Naruto: I Traveled with a Max Level Account

Chapter 394: Chapter 394: Two Choices, No Alternatives



"Alright, stop glaring at me. If you keep that up, your eyes are going to pop out. You should be thinking about what you're going to do from here on out."

With the news spreading, the path for Pakura to return to Sunagakure had effectively been cut off.

Without the Third Kazekage, without Chiyo or Ebizō in power, and with Rasa-her adversary -assuming the leadership, there would be no chance for Pakura to make a comeback.

Takuya could be sure that Rasa would pin the blame for the death of the Third Kazekage and the betrayal of Sasori squarely on Pakura.

It didn't matter how innocent Pakura was.

Rasa wouldn't hesitate to make an example of her.

"You really think I can't go back to Sunagakure?"

Pakura's gaze was complex as she looked at Takuya. She didn't even know how to feel about him anymore.

After taking in the shock of it all, Pakura realized that she was finished.

There was no going back to Sunagakure.

Even if she hadn't intended for her marker to lead to the death of the Third Kazekage, it had set everything in motion.

From what she knew of Rasa, if he took power, he would never let her live in peace.

Takuya shrugged, regret evident in his voice.

"You know who Rasa is. With Sasori escaping, and no way to capture him, who do you think is going to take the blame?"

Blaming Konoha wouldn't do any good-it would just be seen as ridiculous. After all, Wind and Fire Countries were at war.

Enemies killing each other was just par for the course, right?

If anyone was to blame, it was the supposed "Strongest Kazekage" who turned out to be all bark and no bite!

The so-called "Strongest Kazekage" got taken down by a teenage shinobi. Were they really going to go around bragging about that?

"Now, you're down to two choices. First, once the war is over, I let you go as promised, and you live as a rogue ninja, drifting around the shinobi world while avoiding Sunagakure's ANBU."

"Second, you give it all up and join Konoha."

"And you're sure that if I join Konoha, I won't face hostility and rejection?"

Shinobi defecting and joining other villages wasn't unheard of, but they seldom had a happy ending.

Surveillance was the least of the issues; hostility and rejection were usually guaranteed. Some defectors didn't even make it through the interrogation process, dying in custody before they ever had a chance to prove themselves.

"As long as you don't betray Konoha, I can assure you'll be fine. If anyone gives you a hard time or treats you unfairly, I'll take care of it."

It sounded simple.

Pakura wanted to curse him. If it weren't for Takuya, she wouldn't have had to face this choice in the first place.

From the moment she got captured, her world had started to change.

Now she regretted it all-bargaining with Takuya had been a mistake.

If she had just let herself be humiliated and captured by Konoha, Sunagakure might have been able to get her back after the war.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Now, it was too late.

From the moment the Third Kazekage died, everything had spiraled out of control.

At this moment, Pakura felt like her world was shrouded in darkness.

It was a tough choice, but one she had to make. Either hope Takuya kept his word and let her go after the war, or defect and join Konoha.

There was no third option.

The first option relied on Takuya being truthful. Even if he was, her future would be nothing but hiding and running.

Joining Konoha was also risky. Who was to say Takuya wouldn't turn on her once he'd

extracted all the use he could from her?

Where there were people, there were power struggles, and Konoha's internal struggles made Sunagakure's look simple by comparison.

The things that Danzo had done were well known.

Even in Sunagakure, Pakura had heard what kind of person that old man was.

Defecting shinobi were definitely among Danzo's primary targets.

Pakura did not want to find herself defecting to Konoha only to be targeted by hidden

agendas, or worse, killed without even understanding why.

"Think it over. It's not like this war is going to end overnight."

Takuya wasn't in a hurry to make Pakura decide. Even with the death of the Third Kazekage, the war wouldn't end just like that.

No matter how disorganized things got, Sunagakure would at least keep fighting for a while

longer.

"Sir."

It was then that the person sent by Shikashige Nara arrived.

Takuya enjoyed a taste of the perks that only big shots got-soaking in a nice hot bath.

"..."

You really are shameless!

Seeing Takuya completely ignore her, treating her like she was invisible as he stripped and jumped into the bath, Pakura's eyelids twitched violently.

She had half a mind to draw a blade and strike him down right then.

Clenching her teeth, turning her back to him with her arms crossed, Pakura gritted out:

"So, this talk about joining Konoha, it's really about working for you, isn't it?"

Going through all this trouble for the sake of the village?

Pakura doubted that. It just didn't make sense.

If she were in his position, she would never take such a thankless risk. Because if things went

wrong, it would all be on her.

The only explanation was that Takuya wanted her to submit to him.

On the surface, she'd be joining Konoha, but her true loyalty would be to Takuya Yagami.

"More or less."

Completely relaxed in the hot water, Takuya sounded almost amused.

Pakura was catching on.

"To Konoha, you're just another shinobi. Whether you join or not doesn't make much

difference.

But to me, having you means having someone capable under my command. You're skilled, your Scorch Release is powerful, and, well, you're attractive and have a good figure. Satisfied

with that explanation?"

"That's all?"

Veins bulged on Pakura's forehead.

Takuya nodded, still facing away from her.

"Why would I want to recruit some random guy to follow me around? Am I crazy?

If it were Rasa, he'd be locked up waiting for interrogation."

"Now, stop standing there. Help me scrub my back. Don't forget our agreement."

||||

Pakura stared for a few seconds before her face flushed crimson.

"There was nothing in our agreement about me helping you bathe!!!"

"I just said to scrub my back. Who said anything about bathing?

If anyone should be worried about someone taking advantage, it's me."

"You...!"

Do you want me to kill you? Do you really want to die that badly?

Helping you scrub your back is me taking advantage of you?

Pakura was fuming.

"Hurry up and scrub my back. I'll remove the seal on you."

""

The seal placed on Pakura was going to be removed eventually. Removing it now was a way

for Takuya to gain her trust.

It was a show of confidence and value in her, with a small condition attached-nothing major,

but it got the point across.

Takuya believed that if Pakura had any sense, she wouldn't try to run.

Even if she managed to escape, life wouldn't be any better.

Besides, Pakura had no real choice here. From the moment she was captured, her freedom had

slipped away.

Good lesson learned.

Hidden in the shadows, the ANBU looked at one another, their eyes filled with respect.

Next Bonus: 1900->2400 power stone

(P)(S): If you're interested, you can read up to chapter 450+ at Patreon.com/Emiko1.