Finally, a team I can truly rely on. No need for backup plans this time.

This mission no longer involved any extra schemes—everyone chosen by Shin was truly one of his own. The morning was misty as they gathered at the village gate, each member ready and alert.

Two members came from his previous team. One of them was Kazuya, who had fought alongside them outside Kusa just a few days ago. Though this guy was a bit dense, he was absolutely loyal to him. As they prepared to move out, Kazuya checked his weapons.

"Captain, I'll take point if you want," he offered eagerly. "My instincts haven't failed us yet."

Shin nodded with a slight smile. "Go ahead. Keep your eyes sharp."

The other was Sanda, the one who had first taught him lightning-style ninjutsu. After Shin quickly surpassed him in strength, Sanda came to wholeheartedly respect him.

The last team member was a close friend of Konan, named Ajisai. Shin had crossed paths with this young girl several times in the organization but never remembered who she was.

It wasn't until this time, when she summoned a flock of birds with her summoning technique and took on the team's scouting and pathfinding role, that Shin recalled her other identity— She was the same person who, in the original story, became the Animal Path of the Six Paths of Pain.

More precisely, in the future, her corpse would be used by the corrupted Nagato to create the Animal Path puppet.

But now, Ajisai was just a cheerful and innocent little girl who idolized Konan. She often followed her around, which earned her the nickname of 'Konan's little tail' among others in Akatsuk. As they moved through the trees, Ajisai's birds swooped and circled overhead.

"Konan-neesan, look!" Ajisai called out excitedly. "I've improved my control! The birds can now—"

"Stay focused, Ajisai," Konan gently reminded her. "We're on a mission."

Thinking about this, Shin couldn't help but feel a bit nostalgic.

Reflecting on it, the Konan from the original story had endured a lot. Their mutual friend Yahiko had been turned into the Deva Path puppet, and her few close female friends had also been transformed into part of Pain.

As a former fan of Naruto, Shin had once been captivated by the Akatsuki's cool black robes with red clouds, but who could have imagined the suffocating reality Konan must have faced in such an environment?

Lost in these thoughts, he unconsciously cast a gaze of sympathy and pity toward her.

How did she stay sane through all that? Walking among the corpses of her friends every day...

Unexpectedly, that fleeting look was caught by Konan. She adjusted her flight path to move closer to him.

"What's wrong? Just now, you looked at me like you felt sorry for me."

Shin was momentarily embarrassed at being seen through but quickly covered it up with words. Quick, think of something believable. "Nothing, I was just thinking about how you used to handle logistics work at the base, but lately you've been coming on missions because of me, and I feel a bit guilty."

Konan smiled and gently patted his head. The gesture was surprisingly comforting, despite his usual aversion to such familial touches.

"Stop overthinking. Weren't you the one who taught me that comrades should trust each other? As your comrade, I'll protect you. Doing missions with you isn't a burden—it's what I want."

Nearby, the small Ajisai pouted, her lower lip jutting out comically as she maneuvered her bird closer. "And me, Konan-neesan! Don't forget about me!"

Konan laughed gently and comforted Ajisai. "Alright, alright. I'll protect you too, Ajisai." She reached out to ruffle the younger girl's hair.

Only then did Ajisai smile happily, her bird doing a little loop in the air to match her mood. The sight made something twist in Shin's chest. Such innocent moments... they never last in our world. Only by becoming numb, can you survive.

Behind them, Kazuya grinned and whispered to Sanda, moving his bird closer so they wouldn't be overheard. "Don't you think Konan-sama has become softer recently? I remember she didn't smile this much before—it must be all thanks to Captain Shin!"

"To protect such a beautiful smile, I'll follow Captain Shin to the end! What do you think, Sanda?"

Sanda, with a cold expression, didn't even turn his head. His eyes remained fixed on their surrounding. "I don't know. I use blades. His swordsmanship feels more useful than mine."

"…"

Soon after, the five of them followed the intel provided by Hanzō and approached the camp where the Suna squad had previously been stationed. The trees here were thinner, offering less cover, and the air felt different—drier somehow. Something's not right. The air shouldn't be this dry in the Land of Rain, Shin thought.

