra and natural energy. The meals he prepared were so delectable that he often found himself thinking over them, savoring every bite.
As night fell, the sky became a canvas of stars, each twinkling like a verse in a poem or a stroke in a painting. The beach glowed with a silvery sheen under the moonlight, while the bonfire blazed warmly, its flames dancing gracefully in the gentle sea breeze.
The breeze carried a faint salty scent, mingling with the rhythmic sound of waves crashing against the shore, as if whispering the secrets of the ocean. The bonfire's light deepened the night sky, making it seem both closer and more infinite. Each footprint left on the sand appeared to possess a life of its own, creating a mesmerizing landscape intertwined with the sea.
After dinner, neither Pakura nor Toshiro hurried back to the cabin. Instead, they remained on the beach, taking in the serene scene—one that was impossible to find in the inland regions of the Land of Wind or the Land of Fire.
"Your injuries are quite severe. You'll need to stay on this island and rest for at least two to three weeks," Toshiro advised, noting Pakura's silence as she gazed up at the stars. He chose to discuss her injuries instead of the beautiful scenery, unaware that his words might dampen the moment.
Unlike him or Naruto, Pakura didn't possess a body that could recover in mere days. She would need more than half a month to heal properly. "And be especially careful not to use your chakra recklessly. It will only worsen your condition."
"Yeah, I got it," Pakura responded dismissively, barely acknowledging his advice. Her eyes remained fixed on the dazzling stars above. Suddenly, she whispered, almost to herself, "It's so beautiful."
Unlike in the Land of Wind, the starry sky by the seaside felt more distant, mysterious, and breathtakingly beautiful.
"Do you think our deceased comrades and loved ones really become stars in the sky, watching over us and silently blessing us?" Pakura asked, her voice tinged with a rare vulnerability.
"Uh…" Toshiro was taken aback. He hadn't expected such a sentimental thought from her, someone he had always seen as just fierce and alluring.
"Humph! You heartless fool, always plotting about others but never understanding them. No point in asking you!" Pakura scoffed, curling her lips in disdain at his lack of response.
"Scientifically speaking," Toshiro began, trying to offer some semblance of an answer, "Humans are made of matter, and when life ends, the body decomposes, returning to nature. The consciousness, or soul, vanishes with it. So, from a purely scientific perspective, it's unlikely that our loved ones turn into stars to watch over us after death."
"But from a philosophical and religious perspective, human consciousness, or the soul, might exist in a realm beyond the physical body, possibly connected to other forms of existence in the universe. Some traditions even believe that after death, the soul continues to exist in some form within the cosmos," Toshiro replied, unable to tolerate Pakura's disdainful look. He couldn't resist adding, "However, in this world, there is indeed a Pure Land. It's more likely that they're resting there."
This was a fact he knew all too well. Having mastered the art of reanimation, he understood that, with the right sacrifices and the remains of the deceased, it wasn't impossible to summon them back. The notion that people turn into stars to watch over the living? Just fanciful stories to comfort children.
"...Is that so," Pakura murmured, her earlier curiosity now tinged with melancholy.
As if lost in memories of former comrades or loved ones, Pakura didn't refute Toshiro's words. Instead, her expression grew even more forlorn. She quietly stood up, ignoring Toshiro, and made her way toward the wooden house. Her figure, as she walked away, appeared lonely and uncertain.
...
"Hmm..."
A muffled groan, a mix of shyness and pain, escaped Pakura's throat, stirring impure thoughts in Toshiro's mind as he listened.
"If it hurts... you can scream. There's no one else on this island; no one will hear you," Toshiro whispered in Pakura's ear, watching the sweat glisten on her flushed face.
"Not yet... okay? Just... hurry up!" Pakura's voice was strained—a blend of suppressed shyness and sharp pain. Her words spurred Toshiro to quicken his movements, following her plea.
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