'This is such an insult to a ninja!' Pakura gritted her teeth, bitterness welling up inside her.

Was this Gojo Kaigetsu even a ninja?

He showed no sign of panic, no intention of resisting. Instead, he spread his arms as if embracing a lover.

In that instant, Pakura saw at least eight fatal openings!

With a slight push of her kunai, she could easily take Gojo Kaigetsu's head. It would be effortless.

His reaction was so abnormal, as if he was certain she wouldn't attack him.

'Could it be… the village's plan was discovered by Konoha?!'

Pakura's heart lurched. The kunai in her hand stopped barely an inch from Gojo Kaigetsu's throat.

Her icy gaze, honed on countless battlefields, radiated killing intent. Her voice was frigid. "Konoha ninja, why don't you dodge?!"

"Because I'm not afraid~"

"Why aren't you afraid?"

"Not afraid, just not afraid!"

As if to taunt her further, Gojo Kaigetsu thrust his neck forward, pressing his vulnerable throat against the sharp edge of her kunai.

Any other ninja, even a Kage-level shinobi, would be mortally wounded by such a move. Even Tsunade couldn't save them.

But Gojo Kaigetsu remained nonchalant. Even if Pakura's hand trembled and she accidentally sliced his throat, the Limitless technique would create a safe distance between them.

"You… bastard!"

"Do you really think I wouldn't kill you?!"

By now, Pakura realized that the Suna elders' self-inflicted wound strategy, learned from the "Thirty-Six Stratagems," had been completely seen through by Konoha.

In that case… what about peace?

Was she supposed to commit suicide here?

As a ninja… she couldn't even die at the hands of the enemy but had to resort to such a humiliating end.

"Do you recognize me? Pakura-san~ Why pretend you don't know me and call me 'Konoha ninja'? My name is Gojo Kaigetsu."

"I heard that your Suna has been striving for advancement lately, even using a self-sacrifice strategy against us in Konoha. Coming to Konoha on a secret mission, to die in exchange for expanding trade through a peace treaty."

Gojo Kaigetsu's tone was laced with mockery.

"It seems Suna really wants to challenge Konoha."

"Do you even have the strength to challenge us?"

Pakura's heart turned cold.

This reality was more despairing than having her Scorch Style pierce her own heart. If the self-sacrifice strategy was exposed, did that mean the village's development plan was also known to Konoha?

In that case, could Suna's painstakingly crafted trade agreement still be successfully implemented?

Where did it go wrong? Was there a traitor in the village?

"So, Pakura-san, now that your plan is exposed, how does it feel? Want to kill me here?"

"There's no one behind me~ Come on, I'll give you another chance."

Gojo Kaigetsu leaned closer to the kunai in Pakura's hand. "Is this close enough? One swipe, and my life is yours."

"Pakura-san, I'll count to three~ Just three."

"One, two, three…"

Gojo Kaigetsu retracted his outstretched arms and gently enveloped Pakura's cold hands, carefully removing the kunai from her grasp.

"I gave you a chance, but you're useless, Pakura-san."

Pakura's hands fell limply to her sides, muscles twitching. Through gritted teeth, she asked, "How did you know?"

That question…

Gojo Kaigetsu exhaled. His guess was correct. Pakura had chosen to die willingly, not because she was deceived by the Suna elders.

It was because of this assumption that he exposed himself to her without defense.

Of course, even if Pakura had intended to kill him…

With his Unlimited Void, Limitless technique, Blue, and Reverse Cursed Technique, he only needed to withstand her initial attack. His two external bodies wouldn't hesitate; they would arrive at the scene in an instant.

Since he had gambled correctly… Pakura's fate was no longer in her own hands.

"How did I know? Is that so hard to figure out?"

Gojo Kaigetsu's gaze raked over the red-haired kunoichi. He reached out, like a scoundrel, tracing his fingers down her smooth, fair cheek and lifting her chin.

