Chapter 61 – Pakura Takes a Disciple
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Inside a small courtyard within Yoshida Jin's estate, a slender figure was continuously swinging a wooden sword, striking a wooden training post again and again.
It was a little girl, around eleven or twelve years old.
Not far from her stood a middle-aged man dressed like a samurai, silently observing her training.
Outside the courtyard, a young man wearing a light-blue long robe walked in.
Behind him followed a tall, slender woman dressed in ninja attire.
"Physician Ye Long."
Upon seeing the young man enter, surprise flashed across the samurai's face. He immediately bowed deeply in greeting.
The samurai's name was Furuyama. He was one of the guards of Yoshida Jin's estate. His strength was only mediocre, and his status within the estate was not particularly high.
However, the young physician who had just arrived—despite having been in the estate for only a short time—had already become a well-known and influential figure.
Within the estate, Yoshida Jin had not only allocated a separate courtyard for the young physician to live in and conduct medical experiments, but had also spent a large sum of money to hire a powerful expert—rumored to be at jōnin level—to serve as his personal bodyguard.
That ninja bodyguard was the woman following behind him.
The two were none other than Ryuya and Pakura, both disguised.
Ryuya casually raised his right hand, signaling for silence, his gaze fixed on the little girl who was training. He did not say a word.
Understanding the hint, the samurai bowed once more and quietly withdrew.
The movement in the courtyard was naturally noticed by the little girl. Exhausted, she turned her head toward Ryuya and Pakura, her eyes filled with both confusion and vigilance.
Seeing this, Ryuya smiled faintly and glanced sideways at Pakura. She immediately understood, and in a flash, her figure vanished from where she stood.
Whoosh—
Amid the sharp sound of air being torn apart, the disguised Pakura appeared directly in front of the girl. Her right leg lashed out, aiming straight for the girl's chest.
The girl's expression changed drastically. With no time to react properly, she instinctively swung her wooden sword, slashing directly toward Pakura's attacking ankle.
Pakura's right foot halted abruptly in midair. Her body spun, and she leapt upward, launching a rapid series of kicks with both legs, still targeting the girl's vital point.
Clap! Clap! Clap!
Taking advantage of the brief moment when Pakura shifted her attack, the girl pushed off hard with both feet and retreated rapidly.
As she flew backward, she held the wooden sword horizontally in front of her chest, successfully blocking all of Pakura's kicks.
After retreating more than ten meters, the girl came to a stop. She stared at Pakura, who had already ceased her attack, confusion written across her face.
From those attacks just now, she hadn't felt much force at all.
It was obvious—the other party had only been testing her.
"Well?" Ryuya smiled and turned to Pakura.
"Not bad! A good seedling!"
Pakura nodded with satisfaction, a pleased smile on her face.
"Letting her become your student won't disgrace you, right?"
Hearing this, Pakura merely smiled and remained silent.
To Pakura, talent was not the most important thing—what she valued more was character.
If Ryuya hadn't told her about the girl's tragic past, Pakura would never have accepted a disciple at this stage.
And judging from their brief encounter just now, the girl's talent was indeed quite good.
Opposite them, listening to their conversation, the girl looked both shocked and uncertain. Most of her attention was focused on Ryuya.
"Guren, come here,"
Ryuya said with a smile, beckoning to her.
Bang!
As he spoke, Ryuya formed a one-handed seal and dispelled the Transformation Jutsu.
"Big Brother Ryuya!"
The moment she saw Ryuya return to his original appearance, tears instantly welled up in the girl's eyes. She rushed forward and threw herself into his arms.
The girl was Guren, whom Ryuya had rescued more than half a year ago.
When he left the Land of Rice Fields, Ryuya had left Honglian at Yoshida Jin's estate and asked him to find her a teacher.
What Ryuya hadn't expected was that Yoshida Jin had arranged for a samurai to teach her.
That was nothing but a waste of Honglian's potential.
Ryuya had been in the estate for nearly a month, but he had been busy researching new medicines and only now found the time to come see her.
Gently holding the girl, Ryuya patted her back to comfort her.
After a while, he pushed her away slightly and pointed to Pakura beside him.
"Alright, Honglian. Come—this is the teacher I found for you. Her name is Yukari,"
(Pakura's alias.)
"From now on, she'll teach you ninjutsu."
Leaving Ryuya's embrace, Honglian glanced at Pakura, then asked timidly,
"Big Brother Ryuya… can't I learn by your side?"
Ryuya rubbed her head gently and spoke softly,
"Guren, Konohagakure has its rules. I can't just bring anyone into the village.
Would you rather enter Konoha and live under constant surveillance, or grow freely here?
Besides, the teacher I found for you is a powerful and great ninja. Under her guidance, you'll definitely become strong in the future."
Hearing Ryuya's words, the light in Honglian's eyes dimmed slightly.
After a brief silence, she turned toward Pakura and bowed deeply.
"Teacher Yukari… please take care of me."
For Guren, who had been wandering far from home since childhood, Ryuya—the one who saved her and encouraged her—was the only light in her heart.
She didn't want to leave his side, but she didn't want to go against his wishes either.
"Guren, I'll teach you properly from now on,"
Pakura said gently, helping her up.
After speaking, Pakura's gaze subconsciously shifted toward Ryuya, her eyes carrying an emotion he couldn't quite understand.
Seeing this, Ryuya smiled lightly and didn't dwell on it.
For Ryuya, entrusting Honglian to Pakura was both finding Honglian a good teacher—and giving Pakura something to hold onto.
In his memories of the original story, Pakura had always been a reliable and capable mentor.
Before Ryuya put his future plans into motion, the bond between teacher and student would benefit them both.
One week later, on the main road outside Yamanashi City, the capital of the Land of Rice Fields, Ryuya and Pakura walked side by side.
"After I leave, I'll leave things here to you.
Help me keep an eye on Yoshida Jin and Honglian,"
Ryuya said, stopping several dozen meters outside the city gate.
"I will,"
Pakura nodded softly.
Then a strange glint flashed through her eyes.
"Aren't you afraid that once you're gone, I'll take over everything here for myself?"
Ryuya laughed lightly.
"In this world, what can truly be predicted?
Do your best, and leave the rest to fate.
If you really wanted to take it all, then take it—as my blessing to you. I'm still young; these things mean nothing to me.
But I trust my judgment of people.
That's not something you'd do."
With that, Ryuya waved his hand, turned around, and walked away without waiting for a reply.
Behind him, under the slanting autumn sun, Pakura stood quietly, watching his figure gradually disappear into the distance.
In early January of Konoha Year 52, shortly after Ryuya left the Land of Rice Fields, the first branch of Anshitang Pharmacy in Yamanashi City released its first batch of Six-Flavor Rehmannia Pills, triggering a frantic scramble among wealthy merchants and noble clans.