Chapter 3: Don't Speak…
Pakura.
She had once been his classmate—or rather, in his inherited memories, she had been.
A capable and beautiful kunoichi, she was a master of the Scorch Release and one of the most powerful ninja in the younger generation of Sunagakure. At present, only he and Pakura were considered close contenders for the position of Kazekage. Yet Pakura didn't seem interested in becoming Kazekage. She much preferred teaching children at the academy—always gentle, always patient. Even when she came back from exhausting missions, she would still push through her fatigue to help her students with their training.
She was a true loyalist—strong and unwavering in her dedication to the Hidden Sand Village.
According to the original course of history, it would be in this very war that she would earn the title of hero of Sunagakure. Her strength was without question.
But Rasa knew… unless he intervened, her fate was already written. She would be sacrificed as an emissary to Kirigakure in a bid for peace—sent as a gesture from a defeated village. In the end, she'd be ambushed and killed.
As for the Fourth Kazekage?
A man who desperately wanted to strengthen the village, yet lacked the strength to support his ambitions.
He toiled away, trying to "pan gold for the village," sacrificing loyal comrades for the illusion of peace.
He wasn't as lucky as the Third Hokage—he didn't have a scapegoat friend to blame everything on.
In the end, he ruined both his son's life and the future of his village.
Of course… that timeline had already been disrupted by his arrival.
He just needed money now.
With a frown and a sigh, Rasa muttered to himself, "I've got to find a way to get some cash—fast."
To get stronger, he had to spend!
But the moment the words left his mouth—
"You're that short on money?"
Pakura, who had been walking beside him, tossed her head with a casual flair and replied matter-of-factly, "Yeah, it's no surprise. We haven't been assigned missions for a month, and the village is in rough shape. Of course you're broke."
She turned to look at him, raising an eyebrow.
"What are you staring at me for?"
"Ah—no, just… uh, thought you've gotten even prettier lately."
Rasa tried to redirect the topic, but all he got in return was another eye-roll.
Not that it mattered—he knew this was just her way.
She seemed careless at times, a bit blunt, but she was one of the few comrades you could truly rely on.
She loved this village.
Whenever someone needed help, she'd be the first to offer it.
Still… borrowing money?
[Ugh, I feel kind of bad…]
Especially since, in order to spend it, he'd be charging his system. There was no telling when he'd be able to pay it back.
Before he could say anything more—
"Your sweet talk's improved," Pakura said flatly. "And you don't look as grumpy as you used to."
Her next words made Rasa want to punch a wall.
"So it's true, huh? What they're saying in the village… that you've been mentally shaken since the Third Kazekage disappeared. Honestly…" She narrowed her eyes and scanned him from head to toe. "You're like a whole different person."
Then she sighed and shook her head.
"Whatever. Not my business. Here."
She tossed him a small, slightly worn coin pouch.
"I just got back from a mission today. Most of the pay's already been turned in. What's left is yours."
"…"
Rasa glanced at the still-warm pouch—warm because it had just come from…
Ahem.
He coughed twice to hide his thoughts and was about to return it with thanks when—
"No need to thank me. You're paying it back!"
With a wave of her hand, Pakura turned and strode away into the night.
"And… make sure you stay alive."
"Hey, wait—" Rasa called out, but seeing her figure vanish into the shadows, he could only sigh.
"Alright… I'll count it as a loan."
As for when he'd repay her?
Well… now that he was here, he'd saved her life.
Doesn't a life-saving debt buy a little more time?
"More than fair, honestly. Still planning to repay her? I must be the most ethical transmigrator ever."
Rasa chuckled to himself.
But just as he finished speaking—
"What's more than fair?"
A soft, familiar voice drifted over from behind.
"Karura?"
Seeing her standing there with a gentle smile, Rasa's heart jolted.
Only for him to instantly realize he was being ridiculous. He was in his own village.
Borrowing a little money from a comrade wasn't a crime, was it?
Totally normal.
So he quickly put on a smile and walked over to her.
"What are you doing here?"
"You weren't back yet, and it's getting late. I was worried something might've happened, so I came to check."
Karura gazed at him tenderly… and then glanced in the direction Pakura had left.
"That… was nothing!" Rasa blurted. "Me and Pakura, seriously, it's not what it looked like!"
I swear on my life!
He'd watched enough soap operas in his last life to know that this was definitely the moment to clarify his position.
But—
"Mm~" Karura chuckled softly. "Of course I know there's nothing between you two."
Her eyes curved into gentle crescents.
"Rasa… you've really changed a lot."
"Heh… hehe. Yeah?"
Rasa's heart skipped a beat. He knew something was off about his reactions, and quickly forced a melancholic expression.
"People change…"
Before he could finish—
She hugged him.
"Still mourning the Third Kazekage?" Karura asked gently. "I'm sure… he wouldn't want you trapped in grief. I'll be right here with you, Rasa."
"…"
You've really misunderstood this whole thing…
But there was no point in explaining anymore.
Rasa smiled and wrapped his arms around her in return.
[Hugging your wife isn't a crime, right?]
"If you ever need money," Karura added firmly, "just tell me. I've been saving a bit too. Don't you dare turn me down."
Her tone turned serious.
"Listen to me, Rasa. And… one more thing…"
After a pause—
"Is war coming?"
"…Yeah."
Rasa nodded.
"You're going too?"
"…Yeah."
"Can I go with you?"
"Absolutely not!"
Rasa didn't even hesitate this time. He shook his head quickly.
"You're not in any shape to be a ninja."
Karura had once been a kunoichi too, but a serious injury during a mission had forced her to retire. Her body had never fully recovered.
"Stay in the village. Wait for me."
"…Okay."
Karura seemed like she wanted to say more, but seeing the look in his eyes, she smiled and nodded.
"I'll wait. Rasa…"
Her eyes sparkled as she looked at him.
"Promise me… you'll come back alive."
Her cheeks flushed, even in the dim night, and Rasa could see it clearly.
"When you return, we'll finally—"
But before she could finish—
"Don't speak. Just kiss me."
Rasa rushed forward.
This was not the time for promises like that!
[You trying to kill me, woman?!]