Ajisai reacted first, raising her hand to signal everyone to stop. Her face had lost its earlier cheerfulness, replaced by professional focus. "Hold up! My summoned animals found traces near the river ahead."

These traces were obviously unusual to be singled out at this moment. A twig snapped somewhere in the distance, unnaturally loud in the sudden silence.

Everyone immediately went on alert, drawing their ninja tools and preparing for battle. Kazuya and Sanda moved to flanking positions without needing to be told, their earlier banter forgotten.

Shin asked, keeping his voice low, "Any sign of ninjas around?" His hand rested on his weapon. This feeling it's too quiet. Even the birds have stopped singing.

"Not yet." Ajisai closed her eyes, seemingly using a special method to share her summoned creatures' senses. Her face scrunched in concentration as she expanded the search range. Beads of sweat formed on her forehead from the effort.

But within just two seconds, her eyes flew open in terror, tears uncontrollably streaming down as she screamed. Her whole body trembled, and she stumbled backward. "No! They're here!! Watch out! There's a terrifying woman—she evaporated my birds in an instant!"

Hearing this, Konan immediately unfolded her paper wings and soared into the sky. The paper sheets spread wide like a protective angel's wings. "Ajisai, don't sacrifice your summons! I'll handle the scouting!"

Kazuya and Sanda split up without a word, their fluid coordination showing their years of training. Kazuya took position behind a large tree while Sanda's hands already flickered through lightning release signs. They were all experienced ninjas, and despite the sudden ambush, they remained calm and quickly prepared for combat.

Shin stayed beside Ajisai. He placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder while scanning their surroundings, determined to both protect her and gather information. "Evaporated? Did that woman use Fire Release?"

Suna was known for its Magnet Release and Puppet Techniques, not Fire Release, which puzzled him.

Ajisai, still trembling with fear, tightly gripped a kunai. "I don't know... it was some kind of special Fire Release, like a floating fireball. But the moment it touched my bird, it completely evaporated it! That feeling... it was terrifying!"

Her description made Shin's heart skip a beat. No way, could it be? It's her? He thought of a unique bloodline limit.

But the suspense didn't last long. The fact that Ajisai's summoned bird had been swiftly dealt with meant the enemy had already detected them! We're surrounded. They were waiting for us.

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Soon enough, Shin and his team spotted several Suna ninjas coming into view.

One of them was laughing arrogantly. "Hahaha! How reckless! We didn't even come looking for you, and you Ame ninjas have delivered yourselves right to us!" He twirled a kunai carelessly between his fingers, but Shin noted the way his feet were positioned—ready to strike at any moment.

Another, who appeared calm but inwardly just as haughty, stood atop a high tree and looked down at them. "You must be from the infamous Akatsuki. Hand over the wealth and supplies you've gathered recently, and maybe we'll consider sparing your lives."

Sanda's lightning crackled more intensely, reflecting off his cold eyes. Kazuya's grip on his weapon tightened, and Konan's paper butterflies began to spread out in a defensive formation around Ajisai.

These two braggarts from Suna didn't attract Shin's attention at all. He was entirely focused on the last person who appeared—the Suna kunoichi!

Her rare mix of brown and orange hair, signature revealing black top, and slender, beautiful figure left the deepest impression.

Shin smiled bitterly. His suspicions had been correct all along. The person before him was exactly who he'd thought— The hero of Suna with the Scorch Release: Pakura.

For a moment, Shin wanted to grab her by the ear and ask: Why would a strong ninja like you waste your time hiding in a small country like the Land of Rain instead of making a name for yourself on the front lines of the great shinobi war?

He quickly scanned the Suna team

There were four enemies in total. Aside from Pakura, there was a loudmouthed, arrogant puppet master who kept adjusting his fingers as if itching to attack, a lone, aloof man posing in the treetops with his arms crossed, and a silent ninja with a sword who had moved to their flank to encircle them.

Unfortunately, reality wasn't like a game; enemies didn't mark their ninja rank on their foreheads. So, he could only rely on small actions and his own intuition to make judgments.

