Sunagakure, Pakura's home.
The air was slightly cool, carrying the unique crisp dryness of the desert.
A few Sand Sparrows flew over the rooftop, their wings breaking the silence, leaving behind several clear chirps.
Faint white smoke gradually rose from the Village chimneys, intertwining with the morning mist and slowly drifting towards the horizon.
"Meow—"
"Still sleeping, still sleeping! Granny Chiyo has already started sealing Shukaku! And you're still sleeping!"
In Pakura's room, Candy jumped on Ryou's face, loudly calling out to him.
But Ryou was a bit tired from last night, and no matter how much Candy called, he wouldn't wake up.
Candy had a flash of inspiration and meowed into Ryou's ear: "Wake up quickly, there's a naked woman."
"Naked woman!"
Ryou immediately woke up: "Where is she? Where is she quickly?"
Ryou looked around, only to see Pakura sleeping soundly beside him, completely naked under the covers.
"So she's here!"
The early bird catches the worm, indeed.
Candy suddenly grabbed Ryou's hair: "Meow, is this the time to sleep?"
"Have you forgotten what day it is? Today is the day Granny Chiyo seals Shukaku, and your purpose in coming to Sunagakure is to capture Shukaku."
"Hurry up and get your weapons ready, we're going to capture Shukaku!"
Candy was practically worried sick about Ryou's mission.
It barely slept last night, constantly monitoring Rasa and Chiyo's movements.
It even had Snowy intercept a letter from Konoha, where the Third Hokage reminded Rasa to transfer the Jinchuriki and Tailed Beast as soon as possible.
The eunuchs were so anxious, but the emperor didn't care at all.
Ryou quickly stood up and put on his clothes: "Why did Granny Chiyo seal Shukaku so early? She didn't even tell me."
Candy was speechless: "Do you need an eight-bearer sedan chair to take you to the Shukaku sealing ceremony?"
Ryou put on his clothes and then accused Temari: "Temari, that spy, is completely useless. I told her to monitor her parents, and she didn't even notice their movements."
Ryou was about to pull up his pants, but the morning's passion was strong.
"Candy, you go monitor Granny Chiyo and the others first, I'll cool down!"
Ryou looked at the sleeping Pakura.
Candy hissed at Ryou: "Meow—you're utterly useless!"
With that, Candy vanished from Ryou's sight.
"Uwahh—"
Pakura struggled fiercely...
After a short while, Ryou finished his 'work' and prepared to capture Shukaku.
Pakura regained some control over her body, and she spread her arms to block Ryou.
She wanted to say something, but couldn't articulate it for a moment.
After processing, Pakura yelled at Ryou: "Uchiha Ryou, are you going to destroy Granny Chiyo's seal and capture Shukaku?"
Ryou looked at her and said: "Isn't it obvious? I came to Sunagakure to capture the One Tail."
Pakura blocked Ryou: "No, you're not allowed to capture our Village's Tailed Beast."
Ryou stepped forward, Pakura wanted to do something, but control over her body was taken back again.
Ryou pinched Pakura's face, stretching it into a flatbread: "Pakura, you are just my puppet now, my new tool. What right do you have to lecture me?"
"Damn it, Uchiha Ryou, stop pulling my face!"
Ryou let go of Pakura's face, then stroked her chin, saying: "Besides, doesn't this suit your intentions?"
"If I kill Rasa and Granny Chiyo, only you will be able to take charge of Sunagakure in the future. The elders will have no choice but to elect you as Kazekage."
Pakura hissed: "Don't think of me like Rasa. I will never become Kazekage by betraying my comrades."
Ryou looked at Pakura, who was full of anger but not blinded by it, and smiled: "Don't you hate them? You almost didn't make it back, you know?"
Pakura lowered her head: "Hate, I hate them deeply. I wish I could tear them to pieces."
"But I am me, and they are them. I will take revenge in my own way, and I will never accept becoming your Kazekage puppet."
Ryou stroked Pakura's face and smiled: "You, oh, you truly delight me."
Liking someone isn't just about liking their 'model'.
There are countless beautiful girls in this world, so how does one find that most special one through the sands of time?
That is character.
I am an open-minded person, not someone who isn't. I'm looking for an open-minded person, not someone who isn't.
Ryou had a principle when it came to women.
Don't waste bad girls, just like girls in a brothel who spread their legs for business.
To even graze them is a blessing.
Don't let down good girls, like Pakura, who possesses a noble soul.
She holds her bottom line, never wavering in her convictions.
Ryou leaned in to kiss Pakura's lips. Despite her reluctance, Pakura could only let him kiss her.
But Ryou's kiss lingered, not quite landing.
Pakura opened her eyes, looking at Ryou's disgusted expression with some confusion, then understood.
"You hateful guy, you think my mouth is dirty!"
Pakura kissed Ryou's lips forcefully, returning a 'son's debt for a father'.
Ryou gradually stopped struggling, and their kisses grew more passionate.
Pakura wanted to keep Ryou with her in a 'tender trap', so he wouldn't destroy Chiyo's seal and capture Sunagakure's Shukaku.
But Ryou held her hand down.
Pakura looked at Ryou: "Are you really going to take Shukaku?"
Ryou nodded.
Pakura asked, puzzled: "Why do you believe the Eye of the Moon Plan is correct? You should know it's just a world of genjutsu."
Ryou replied: "I know it's a world of genjutsu, and I don't agree with such a world, but Uchiha Madara controls me."
"Furthermore, I don't believe that uniting the power of the entire Shinobi World can defeat him."
"Such a gambler will only place his bets on the side with a higher chance of winning."
Pakura clenched her fist: "Impossible, no Shinobi can be strong enough to contend with the Five Great Nations."
"There are, my dear, there are. It's just that your understanding is still too shallow; you haven't yet recognized the greater world."
"I don't believe it!"
Ryou tried to leave, but Pakura hugged his waist: "I'll give you everything, I'll give you everything. Leave Uchiha Madara, join us."
"If we gather the strength of all Shinobi, we can definitely defeat Uchiha Madara."
Ryou felt Pakura's somewhat burning embrace.
He knew very well that Pakura didn't like him. How long had they known each other?
Moreover, everything had been forced by Ryou; how could Pakura like him?
Pakura was purely prioritizing the Village's interests, trying to alienate Ryou from Madara.
Ryou extended his finger, forming a Water Release hand seal.
"Get away from me. If you try to persuade me with your foolish ideas again, I'll have Sasori turn you into a Human Puppet."
Pakura's face was flushed, she wanted to say something but couldn't.
Because she couldn't say it, saying it was equal to not saying it, not saying it was equal to not saying it, and not saying it was equal to saying it.