"Contact's set. Come on, let's hit the town up ahead for some fun first." Kokugetsu took Pakura by the hand and started walking.
At the moment they were on the coast of the Land of Waves, a small town faintly visible ahead.
"Huh? Not using space–time ninjutsu to get there?" Pakura struggled a bit as she spoke.
"We're meeting in Tanzaku Town in the Land of Fire in a month. No rush."
Kokugetsu didn't let go once he'd grabbed on—the touch was soft, smooth, a little cool; pleasing in the hand.
Extraordinary worlds are different; men and women alike rarely have calluses on their palms.
Seeing she couldn't pull free, Pakura gave up, though she couldn't help grumbling.
"You're a Konoha ANBU mainstay—this free?"
"I've got clones handling the missions. The original me does whatever he wants."
"Using clones to run missions? You're awfully nonchalant—and that attitude's anything but proper." Pakura couldn't make sense of it.
"My clones are special—about thirty percent of my strength. Most missions are fine."
"Only the results matter. 'Proper attitude' is useless if the job doesn't get done."
Pakura was left speechless. That did make some sense.
The Land of Waves wasn't a shinobi nation and was small—small among small countries—but there were still diversions.
After they'd played everywhere of interest, Kokugetsu brought Pakura into the Land of Fire, wandering west to east and enjoying themselves along the way.
As they spent more time together, Pakura's impression of Kokugetsu changed greatly; they grew closer.
Hand-holding and embraces no longer met resistance; kisses and fondling still did.
Though lecherous, Kokugetsu wasn't impatient; he never forced it.
A little tug-of-war had its charm. A fast full-swing home run was like fast food—quickly boring.
Beyond eating, drinking, and fun—teasing and drawing closer—their routine training never stopped.
Between his own practice, Kokugetsu also guided Pakura.
Wind Release, Fire Release, Scorch Release, genjutsu, deep chakra control training, and blending Scorch Release with taijutsu.
Truth be told, Scorch Release paired with taijutsu is potent—like splitting a Great Fireball into many smaller ones to orbit the body.
If Pakura could sheath herself in those small fireballs and control them freely, few in the shinobi world could match her in taijutsu.
Further still, modeling after the Lightning Release Chakra Mode or Lao Gō (Four-Tails Jinchūriki)–style Lava Release Chakra Mode would be even fiercer.
Her speed and true defense might not match Lightning Release Chakra Mode, but her offense would be stronger, and her alternative defense terrifying—ordinary ninja would shrivel to mummies on contact.
For mid-to-long range, Kokugetsu offered advice as well.
Most ninjutsu boil down to nature transformation and shape transformation.
Scorch Release's nature means higher heat; its shapes can vary far more.
Fireball shapes are stable and easier to control, but their speed is limited.
Short of large, chakra-hungry wide-area moves, actually hitting people isn't easy.
For mid-to-long range attacks, Kokugetsu favored arrow-like forms.
First, they save chakra; second, they're more likely to land and can create favorable terrain.
Third, though harder to control, that's only before launch—after launch, you can leave them be, which costs less focus than fireballs.
Sincere advice was a key reason Pakura's resistance faded.
A month passed; apart from one final "forbidden" step, she no longer resisted being close.
Land of Fire, Tanzaku Town, Good Fortune Hot Spring Inn.
Kokugetsu rose from gentler climes; the movement made Pakura hum softly as she slowly opened her eyes.
"Awake? Time for breakfast."
Kokugetsu, rising from the tender bower, dressed quickly; in moments he looked proper, upright, and spirited.
"I'm showering first—washing off your marks." Pakura huffed.
Last night, they'd made great progress—just one step short.
"Tsk. Who was it last night who…" Kokugetsu snickered.
"Stop it—don't say it…"
Pakura's face flushed bright; she snatched a soft pillow and flung it.
Kokugetsu batted it aside and, unhurried, left the bedroom to soak in the suite's little hot spring.
Women say "a quick rinse," but time… ten minutes won't do it.
Sure enough, twelve minutes later Pakura emerged dressed—not in shinobi garb but an orange casual outfit.
With her figure and proportions, it was a different flavor than shinobi wear—like a stylish city lady.
Kokugetsu slipped an arm around the stylish lady's waist, and they went out to breakfast together.
After eating, Kokugetsu reached out to sense whether Kakuzu had arrived.
If he didn't show today, there'd be hell to pay!
Fortunately, Kakuzu knew the score. He came today; counting a 31-day month, he wasn't late.
Kokugetsu sent word, and the three met by a riverside outside town.
The weather was clear, sunlight mild, a gentle breeze; willows swayed green by the river, grass shone emerald, the surface glittered as fish leapt—truly a lovely scene.
Kakuzu, however, had no interest. Hearing footsteps behind him, he turned, pupils narrowing slightly.
This guy—what's he doing bringing a woman?
"Kakuzu, long time no see. Making bank, I hope?" Kokugetsu greeted with a grin.
"I would be, if you didn't disrupt me." Kakuzu shot back stiffly.
Still smiling, Kokugetsu gestured. "This is Pakura. Heard of her?"
"Looks familiar… Right—saw her on bounty sheets at exchange houses. Decent price."
"I recall Suna announced her death not long ago."
As a star—indeed a standard-bearer—among bounty ninja, Kakuzu had his own sources.
Not on par with the Five Great Hidden Villages, but public news wasn't hard to get.
"Rumors, rumors!"
"Suna's top brass sold her out. In fury she defected and killed a few on the way."
Hearing that Pakura's story echoed his own, Kakuzu's eyes softened a touch.
"You called me here for her?"
"Yeah. She'll be your partner from now on. Show her the ropes—teach her."
"Don't rush to refuse. I'm not asking for free—here's fifty million ryō."
Kakuzu couldn't resist money; he snapped his mouth shut and nimbly took the cash chest Kokugetsu handed over.
"How do you have that much?" Pakura stared, shocked, eyes reluctant.
How many missions would this take to earn?
Likely his savings too?
Thinking that, Pakura felt a little moved.
"Men's business. Don't meddle," Kokugetsu said, brows knitting, all dominance.
Pakura pouted and held her tongue, but silently resolved to earn that money back.
"With her strength she won't drag me down. I'm willing to take her along."
"Hm? So I paid for nothing?" Kokugetsu's eyes widened; the black eye surfaced as he glared at Kakuzu.
That eye…
Under that stare, Kakuzu felt the pressure spike. "I'll do my best to keep her safe—and to teach her. Satisfied?"
Kokugetsu's cold face vanished; the smile returned.
"That's more like it."
This bastard—face like a dog's, changing in a snap!
"And don't just chase money—keep training."
"If you can fuse all five chakra natures into an attack—even just on the surface—you might pique my interest."
Kakuzu's mouth twitched; he sighed, speechless. "Got it. Let's go."
Pakura took two steps, then looked back, kissed Kokugetsu on the cheek, and dashed off.
Watching her back, Kokugetsu smiled faintly. The time hadn't been wasted.
Konoha, early February of Year 53—the war between Konoha and Iwagakure broke out.
In the midst of his fun, Kokugetsu received orders to head to the Grass Country front as deputy commander and ANBU unit captain…
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