Chương 146: Pakura’s Alliance and Aspirations with Hikari (1)
"Now that you are slowly recovering, can you fully think clearly again, Pakura?", Hikari began.
Pakura took a deep breath, feeling the fog of pain and disorientation beginning to lift, thanks largely to Hikari's intervention,
"Yes, I'm becoming clearer...", She replied, her voice steadier than before.
"How do you plan to proceed from here?", Hikari nodded and asked again as he tested the waters, eager to better understand Pakura's mindset and vision for the future after the recent upheaval.
Pakura considered the question carefully, aware of the weight her decisions carried not only for her but potentially for her village and the delicate balance of power in the shinobi world,
"Firstly, I need to ensure my recovery is complete and that I'm back at full strength...", She began, her tone pragmatic,
"After that, I need to reassess my position within the Sunagakure. If Rasa and others see me as a threat or a tool to be discarded, my current presence there might be untenable for me."
"How exactly do you plan to deal with him next?", He asked again, keen to understand the full scope of her intentions.
He then observed Pakura's face as it transformed, and she mentioned dealing with the betrayal she had suffered.
Her expression became hard and unforgiving, mirroring the depth of her emotions. His question had clearly touched a nerve, and her response was fierce.
Pakura's eyes blazed with a cold fire, her voice steady but filled with a resolute venom. "I'm planning to deal with him in the same way that he planned to deal with me!" she declared.
Her tone left no room for doubt about her resolve or the extent of her planning.
"I see. I agree with your approach; I would've done the same, if not more. Retribution is a powerful motivator...", Hikari commented carefully.
"However, if that is the path you choose, it will be critical to plan meticulously. Rash actions could lead to unwanted consequences, not just for you but for all involved.",
He paused, considering his next words, "If you aim to take on the Kazekage and his faction, you'll need more than just the element of surprise or the righteousness of your cause.",
"You'll need allies, resources, and perhaps most importantly, a strategic plan that accounts for all possible responses from your adversaries.",
"I am willing to assist you in this endeavor, Pakura. Together, we can ensure that your actions lead to the outcomes you desire, securing your position and possibly transforming the power structure within Sunagakure to favor a more just and stable leadership from now."
After a moment of reflection, turning her head upwards to face him directly and look him right in the eyes with her own hazel eyes, Pakura responded, not yet committing to any specific course of action but as if seeking further guidance from him first or testing him,
"Your perspective is valuable, Hikari. Before I make any decisions, I would appreciate your advice on my current situation. How do you currently assess the dynamics within Sunagakure, and where do you think I stand? How do you think I could accomplish my goal?"
Hikari paused briefly, considering Pakura's situation with a strategic eye before responding to her inquiry,
"I'm sure you know the answers to those questions better than me, Pakura; after all, I'm not from Sunagakure like you are.
But using common sense, seeing what happened to you just now, and how far they were willing to go to get rid of you, it's obvious that negotiations are out of the question...", Hikari began, laying out the stark realities of her position.
"And I doubt that you would want peace with him now, considering his treachery and stabbing in the back. So, it looks like some form of a violent showdown is the only possible approach in general.", He finished.
"You are right...", She began, her voice carrying a new depth of determination, "It is time for the wretched Rasa, his entire clan, and all those nobles and core supporters to step aside and for me to attempt reform within my birth village.",
"This isn't just about personal revenge. It's about using my strength and reputation to bring positive change...", She continued, her tone firm and unwavering, "I have no qualms about using some level of violence to remove him and those who blindly support him to the end.",
"I will begin to raise my own forces while we are still on this front. I'll share my story, reveal what was done to me, and see who is willing to join me in this endeavor among our shinobi."
Hikari nodded as if in agreement with her choice and resolution and asked casually, "I guess that you will probably have more support among the ordinary and civilian-origin shinobi then?", He asked, his voice carrying a hint of curiosity about the inner workings of the Suna.
"Yes, that's exactly it, as all of the nobles and higher-ups are already aligned with Rasa and his clan for generations, including the affiliated shinobi...", Pakura confirmed, her voice tinged with a mix of revelation and bitterness,
"Rasa and his clan, known for their Magnet Release kekkei genkai, have historically monopolized the Kazekage position, as only male leaders of that clan could become one and everyone accepted it as fact for some reason...",
"But I know what the reason is now - As I have experienced it firsthand on my own skin... It certainly wasn't through honorable means, to put it mildly...",
"It turned out that they even call themselves the 'Kazekage clan' nowadays, simply because they've systematically eliminated any competition over the generations, including my ancestors who were also Scorch Release users. My lineage has effectively been erased...",
Her expression hardened as she continued, "I always sensed a certain coldness from Rasa and members of that clan, probably stemming from envy and resentment towards my abilities and respect I gathered with ordinary shinobi and villagers...",
"Thought they managed to mask their true feelings well, probably needing my strength to achieve their goals against Konoha and to garner more favors from the Wind Daimyo. From the start, they planned to dispose of me once I was no longer useful during this war fast...",
Pakura's fists clenched tightly as she pieced together the betrayal, "So, my entire life was a fabrication, a tool for their ambitions.",
"I can't believe I was so blind, so loyal to those who would eventually try to butcher me like that. I never questioned them, never harbored a single doubt about their intentions, let alone sought to challenge their authority.",
Her face was a portrait of fury mixed with painful clarity as she recognized the full extent of the manipulation she had been subjected to from a very young age.
