"Do you remember Pakura from Konoha eighteen months ago, Kurenai?"
Kurenai sneered and said, "I don't remember any woman named Pakura in Konoha, but there was one in Sunagakure..."
"Exactly!"
Itsuki sighed and said, "She is Pakura from Sunagakure, the hero who has already died. I had to put in a lot of effort to bring her back."
Kurenai's brows furrowed, and her body tensed slightly as she said, "You're impressive, really impressive, Uchiha Itsuki. You've even gone as far as to flirt with women from Sunagakure? What, are the women of Konoha no longer enough for you? Have you started setting your sights on the entire ninja world?"
This time, even Itsuki was speechless.
Kurenai, you really are a sharp one.
When you learned Pakura's identity, was this really the first thing that came to mind?
"Is this really what you thought of?"
"What else should I be thinking?"
Kurenai responded disdainfully, "Don't tell me I'm the only woman you have. Do you think I'd believe that? Let's not even mention that Anbu woman; you probably hooked up with her even before you met me."
Itsuki felt a bit awkward.
Of course, Kurenai wasn't his only woman.
He is a reincarnator.
In his previous life, he worked tirelessly for a few thousand bucks every month.
In his thirties, he didn't even have a family.
He wanted to take out a loan to buy a house, but based on his salary, it would take 75 years to pay it off.
Which bank would lend you money for more than 70 years?
Moreover, the house's ownership only lasted 70 years.
So, by the time I finish paying off the loan, the house won't even belong to me anymore.
The business is managed so well, it's practically genius.
Now that he has a second chance, he refuses to live a life of frustration.
Besides, he's an Uchiha. He doesn't know if it's due to his bloodline, but it seems to have influenced him in some way. He can even sense changes in himself.
Hmm, his emotions have become much more intense!
Also,
As a man with a system, how could he be restrained?
Itsuki looked deeply into Kurenai's eyes and said, "No matter how many women I have, Kurenai, you are... you and Pakura are the most important women in my life!"
Kurenai looked at him sideways.
Even Pakura couldn't help but roll her eyes.
Did you add me into the latter part of that sentence because you realized I was here?
If I wasn't here, your original words would probably have been: "Kurenai, you are the most important woman in my life, no exceptions!"
Hah!
Men!
Ugh!
"Uchiha Itsuki, you tell me, should I believe you or not? What do you think?"
"Don't believe it!"
Itsuki replied straightforwardly.
"Then why say it?"
Kurenai sneered, glanced at Pakura, and said coldly, "Sometimes, I really have to hand it to you. You bring a Sunagakure hero into Konoha and parade her around. How did you even bring her back? From her grave?"
A cold glint flashed in Pakura's eyes.
"I saved her!"
Itsuki looked at Pakura and sighed, "Kurenai, Pakura is a hero of Sunagakure, but she was betrayed by Sunagakure. They used her as a bargaining chip in negotiations and killed her!"
"Bargaining chip?"
"When the Ninja World War ended, the price of peace between Sunagakure and Kirigakure was Pakura's death."
Kurenai was stunned. "Sunagakure agreed? They used Pakura's life? Were they out of their minds?"
Even Kurenai found it hard to believe.
A powerful Kage-level ninja, and Pakura was known to have an advantage over Kirigakure.
But Sunagakure chose to sacrifice her?
Aren't they worried Kirigakure won't hold up their end of the deal?
"Actually, this involves a secret. Pakura was a victim of internal strife within Sunagakure!"
Itsuki looked at Pakura with pity and said, "It is said that Pakura had high prestige and great strength in Sunagakure, even surpassing the Kazekage, Rasa. So, she had to die."
Kurenai's gaze softened as she looked at Pakura with a hint of sympathy.
A life spent protecting the village, fighting for it, only to be abandoned and betrayed in the end.
The destruction of faith and belief could cause many ninjas to break down.
This kind of thing happens in every ninja village.
Although Kurenai had never witnessed it firsthand, she had heard Yūhi Shinku talk about it.
She clearly remembered the regret in Yūhi Shinku's voice when he spoke of it.
Many outstanding ninjas sacrifice themselves for no reason!
Pakura's eye twitched.
Although both of them were showing sympathy, Itsuki's gaze felt odd.
He must have thought of something inappropriate.
Pakura frowned slightly and asked, "Master, is what you're saying true?"
"Pakura, have you not realized it yet?"
Itsuki was surprised. "Such a simple thing, and you didn't even think of it? Should I say I've underestimated you? Your brain is actually..."
"Please, Master, speak properly."
"Alright!" Itsuki shrugged and said, "You have the ability to counter Kirigakure, making you their biggest threat during the war. Sunagakure isn't crazy; how could they simply sacrifice you like that?"
"It couldn't be that Rasa, that bastard, couldn't have you and decided to get rid of you, could it?"
Pakura was speechless for a moment before replying, "Not every ninja is like Uchiha Itsuki."
This time, it was Itsuki's turn to roll his eyes.
"In the eyes of the Fourth Kazekage, you were the biggest threat. To secure his position as Kazekage, your Scorch Release, Pakura, had to die."
"But..."
Pakura was puzzled and said, "Chiyo and Ebizō, the two advisors of Sunagakure, valued me highly. They wouldn't have sacrificed me."
"That, I don't know," Itsuki shrugged again. "Maybe they were unaware, but to me, the most likely scenario is that they really did abandon you."
"You were an unstable factor for Sunagakure."
"Your strength was too great, and your prestige too high."
"In times of war, all unstable factors are suppressed, but after the war, those factors need to be eliminated."
Itsuki's eyes drifted off, as if remembering something.
"Rasa was already the Kazekage, and his Magnet Release could restrain tailed beasts."
"In comparison, the one to be sacrificed naturally became you."
"Maybe you never intended to challenge Rasa, but he believed you might, and that was enough."
Pakura fell silent.
She had thought about this before, but she didn't want to believe it.
Itsuki's words shattered the last bit of illusion she held.
She no longer harbored any hesitation toward Sunagakure's leadership.
They must be eliminated!
Kurenai looked at her, then at Itsuki, but said nothing.
"Kurenai!"
Itsuki turned to Kurenai, his expression serious, and said, "Pakura is very important to me."
Kurenai glared coldly at Itsuki.
"I am a great Uchiha!"
"Get to the point, stop beating around the bush, or I'll kick you out."
At this moment, Kurenai had no patience left.
"Alright!"
Itsuki said sorrowfully, "The greatest Uchiha in the ninja world... do you understand my position in Konoha?"
Kurenai furrowed her brows.
"Pakura is very strong!" Itsuki snapped his fingers. "With her, things will be much easier for me. If the village ever fights against the Uchiha, she might be the one who saves my life."
"Kurenai, my life is now hanging by a thread!"
Itsuki looked pitiful.
Kurenai, I've laid it all out here—surely, you won't just let me die, right?
You can't possibly bear it, can you?