#78 - Scratches on her back
Konoha has never been a messenger of justice. It's just that Naruto and Sasuke became saviors later on, making it seem more righteous.
The Will of Fire they promote is also about "protecting the village" rather than "protecting the ninja world."
As for whether the ninja world is peaceful or not?
As long as the village is fine.
After Asuma Sarutobi was wrapped in bandages, Kiyoshi suggested taking a break by the riverbank.
............
Meanwhile, under the tree where Kiyoshi and Pakura fought.
Bang!
Pakura slammed the tree with force, without refining chakra, using only physical strength.
The deep pit she had created on the surface of the tree became even deeper, to the point where it was about to fall.
As she stood up, there was a small, damp puddle on the ground, causing some ripples.
Pakura knew that Kiyoshi was absolutely humiliating her.
She bit her lip and straightened her ninja combat uniform, leaning on the swaying tree to stand up.
Thinking of Kiyoshi's dismissive gesture, Pakura couldn't suppress the anger in her heart.
What did he take her for?
Suddenly, hurried footsteps came from not far away.
Pakura looked up and saw Maki, clutching his arm, constantly leaping through the forest.
His arm was almost broken, and blood had soaked the clothes wrapped around it.
That layer of clothing was to minimize the traces of blood falling on the ground.
"Pakura, it's good that you're okay."
Maki thought Pakura had already been killed, but thankfully she was safe and sound.
It was probably because Kiyoshi was in a hurry to return and didn't want to entangle with Pakura.
Pakura was a rare Kekkei Genkai user in Sunagakure, and also a genius!
If Pakura was lost, it would be a significant loss, to say the least.
"Did the Uchiha do this?"
Pakura asked about Maki's arm.
"It was him!"
A voice responded from a distance.
It was Hoki Taro who had caught up.
"Let's go."
Pakura was silent for a moment, and finally spoke.
If they continued to stay here, Kiyoshi and the others might come back for another attack.
They were also likely to encounter other teams.
Their current condition was not suitable for fighting.
Pakura led the way.
Maki endured the severe pain in his arm to hurry along.
Hoki Taro only had minor injuries, and he supported Maki together.
Suddenly, he noticed that there seemed to be a scratch on Pakura's smooth back.
The scratch stretched diagonally, and even Pakura's skirt had some wrinkles.
Hoki Taro didn't think much of it, assuming it was a scratch from the fierce battle with Kiyoshi.
............
"It's Kirigakure."
Pakura hadn't gone far when she suddenly raised her hand, signaling Maki and Hoki Taro to stop.
"You are Pakura of Sunagakure."
Mei Terumi and the others in the distance noticed Pakura's presence.
And their group clearly had traces of a recent battle.
"Does Kirigakure want to stop us?"
Pakura said coldly, making a gesture behind her back.
Maki and Hoki Taro had already quietly refined their chakra, ready to fight.
"Stop you? I don't think that's necessary."
Mei Terumi shook her head.
According to the information given by the village before departure, Pakura, the genius of Sunagakure, possessed "Scorch" Release.
But the priority was not high.
Kirigakure was not without Kekkei Genkai similar to "Scorch" Release. She herself was the best example.
She even had a dual Kekkei Genkai, possessing "Melt" and "Boil", which were ninjutsu that could only be mastered with Kekkei Genkai!
Mei Terumi had no intention of targeting Pakura. She wanted to get another scroll, and then find a team of weaklings. Why bother fighting a genius from Sunagakure head-on?
So Mei Terumi was more interested in who had made Pakura so embarrassed.
"Who did you run into? A ninja from Kumogakure?"
Seeing that Mei Terumi had no intention of attacking, Pakura subtly changed her gesture to cancel it.
The tense atmosphere between the two sides suddenly eased.
"No, it was an Uchiha from Konoha, the ninja with the Sharingan."
Pakura suddenly realized that she didn't even know the name of the ninja who had just laid "hands" on her.
This made the resentment that Pakura had suppressed rise again.
She would definitely take revenge sooner or later!
"Uchiha... Kiyoshi."
Ao, standing next to Mei Terumi, said Kiyoshi's name.
They had just encountered a team of Konoha ninjas, defeated them, and obtained information about Kiyoshi.
Unfortunately, the scroll on the other side was the same as the one held by their own team, so they needed to collect it again.
"Kiyoshi... Kiyoshi..."
Pakura repeatedly murmured this name, as if she wanted to engrave it in her heart, so that she would remember this humiliating experience.
"In that case, we might as well mind our own business."
Kaguya Katsura, whose eyebrows were short and oval-shaped, said lightly.
Do less meaningless things.
This time, at least they would take a Kekkei Genkai back to the village. It would be good to take one of the Sharingan or Byakugan.
The function of the Sharingan was more inclined towards individuals, which could quickly increase the strength of a superb ninja.
The Byakugan could be used for strategy and intelligence gathering, which was always beneficial.
"Okay."
Maki opened his mouth, his voice carrying the muffled sound of suppressing the wound.
Such an injury could be said to be a serious blow.
The arm was crucial to a ninja. Once one arm was missing, the efficiency of hand seals would be greatly reduced, and combat power would decline.
If he didn't get treatment soon, it might be ruined.
The two teams parted ways there.
Pakura's team went to rest in the distance.
Mei Terumi's team continued to investigate whether there were suitable Kekkei Genkai users.
............
The next day.
"Hand over the scroll."
Yotsuki Gui, who was the leader, said.
Beside him were teammates with black and white skin, whose common feature was their strong physique.
"Impossible!"
Hyuga Tetsu immediately responded.
This time, the clan leader had high hopes for them, how could they fail here?
"We Hyuga are the first major clan in Konoha, I advise you Kumogakure people to be careful."
"Tetsu."
Hyuga Natsu frowned slightly.
The other side was three ninjas, who didn't look like good people.
Few words are needed when opinions differ. Yotsuki Gui drew out the ninja sword behind him and charged towards Hyuga Tetsu with his other two teammates.
Hyuga Tetsu, Hyuga Natsu, and Hyuga Homura made the starting stance of Gentle Fist, the three of them vigilantly watching the approaching Kumogakure ninjas.
"Eight Trigrams Empty Palm!"
"Lightning Release: Fang!"
The simple and elegant Gentle Fist collided with the dazzling Lightning Release.
Five hundred meters away from their battle, Kiyoshi felt the sound from this side.
"It's Lightning Release."
Kiyoshi understood.
Ninjas who were good at Lightning Release were most likely Kumogakure ninjas.
"Want to go take a look?"
"Sure."
Kiyoshi nodded.
Yesterday they dealt with it near the riverbank all night.
Yuhi Kurenai slept under the bushes, and he and Sarutobi Asuma were responsible for taking turns guarding the night.
Because genjutsu consumed more mental energy, if Yuhi Kurenai was on night watch, she might fall asleep.
After the three rested for a night and made up for some sleep in the morning, they wanted to explore the surrounding area and saw this movement.
The distance of five hundred meters passed in a flash, and Kiyoshi and the others soon arrived here.
"Kiyoshi!"
Hyuga Natsu, who was fighting hard, suddenly saw Kiyoshi and was immediately overjoyed.
