What Fuguki Suikazan cared about was not the casualties Pakura's sudden appearance had inflicted on Kirigakure.
When had war ever existed without death?
Kirigakure had lost plenty of shinobi already.
And they had killed more than a few of Sunagakure's as well.
What Fuguki truly cared about was that what had happened today matched Chōchō's dream perfectly.
He could no longer dismiss it as coincidence.
"The report about Pakura retreating came at exactly the same time as in Chōchō's dream."
"Pakura didn't really leave. She hid in the shadows and suddenly appeared to ambush the Kirigakure army. That's exactly the same as in Chōchō's dream too."
Then, not long after, even though the Suna shinobi had not fallen into a disadvantage—and in fact, thanks to Pakura's sudden appearance, Kirigakure had suffered the heavier losses—the Suna army still chose to retreat.
That instantly made Fuguki Suikazan's expression turn even darker.
"Something's wrong. Very wrong."
"That's three points now. It can't be coincidence."
"If it isn't coincidence, then what is it?"
"Precognition?"
"Did Chōchō really see the future in her dream?"
"Am I going to be killed by Kushimaru?"
"That bastard!"
In his heart, Fuguki Suikazan cursed Kushimaru viciously.
"We're both shinobi of Kirigakure. We're both members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen. We both serve Mizukage-sama. And because we don't get along, he plans to kill me outright?"
"He intentionally let my forces act as the main assault and wear themselves down…"
"While he sits off to the side, leisurely waiting to share in the fruits of victory—and then to murder me once I've lowered my guard?"
"This has gone too far!"
"I absolutely can't let him get what he wants!"
With that thought, Fuguki Suikazan immediately gave the order to retreat.
"Fuguki-sama, aren't we going to press the advantage?"
Fuguki cast the ninja a flat glance.
For a moment, a suspicion rose in his mind.
Could this man be one of Kushimaru's people too?
Otherwise, why would he be so eager about opposing the order to retreat?
"The Suna army chose to withdraw even though they had not fallen into a disadvantage. That means there must be a trap. If we chase them rashly, we'll only fall into it. Not chasing is better."
"The advantage lies with Kirigakure. No matter what happens, the final victory will belong to us. There's no need to rush."
"Pass on my order. Everyone returns to camp."
At Fuguki Suikazan's command, every Kirigakure shinobi immediately stopped in place, abandoned the pursuit, and withdrew to their temporary encampment.
The moment he returned, Fuguki Suikazan went straight to find Suikazan Chōchō, his expression grave.
"Husband, what happened?"
This time, Fuguki had not brought his wife along for the raid against the Suna army.
So Chōchō knew nothing about what had just happened.
"Chōchō… thank you."
Fuguki pulled her tightly into his arms.
"Fuguki, what's wrong? Why are you thanking me all of a sudden?"
Fuguki slowly let go of her.
"Chōchō, do you know what happened just now?"
"What happened?"
"Word came that Pakura had shifted toward Kushimaru's side. I assembled a force and launched a surprise attack on the Suna army. At first, it went well."
Fuguki's face darkened.
"But then Pakura appeared. She had never actually left—she was hidden in the shadows, exactly as in your dream. She charged into our ranks and killed a great many people."
"And on top of that, even though the Suna shinobi hadn't fallen into a disadvantage—and in fact our side took more losses after Pakura appeared—they still withdrew voluntarily."
"That alone is completely unreasonable. And it matches your dream perfectly."
Fuguki Suikazan trusted his wife deeply.
He would never suspect that she had somehow joined forces with Sunagakure to deceive him.
"You mean… the nightmare I had last night, everything I saw in it, it all really happened?"
Chōchō's eyes widened.
Fuguki nodded.
"That's right. Everything happened today. So your dream may really have been more than just a dream. It may have been some form of precognition. What you saw was the future."
"As for that animal Kushimaru… I truly didn't expect him to go that far against someone from his own village."
"I admit I don't get along with him. But even I've never once thought of outright killing him."
"No matter what, we're both one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen."
"That man is too dangerous."
Chōchō looked panicked.
"Then what should we do now?"
Fuguki said, "I've thought it through. The reason Kushimaru was able to find a chance to kill me in your dream was because my forces were acting as the main assault."
"In the attack on Sunagakure, we were too heavily worn down, and most of my men were tied up fighting the Suna shinobi."
"But Kushimaru was different."
"He was only there in support."
"That's why he was able to find such an opportunity."
"So long as I hand him the role of main attacker instead, he won't be able to find a chance to kill me."
"On the contrary, I will have the chance to kill him."
"The one who survives… will be us."
Only after hearing that did Chōchō finally let out a breath of relief.
Then she asked one more question.
"Husband… are you planning to kill Kushimaru?"
"He wants me dead. Why shouldn't I kill him? As long as he's alive, he'll always be a threat to me. But don't worry, Chōchō. I'll do it discreetly."
As he spoke, Fuguki looked outside and let out a cold snort inwardly.
"Kushimaru… you almost got your way."
"But fortunately, Chōchō foresaw the future in her dream."
"I never imagined she had such an ability."
"I wonder whether she'll be able to dream of more things in the future."
"If she can foresee valuable intelligence, then perhaps I can use that information to earn great merit. Maybe one day, I'll even have a chance to reach for the Mizukage's seat."
A trace of lingering fear rose in Fuguki Suikazan's heart.
Then he frowned.
"But it feels like I've forgotten something…"
"Forget it. If I can't remember it, then it can't be important."
Only half a day later did Fuguki Suikazan finally recall what it was.
He had forgotten to send word to Kushimaru about Pakura.
Which meant that under the current circumstances, Pakura had most likely shifted her forces to Kushimaru's front.
But by then—
It was already too late.
At that very moment, Kushimaru was staring at the heavily battered Kirigakure shinobi under his command and cursing furiously.
"What the hell is wrong with that Fuguki Suikazan?"
"He didn't even tell me something as important as Pakura disappearing? I had no chance to prepare at all!"
"Did he do it on purpose… or was it an accident?"
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