Pakura.
In his memories, she had once been his classmate.
A sharp, beautiful woman—strong, competent, and a master of Scorch Release. Among the younger generation of Sunagakure, only she and Rasa were seen as candidates who could possibly become the next Kazekage.
But unlike him, Pakura had never shown any desire for the position. She was far more content teaching at the Academy. A gentle, patient instructor, she would often stay behind after exhausting missions just to help her students with their training.
She was also a fiercely loyal shinobi of Sunagakure—powerful and devoted.
In the original timeline, she would become known as one of Sunagakure's heroes during the war. There was no doubt about her strength. But Rasa knew the truth that hadn't happened yet…
If things followed their original course, she would later be used as a diplomatic offering—sacrificed in a desperate plea for peace with Kirigakure. And ultimately, she'd be surrounded and killed.
As for the Fourth Kazekage?
A man who wanted to make his village stronger—but didn't have the strength to do it.
He worked himself to the bone, risking his life to fund the village. Sacrificed loyal comrades for the sake of so-called peace. But unlike the Third Hokage, he had no luck and no one to share the burden. In the end, he doomed both his son and the very village he tried to save.
But now… that future was already changing.
Because Rasa wasn't just Rasa anymore.
He had a cheat code now.
All he needed was… money.
Frowning slightly, he muttered under his breath, "I need to find some cash fast…"
If he wanted to get stronger, he had to pay to win.
Before he could think further—
"You're short on money?" Pakura, walking beside him, gave a confident toss of her head and replied matter-of-factly, "Not surprising. We haven't had any missions this month. And the village's finances are a mess. Makes sense you'd be broke."
Rasa turned and stared at her, slightly stunned.
She rolled her eyes at the look. "What are you staring at?"
"Ah—no, I just… thought you've gotten a lot prettier recently."
He scrambled to change the subject, but all he earned was another eye-roll. Still, just recalling her personality from memory confirmed it—this was exactly who Pakura had always been.
Straightforward, a little rough around the edges, but someone you could always count on.
She loved her village. If someone needed help, she'd do everything she could.
But borrowing money from her?
Still kinda embarrassing...
Especially since he had no way of paying it back any time soon.
Before he could say anything else—
"You've gotten smoother with your words, and your face isn't as grumpy as it used to be," she remarked, tone calm but teasing. "Seems like the rumors were true—that you've been out of it ever since the Third Kazekage disappeared. You…"
She narrowed her eyes, giving him a once-over.
"…almost seem like a different person."
She sighed, shook her head, then reached into her ninja pouch.
"Whatever. Here."
She tossed him a small, slightly worn coin pouch.
"Just got back from a mission today. Most of the reward went to the village, but there's a bit left."
"…?"
Rasa looked down at the warm pouch—he had definitely felt it pressing against her chest earlier… Ahem—he quickly coughed and thanked her, just about ready to toss it back.
But—
"Don't thank me. It's a loan."
Pakura turned her back to him and waved casually over her shoulder.
"And… live through this, alright?"
"Wait—" Rasa called out, but she was already gone, swallowed by the night.
He sighed, shaking his head. "Guess I'll just treat it as a loan…"
As for paying it back?
He was here now. He had changed her fate—saved her life.
As her savior… wasn't it fair to pay her back a little late?
"Totally fair. Honestly, I'm already being generous if I repay it at all."
He chuckled to himself. But right then—
"What's so generous?"
A soft, sweet voice spoke up behind him.
"…Karura?"
He turned to see her standing there, smiling gently.
And immediately flinched.
Though he didn't know why.
Borrowing money in your own village from a comrade—what's so weird about that?
Totally normal. Totally fine.
So he quickly forced a calm smile and walked over.
"What are you doing here?"
"I saw you hadn't come home yet and got worried," Karura said gently. "So I came to check on you… and then I saw…"
"That—! There's nothing going on between me and Pakura! Really!"
I swear on my life!
Having seen way too many cliché dramas in his last life, he instinctively jumped to clear things up.
But…
"Mm~" Karura smiled sweetly and shook her head. "Of course I know there's nothing going on between you two, silly."
Her eyes curved with laughter.
"Rasa, you've really changed."
"Heh… have I?" Rasa's heart skipped a beat.
He realized his reaction had been too unnatural.
He looked away, pretending to be deep in thought. "People… change."
He hadn't even finished the sentence—
When suddenly, she hugged him.
"You're still mourning the Third Kazekage, aren't you?" Karura whispered as she embraced him. "But I don't think he'd want you to stay stuck in the past. Rasa… I'll be here for you. Always."
"…"
You've misunderstood… Rasa thought. But what's the point in explaining now?
He smiled quietly and returned the hug.
Hugging your own wife isn't a crime, right?
"If you ever need money, you can ask me," Karura said gently, cutting off whatever excuse he was about to give. Her expression turned serious.
"I've been saving up a little too. Don't say no."
Then, after a pause…
"Is it really going to be war?"
"…Yeah."
Rasa gave a small nod.
"You're going to fight too?"
"…Yeah."
"Then… can I come with you?"
"No!"
This time, Rasa didn't hesitate.
He shook his head firmly.
"Your body can't handle the battlefield."
Karura had once been a kunoichi. But a mission injury had left her weak, and she'd retired since then.
"Wait for me here. Stay safe in the village."
"…Okay." She'd started to object, but seeing the determination in his eyes, she just smiled and nodded softly.
"I'll wait for you here, Rasa."
Her eyes shimmered as she looked up at him.
"Promise me… come back alive."
Her cheeks turned a faint pink—even under the night sky, Rasa could clearly see the blush.
"And when you do, let's get marri—"
She didn't get to finish.
"Don't talk. Just kiss me!"
Rasa leaned in quickly.
You can't just say something like that out loud!
Are you trying to get me killed?!