"She's still alive."
A smirk crept onto Fang Yuan's lips. "I've locked her in the deepest level of the prison, where she endures daily whippings and interrogations..."
Kakashi nodded slightly. "There's one more thing. Representatives from Sunagakure have arrived..."
As he spoke, Kakashi lowered his voice. "Sunagakure seems to want to redeem their 'hero.'"
"The Third Hokage and the others have apparently agreed. Teacher wants to know your opinion."
Fang Yuan gave Kakashi a subtle glance.
He nodded slightly, indicating he understood.
After a brief exchange, Kakashi's figure flickered and vanished.
Fang Yuan watched Kakashi's retreating back.
A sinister smile spread across his face as he slowly turned and walked deeper into the prison.
Clang!
The prison door slammed shut behind him.
Back in his private prison, Fang Yuan ignored the prisoners' wails echoing in his ears.
He strode straight to the lowest level.
Creak!
He pushed open the black door before him and stepped inside.
Pakura stood fully dressed.
Fang Yuan rolled his eyes. "What, are you already over me?"
"Hmph!"
Pakura turned her head away, refusing to acknowledge him.
Making me feel like I'm on a rollercoaster that never reaches the peak... it's infuriating.
She refused to give this bastard the satisfaction.
Instead, she glared at Fang Yuan with eyes brimming with resentment.
"What's with that look again? Are you planning to kill me again?"
"You couldn't even kill me last time, could you? In the end, you were the one who got investigated. What's the point?"
Fang Yuan approached and waved his hand lightly.
The bedroom door closed and locked itself without a sound.
Pakura remained silent, glaring at Fang Yuan with eyes brimming with overwhelming hatred.
Ever since this man had captured her and brought her to Konoha, he had subjected her to countless nights of humiliation and abuse.
Daily, relentless whippings...
Keeping her constantly in a state of torment.
Yet each time, she experienced a strange sensation.
As if her consciousness were drifting beyond the heavens, soaring to the clouds...
"Pakura, we've shared some deep secrets despite our brief acquaintance," Fang Yuan said, lowering his gaze slightly. "I should thank you. Without your companionship, I'd probably have gone insane by now."
Pakura! Sunagakure's prodigy Scorch Release ninja.
A formidable contender for the Kazekage position against the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa.
Earlier, Fang Yuan had told Kakashi that he was imprisoning Pakura in the deepest level of Konoha Prison, interrogating her with whippings.
But in reality, Pakura had been hidden in his bedroom all along.
Sharing his bed every night, tirelessly serving him...
Daily, she used yin-yang harmonization techniques to alleviate the malevolent energy within him.
"When exactly are you going to kill me?" Pakura finally spoke.
Her voice, cold yet seductive, dripped with boundless hatred.
"Kill you? Why would I do that?" Fang Yuan smiled. "I have to go to a meeting at the Hokage Building. I heard representatives from Sunagakure are here..."
"Looks like Fourth Kazekage Rasa really wants to redeem you..."
"Sunagakure... Rasa..."
Pakura, sitting on the bed, suddenly changed her expression.
Her silver teeth clenched tightly, and a wave of hatred surged within her.
"What's this? Planning to kill Rasa?" Fang Yuan asked softly. "Even if you're strong enough, Rasa is firmly seated as Kazekage, surrounded by countless Anbu. You wouldn't even get close."
"Please... help me kill him!" Pakura pleaded through gritted teeth, her fists clenched.
"Why should I help you?" Fang Yuan grinned. "Rasa is the Fourth Kazekage, a master of Gold Dust. I'm no match for him..."
"If you kill him for me, I'll do anything you want... even that... I'll submit completely." Tears of humiliation streamed down Pakura's face.
No one knew better than she did the true extent of this man's power.
Faced with his bizarre combat techniques and his blood-soaked flying sword...
Rasa's Magnet Release and Gold Dust were a joke to Fang Yuan.
There? Behind?
"Heh heh heh..."
Fang Yuan's eyes lit up. This is getting interesting.
No matter how many positions they tried, repeating them over and over, it all felt the same.
You always need some innovation.
"And you call yourself a hero of Sunagakure, yet all you can think about is letting your Kazekage die?" Fang Yuan scoffed.
"Hero?" Pakura gave a bitter smile. "When has Sunagakure ever considered me one?"
"When Rasa sent me to Kirigakure as a bargaining chip, to die in his place, did he treat me like a comrade then?"
"The Elders of Sunagakure knew Rasa's intentions. Why didn't they stop him? Why did they stand by and watch me walk to my death?"
"The so-called hero is nothing but a joke."
"That's true enough!" Fang Yuan gazed at Pakura's pale face. "But why should I help you?"
Pakura leaned back slightly, but couldn't escape his gaze.
Fang Yuan smiled at her. "There... I can do whatever I want, whenever I want... isn't that right?"
Pakura's face twisted, her chest heaving.
"You... you beast..."