Chapter 17 Pakura

The next day, as Hiro returned to his daily routine, he ventured into the forest to gather firewood. 

The year of suffering under relentless genjutsu had taken its toll on him, leaving his emotions dulled.

While collecting wood, he suddenly heard the sounds of a fierce battle nearby. 

He hesitated, unsure whether to investigate or not. But then, considering the potential threat to the village they were staying in, he decided to check it out.

It didn't take Hiro long to reach the source of the disturbance. 

Activating Shinigami's Veil, he seamlessly blended into his surroundings, though his Jōnin-level skills already made him nearly invisible in the shadows. 

Upon arrival, he witnessed a disturbing scene: ninjas wearing Sand Village forehead protectors were locked in a brutal fight with a lone woman, who also bore the Sand Village symbol on her headband.

As Hiro observed, the situation became clear: Pakura, the woman at the center of the battle, had been marked as a traitor by her own village. 

Her years of service were being repaid with betrayal and an ambush designed to eliminate her. The Jōnin's cold words confirmed her fate—unless someone intervened.

Pakura was on the brink of death, her energy spent as she lay exhausted on the ground. 

One of the Jōnin stood over her, sword raised, ready to deliver the final blow. Hiro knew he had to act fast.

Seeing an opportunity, Hiro recognized that saving Pakura could turn her into a valuable ally—a strong Jōnin under his command. 

With decisive precision, he threw a kunai, forcing the Jōnin to stumble back and halt the execution. 

The weapon embedded itself in the ground at the Jōnin's feet, delivering a clear message: the fight was no longer one-sided.

"Who's there?!"

The Jōnin's shout echoed through the clearing as Hiro stepped out from the shadows, his Sharingan spinning into life.

"What… Sharingan?!"

"Uchiha?" one of the Jōnin muttered, uncertainty lacing his voice. 

The knowledge of the Uchiha massacre made the presence of the Sharingan even more daunting, and the Jōnin braced themselves, realizing they were now facing one of the few survivors.

As Hiro's face came into view, the Jōnin collectively let out a breath of relief.

His features were unmistakably different from Itachi's, and for a brief moment, hope flickered among them—perhaps this wasn't the feared Itachi Uchiha. The slight relaxation in their stance was evident as they registered the difference.

But their relief was short-lived. Hiro's Sharingan began to spin, the three tomoe shifting into an ominous new shape. 

Panic surged through the Jōnin as they realized that, despite his different appearance, the power radiating from Hiro was unmistakably intense. 

The Mangekyō Sharingan, with its legendary and devastating techniques, was now in play. The sight of it in action was enough to unsettle even the most seasoned warriors.

The Jōnin's faces turned pale as the implications sank in. The very fact that Hiro possessed the Mangekyō Sharingan, regardless of who he was, filled them with dread.

"Look at those eyes!" one Jōnin exclaimed, his voice cracking. "That's the Mangekyō Sharingan!"

Even Pakura, exhausted and lying on the ground, turned her head at the mention of the Mangekyō Sharingan.

The Jōnin's confusion quickly morphed into sheer terror as Hiro focused his abilities. "We need to get out of here!" one of them shouted in desperation. 

They attempted to retreat, but their movements were clumsy and frantic, their minds paralyzed by fear.

Hiro's eyes, glowing with a cold, deadly light, locked onto them. With a steady hand, he activated Gensei no Shi—Illusion of Death. 

The forest around the Jōnin seemed to warp, twisting into a nightmarish landscape. In an instant, they were ensnared in an illusion so vivid, it felt terrifyingly real.

"No! No! This can't be happening!" one Jōnin cried out, his voice rising into a panicked shriek. He clutched his head, trying desperately to block out the horrific visions. "We're dying! We're all going to die!"

The illusion was relentless. The Jōnin experienced every agonizing moment of their imagined deaths, the pain, fear, and hopelessness overwhelming them as if it were real. 

Their screams grew more frenzied as their bodies collapsed to the ground, their minds shattered by the unyielding psychological assault.

Hiro stood among the fallen, his Mangekyō Sharingan still glowing, casting a cold, unfeeling light over the devastation. The confrontation had been swift and devastating, a clear demonstration of the terrifying power he now wielded. 

The Jōnin's attempts to flee and defend themselves had been utterly futile against the overwhelming might of Hiro's Sharingan.

Soon, all the Jōnin collapsed, their eyes vacant and hollow.

"Nice ability," Hiro muttered, marveling at his own power. He couldn't imagine how much stronger he had become in just two years.

He turned to Pakura. "Are you alright?"

Pakura glanced at Hiro, then at her own battered form. Her clothes were torn, and her face was smeared with dirt and blood. The fight had taken a toll on her, and the injuries were more than just physical.

"Do I look alright to you?" she replied, her voice laced with sarcasm and pain. Though her words were sharp, exhaustion was evident in her eyes.

"I didn't mean to imply otherwise," Hiro said, trying to reassure her. "I just wanted to make sure you're not in worse condition than you already are."

Pakura's gaze showed a hint of gratitude, though she was clearly wary. "I don't know whether to thank you or curse you."

"It wasn't my intention to add to your suffering," Hiro said earnestly. "The situation was complicated, and I understand the weight of what you've been through."

Pakura struggled to stand, her injuries making the effort difficult. "I appreciate that. But I need to keep moving. I can't stay here and risk being found by others from the village. They might come looking for me."

Hiro moved closer to assist her, offering a supportive hand. "Let me help you. How about you stay at my place for a few days? You can go wherever you need once you've recovered."

Pakura hesitated, her pride clashing with her need for help. After a moment, she accepted his assistance, her trust in Hiro slowly building despite the chaotic circumstances.

 "Alright. Lead the way. I'm in no condition to argue."

As they moved away from the scene, the forest seemed to close in around them, the tension of the recent confrontation lingering in the air. 

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There are some minor changes to the plot, so don't be too surprised if things are a bit different here and there.