10 Job offer

...In the area where Enel exterminated the Kirigakure ninja...

A group from the same village was examining the area under the leadership of a red-haired kunoichi with shark-like teeth who carried two swords on her back.

"Ameyuri-sama, the ambush on Pakura from the Sand ended strangely," reported one of the masked ninjas. "There isn't even a body left. Did she commit suicide with a final attack?"

"I can see that, idiot," Ameyuri surveyed what remained of the bodies of their village's ninja and the burns on the trees. "This isn't Pakura's handiwork; someone has meddled in our affairs and seems to have taken her."

"A third party got involved? But apart from Pakura's dried blood, we haven't found any other traces," the ninja replied, sounding doubtful.

"That's why I called you an idiot!" Ameyuri shot him a disdainful look. "Pakura's Scorch Style turns her enemies into mummies by using high temperatures to drain the fluids from their bodies. If she had done this, it wouldn't have ended like this, and the damage would have had a clear epicenter. It's more likely that the interloper was a Fire or Lightning user, but the power required to leave them in this state isn't small. At the very least, it's a jonin," she explained, a noticeable glint of interest in her eyes.

The insulted ninja didn't protest but sweated under his mask. Every time this uncontrollable member of the Mist Swordsman smiled like this, it meant she had found a new "prey" to pursue. So far, the village hadn't said anything about it because it also served their purposes, as she had been eliminating ninja from other villages with potential to grow.

"Did I hear that members of the Yuki clan were discovered nearby?" Ameyuri asked abruptly.

"Yes, but the civilians who went there never returned, and it's speculated they are dead."

The kunoichi fell silent as she contemplated.

"Send someone to ask if they've seen anything unusual in the last three days," she ordered. "No matter how small the information is, it might give us a lead to follow."

"Yes!"

"I hope I'm not disappointed this time..." Ameyuri muttered as she kicked one of the charred bodies.

...Back on the Island in the Sky...

My explanation seems to have refreshed Pakura's memory before she passed out. She looks at the bandages on her body and the bag connected to her arm for a moment before accepting that she survived the ambush. And all thanks to me, who happened to be passing by.

"I appreciate you for saving me," I see her sit up with some effort. "Where exactly am I?" She doesn't recognize the architectural style, which is normal.

"You are in Seimeigakure."

Pakura falls silent for a moment as she blinks thoughtfully, probably trying to find information in her head to figure out her location. But she won't find anything.

"I'm sorry, I've never heard of your village," she says with a tinge of embarrassment.

"That's normal; I founded it about... three minutes ago," I had to check the clock on the wall to be precise. I'll note the date later so we can celebrate the anniversary of the village's founding. How can we forget to throw a party for that?

Pakura suddenly has an epiphany. No wonder she didn't know about the village; it was founded while she was unconscious. The Hidden Village of Life... the name was really mysterious. And the shirtless man in front of her was even more so.

"Do you intend to return to Sunagakure? Rasa seems to have made it clear that he wants to kill you even if it means sending you to your enemies."

"Why, are you planning to invite me to your newly established village?" Pakura puts on a pained and sad expression as she asks with irony. She gave everything for Sunagakure and even performed tasks she loathed when ordered by her superiors because she was loyal to the village. She never expected that after everything she had done, Rasa would have the determination to actually kill her. She always thought the most that coward would dare to do was to put obstacles in her ninja career. Was she too naive? Her heart hurt a lot right now...

"I suppose that founding the village makes me a Kage, so yes, if you're willing, I'd love to have a kunoichi like you in Seimeigakure," from my perspective, Pakura's encounter was like an opportunity sent from heaven. I still intend to make her Haku's mentor if possible, creating an emotional bond that ties her to this place. Her character is quite good compared to most ninja in the world, and it aligns with my style. Plus, she's beautiful, and that always adds positive points.

"Are you serious?" Pakura raises her head in astonishment, realizing that I wasn't joking.

—Do you think I'd joke in this situation?" I raised an eyebrow as I crouched down next to the cloud bed so she wouldn't have to strain her neck too much; she's still injured. "You've paid a 'life' to the village by becoming a sacrifice unknowingly. From my perspective, this should clear your conscience to choose whether to risk returning to those who wanted to kill you or to turn the page and start anew somewhere else."

Pakura remains silent, but she's completely focused on me.

"Now, let me remind you that even if you return, given what happened, you might still be branded a traitor since your 'duty' was to die to secure peace with Kirigakure," I pointed out. "If you're going to end up like this, why not take the initiative?"

I can see that she's becoming uneasy, her gaze filled with indecision and confusion.

"Hey, I'm not asking for an answer right now. Recover for a couple of days, and then I'll come to hear your response. If you accept, I'll welcome you with open arms. If you refuse, once you're recovered, I'll escort you out of the village, and you can go wherever you want," I raised a finger to emphasize the importance of what I was saying. "But I'll ask you to stay in this room while you reflect and recover, or I'll have to take measures to keep the village safe. I like you, so I really prefer not to have to resort to that, alright?"

Pakura nods in understanding. It's already good that she was saved and treated. If the village has just been founded, sensitive information like its location is crucial. It would be really strange to tell her she can move around freely without surveillance.

"Alright," I whistle again, and after a moment, Haku returns with the cloud foxes, his mouth smeared with tomato seeds. Well, the farmland is there for eating, after all.

"One of you will stay to keep this lovely lady company," I tell the cloud foxes, who respond by moving their paws in a comical military salute before looking at Haku. "I'll be a bit busy for the next two days while I check out our new home. The patient has strict instructions to rest and can't leave this place, so she'll need someone to take care of her and prepare her meals. I wonder where I could find someone..." I raise my gaze to the ceiling while I stroke my chin thoughtfully.

"I, I choose me!" Haku raises his hand, jumping and offering himself eagerly.

"Are you sure you can take care of her? It's a very important mission," I look at him with uncertainty.

"I can!" Haku puts his hands on his hips and assures with confidence. He has taken care of his mother many times in the past and knows what to do.

"Alright, you're hired."

"Then I'll have to ask you to take care of me, young lady," Pakura tries to contain her laughter, watching our behavior, and decides to play along.

"I'm a boy!" Haku crosses his arms and pouts in annoyance.

Pakura freezes, her mouth wide open, searching for the truth in her eyes.

Do I tell her? No, I'll choose the third option and vanish in front of them.

After Enel left, Haku approaches the cloud stool next to Pakura's bed and asks her a question.

"Do you like apples?"