The man in the treetops seemed to hold significant authority, indicating that he was probably quite strong. The Suna ninja who was flanking them was harder to gauge but appeared to be the calmest, likely suggesting a stable mentality. His sword remained sheathed, but his hand never strayed far from its hilt.

On the other hand, the puppet master, despite his arrogant words and stance, had revealed himself the slowest, showing that he was 'all talk and no skill'. His fingers twitched constantly, betraying his nervousness beneath the bravado.

Shin's eyes shifted slightly, and he immediately chose his target for a breakthrough. The puppet master's nervous energy practically screamed 'weak point'. Pride and fear—a deadly combination. Let's see how well you handle both.

"Heh! Suna, the weakest of the Five Great Ninja Villages, always beaten down by Konoha in every ninja war, and you dare spout nonsense here?"

At the same time, he discreetly signaled his teammates with his hidden hand: Keep your distance, focus on the puppet master.

His taunt hit a nerve, and the hot-tempered puppet master snapped on the spot.

"What did you just say, you brat?!"

Their captain tried to stop him. "Wait! Don't fall for his—"

Although he was proud, he understood that their primary mission was to acquire supplies and money. Fighting and killing were merely means to an end, not the goal. But the puppet master wasn't listening anymore.

"An Ame ninja dares to look down on us?"

With a wave of his hand, he pulled the chakra strings, launching the humanoid puppet at Shin. The wooden construct's joints creaked as it shot forward.

Such a weak mindset, Shin thought with an inward smirk, but outwardly he pretended to be overwhelmed, jumping back as if retreating. His movements were deliberately clumsy, each step calculated to look like panic.

"Don't run!" the puppet master shouted as he chased after Shin, rushing to the front of his team. His puppet's weapons clinked together menacingly, but the sound only revealed its position more clearly.

Chase me. That's right. Let your anger blind you.

Shin swung his sword, deflecting a barrage of needles, senbon, and shuriken from the puppet, all while carefully calculating the distance with his eyes.

When his opponent stepped into the critical zone, he suddenly stopped and shouted, "Now!"

Sharp paper spears rained down from above as a massive worm burst from the ground, trapping the puppet master in its coils. In the same instant, Sanda struck with lightning, his sword flashing as he charged.

The coordinated Akatsuki attack left the puppet master no escape. His chakra strings snapped, and his wooden weapon clattered uselessly to the ground.

At that moment, he seemed to see the word 'death' looming toward him.

"What?! Help me, Captain! Joshiro! Pakura! Save me!!" The puppet master's screams broke into high-pitched shrieks.

The Suna team captain's eyes bulged in fury. Just as he was about to use the body flicker to rush in and rescue him, several hidden paper butterflies flew out from the tree branches and exploded, slowing him down. The blasts sent leaves and splinters flying, creating a chaotic screen of debris.

These were, of course, Konan's doing from the air.

In the end, only Pakura, who had been at the back of the team, managed to evade the paper butterflies, moving swiftly past her two useless teammates.

She was just one step away from saving the puppet master, her hand already forming seals. But just before she could close the gap, a man appeared before her.

It was Shin.

From the beginning, though Pakura hadn't said a word, he had kept a close watch on her. The quiet ones are always the most dangerous. Especially when they have a bloodline limit.

With a single slash, he forced her to retreat. His blade cut through the air where she had been standing just a fraction of a second before. The heat radiating from her made the air waver, distorting his view slightly.

As she backflipped twice to put distance between them, Shin didn't pursue, instead opting to observe cautiously. Each of her movements was precise, controlled—nothing like the puppet master's emotional display.

When he noticed one of the fireballs near Pakura change its trajectory, he immediately discarded his sword and formed hand seals.

Substitution Jutsu!

Sure enough, in the next instant, one of the fireballs hovering behind Pakura accelerated rapidly, flying toward him in a flash. The heat was intense enough to make the air scream.

Ssssss!

Steam rose violently from Shin's body, his flesh charred instantly, before his form vanished in a puff of smoke, leaving behind only a log. The wood blackened and crumbled to ash almost instantly, demonstrating the devastating power of the attack.

