The Crucial Save: Hikari and Pakura's Encounter

Hikari took a moment to assess Pakura's condition, noting the severe toll the poison had taken on her.

Externally, her appearance was disheveled from the intense combat; beads of sweat mingled with dirt on her face, highlighting her physical strain.

Her usually vibrant green hair, tied neatly in a bun atop her head and accented with a hair needle, was now slightly unraveled, with strands escaping to frame her face.

The orange tips of her hair, which usually added a fiery contrast, now seemed dim under the battlefield's harsh light.

Despite the evident fatigue and the pallor setting into her skin as the poison sapped her strength, there was still a striking resilience in her hazel eyes.

They burned with determination and a flicker of hope at his sudden arrival. Her combat attire, a sleeveless, backless top paired with short, tight pants, was practical yet revealed the scars and wear of battle, each mark telling a story of survival and defiance.

Hikari couldn't help but notice that even in this dire, chaotic moment, Pakura's grace and attractiveness were undeniable, perhaps even more so in this state.

The way she held herself, the unwavering strength in her gaze, and even her battle-worn appearance only added to her captivating presence on the battlefield.

This acknowledgment was brief, as his focus was immediately required to address her critical condition and counter the ongoing threat.

However, his recognition of her resilience and striking appearance despite the circumstances left a deep impression on him as he prepared to intervene further.

With a swift activation of his Byakugan, Hikari quickly then gauged the internal state of Pakura's body up close.

His eyes, capable of seeing the intricate details of the chakra pathway system, revealed the extent of the damage inflicted by the poison already.

He observed casually for a few moments, his expression serious, before addressing her condition directly.

"You're in much worse shape than I anticipated and than it is to be expected from your outward appearance...",

Hikari began his tone even but filled with a slightly respectful acknowledgment of her resilience.

"It's very miraculous that you've managed to withstand this pain without succumbing to unconsciousness many times over by now. Your willpower is truly commendable.",

"Your entire chakra pathway system is very jeopardized already, and it appears there's also been a latent bloodline awakening, likely triggered by the extreme stimulation of this situation here. This has introduced more power into an already compromised system.",

"Saving you will be quite challenging... not to mention that I'm not quite a medical ninja myself, and you have at most a few minutes left to live by this point..." he admitted, his expression calm.

"I can't make any promises, but I'm willing to try if you'll accept my help. First, however, let me deal with this clown and think of your answer until then.",

"You should be able to guess my intentions probably, so I don't think I need to say anymore...",

He added, shifting his gaze towards Sasori, ready to take action against the puppet master who had caused so much chaos.

Sasori reacted to Hikari's intervention immediately and was filled with venomous anger.

His plans to claim Pakura as his ultimate puppet—a masterpiece that would crown his collection—had been abruptly disrupted, and the realization sparked a fierce outburst.

"Interfering bastard!", Sasori snapped, his voice laced with frustration and malice, "Do you realize what you've done?",

"Pakura was to be the pinnacle of my collection, the most powerful human puppet I would have ever created, and the one I've desired most in my career as an artist so far!",

His eyes narrowed as he recognized the newcomer, and his tone shifted from anger to begrudging respect as he came closer, mixed with annoyance, "So, you are Hikari Hyuga, the recently famous prodigy. I've heard of your exploits...",

Sasori continued, his gaze menacing, "But you're foolish if you think you can simply step in and undo my work. I've invested too much in this and won't let you or anyone else stand in the way of my art." ,

This disruption thwarted his immediate plans and challenged his identity and life's work as a master puppeteer.

"Don't think that I'm afraid of you just because you killed that ancient fossil of the Third Mizukage no one heard from in decades. Step back right now!", Sasori's voice was tinged with defiance as he readied himself for another attack.

His posture stiffened, and his fingers twitched near the chakra threads that controlled his puppet arsenal, signaling his readiness to escalate the confrontation.

The puppet master's eyes burned with a cold intensity, his gaze fixed on Hikari. Each word was punctuated by the subtle movements of his puppets, which shifted menacingly in the background, preparing to spring into action at his command.

