During the weeks Pakura had been imprisoned, every letter she wrote to her disciple, Jun, had been delivered by Evan himself.
So Jun already knew him.
And feared him.
"Is Teacher… doing well?"
Jun's delicate voice trembled.
Her wide eyes were full of hatred.
To Sunagakure, the man standing before her was a nightmare given form.
Most of Suna's losses during the war were because of him.
The name "Evan" could quiet crying children in the Sand Village—
a monster every Sand-nin wished they could kill.
Someone like him could crush a mere chūnin like Jun without effort.
Evan shrugged.
"She's fine. Eating well, sleeping well. Even put on a little weight."
A mocking smirk tugged his lips.
"Last night she nearly broke my waist with how energetic she was. Soft as ever."
Jun's eyes flared with fury.
"Y-You animal!"
[Jun hatred +1000]
Pakura had raised her.
Taught her.
Protected her.
To Jun, Pakura wasn't just a teacher—
she was family.
Hearing her mentor had been humiliated…
Her heart burned with helpless rage.
"Blame your own village."
Evan's tone remained calm, even bored.
"They're the ones who sent Pakura to die."
"Lies! Sunagakure would never do that!" Jun snapped.
Evan's gaze sharpened.
"Little girl… mind your tone.
Otherwise—
you won't walk out of this forest."
He flicked his fingers.
Shshsh!
Before Jun could even react, several thin, shimmering streaks of light shot from his hand—
and buried themselves into her body.
Pain exploded through her nerves.
A mouthful of blood spilled from her lips as her knees buckled, dropping her to the ground.
She trembled violently, shocked.
W-What…
What kind of attack was that?
She hadn't even seen him move.
Evan stood up and walked toward her.
Just a single step—
and he vanished, reappearing directly in front of her.
Jun gasped.
So fast—
she couldn't even blink.
"You—!"
She tried to back away, but her body wouldn't move.
The mysterious needles of light had sealed her chakra completely.
Evan crouched, reaching out to tug away her hood.
Soft black hair tumbled free.
A doll-like face—round cheeks, bright eyes, delicate features—was revealed.
She looked like a beautiful young girl still growing into her features.
"You're prettier than I expected," Evan said casually.
"A cute little thing."
[Jun hatred +2000]
Jun's face flushed with humiliation and fury.
He was barely older than her—
yet spoke as if he were lecturing a child.
"You— You can't treat me like this. I'll report you!" she shouted breathlessly.
"Report me for what?" Evan raised a brow.
"You're a Leaf-nin," Jun growled, "yet you're secretly contacting Sunagakure. Delivering letters. Helping Teacher. If your Hokage learned this—your achievements wouldn't save you."
"Oh, scary." Evan smirked.
"So scary, in fact, that I might as well defect to Sunagakure.
Given my relationship with Pakura, I'm sure I'd live comfortably."
"You shameless…!" Jun trembled.
Evan clicked his tongue.
"So much anger. Sunagakure's full of it."
Jun fell silent.
She really couldn't see through him at all.
And that terrified her.
"Little girl," Evan said lightly, "do you want to see your teacher?"
Jun lifted her head immediately.
"Of course! That's why I came to this awful place!"
"Mm. Then I'll return Pakura to you."
Jun froze.
She stared at him, stunned.
Had she heard correctly?
Konoha's leadership still hadn't agreed to release Pakura.
How could this man say it so simply?
"What? You don't want her back?" Evan asked lazily.
"N-No—I do. I do!" Jun stammered. "Are you… being serious?"
"Of course," Evan replied.
"However—"
his eyes narrowed, a hint of mischief gleaming—
"If you want me to release her, you'll need to show a little sincerity."
Jun took a deep breath, steeling herself.
She bowed her head.
"For Teacher Pakura…
I'm willing to do anything."
Evan lifted his chin.
"Anything, hm?"
"Yes." Jun nodded firmly.
"As long as you release her."
"Good," he said calmly.
"Then first—remove the clothing on your upper body. I want to see whether you're lying."
Jun stiffened, stunned.
Her breathing hitched.
But she did not refuse.
Her fingers slowly reached for her collar—
To prove her resolve.
To read advanced Chapters, head over to p@treon:
patreon.com/GojoSatoru7