After receiving yet another message from Ebizo, Akihiko fell silent, a deep sigh escaping him. He shook his head, muttering to himself, "What a mess..."
He knew better than to get involved any further. This was the consequence of Hanzo's constant need to show off. And now, here they were, caught in yet another fight. Sometimes, it was best to let them go at it.
The only one really suffering in this whole ordeal was Ebizo, out there trying to mediate in the pouring rain. If Akihiko were there, though, he'd probably just grab a small chair and enjoy the spectacle.
"Hehehe~" A chuckle slipped from Akihiko's lips as he imagined the chaos unfolding. The whole situation was surprisingly entertaining.
"If Hanzo sees that smile of yours, he might stop fighting and come after you instead," Pakura said with a roll of her eyes, clearly irritated by the whole situation. "They really are..."
She paused, her expression shifting to something more thoughtful. She knew full well how Hanzo had managed to secure his funds, and she had advised both Chiyo and Ebizo not to involve themselves any further.
Ebizo was more understanding of the situation, but Chiyo? Well, whenever Hanzo was involved, her temper flared up immediately. It seemed like no matter how much time passed, the two of them could never get along.
Is this what it means to be arch-enemies? Pakura couldn't help but sigh. The entire thing was difficult to understand.
Of course, she hadn't told Chiyo or Ebizo exactly how Hanzo had obtained his funds—not because she was worried about embarrassing Hanzo or straining the relationship between the villages, but because she feared... there might be two more people on the ground, mimicking Hanzo's unorthodox tactics if the truth ever got out.
Pakura looked at Akihiko and remarked, "You're something else, not stopping this chaos. Advisor Chiyo even decided to take a train over to complain to you in person!"
Akihiko sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I did try to stop it. But at this point, it's not just about the funds anymore..."
Noticing the confusion on Pakura's face, Akihiko didn't elaborate further, his gaze curious as he observed her.
Pakura still looked the same as ever. Her hair was neatly pulled into a bun with long orange locks framing her face, and she wore a backless black dress that accentuated her bust, paired with a white waist cincher that made her appear even more composed and capable. Her smooth, delicate back remained just as striking as it always had been.
Akihiko furrowed his brow slightly, his gaze lingering on her as she stood before him with no clear reason for her visit. "Is something wrong?" he asked.
"Graduation is just around the corner!" Pakura said, turning back to Akihiko, who looked at her in confusion.
"Do you even keep track of time?" Pakura facepalmed, her irritation clear as she saw the puzzled expression on his face. "This year's students are about to graduate!"
"Oh, that! Right, right," Akihiko chuckled awkwardly, finally remembering.
"The top student this year..." Pakura said, her tone a little exasperated. "We have so many outstanding students this year; each one could have claimed the top spot in any previous class."
She sighed in admiration. "Truly, this is the golden generation of Grass Village."
"Whether it's Gaara, Jūgo, Sasuke, or Naruto... Although Naruto's grades are a bit lower, he has this inexplicable power that always leads to surprises," she continued, pausing to look back at him before adding, "They're all more than deserving, which is why the academy asked me to check with you on who should be chosen."
"The top student, huh?" Akihiko's face softened with a hint of nostalgia. "Time really flies... they've all grown up so fast."
"Yes, yes... this child has grown up, and now your next one is on the way," Pakura interrupted, her irritation evident.
To be honest, she had initially thought it was just a rumor, but now it seemed... perhaps Akihiko had some ulterior motives all along. After all, why else would Mikoto, who had been doing so well as a secretary, suddenly become pregnant?
"Naruto is complaining, by the way... He's wondering how Sasuke is about to have a sister, and he doesn't have one!" Pakura couldn't help but tease, looking at Akihiko with a mix of disbelief and mockery.
"Hahaha, an accident! It was just an accident!" Akihiko replied, his face flushed with embarrassment.
