Pain ordered his subordinates to gather information. After spending some money, they finally managed to get intel from a Rain Shinobi who had participated in the war.
Rain Shinobi Village had fallen so quickly that even Nagato had misjudged the situation.
Based on the number of participants from both Rain Shinobi and Konoha, he had assumed the village would hold out for a while. So, Nagato initially focused on refining the Hell Path, which could resurrect the other Pains, planning to refine the Human Path later.
He hadn't expected that just a few days later, Konoha would have already captured Rain Shinobi Village.
Should he continue the war here?
Nagato considered it but quickly dismissed the idea.
Doing so would expose the Akatsuki organization to the five great nations and drag them into a direct war with Konoha. Apart from himself, the only member of Akatsuki with significant power was Konan.
Even though Nagato had full confidence in his Rinnegan, he knew that in a direct conflict with Konoha, defeat was inevitable.
Moreover, the Akatsuki would face resistance not just from Konoha, but from the civilians of the Land of Rain as well. Even if there was a one-in-ten-thousand chance of victory, the people of the Land of Rain would likely still side with the Land of Fire.
The benefits offered by Konoha were simply too generous. The Akatsuki couldn't match them—not even close. With stable lives, abundant food, clothing, flood control, and even promises of infrastructure and sunlight, the Fire Nation could guarantee everything the civilians needed.
Meanwhile, Akatsuki couldn't offer anything tangible. Even their organizational funds had once come from the Fire Nation's daimyo years ago.
After gathering the information, one member of Akatsuki turned to Pain and asked,
"Leader, what should we do?"
"Return. There's no chance for us here—unless both Iwagakure and Sunagakure decide to intervene," Nagato replied, speaking through Pain's body.
And so, the Akatsuki members withdrew the way they came. The trip hadn't been entirely fruitless—at the very least, Nagato had witnessed the terrifying power of the Land of Fire.
In such a short time, they had nearly erased an entire small country. Even the civilians no longer cared who ruled the Land of Rain.
With news of the Fire Nation's policies spreading, it wouldn't be long before the Land of Rain was reduced to nothing more than a county of the Land of Fire.
Meanwhile, the reactions from Iwagakure and Sunagakure were quite different upon receiving news of the situation in the Land of Rain.
Ōnoki immediately began mobilizing the Rock Shinobi army, making a lot of noise. However, at the same time, he also sent envoys to Konoha, hoping to persuade them to reconsider their occupation of the Land of Rain.
The Land of Rain borders six countries. If the Land of Fire were to take control of it, Iwagakure would be forced to defend multiple new fronts.
And since Konoha is the strongest of the Five Great Shinobi Villages, letting them expand their influence any further would only lead to more trouble for Iwagakure in the future.
While sending envoys to Konoha, Ōnoki also dispatched emissaries to Sunagakure.
Konoha's current attitude was aggressive and uncompromising. If the other villages didn't form an alliance soon, they would eventually be swallowed up one by one.
Ōnoki had once met the First Hokage, but in Orochimaru and Nawaki, he couldn't see the same spirit of peace. Instead, their style reminded him more of Uchiha Madara.
However, before Iwagakure's envoys could reach Sunagakure, a delegation from the Daimyō's office of the Land of Fire arrived there first.
Since Kain became the Daimyō of the Fire Nation, the Kain Chamber of Commerce had gradually severed ties with both Sunagakure and Kirigakure. Still, many individuals in those villages maintained good relationships with the Kain Chamber.
For example, in Kirigakure, the Terumi clan had members who had risen to high positions within the Kain Chamber of Commerce—positions far better than anything they held during the oppressive Blood Mist era.
After trade with Kirigakure was cut off, even Elder Yagura didn't have the will to maintain foreign trade amidst the village's brutality.
Sunagakure was also struggling. After the war, while other nations entered a period of vigorous development, their primary trade partner had suddenly become the Daimyō of the Land of Fire—a daimyo who had extremely close ties with Konoha.
As a result, Sunagakure once again fell into a state of scarcity and lack of resources.
The Third Kazekage was powerless to change this. He couldn't force the Fire Daimyō to resume trade.
So when the Fire Nation suddenly sent envoys to Sunagakure, the Third Kazekage didn't know what to expect. Still, he summoned Rasa to join him in hearing what the envoys had to say.
When they arrived in the Kazekage's office, the envoy spoke directly:
"Your Excellency, the Third Kazekage—Daimyō-sama wishes to invite you to the capital of the Land of Fire to discuss an important matter."
To the capital of the Land of Fire?
Upon hearing this, both the Third Kazekage and Rasa were taken aback. As village leaders, they couldn't just recklessly travel to such a politically sensitive location.
