The late-night program was very late-night indeed. If Kageyama Kogetsu hadn't had the foresight to set up a soundproofing barrier in advance, everyone in the lower cabins would have heard it.
Around eleven-thirty the next day, Pakura woke slowly, completely bare, her stomach letting out a gurgling sound.
In truth, hunger woke her. If she hadn't been hungry, she could have kept sleeping.
Bracing her still-sore body, Pakura slowly sat up. The slick quilt slid away and, enough to make one's eyes pop, two majestic snowy peaks rose over the horizon.
She dressed quickly, stepped out, went to the dining room to load up a full plate, then went to look for someone.
After asking the staff, Pakura carried the tray to the deck and saw Kageyama Kogetsu and Kakuzu fishing, both highly focused.
"Kakuzu-senpai, I never heard you were into fishing?" Pakura said with a sunny smile.
"Shh… keep it down, don't scare the fish."
"This is a match. The winner gets five million ryō; the loser pays five million."
"That's a ten-million swing either way. I have to win!" Kakuzu stared fixedly at the bobber on the lake, voice low, not even turning his head.
Pakura shook her head, amused. Her man had nailed Kakuzu's weak point.
Tie anything to money and it's invincible!
"Who's ahead right now?" Pakura sat beside Kogetsu and asked.
"Me, obviously," Kogetsu said, smug.
Kidding—he'd used the Byakugan to see where the fish were thickest.
If he still couldn't lead like that, his luck had to be pitch-black; he might as well stop fishing.
"Don't get cocky. It's not settled yet," Kakuzu said testily.
Thinking about not only missing out on five million but having to pay five million—worse than killing him!
Pakura chuckled softly, eating as she watched them fish, now and then feeding Kogetsu a bite.
Fishing, swimming, surfing—no waves on the lake? No problem. Make them. Water fights, and so on.
With all kinds of leisure and fun, time flew, and the day was soon gone.
That night, Pakura spent a warm, lingering time with Kogetsu.
Mm, her original shinobi outfit was great fun—better than a bathrobe after washing.
In high spirits, Kogetsu also applied a transcription seal for Pakura. If you want the blessings of two at once, you keep the bowls even.
The next morning, Kogetsu took the two and jumped space straight to the outskirts of the Fire Capital.
"How do we move?" Kakuzu stood atop a towering tree, gazing at the bustling Fire Capital in the distance.
"Our first target is the hardliners' leader, Kazuma. For absolute safety, I'll act with you this time."
"Once we take Kazuma, I'll interrogate for intel. After you're familiar, use Transformation to lure the other hardliners out one by one, and take them down separately."
"Do the same with the four moderates, but change the disguise to female personnel."
"The kunoichi among the hardliners are relatively weaker, and as women, their guard won't be as high."
"Alright, scout their movements first. I'll wait here."
Kakuzu and Pakura nodded, leapt, and sped toward the Fire Capital.
In truth, scouting targets would be easier for Kogetsu.
But he couldn't do everything himself—what were subordinates for?
And Kakuzu and Pakura were happy to work. After all, eighty-four million ryō would be split by contribution. Who hates more money?
Kogetsu dropped from the canopy, sat on a branch a meter wide, leaned against the thick trunk, folded his arms, and dozed.
Over an hour later, Kakuzu and Pakura returned and landed on the branch.
"Got their locations?" Kogetsu opened his eyes.
"All of them. The one named Kazuma lives in Wusheng Tower at the southeast corner of the Daimyō's residence."
"The six hardliners are on the Daimyō's protection today," Kakuzu said gravely.
"There's still time. Remind me before the shift change; I'll send you to Wusheng Tower."
"Before that, let's enjoy the capital a bit. Plenty of fun things here," Kogetsu said, stretching.
"Quit thinking about fun. We're on the job. One of the moderates is alone—we can move," Kakuzu said, exasperated.
Kogetsu laughed, speechless. "Kakuzu, you really are the chosen company man."
"Fine, go grab him; I'll credit you extra. Just don't make a big scene."
"Relax. If I make a racket on a sneak, I shouldn't be in this line," Kakuzu said, full of confidence.
"Good. Go."
Kakuzu turned and left, eager to snatch the target.
"There's a hot spring here no worse than the Land of Hot Water's best. Want to try it?" Kogetsu asked with a smile.
"Sure!" Pakura's eyes lit up and she nodded quickly.
Water is precious in the Land of Wind; she rarely soaked. Running everywhere with money-only Kakuzu, she'd learned some things, but play wasn't on the table.
...
At nine that night, after a full meal, dark red headscarf tied on, the burly Kazuma bid his comrades goodbye and returned to Wusheng Tower.
The Daimyō treated his close-guard bodyguards fairly well—their lodgings were standalone pavilions in the residence.
As soon as he entered, Kakuzu and Pakura struck together.
Kazuma was shocked and hurried to guard.
But two fists can't beat four hands, and each attacker was stronger—by more than a little. He didn't last a single exchange before being knocked out.
Kogetsu stepped from the shadows, flicked his hand, a pull surged, and he grabbed Kazuma by the hair and lifted him.
"Move."
A black-red spatial vortex bloomed before them. Kogetsu stepped in first, Kakuzu and Pakura right behind.
Space shifted, and the three appeared in the outskirts.
Kogetsu flung his hand. Kazuma flew out and slammed hard into a thick trunk.
"Work him. Hit till he smokes," Kogetsu said coolly, lighting a plain cigarette.
At his words, Kakuzu and Pakura flashed in, fists and feet raining down in a savage beating.
Before he knew what was happening, Kazuma was screaming, curling up by reflex, hands over his head.
After several minutes with no "smoke," Kakuzu simply conjured a small fireball and lit Kazuma's hair.
"Smoking," Kakuzu reported.
Kogetsu's mouth twitched. Sigh—no one in this world got his gag.
"Enough. Bring him," Kogetsu beckoned.
Soon, hair burnt off and stinking, face black-and-blue and bloodied, footprints all over him, Kazuma—weak as a rag—was hauled over by Kakuzu and Pakura.
"So you're really Kazuma?"
"Doesn't look like anything special," Kogetsu said after a scolding, face full of disappointment.
Kazuma's eyes were swollen to slits. Panting, he rasped, "Who… are you?"
"You claim the Hokage and Konoha aren't necessary, and you don't even know me?"
"Do you really not know, or are you pretending?"
"Scared?" Kogetsu's face was full of mockery.
Kazuma, addled by the beating, jolted and strained to open his eyes, finally making out the face by bright moonlight.
"Ka… geyama… Ko… getsu."
"Yep, that's me."
After a pause, Kazuma burst into curses. "Kageyama Kogetsu, how dare you attack me!"
"Do you know who I am?"
"I'm a bodyguard to the Daimyō—his trusted man!"
"Hah?"
Kogetsu glanced blankly at Kakuzu and Pakura, and the three of them burst out laughing.
"Ha ha ha…"
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