The Scorching Jade bullet shot out at an exaggerated speed.
Maki froze in shock, forgetting to attack Shukaku. He turned to look at his father, Advisor Matsu.
Both he and his father specialized in Wind Release ninjutsu. Pakura's Scorch Release bullet was faster than their Wind Release techniques.
Advisor Matsu said, "That speed... even among Wind Release techniques known for speed, only Wind Release: Vacuum Bullets might compare. That's Shimura Danzo's signature Wind Release from Konoha."
Wind Release: Vacuum Bullets was a secret technique neither Matsu nor Maki dared hope for.
While attacking Shukaku with Wind Release, Maki observed Pakura's Scorch Release.
The Scorching Jade bullets continuously struck Shukaku's left shoulder.
Shukaku's claws were enormous, making its upper arm and shoulder appear frail.
After Thirty seconds of continuous Scorching Jade bullets, Shukaku's left arm was actually severed!
Sand struck by the Scorching Jade bullets flew backward, turning into colorful glass under the high heat.
Massive chakra, terrifying destructive power—Pakura displayed her strength before everyone.
After losing its left arm, Shukaku roared in pain.
It wanted to repair the arm with sand, but the sand at the severed area had melted into glass; the sand was ineffective.
Reluctantly, Shukaku dispersed its entire left shoulder and chest into sand, reforming its body, making it look even more disheveled.
By then, Pakura had already reached Shukaku's side.
Wind Release, explosive tags—various attacks flew over Pakura's head, striking Shukaku.
Pakura slapped the ground, summoning the Bunpuku's Tea Kettle, which had been scattered somewhere earlier.
Torrential sealing chakra erupted from the Tea Kettle, rushing towards Shukaku, now only half a body. Sealing script crawled over Shukaku's body like snakes.
The script was faintly recognizable as the Buddhist "Prajnaparamita Sutra" or "Treasure Box Seal Dharani."
Part of Fox's abilities originated from Senju Hashirama, whose powers were related to the Buddhist Fire Temple. Therefore, Pakura had also studied many Buddhist scriptures.
Pakura had completely mastered the Bunpuku's Tea Kettle left by the monk Bunpuku.
Shukaku wanted to resist but considered it had just killed the Fourth Kazekage. Better lay low for now. The enraged Suna-nin are giving me a headache too.
Ignoring the nearby Suna-nin, Shukaku scanned the surroundings.
Who was that ninja who could directly converse with it in the soul world?
That person was very strong, especially at the soul level, which surprised Shukaku.
Shukaku thought, Better lay low...
Advisor Matsu led people to the breach in the city wall, seeing Pakura who had just finished sealing Shukaku.
Matsu saw Pakura sling the Tea Kettle at her side. After a moment's thought, he turned to the others and said:
"Under your respective Battalion Commanders' orders, assess damages and rescue residents buried by the sand."
Soon, only Advisor Matsu and Pakura remained nearby.
The two looked at the devastated Tori Castle together.
Three three-hundred-meter-tall maple trees stood in the center of Tori Castle like a divine miracle.
Outside the city lay another fallen giant maple tree.
Around the maple trees, the Provincial Governor's mansion was completely destroyed.
"Jōnin Pakura, what are your thoughts on the upcoming war?"
"My view?"
"Yes, Jōnin Pakura. Your view is crucial."
Pakura looked puzzled at Advisor Matsu, then reconsidered. The Fourth Kazekage Rasa was dead. Her strength had gained Advisor Matsu's recognition.
She was one of the strongest in Sunagakure.
Pakura stared at the three three-hundred-meter maple trees and said:
"Wood Release of that scale was used by Konoha's Anbu Minister, Fox.
Without Shukaku, no one could break such Wood Release, right?
Advisor Matsu, I believe we should withdraw from the war. We should not declare war on Konoha.
Sunagakure is too weak. What we should do is cultivate outstanding young talents, accumulate strength, not get drawn into the whirlpool of the Great Shinobi War too early.
Our all-out charge against Konoha would only serve to divert part of Konoha's attention for schemers like Ōnoki.
The Fourth Kazekage-sama has sacrificed himself. While other villages' Third Kage are in their prime, we must consider who will be the Fifth Kazekage.
Doesn't that prove how weak we are?"
"You."
"There's much evidence we are weak..." Pakura was about to continue but stopped abruptly, looking at Advisor Matsu.
Advisor Matsu said, "Jōnin Pakura, you are right. Sunagakure is too weak.
Sunagakure must consider the Fifth Kazekage issue, and you are the most suitable candidate.
My faction and Kazekage Rasa-sama's subordinates will jointly recommend you to become the Fifth Kazekage."
"But I'm too young, with no foundation."
Pakura thought to herself she had no loyal subordinates except her student Matsuri, unlike Kazekage Rasa and Advisor Matsu who had followers.
Matsu said, "Foundation can be built gradually. Sunagakure needs a powerful individual as Kazekage.
The Third Kazekage is missing. The Fourth Kazekage died by Shukaku's hand.
Sunagakure is too fragile to stand another upheaval.
Your strength and your decision to withdraw from the war are most suitable for Sunagakure at this time.
Therefore, Jōnin Pakura, please shoulder this heavy responsibility."
Advisor Matsu's eyes were sorrowful.
"The shinobi world is extremely cruel. Ninja with insufficient strength can die at any moment. The Kazekage is Sunagakure's leader, yet has no dignity before Konoha's Fox or before Shukaku.
Pakura, I hope you can find a suitable path to lead Sunagakure out of this mire."
Pakura thought to herself, At least Sunagakure won't sink deep into the quagmire of war.
Fox had long planned for Sunagakure to withdraw from the war. She didn't expect it would ultimately require killing Rasa as the breakthrough.
"Alright, Advisor Matsu. I will shoulder the heavy responsibility of Fifth Kazekage."
Matsu nodded, then waved to the distance.
Two young people came before Matsu and Pakura.
Matsu said, "I will recommend Pakura to become Sunagakure's Fifth Kazekage. From today, you two will fully support Pakura-sama's work!"
Maki looked in surprise at the young Pakura, then turned to Matsu in disbelief.
Matsu introduced them to Pakura:
"This is my son, Maki. He has considerable Wind Release talent.
This is Kazekage Rasa-sama's subordinate, Karura. She is also the granddaughter of the Second Kazekage, Shamon-sama, and masters Sand Release secret techniques, able to manipulate sand."
Pakura looked at Karura, finding her expression sorrowful, not yet recovered from the tragedy of Rasa-sama's death.
Pakura had heard of Karura before—she was the young Rasa's lover, inheriting the Sand Release developed by the Second Kazekage, a representative of Sunagakure's Secret Technique faction.
As for the Puppet faction, Advisor Chiyo had a decent relationship with Pakura.
Maki quickly said, "Pakura-sama, please issue any orders from now on!"
Karura swallowed with difficulty and said, "Pakura-sama, please issue your commands."
Pakura nodded and said, "Understood. Let's first deal with the mess in Tori Castle."
When alone, Pakura used the Phantom Blood Shadow Technique to inform Fox about Matsu's intention to recommend her as Kazekage.
Karura from the Secret Technique faction, and Maki, son of important high-ranking official Advisor Matsu, were now her subordinates.
Fox sent back a puzzling reply:
If Karura has a daughter, name her Temari; if she has a son, name him Gaara.
Pakura was full of confusion. Using the pretext of discussing Shukaku's Sand Manipulation with Karura, she examined Karura's body.
Karura wasn't pregnant. Why was Fox concerned about Karura's children?
As Konoha's Anbu Minister, had Fox been targeting Karura long ago?
(End of Chapter)