"Because I believe that an elite Jonin like Pakura-san, who emerged from the war, wouldn't fail to realize that this was a suicide mission."

"So, you most likely came here to die~"

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

"It seems I was right."

Pakura's eyes flickered. So that was the reason… To be acknowledged by the Hokage's advisor, even as an enemy ninja, was a kind of honor.

"I was wondering if a Jonin who wasn't afraid to die for her village would lay a hand on a Konoha ninja, let alone the Hokage's advisor."

"If you did, your mission as a peace offering would be completely ruined."

"Therefore, you absolutely wouldn't. That's why I appeared before you~"

As Gojo Kaigetsu spoke, he moved behind Pakura, his Six Eyes fully activated, marveling at her dazzlingly white, supple back, toned with the clear marks of rigorous training.

There were many impressive works of art in the shinobi world: Tsunade's…assets, Kurotsuchi's legs, Mei Terumi's allure… and Pakura's back.

It seemed his collection would grow by one today.

Noticing the chakra stirring within Pakura, Gojo Kaigetsu warned, "I'm warning you, Pakura-san. If you commit suicide in front of me, forget about the treaty."

"I will immediately tear up the Konoha-Suna Trade Agreement on behalf of Konoha. Think carefully."

Pakura's muscles stiffened.

She had intended to commit suicide. As long as she died, regardless of whether it was by a Konoha ninja's hand, as long as they found her body, her mission would be considered a success.

But now, even death was a luxury?

"Ugh…" Pakura closed her eyes in despair. "Kill me."

"Give me a dignified end."

From the moment they became ninjas, from Kage to Genin, all they probably desired was a dignified death.

To die in battle, at the hands of the enemy, was better than suicide or having one's heart ripped out.

But now, Pakura couldn't even choose suicide.

She wanted a dignified end, but if Gojo Kaigetsu refused, there was nothing she could do.

Pakura deeply loved Sunagakure. She absolutely couldn't be captured by Konoha. If she, a hero, were captured, the already bowed back of Suna would be completely broken.

Nor could she flee back to her village in disgrace. Someone had to step forward as a symbol of reconciliation between Konoha and Suna, and she, as a heroine, was the most suitable candidate.

She couldn't be captured, couldn't commit suicide, couldn't flee back to her village, and Gojo Kaigetsu had no intention of killing her…

What could Pakura do?

"Give you a dignified end? Then who will give me, Gojo, a dignified outcome?"

"A living, subservient elite Jonin with a Kekkei Genkai is definitely more valuable than a dead one~ Pakura-san, let's put ourselves in each other's shoes. Would you let me go so easily?"

Pakura took a deep breath. "Why don't you do it? This can't be kept hidden. Someone has to bear the burden of the hatred between Konoha and Suna. The moment Konoha ninjas see me, the public outcry won't be something you can stop alone."

"Ahem." Gojo Kaigetsu cleared his throat. "Some things seem insignificant until they become unbearable. And in Konoha, I can handle even the most unbearable things."

"Pakura-san, you might not know my standing in Konoha. Let's just say, when I speak at the Hokage Rock, everyone except the Hokage himself stands up and applauds."

"Why do you think you were able to infiltrate our Konoha's highest security zone so easily? Are the Byakugan users just eating soldier pills? Why hasn't a single Konoha ninja, besides me, appeared yet?"

"I allowed you to come here. I prevented them from knowing who the kunoichi that infiltrated Konoha today is~ Even if some clever individuals have their suspicions, would they accuse me of not killing Suna's hero?"

Hiss-

Only then did Pakura realize she had been completely played. This was Gojo Kaigetsu's trap all along.

During Maki's negotiations in Konoha, he had already guessed that her suicide mission was part of a larger scheme. Now that she was in Konoha, unable to return, unable to commit suicide, unable to be captured, and with no other Konoha ninja aware of her presence…

Only one path remained for Pakura.