Pakura narrowed her eyes, looking slightly surprised. "Cautious, aren't you, Ame ninja?"

A typical ninja wouldn't have used the Substitution Jutsu so decisively in what appeared to be an advantageous situation. Most would have tried to press the attack. Their corpses would have been ash before they realized their mistake.

Shin picked up his discarded sword without responding, his full attention still focused on Pakura. The blade felt warm in his hands - even being near her technique was dangerous.

Her signature technique, Scorch Style: Super Steam Kill, could evaporate all the water in a target's body in an instant, dealing devastating damage to any carbon-based life form. He couldn't afford to be careless.

Worse yet, there was no solution for this technique in the original story.

After all, Pakura had been defeated by 'Talk no Jutsu' in the story, so there was no example of anyone breaking her technique, leaving him with nothing to rely on.

But fortunately, it wasn't him who was in a hurry right now. Behind him, the puppet master's screams came to an abrupt stop—he was on the verge of death. The silence that followed was more telling than any cry.

Then came the angry demand from the Suna team captain, "Pakura, why didn't you save him?!"

Hearing the aloof Suna ninja who had previously stood in the treetops berate Pakura, Shin smirked, as if realizing something.

"So that's it... you've been ostracized, haven't you? That's why they sent you to the Land of Rain. How pitiful, Pakura."

He deliberately raised his voice, just enough for everyone to hear.

In an instant, the Suna captain's face twisted with rage, while Pakura's expression darkened. The temperature around them seemed to spike, the air becoming almost unbearable to breathe.

After the puppet master, another member of the Suna team was starting to lose control of their emotions.

With just a few words, he had broken through three of his opponents' mental defenses.

"Enough with your smart mouth, Ame ninja!"

As she spoke, Pakura drew a kunai and charged at Shin again. This time, she was noticeably faster than before. Her movements had lost their calculated precision, replaced by raw killing intent.

She was truly furious now.

Swish swish swish!

Seeing this, Konan hurriedly dropped a row of paper spears to support Shin, but Pakura casually deflected them with a fireball, vaporizing them with ease. The paper didn't even have time to burn—it simply ceased to exist.

Shin discarded his sword and formed seals.

"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

The clone charged forward, while the real Shin grabbed his sword and retreated. The clone's footsteps kicked up dust, creating a screen between them.

Until he could figure out how to counter the Scorch Release, he dared not engage Pakura directly. Each of her attacks left the air distorted with heat waves, promising instant death to anything they touched.

She wielded two kunai, her attacks fierce as she suppressed Shin's clones with ease.

The remaining two fireballs circled around her like homing devices, independently tracking and destroying his clones one by one.

The situation looked dire.

Pakura was on the verge of eliminating all his clones in under two seconds, her Scorch Release still without a clear counter.

Was it really impossible to deal with her technique?

Shin thought of ways to overcome Pakura as he cautiously clashed with her a couple of times, avoiding direct confrontation and retreating constantly, his focus always on the two deadly fireballs.

Pakura's fury continued to grow.

"Heh, your swordsmanship is far inferior to your mouth. Is this all you've got, little Ame ninja?"

Now, even the usually silent Pakura was throwing taunts in her rage. She's trying too hard.

Unfortunately, her taunts lacked the bite of Shin's earlier verbal strikes. They were born of frustration rather than calculated cruelty.

So he remained calm.

Impatience wouldn't solve anything. The remaining clones moved in careful patterns, each one testing a different aspect of her technique's range and response time.

They had already eliminated one enemy. It wasn't them who should be panicking, enraged, or losing control.

He continued to observe and think, trying to find a way to counter the Scorch Release. Until—he noticed that the two fireballs circling around Pakura were finally dimming after several attacks, looking like they were about to disappear.

At the same time, her attacks slowed, and she put her hands behind her back. Her breathing had become heavier, though she tried to hide it.

In that instant, his gaze became sharp and focused. Of course. The answer was there all along.

He realized—the key to defeating her technique had finally revealed itself.