Pakura rolled her eyes at Akihiko's response. "Whatever, it's none of my business. But you still haven't said who the next top student will be."
"Don't you already have an idea?" Akihiko crossed his arms and smiled at the yawning, lazy Pakura. "Just follow the rules and pick the best one!"
"I knew you'd choose that route," Pakura sighed, shaking her head. "The best, yes... but they still have potential. No one can be certain about the future."
Before she could continue, Akihiko interrupted her. "But isn't there already a clear standout right now?"
Pakura rolled her eyes at Akihiko's response. "Whatever, it's not my problem. But you still haven't told me who the next top student will be."
"Don't you already have an idea?" Akihiko crossed his arms and gave her a knowing smile as he watched Pakura lazily yawn. "Just stick to the rules and pick the best one."
"I knew you'd say that," Pakura sighed, shaking her head. "The best... but they still have room to grow. No one can be certain about the future."
Before she could finish, Akihiko interrupted, "But isn't there already a clear standout right now?"
"That's true." Pakura's face brightened with pride as she heard Akihiko's words. She stretched lazily, catching his gaze. Rolling her eyes, she waved him off nonchalantly. "Hey, stop staring! I don't have any kids!"
Akihiko was left speechless. Hey, that's just slander. He doesn't have any such fetish.
But Before Akihiko could defend himself, Pakura propped her right hand under her chin, leaning casually on the table. She asked lazily, "By the way, what's with all the tall towers being built around lately?"
Akihiko paused for a moment before responding, "Oh, those! Chakra signal towers. Soon, we'll be able to communicate over long distances."
"Long-distance wireless communication? Has it really been successful?" Pakura raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
"Yes, it's working," Akihiko nodded, confirming. "Before long, we'll be able to communicate over vast distances."
In fact, not only was it successful, but with the quiet assistance of some 'geniuses,' long-distance video communication might soon be possible as well.
As Akihiko finished speaking, Pakura's gaze gradually drifted, her eyes unfocused as if lost in thought. Her voice softened as she murmured, "Time really flies by so quickly..."
Memories flooded her mind—memories of betrayal, of being ambushed by the Mist Village. She had been certain she was going to die, but just before losing consciousness, she had heard two voices… discussing a fare?
In the end, exhaustion had taken over, and she passed out, her body giving in to frustration. When she woke up again, she found herself in the Grass Village, her injuries treated, and an invitation to become the head of the academy awaiting her.
Back then, the Grass Village wasn't as grand as it is now. It wasn't as prosperous, nor as powerful. But it had grown steadily, bit by bit. And over time, even the Sand Village joined in, strengthening the ties that once seemed so distant. And then, she adopted the son of the very person she once hated most.
Now... the Land of Grass had become a powerful nation that even the Five Great Nations couldn't afford to underestimate.
"Thinking back, it feels like it was just yesterday that you saved me and tricked me into signing a huge debt," Pakura murmured, reminiscing about the past.
"Hey! How can you call it a trick? That was the medical bill! We're a legitimate hospital!" Akihiko quickly retorted, defensively.
"I always thought I'd find time to beat that Rasa guy to a pulp," Pakura continued, as if speaking to herself. "But who would have thought that the next time I went to the Sand Village, he'd be dead. What a pity..."
Her voice trailed off, softening as she reflected further. "When I first became head of the academy, I was worried, but now the academy has grown so much. Every year, watching the graduates fills me with pride and joy. And Gaara..."
Akihiko, sensing the shift in her tone, realized something was amiss. He squinted, looking more closely at Pakura, and noticed she had fallen asleep. He shook his head, a hint of amusement on his face, but made no move to wake her. Clearly, she had been drained by all the work leading up to the graduation.
Akihiko rubbed his chin thoughtfully, a small smile tugging at his lips as he whispered, "Thank you for all the hard work, Dean Pakura…"
Noticing there was still some time before the workday ended, he leaned back in his chair and allowed himself to drift off to sleep as well.