"What's happening?"
The Hidden Mist ninjas were shocked by this scene. According to their intel, Pakura was supposed to have a Wind-Fire Chakra Attribute and shouldn't be able to use Earth Release.
But at that moment, it was pointless to dwell on that; this unexpected Earth Release had exceeded the Mist ninjas' plans. The leading Jonin loudly ordered, "Use Explosive Tags!"
Water Release wouldn't have much effect against Earth Release; using Explosive Tags was the best option.
Upon hearing the order, more than a dozen Mist ninjas all pulled out Explosive Tag Kunais and hurled them towards the stone wall where Pakura was located.
Rumble!
In an instant, over two hundred Explosive Tags detonated, causing the nearby ravine to shake like an upheaval.
To kill the Hidden Sand's Scorch Release Master, the Mist ninjas spared no expense with the Explosive Tags. Each ninja deployed seven to eighty percent of their supply.
After the explosion, the Mist ninjas waited for the smoke to clear and found nothing but a ruined deep pit below.
"Captain, is Pakura dead?"
"Aomizu, check it out!"
"Yes, Captain."
A Hidden Mist Perception Ninja responded and directly used Perception Ninjutsu. After ten seconds, he opened his eyes and shook his head, saying, "Captain, can't sense Pakura's Chakra."
Another Mist Ninja said, "She must have been blown up, Captain. With so many Explosive Tags, a small stone wall can't withstand it..."
The Mist captain hesitated, but still said, "Search the area, just in case she used Earth Release to escape... Better safe than sorry."
As he spoke of using Earth Release to escape, even the Mist captain himself found it hard to believe, given the massive explosion that shook the ground. Using Earth Release to burrow underground would only result in being crushed by the earth.
After a search, the Mist ninjas found no trace of Pakura nearby, so they relaxed, confirmed the mission as complete, and headed back to the village.
Meanwhile, several kilometers away from the explosion site.
Pakura looked warily at the man before her, even though he had saved her, the unknown identity still made her cautious: "Who are you?"
"Though this is our first meeting, you've surely heard my name before."
Uchiha Yoichi ignored the Kunai in Pakura's hand. Once he got close, except for a few ninjas in the Ninja World, the rest posed no threat.
"I'm Uchiha Yoichi, Konoha's Hokage Assistant."
"Konoha Lightning Fang!?"
Upon hearing the name, Pakura reacted as if confronted by a legendary beast, immediately tensing up and retreating a few steps.
"Why are you here...?"
"Is this how you question your savior, being abandoned by your village and targeted for assassination by the Mist Hidden, the Scorch Release Master?"
Uchiha Yoichi retorted, then continued, "I was going to the Land of Tea for some business and happened upon this drama. My interest led me to rescue you."
Pakura remembered being betrayed by her village, and the thought filled her heart with rage, making her abandon the idea of guarding against Uchiha Yoichi.
After all those contributions to the village, fending off numerous Mist ninja attacks, even earning the title of Hidden Sand Hero and Scorch Release Master, the end result was to be betrayed by the village?
Uchiha Yoichi asked, "What will you do now? Become a traitorous ninja, or go back to the village to die?"
Pakura found herself deeply conflicted as to what to decide upon hearing these words. Returning to confront the village? That's her current thought, but fearing it might be the decision of all high-ranking officials, she worried about receiving an even crueler answer upon returning.
Not return to Hidden Sand Village as a traitorous ninja? She never even considered it!
"If you can't make a choice, then I'll give you one..."
Uchiha Yoichi said to the indecisive Pakura, "I'll give you power, then ally with me; after gaining power, you can go back and question the Sand high-levels who betrayed you, and subsequently form an alliance with Konoha;
The war has ended; mutual development through alliances is the best choice. Compared to Rasa, I trust you more... A ninja betrayed and sent to die by the Hidden Sand needs Konoha's help."
Pakura looked cautiously at Uchiha Yoichi and said, "Are you trying to control me and influence Hidden Sand? This kind of thinking... You!?"
Before she could finish her sentence, she suddenly found herself caught in an Illusion Technique, unable to move.
"This is Adamantine Chains Genjutsu. I don't have the patience to explain much. Once you return to Hidden Sand Village, you'll realize trusting me is the right choice!"
Uchiha Yoichi's Three-Tomoe slowly rotated. After finishing his sentence, he stepped forward, pressed his hand on Pakura's neck, and began channeling Sage Art Chakra into her.
Since Pakura was a Kage-level ninja, he didn't have to be gentle, aggressively channeling Sage Art Chakra into her.
"Ah~!"
Pakura let out a painful scream, her whole body wracked with pain, feeling her Chakra becoming chaotic.
This time, Uchiha Yoichi gave Pakura the same Sage Curse Seal as Nohara Rin, which can subtly influence the user's will through Sage Art Chakra.
But the power is undeniable; given Pakura's Chakra, she could use the Sage Curse Seal for at least half an hour. Additionally, once the Curse Seal is activated, her body will undergo some changes.
After all, Uchiha Yoichi won't give Pakura a long time, a very long time, to slowly adapt to Sage Art Chakra.
After feeding her a Snake Heart Pill, Uchiha Yoichi then quietly waited for Pakura to adapt to the Sage Curse Seal.