"Now, free from their influence and propaganda, I see everything clearly. The truth was right before my eyes, and I'm finally awake to it.",
Pakura's realization was a turning point, fueling her resolve to take action against the very forces that had shaped her life under pretenses.
But, then, Pakura shifted the conversation to a crucial point, reflecting on the immediate future and what exactly Hikari expected from her in return for saving her life.
Her gaze fixed intently on him, searching for clues in his expression as she formulated her question.
"You've indeed saved my life in the end, Hikari, and for that, I'm deeply grateful...", Pakura began, her tone serious,
"But now, I need to understand what you expect from me moving forward. You've spoken of alliances and support, but what exactly do you envision as my role in this? How do I fit into your plans, especially considering the complex dynamics at play?",
Her question was direct, seeking clarity on her position and the expectations set by Hikari.
This was crucial for her to navigate her next steps wisely and to understand the potential commitments and challenges she might face in aligning with him.
Hikari responded with a true sincerity that seemed to soften his usual calculated demeanor, "I understand it might be difficult to fully trust my intentions right now, but I want you to know that when I said those words back there, it was with genuine sincerity...",
He began, meeting Pakura's gaze steadily, "Building a lasting friendship with you, based on mutual respect and support, between us, is truly what I aim for over the long term.",
He paused for a moment before continuing, "In the immediate term, however, I see an opportunity to also support you in taking your rightful place within Sunagakure.",
"If becoming the new Kazekage is part of your next plan, then it aligns well with my goal of supporting a friend in need. I'm prepared to assist you in avenging the wrongs done to you and claiming the leadership position you deserve based on all merit and common sense.",
"Therefore, as soon as we return to the battlefield here, I can command Konoha's forces to strategically target only Rasa's loyalists after also giving you some time to form and rally a new faction within Sunagakure's shinobi there, after explaining to them the truth about what Rasa and Sasori did against you. So, once you've secured your faction in peace, I will help you eliminate those who continue to stand against you and don't join your rightful cause...",
He concluded with a nod toward future peace and stability, "Afterwards, we can work together to negotiate peace between our factions and villages. This would then allow you to return to the Sunagakure not just as a survivor but as a leader ready to bring change..."
Pakura gazed at Hikari's handsome face the entire time, with her own expression also softening as he spoke with a sincerity she hadn't anticipated.
The tone of his voice, his choice of words, and his readiness to support her so significantly—it was all strikingly different from what she had expected from someone from a rival village. Especially a person she had just met amidst such turmoil.
Deep down, her woman's social instincts told her that he was being mostly sincere, a realization that caught her off guard.
For a moment, Pakura allowed herself to acknowledge how touched she was by his actions and words.
Though she knew Hikari's reputation as a calculated and somewhat ruthless individual shaped by the relentless political strife within Konoha, his current approach seemed to transcend mere strategic interest. Could there be an element of genuine regard in his motivations?
As she processed these thoughts, her body language unconsciously mirrored her internal shift; she leaned slightly closer to Hikari, drawn by a mix of gratitude and a burgeoning trust.
Her voice carried a hint of curiosity and vulnerability as she asked, "So you don't desire anything from Sunagakure once I manage to take over the Kazekage title and eliminate Rasa?",
This question was crucial. It wasn't just about confirming his intentions—it was also about understanding the future dynamics of their potential alliance.
Would his support come with strings attached, or was he truly offering help without expecting significant concessions from Sunagakure under her leadership?
Hikari responded with a playful tone, feigning offense at her skepticism first, "I'm a little hurt that you still don't believe me, Pakura...",
He joked, lightening the mood with a smile, "No, there really are no hidden strings attached." he assured her, his tone still tinged with humor.
"And even if I did have some grand plan, how could I possibly ensure that you'd still listen to me once you become the new 'mighty' Kazekage of Sunagakure? I have no way of assuring that...", He continued, his words highlighting the practical limits of his influence and tease.
"So, 'charming' you over here might indeed be my best strategy...", Hikari added with a chuckle, teasing her again.
Then, his expression turned a bit more serious, "But honestly, you know the situation in Konoha. We're at war with all the great shinobi villages. So, simply achieving a peace agreement with Sunagakure would be a significant victory for me and my faction and greatly enhance our standing within the village, similar to what I achieved in Kirigakure.",
While Hikari maintained a jovial and supportive demeanor with Pakura, internally, his strategic calculations ran deep.
The situation in Sunagakure was markedly different and more 'difficult' from what he had navigated in Kirigakure, where he wielded a more significant leverage.
In the Sunagakure, instead, without Pakura's cooperation, his ability to influence village affairs was virtually non-existent.
His primary tactic, therefore, was to genuinely win Pakura over as an ally in the long run.
Pakura, significantly older and more experienced than Mei from Kirigakure, also presented a different kind of challenge.
Unlike Mei, Pakura's seasoned perspective and depth of experience meant that simplistic overtures would be insufficient.
Promising a genuine long-term alliance while simultaneously expecting concessions right away could be seen as manipulative, potentially jeopardizing the trust he sought to build.
Hence, adopting a hands-off approach and genuinely supporting her without immediate expectations seemed the most prudent strategy in Hikari's view.
As for whether there was 'sincerity' in his previous words toward her, well, there was some 'sincerity' indeed.
At this point, Hikari couldn't help but look at Pakura as his future 'woman'.
So how could he not empathize and not want to support her then? It was perfectly logical.
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