Five days later.
On an empty street in Tansho District.
Sora stood under the streetlight, waiting.
He was expecting Yahiko and two new members.
Not long after, Sora heard three sets of footsteps.
Behind him, three people wearing masks with strange patterns walked toward him.
The leader was Yahiko, identified by the distinctive patterned mask Sora had given him to prevent Nagato from recognizing Yahiko's chakra if they happened to cross paths.
The masks of the other two members resembled Yahiko's, which had become a characteristic feature of the Owl Organization.
Yahiko approached Sora and greeted him: "Leader, I'm here with the new members."
Even though Sora had his back to them, he could clearly sense the questioning gazes from the two figures behind Yahiko.
Sora turned around and nodded to Yahiko: "Good work, Shenshiro."
The two members behind Yahiko saw Sora's appearance and were shocked: "The Blood-Eyed Shura?!"
Sora's lips curved into a slight smile as he introduced himself to the two newcomers: "Hello, I am the founder and leader of the Owl Organization, Sora. This is our first meeting, so you should introduce yourselves as well."
The two members didn't introduce themselves immediately, but instead asked Yahiko in disbelief: "Shenshiro, what's going on? Why is Konoha's Blood-Eyed Shura our leader?"
Yahiko spread his hands: "I told you before that I'm just the deputy leader, while he handles the important matters. You should introduce yourselves quickly. You must have heard rumors about his temper. It's not the best."
The two members recalled the stories about Sora and visibly shuddered.
Sora smiled and said: "Shenshiro, don't say that. I'm very friendly and patient with my comrades."
The two members removed their masks.
The first was a woman with pale green hair.
"My name is Pakura, a former Sunagakure jōnin, now a Suna missing-nin. I specialize in the Scorch Style kekkei genkai. Shenshiro saved my life, which is why I joined the Owl Organization."
The second was a man with long green hair, thick eyebrows, sharp teeth, and bandages wrapped around his upper body.
"I am Kurosuki Raiga, a Kirigakure missing-nin and one of the former Seven Ninja Swordsmen. When I was being pursued by Kiri ANBU, I was rescued by Shenshiro and Pakura, so I joined the Owl Organization."
Sora was somewhat surprised. Although he had never met these two shinobi Yahiko had recruited, he had memories of them.
First was Pakura.
During the Third Shinobi World War, Sora had heard Pakura's name mentioned frequently. She was a famous elite jōnin from Sunagakure who had made great contributions with her powerful Scorch Style and was considered a hero of the Sand.
Memories about Pakura:
Before Sunagakure and Kumogakure collaborated to invade Konoha, Suna and Kiri had been at war for a considerable time.
After the failed invasion of Konoha, Sunagakure sought to make peace with Kirigakure.
Kazekage Rasa and the high-ranking Suna officials jointly decided to use Pakura as a bargaining chip for reconciliation with Kirigakure. They assigned Pakura a mission to infiltrate Kirigakure. On the way, Kiri shinobi ambushed and killed her.
Afterward, the Sunagakure leadership collectively covered up the truth, fabricating a story that Pakura had died in battle against Iwagakure shinobi.
Hers was truly a tragic fate.
Memories about Kurosuki Raiga:
The wielder of the legendary sword Kiba had narrowly escaped with his life after battling Might Dai.
It seemed that Raiga had been controlled by Uchiha Obito's genjutsu for an extended period during the Fourth Mizukage's reign, which had plunged Kirigakure into darkness.
Consequently, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen who had originally carried out difficult missions for the previous Mizukage became dissatisfied with the village's tyranny.
They all fled, including Raiga.
Now it appeared that Raiga's defection from Kirigakure had occurred earlier than expected.
After listening to their introductions, Sora nodded and said: "I welcome you to the Owl Organization. I'll feel more at ease knowing you're here to assist Shenshiro."
"Wait a minute!" Pakura interrupted Sora, seemingly unable to accept the situation. She asked: "But... why would Konoha's hero, the Blood-Eyed Shura, create the Owl Organization? Could it be that the Owl Organization is actually a front for Konoha?
If that's the case, please understand that I must leave. Although I'm now a missing-nin from Sunagakure, I won't sacrifice my life for Konoha!"
Raiga agreed: "The same goes for me. I can't accept becoming Konoha's pawn!"
Sora looked at Yahiko: "Didn't you explain to them why I created this organization?"
Yahiko responded with confusion: "When you asked me to establish this organization, you never explained the purpose to me."
Sora said blankly: "Didn't I tell you?"
Yahiko complained: "You really are forgetful."
Sora was slightly embarrassed. He recalled that he had only used Nagato's life as leverage to convince Yahiko to establish the Owl Organization but had never explained his motivations.
Sora cleared his throat, regained his serious expression, and asked: "Before I explain, let me ask you a question. Was everything you fought for in the past worth it?"
Pakura and Raiga's expressions froze.
Was it worth it?
Pakura had been willing to give her life for Sunagakure, but what did she receive in return? Betrayal from the village she loved.
Raiga also deeply loved Kirigakure, but the "Bloody Mist" policies implemented by Kiri's leadership had made life unbearable.
After barely surviving his encounter with Might Dai, Raiga had felt completely demoralized.
Yet the Third Mizukage had forced him to continue fighting without any time to recover.
Eventually, Raiga couldn't endure anymore and defected.
Pakura said bitterly: "If it had been worth it, I wouldn't have left Sunagakure to join this organization."
Raiga responded with his head slightly lowered: "Indeed. If it had been worth it, I wouldn't have become a missing-nin."
Sora smiled and said: "I'm the same as you both. It wasn't worth it."
Pakura and Raiga looked at Sora in confusion, wondering why he would say such a thing.
Logically, given Sora's fame and achievements, his status in Konoha must be quite elevated. Moreover, considering how hard Sora had fought for Konoha, how could he possibly consider it unworthy?
Sora explained: "Do you think what I'm saying is a lie? You're probably thinking that since I've fought so much for Konoha, how could I possibly believe it's not worth it, right?
Let me tell you—I had no choice. If I hadn't chosen to risk my life for Konoha, perhaps there would be no Blood-Eyed Shura in this shinobi world, nor would the name Sora mean anything.
My family was essentially driven to death by Konoha, and my life in the village was at rock bottom. Anyone could bully me as they pleased.
Back then, if I hadn't fought and worked hard for Konoha, my life would never have improved."
Pakura and Raiga looked at Sora in surprise, and even Yahiko was shocked, as Sora had never shared his past with him before.
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