Hikari's response to Sasori's outburst was cool and dismissive, a stark contrast to the puppet master's heated words,

"You overestimate your importance," Hikari retorted calmly, his expression betraying none of the tension of the moment. His clear and focused eyes conveyed a quiet confidence.

With that, Hikari took a deep breath, grounding himself with the precision of a seasoned fighter. He adopted the Gentle Fist stance from a surprisingly long distance in a move that was atypical for the Hyuga style. 

As he settled into his stance, more fluid than usual, the air around him seemed to thrum with potential energy, a quiet warning of the controlled power he was about to unleash.

His demeanor reflected someone who calculated every move and was ready to dismantle Sasori's threats with minimal effort.

Meanwhile, Pakura also watched Hikari assume his stance and this entire development, with curiosity mixed with a critical evaluation of his capabilities.

Known as the "Byakugan Sage" and often touted as the strongest in the history of the Hyuga clan, Hikari's reputation had reached even the ears of his enemies around the globe by this point.

They even had quite a similar level of reputation globally at this point. So, Pakura found herself wondering if he truly lived up to these formidable titles and to what extent, especially now as he prepared to confront Sasori.

Additionally, accepting Hikari's earlier offer to try and save her somehow from this poison came easily to Pakura.

In the face of death, her desire to survive had intensified more than ever before, driving her to grasp any lifeline thrown her way, even if it came from a prominent figure of their current main adversary, Konoha.

She understood that Hikari's intervention likely wasn't without self-interest—perhaps tied to strategic goals regarding Sunagakure itself.

But Pakura was no fool; she recognized the layers of shinobi politics and was prepared to navigate them for her survival.

Her recent betrayal had profoundly shifted her perspective on loyalty and ethics. The willingness to negotiate later with Hikari, a key figure from a rival village, significantly changed her worldview.

This openness directly resulted from the deceit she had experienced, which had turned her moral code and allegiances upside down.

Yet, Pakura maintained a clear boundary. She was ready to discuss terms for her cooperation, but she resolved not to act against the broader interests of Sunagakure's people.

However, the current village leadership was a different matter. Having orchestrated an attempt on her life, they were no longer within her circle of loyalty.

If Hikari proposed actions that might undermine those leaders, Pakura was more than willing to consider them.

As Pakura watched Hikari finalizing his move, her mind suddenly raced with more questions about his sudden arrival,

'How did he even appear here so suddenly? Could it mean he brought reinforcements from his previous front to aid their called Uchiha clan in repelling our invasion?', She pondered, trying to piece together the strategic implications of his presence.

Hikari had recently been instrumental in defeating Kirigakure, which raised further questions for Pakura,

'How did he manage to stabilize the situation there so quickly that he could leave without concern?', She wondered.

Securing a defeated front typically required time to build trust, formalize agreements, and establish logistical frameworks. The swift transition suggested something more than a simple military victory.

Pakura's thoughts drifted to the rumors of a new, young female Mizukage in Kirigakure. This piece of information seemed to connect some dots,

'Is it possible that Hikari reached a deeper, perhaps personal agreement with the new leadership in Kirigakure? And now, is he attempting a similar operation here with me and Sunagakure?' She speculated, wondering how she would respond if that were the case.

However, she then remembered that it was questionable whether he would be able to save her next.

She understood her current body's hopeless situations more than anyone else. She didn't need to hear his previous grim words to understand that.

But, as these thoughts coalesced, Pakura's understanding of the situation deepened.

She recognized that Hikari's presence might signify a significant shift in the immediate battle and the larger geopolitical landscape involving Sunagakure and potentially other hidden villages.

This realization sharpened her focus on the negotiations to come, aware that the stakes might be higher than she initially anticipated.

It all hinted at a broader, more complex plan involving military might and political manipulation.

Initially, she considered that these tactics might align with a broader Konoha strategy aimed at discreetly controlling other villages. However, a sudden realization struck her, shifting her perspective dramatically.

'No...', She thought abruptly, her instincts reacting to the recent memory of Hikari's cold, calculating gaze.

This wasn't just a Konoha-wide strategy; this was probably Hikari's personal scheme, crafted for his own gain.

The realization that his plans could be independent of, or even contrary to, official Konoha policies made him all the more enigmatic and daunting in her mind despite his younger age.