032 Reborn as the Third Kazekage

The enormous figure, was bent over, coughing up mouthfuls of blood. Several of his lackeys hurriedly rushed to his side, patting his chest and back in a panic.

"There... must be a traitor... someone... betrayed us," he growled between gasps, his eyes blazing with hatred. "When I find them... I'll tear them to shreds!"

This ambush had been a disaster. After being humiliated in the Land of Rivers, he'd been nursing a seething grudge. As a member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, ambushing a mere Kazekage escort squad should've been a simple task. But who could've predicted that a tiny village would turn into such a nightmare? That green-clad man with the scruffy beard—how could he unleash such terrifying air blasts with just taijutsu?

The proud Seven Swordsmen had been reduced to three survivors. They were once the pride of the Second Mizukage, an elite force said to be capable of obliterating a small country. This humiliation would not stand. When the elders proposed raiding Sunagakure to spark a war between the Sand and Mist, Fuguki had volunteered despite still recovering from his injuries. He vowed to strike hard, leaving the Sand caught off guard and their streets filled with bodies.

Though initially hesitant, the elders approved. After all, the goal wasn't maximum carnage but creating chaos. Given his relentless determination, Fuguki seemed well-suited for the job.

Now, leading over a thousand rogue and wandering ninja toward Sunagakure, Fuguki noticed a flicker of firelight ahead in a mountain pass. As they approached, the source became clear: a young girl with her hair tied in twin buns stood in the center of the path. Three flaming orbs hovered above her head, casting an eerie glow that made her delicate, loli-like features appear both stunning and unsettling.

"It's you!" Fuguki's expression twisted with recognition. She was the kunoichi who had blocked their retreat in the Land of Rivers. Her fireballs had killed both Kurosame and Kori during their retreat.

Without a word, Pakura drew the sword from her back and carved a line into the dirt in front of her.

"Cross this line, and you die," she declared in a deceptively sweet yet threatening voice that echoed eerily in the valley.

A rogue ninja, enraged by her arrogance, charged forward with a kunai in hand. The moment his foot crossed the line, Pakura's eyes flashed with killing intent. One of her fireballs shot toward him.

The ninja dodged with a graceful flip, throwing his kunai at the fireball. But when the weapon hit, it melted instantly, the flames engulfing the kunai like butter in a furnace. The fireball continued its relentless pursuit, ignoring the ninja's desperate attempts to evade it. Finally, he stumbled, and the fireball struck his chest.

A sickening sizzle echoed through the valley, like meat being seared on a hot iron plate. The ninja screamed in agony as the flames burned through his chest, leaving a gaping, basketball-sized hole.

The remaining ninjas exchanged uneasy glances and began retreating, wary of provoking the terrifying girl. Fuguki clenched his fists, knowing full well that his group consisted mainly of thugs and wandering ninjas with mediocre combat skills. They were meant to create chaos, not engage in a full-scale battle. Losing them all wouldn't matter to the Mist elders—but retreating here would ruin his reputation entirely.

"She's just one girl! Watch me take her head as a trophy!" Fuguki roared, unsheathing his massive blade, Samehada, and charging forward.

Before he could reach Pakura, a green blur descended from above. With a series of powerful kicks, it forced Fuguki to block with Samehada.

"It's you again! The Bushy Brows guy!" Fuguki snarled, his voice trembling with anger and fear.

"Indeed! I am Might Duy of Konoha! Hmm, you look familiar. Have we met before?" Duy asked, striking a pose.

Fuguki's blood boiled as he loosened the bandages on Samehada. He was about to attack when torches lit up on both sides of the valley, illuminating the area.

Pakura smiled and waved at Akasuna couple, who stood atop the ridge. They returned her gesture with a thumbs-up.

"Your escape route is blocked! Surrender now, or face annihilation!" Pakura's deceptively cute voice rang out once again.

"Retreat! Break through and clear a path!" Fuguki barked, realizing the hopelessness of the situation.

But it was too late.

"Sand Burial!"

"Puppet Dance of Death!"

The Sunagakure ninjas unleashed their jutsu, turning the valley into a scene of chaos. Screams filled the air as the Mist ninjas were slaughtered.

By the end of the battle, Sunagakure achieved a flawless victory, suffering zero casualties while annihilating the enemy forces. Only Fuguki Suikazan managed to escape, carried off by two of his subordinates.

Following the victory, the Third Kazekage, Arashi, named the valley "Triumph Gorge" in celebration. Pakura, the "Iron-Blooded," became a legend, her name whispered throughout the ninja world.

..

Arashi sat in his study, examining a small, intricately carved jade ferret pendant. He rubbed his temples, still feeling the effects of his hangover, and sighed.

"I can't believe I ended up swearing loyalty to a 3,000-year-old spirit ferret. If word gets out, I'll be the laughingstock of the entire ninja world."

The pendant, carved from a rare gemstone, was said to be impossibly rare. What made it truly priceless was the protective array inscribed inside by the spirit ferret himself, granting its wearer immunity to most genjutsu.

"Quit complaining. You should be honored," scoffed a large ferret with golden fur and an eyepatch. The creature radiated an air of authority.

"No complaints here! I'm deeply honored!" Arashi quickly placated the ferret.

"By the way, what's the plan, Kazekage-sama?"

"Notify Maki in the Lake Tsuki District to arrange for a monthly delivery of thirty live chickens to my villa—at least one must be a crowing rooster. Put it on my personal tab."