Chapter 208

Despite receiving treatment, the scars on Mitokado Hamura's face would still leave visible marks, though not as severe as initially feared. Compared to Utatane Koharu, who had lost her hand, Hamura's injuries were less debilitating.

Hamura glanced at the Third Hokage, his frustration bubbling over. "Hiruzen, I'm still waiting for your explanation!"

With those parting words, Koharu stormed out, her anger palpable. The Third Hokage could only shake his head helplessly as he watched her leave.

Hamura sneered, leaning back in his chair. "Koharu's temper keeps getting worse. Honestly, she deserves this. Her inability to control herself has caused us no end of trouble, Hiruzen. How many times have we suffered because of her impulsiveness? How many times have we cleaned up after her?"

He caught himself mid-sentence and adjusted his words. "Wiped her mess, I mean."

The Third Hokage managed a faint, humorless smile. "You weren't always this harsh, Hamura."

Hamura's scarred face twisted in disdain. "I used to think Danzo was the worst of us, but now I realize Koharu takes the prize for stupidity."

The Hokage said nothing, his expression a mixture of sympathy and resignation. He finally spoke, his tone measured. "Blaming her won't change what's happened. You should focus on healing. Try to minimize the scars. As for Koharu... we'll figure out a solution for her."

Mitokado Hamura's treatment continued, and after a while, the medical ninjas excused themselves, leaving him and the Hokage alone.

"Tell me, Hiruzen," Hamura said, breaking the silence. "I want to know everything about this full-scale attack. How did Orochimaru manage it?"

The Hokage obliged, recounting the details of Orochimaru's strategy, his alliance with Shinki, and the devastating assault that forced the Sand Village into retreat.

When the story was finished, Hamura clenched his fists, slamming one into the table. "Orochimaru knew exactly what he was doing. He refused to send reinforcements to save us to curry favor with Shinki and secure his position. Together, they turned this war into their personal platform for glory."

The Hokage lit his pipe, exhaling a cloud of smoke as he considered Hamura's words. "I don't think it's as simple as you're suggesting. Orochimaru's decision, while cold, wasn't made out of malice toward you or Koharu. His focus was on the larger picture—ending this war as swiftly as possible."

Hamura scoffed but said nothing, allowing the Hokage to continue.

"The truth is, we've been considering whether Shinki's puppets could be used for another attack," the Hokage admitted. "If we could replicate the strategy and launch a decisive strike against the Sand Village itself, the war would likely end quickly."

Hamura's anger cooled slightly as he mulled over the idea. "It's a good plan. If the Sand Village suffers a direct attack, their morale will plummet, and their forces at the front lines will lose the will to fight. It would force them to sue for peace."

The Hokage nodded. "That's the hope. But this plan hinges entirely on Shinki. He holds the key to those puppets, and without his agreement, there's nothing we can do."

"You haven't approached him yet?" Hamura asked, raising an eyebrow.

The Hokage hesitated, his expression awkward. "No. When Tsunade contacted Shinki, it was to clarify Orochimaru's insubordination. The idea of replicating the attack wasn't discussed."

Hamura rolled his eyes. "Then what are you waiting for? This plan doesn't move forward without him."

Meanwhile, in Konoha's new camp, Shinki stood outside the cell housing Pakura, observing her with detached interest. Inside, Pakura paced like a caged lioness, her frustration boiling over.

"Konoha took over the Sand Village's old camp," she spat. "You've clearly won, haven't you? How long do you plan to keep me here? Are you trying to alienate me from my comrades? Well, congratulations—you've succeeded!"

Shinki leaned casually against the cell bars, unimpressed by her outburst. "Still fiery, I see. I've been busy, so forgive me for not paying you a visit earlier."

Pakura glared at him, her anger undiminished. "Busy with what? Feeding the rumors that I've betrayed my village? I didn't ask for your so-called 'special treatment.'"

Her accusations weren't baseless. Konoha had provided her with higher-quality food and better living conditions than the other captives. While it seemed like a gesture of goodwill on the surface, it had effectively sown seeds of distrust among her fellow Sand Village prisoners.

Pakura hadn't asked for any of it. She had initially refused the food, fasting for three days before hunger overcame her. But even the small concession of eating rice balls had fueled her comrades' suspicions.

"You could refuse the treatment outright," Shinki said, his tone calm. "Starve yourself if you think it will prove your loyalty."

Pakura clenched her fists, trembling with frustration. "Don't play games with me, Shinki. You know what you're doing. You want to isolate me, to make me doubt myself and my village."

Shinki's smirk didn't falter. "You give me too much credit. I don't need to isolate you. Your village did that the moment they sent you to the front lines as a disposable pawn."

Her eyes widened, but she said nothing. His words had struck a nerve.

"Think about it, Pakura. Take all the time you need. I'm in no hurry."

With that, Shinki turned and walked away, leaving Pakura seething in her cell, grappling with her growing doubts and the weight of her situation.

>>>>>

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