But she was unwilling. She had done nothing wrong, yet she was forced into this situation simply by being in Konoha…

"Do you understand what I'm getting at?"

Gojo Kaigetsu licked his lips and reached out, his fingers trailing across her beautiful back, sending shivers down her spine.

"Be my pet, Pakura-san."

"Don't think, just submit to my…command."

"A village hero, reduced to a peace offering due to the circumstances of the shinobi world, unable to even achieve a dignified death, unable to retaliate against the despicable ninja who defiles your body…"

"You must have realized by now, it's not just this time. The moment Suna ordered you to Kirigakure, you were already a political pawn in the eyes of those Suna elders."

"Are you curious how I know such a secret? The village you love, the village you've given your heart to, doesn't have elders as pure as you."

"You must be tired of this village, this life, this shinobi world~"

"So, will you consider it, Pakura-san?"

Gojo Kaigetsu's hands were now fully pressed against Pakura's back, right over her heart.

The contact between their skin allowed him to feel the exquisite contours of her muscles and her smooth, delicate skin. He suddenly understood why so many people enjoyed…physical fitness.

It was a completely different kind of beauty. A completely different experience from Samui or Mei Terumi.

Even…

'Maybe backs aren't so bad after all?' This strange thought crossed Gojo Kaigetsu's mind.

The treat was the various benefits Konoha promised Suna. If Pakura refused, Gojo Kaigetsu would use his influence to cancel this "treat" between the villages.

Beheading described Pakura's current helpless situation, eliminating all other options.

Now, only the last option remained: take as a Pet!

Such insulting words made Pakura tremble, unsure whether it was from fear for her future or anger at the humiliation.

"Think about it, being my pet isn't so bad~"

"As the advisor to the strongest village in the shinobi world, my relationship with the Hokage is…let's just say we share the same sacred robes. I'm also the most respected outsider by the Uchiha clan, the strongest ninja clan."

"Rounding it all up, I'm the most powerful person in the shinobi world right now."

"Being my pet, although it might entail some insignificant suffering, you'll mostly be happy."

Gojo Kaigetsu produced a collar seemingly out of thin air, dangling it before Pakura.

"If you've made up your mind, put away your headband and put this collar on. When you wear the mask, you'll be the 'Mysterious Ninja of the Gojo Advisor's Guard Squad.' When you take off the mask, you'll be my pet~"

Pakura felt as if she had fallen into an icy abyss.

How ridiculous.

An elite Jonin, half a step into the Kage ranks, reduced to being a pet for a Chunin.

Individual power was utterly helpless against authority. If Suna were stronger, if Gojo Kaigetsu wants to utter such suggestive and humiliating words, he would be incinerated by her Scorch Style in an instant.

But there were no ifs. The shinobi world was filled with blood and fire; it never believed in tears.

"I…" Pakura's throat was dry. The insulting pet collar seemed to multiply before her eyes.

Put it on! Put it on! Put it on!

It was the village that betrayed you first, that wanted to use you as a political sacrifice!

Pakura! You've done enough! Don't cling to the village anymore. Live for yourself!

Once Suna, always Suna! This was her fate; she couldn't escape it!

Become Gojo Kaigetsu's pet! Secretly accumulate strength in Konoha! Exploit her advantages as a kunoichi to gain more benefits for Suna from Gojo Kaigetsu's pockets!

Pakura's mind seemed to split. Two conflicting thoughts clashed within her.

Finally, she raised her hand, slowly removed her ninja headband, and placed the humiliating collar around her neck.

"I… can be your pet, but I will never fight against Suna."

[Forced the impure-hearted Suna Jonin, Pakura, to become a personal pet. Prosperity +150]

Gojo Kaigetsu smiled triumphantly, gently tugging on the leash in his hand, pulling Pakura closer.

"Pakura, in private, how should a pet behave?"

A blush of shame and anger colored Pakura's cold face as her bottom line crumbled.

"Woof~"