Boom!
The massive fireball slammed into the rock wall and exploded, leaving a large crater after the smoke cleared, with debris continuously falling around it.
Gulp!
Seeing this scene, Ren and Ryufeng unconsciously swallowed and simultaneously took a step back.
Sunagakure...
Pakura gritted her teeth, looking towards the direction of the Hidden Sand Village, her pretty face filled with resentment.
She had originally thought this trip was a simple diplomatic mission, never expecting that she had been betrayed by the high-ranking officials of the Village, sacrificed to appease the Hidden Mist's anger and exchange for peace.
Thinking of this, a sense of desolation involuntarily filled her heart.
She had been loyal to the Village, fought valiantly to guard the borders, and was hailed as a hero of Sunagakure.
Now that the war was nearing its end, she, who had expected peace to arrive, was schemed against at this critical juncture, becoming a sacrifice in the political dealings between the high-ranking officials of the two Villages.
Cough cough!
Seeing that it was about time, Ren cleared his throat and spoke.
"Lady Pakura, what are your plans next?"
"Huh?"
Pakura came back to her senses, looking at the two young men who were only slightly shorter than her, a tragic smile appearing on her face.
"Plans? If nothing unexpected happens, in the eyes of those guys, I'm already a dead person, aren't I?"
At this moment, her mind was in turmoil, and she had no idea what to do.
Go back to the Village? How was she supposed to face those so-called Elders? She had no evidence, and even if she did, what could she do?
But even if she didn't go back, where could she go…
Just as Pakura was feeling lost, Ren's voice came again.
"Then, would you like to act with us first, as a way to repay the favor of saving your life?"
"Uh…"
Pakura was stunned for a moment, then looked up and repeated, somewhat confused, "Act?"
"Hmm."
Ren had no intention of hiding anything and went straight to the point.
"Our goal for this trip is the Scroll of Summoning Ninja Blades of the Hidden Mist Village; running into you was just a coincidence.
How about it? Join us to complete this mission, and as for where you go afterward, that's entirely up to you."
"Hmm… alright!"
Pakura didn't hesitate much; after a moment of thought, she agreed.
After all, what the two said was true; without their help, she would have been in grave danger this time. Even if she had managed to escape the valley encirclement by chance, she would have been severely injured.
In that situation, she wouldn't even be able to leave the Land of Water and would die on the road due to her severe injuries. The favor of saving her life was indeed true, so acting with them was fine, considering it as repayment.
"Then let's go."
Seeing that he had successfully persuaded her, Ren also let out a sigh of relief, nodded to the two, and was about to turn and leave.
"Wait!"
Suddenly, Pakura spoke, then stood up under their puzzled gazes and walked towards Ryufeng.
"Hmm?"
Seeing this, Ren immediately stopped rushing to leave, standing to the side and watching the two with interest.
Meanwhile, a thin layer of sweat appeared on Ryufeng's forehead. He looked at Pakura, who was close by, and with his Sharingan active, he stammered, "You, what are you doing?!"
"This guy, is he useless now?"
Looking at Ryufeng's tense face, Pakura felt a bit strange, but she didn't mind. Instead, she extended a finger and pointed at the Kirigakure ninja who was still under hypnosis, asking, "Is he?"
"Uh… he's useless."
Ryufeng was startled for a moment, then followed her gaze and subconsciously replied.
"Hmm."
Pakura nodded, and then a ball of fire reappeared in her hand, directly piercing through the Kirigakure ninja's chest.
"Ah!!"
The Kirigakure ninja, whose chest was pierced, immediately woke up. As soon as he let out a scream, the water in his body began to rapidly drain.
Under their horrified gazes, the Kirigakure ninja's body completely withered and shriveled in just a few breaths, making the two feel a chill.
"Alright, let's go."
Pakura, however, acted as if nothing had happened, turning around and walking out of the valley. The two exchanged glances and could only follow.
After the three left the valley, the mist had cleared considerably, but the sky was still overcast, making the jungle exceptionally dim. The three walked side by side on the tree branches, swiftly moving through the forest.
"You mentioned earlier, what was the target's Scroll of Summoning Ninja Blades?"
Pakura turned her head and asked the two.
"Yes, the Scroll of Summoning Ninja Blades of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist."
"Oh, the Scroll of Summoning Ninja Blades…"
Pakura realized something was wrong just as she was about to finish speaking. Her pupils widened, and she said in astonishment, "The Ninja Swords of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist Village? Konoha Village wants to get their hands on that?"
"First, I need to correct you."
Ren shook his head and said softly, "This operation was organized by ourselves; it has nothing to do with the Village."
Hearing this, Pakura was even more surprised, her face filled with bewilderment.
"Why do you want this? You can't even use those Ninja Swords."
Although the two were quite strong, wanting to take the Scroll of Summoning Ninja Blades, which was almost as important as a Tailed Beast, from the heavily guarded Hidden Mist Village, seemed a bit whimsical to Pakura.
"Can't use them?"
Ren stopped, directly pulled out four storage scrolls from his person, and then opened them one by one. After the white mist dissipated, four Ninja Swords appeared on the ground.
Seeing this, Pakura's eyes widened instantly. She looked at the weapons the two picked up from the ground and said in surprise, "Longsword: Needle Threading, Twin Swords: Hiramekarei."
Then she turned her gaze to Ren's hand and murmured, "Lightning Blade - Kiba, Greatsword: Samehada."
"How about it?"
Ren said, raising the Lightning Blade with one hand. A large amount of Lightning Release chakra continuously flowed on the blade, an aura that made her feel a hint of danger.
"This item is destined for us."
As Ren spoke, he looked at Ryufeng beside him and nodded with a smile, "Don't you agree, Ryufeng?"
"…"
Ryufeng responded with a eye roll and then ignored him, instead beginning to examine the two Ninja Swords in his hands.
Although none of them were suitable for him, he was still interested in learning about these famous Ninja Swords of the Ninja World.
"No wonder…"
Seeing Samehada's hilt rubbing against Ren, looking incredibly intimate, Pakura immediately understood their actions.
Weapons of this caliber were priceless, let alone four of them.
Although she didn't know how they got so many Ninja Swords, if it were her, she wouldn't just watch them suddenly disappear from her hands.
"Relax, it's just a scroll! The three of us combined, it's no problem to go in and out of Hidden Mist Village seven times!"
"…X2"
Seeing the two not speaking, but just looking at him as if he were an idiot, Ren didn't mind; after all, most of what he said was true.
Currently, most of the high-level combat power of Hidden Mist Village, including the Mizukage, was on the front lines. Hidden Mist Village was exceptionally empty right now. Seven times in and out might be difficult, but Ren felt that going back and forth once or twice was no problem.