As he worked, the owner of the shop, Daichi, stepped inside. His expression was unusually serious.
Souta, who had come to know his employer well, immediately sensed something was off.
Daichi walked over and stood beside him behind the counter, clearing his throat. "Souta, I need you to do something for me."
Souta raised an eyebrow but remained composed. "What kind of something?"
Daichi hesitated for a moment before continuing. "There's an important delivery that needs to be made outside the village. A supplier in a nearby town needs a special batch of leaves, and I want you to handle it personally."
Souta didn't react immediately, but his mind was already piecing things together. Daichi rarely sent him outside of Konoha, and the timing was suspicious. Ever since his conflicts with Root began, he knew Danzo would eventually make a move. If his employer was suddenly asking him to leave, it wasn't a coincidence.
Still, Souta didn't let his suspicions show. He forced a small, easygoing smile. "That's a bit out of the ordinary. You sure I'm the best man for the job?"
Daichi's lips pressed into a thin line. "I trust you."
Souta met his gaze, searching for any sign of deception. Daichi wasn't the type to betray him, but he also wasn't the type to question orders from higher-ups. If Danzo had gotten to him, there was nothing he could do about it now.
After a pause, Souta nodded. "Alright. When do I leave?"
"Tomorrow morning."
Souta exhaled slowly. "Got it."
That night, after finishing work, Souta returned home to find Pakura waiting for him. She leaned against the wooden frame of the small home they shared, her arms crossed. The second he stepped inside, she could tell something was wrong.
"What happened?"
Souta sighed and sat down, rubbing his forehead. "I've been assigned a job outside the village."
Pakura frowned. "By who?"
"Daichi," he replied. "But it's not really his decision."
She narrowed her eyes. "Then?"
"...Maybe the same guys who came looking for me and you took care of them. Danzo"
Pakura's frown deepened, but her confusion was evident. "Why is Danzo after you?" she asked, her voice firm. "I know he's not the kind of man to target someone without a reason."
Souta hesitated before answering. "It's complicated."
Pakura scoffed. "Everything with Danzo is complicated."
She crossed her arms, her frustration clear. "I dealt with Konoha's forces in the war, but even then, Danzo was different. Ruthless, secretive. He never cared about honor, only results. And now he's after you?" She took a step closer. "Tell me why."
Souta shook his head. "Knowing too much will only put you in danger."
Pakura's jaw clenched. "Do you think I'm not already in enough danger?" She exhaled sharply, then steadied herself. "Fine. If you won't tell me why he wants you dead, then at least let me come with you."
Souta looked at her, amused. "That's not really part of the plan."
"I don't care," she shot back. "Danzo doesn't play fair, and you know it. If he wants you outside the village, it's because he doesn't want witnesses. I'm not letting you walk into that alone."
"…Fine," he conceded. "Just stay in the shadows."
She stepped closer, her expression serious. "I mean it, Souta. Danzo isn't just some regular threat. You think I don't know how he operates?" Her voice dropped slightly, her tone colder. "I fought against Konoha for years. I saw what their leadership did from the outside. Danzo… he doesn't care about his own people. If he's after you, he's already decided you're better off dead."
Souta leaned back slightly, studying her face. "You really hate him, huh?"
Pakura scoffed, crossing her arms. "Hate? No. I don't waste my emotions on cowards like Danzo. But if he thinks he can come after you and get away with it, then he doesn't know who he's dealing with."
Souta raised an eyebrow. "And who is he dealing with?"
She met his gaze without hesitation. "Pakura of the Scorch Release," she said firmly. "A kunoichi who made entire battlefields uninhabitable. A woman whose name made enemies rethink their orders. I don't care if he has Root crawling through the shadows—I've fought against men like him before, and I know how they think. "
Souta watched her for a moment, his Smile deepening. There was something undeniably striking about her like this—standing tall, unwavering, fire in her eyes. She was fierce, determined… and damn it, kind of cute when she got all protective over him.
Before she could react, he moved. In one swift motion, he stepped forward, gripping her waist and lifting her clean off the ground.
Pakura let out a startled sound—more surprise than protest. "Souta—what the hell?"
He chuckled, holding her effortlessly. "You get all fired up like this, and I can't help myself," he said. "It's kind of adorable."
Her eyes narrowed. "Put me down before I scorch your face off."
Souta grinned, unconcerned. "Relax, 'Pakura of the Scorch Release.' Or should I say…" He paused, eyes gleaming with amusement. "Pakura of Souta?"
Pakura blinked, her brain catching up to the name. Then her expression darkened. "Oh, you did not just—"
Souta laughed and set her down before she could make good on her threat. She straightened, glaring at him, but there was the faintest hint of color on her cheeks.
"You're an idiot," she muttered, crossing her arms again.
"Maybe," Souta admitted. "But I got you to drop that whole intimidating-warrior act for a second."
She exhaled through her nose, shaking her head. "You're lucky I like you."