Nonetheless, the Third Kazekage accepted the invitation letter and asked in a serious tone,
"What kind of matter does your Daimyō wish to discuss? Sunagakure has many obligations and may not be able to spare time in the near future."
But before he could finish, the Kazekage fell silent—he had opened the document and was stunned by its contents.
It proposed Sunagakure joining the Land of Fire!
He looked closer. There were no codes, no hidden meanings—it was a formal and legitimate diplomatic letter. It didn't appear to be forged in any way.
Was the Daimyō of the Land of Fire insane to even consider such an idea?
The Third Kazekage looked up sharply and asked,
"These contents—are they really from your Daimyō?"
The envoy replied calmly,
"Lord Daimyō personally entrusted me with the document. There's no chance it was switched during transit."
The Third Kazekage remained silent for a long time. If it had been any ordinary matter, he would have simply declined. But this... this was unexpected. Completely outrageous.
After pondering for a moment, he finally said,
"Very well. Please go and rest for now—I will need to consult with others about this matter."
Afterwards, the Third Kazekage asked Rasa to escort the envoy from the Daimyō's mansion of the Land of Fire to his quarters and ordered the Anbu to ensure his safety.
Once Rasa returned, the Third Kazekage immediately instructed him to summon the village elders and high-ranking officials. However, he subconsciously excluded those officials known to have ties with the Daimyō's mansion of the Land of Fire.
Shortly after, Rasa brought everyone to the Kazekage's office. With Anbu guarding the entrance, the Third Kazekage took out the invitation letter given to him by Kain and passed it around for everyone to read.
Kain's intentions were clear—he was inviting Sunagakure to join the Land of Fire. The proposed treatment would be far better than remaining under the Land of Wind, and Kain promised equal status and fair treatment. The finer details, however, would need to be discussed in person, should the Kazekage visit the Land of Fire.
"This kind of proposal..."
Rasa was the first to speak after a long pause.
"His Excellency the Daimyō of the Fire Nation is being far too naive. We and Konoha have been enemies for generations. How can the hatred accumulated over three Ninja World Wars be erased in a single day?"
"It's not naivety," Chiyo interjected calmly. "It's absolute confidence."
She turned to look at Ebizō.
"Do we have any more detailed information on the war in the Land of Rain?"
"The situation changed too quickly, sister," Ebizō replied. "I haven't been able to gather much, but from what we've learned—Konoha only sent thirty shinobi. The other hundred or so fighters appeared to be... inhuman."
"Inhuman?" one of the other Sunagakure elders asked in surprise.
"It's just speculation," Ebizō admitted. "There's too little information to be certain. But whatever Konoha used in that battle was terrifying. Even if Hanzo had survived and resisted, I doubt it would have changed anything."
"Is it their strongest force outside of the Jinchūriki?"
The Third Kazekage asked in a low voice.
But even Sunagakure's own One-Tails Jinchūriki had limits. In contrast, Konoha had the Nine Tails—and reportedly, dozens of fire dragons soaring through the skies.
Though Sunagakure had regained some strength in the years since the war, the Third Kazekage still couldn't summon the confidence to believe they could defeat Konoha.
Konoha's foundation is simply too strong. In the past, they could take on three other villages at once and still win—but now, they've become even stronger than before, especially with Konoha fully supporting the Daimyō of the Land of Fire.
The Land of Rivers and the Land of Hefeng entrusted missions to Sunagakure only because Konoha didn't accept them. It feels like Sand Shinobi is merely drinking Konoha's leftover soup.
"I've decided to go to the Daimyō's mansion in the Land of Fire," the Third Kazekage announced.
But before he could finish, Chiyo immediately interrupted:
"No! Kazekage-sama must not step into the enemy's territory so carelessly. We still don't know what happened to Hanzo, but it's likely connected to Konoha. If something happens to you as well..."
The other high-ranking officials of Sunagakure immediately joined in to persuade him. The Third Kazekage hesitated—Hanzo's mysterious disappearance was indeed a warning.
Chiyo continued, "Let Rasa go instead. I'll accompany him. The Fire Daimyō shouldn't object."
Rasa agreed. "That's right. Please leave this matter to me, Kazekage-sama."
"Very well. I'll entrust it to you and Elder Chiyo, Rasa," the Third Kazekage finally said after a moment of thought.
He had wanted Rasa to begin understanding the responsibilities of the Fourth Kazekage anyway. This matter could be part of his gradual transition—preparing him for future leadership. It was a good opportunity to gain experience in national affairs.
With the decision made, Rasa informed the envoy of the Land of Fire. Although surprised by the change in delegation, the envoy didn't object after Chiyo subtly hinted that Rasa was the next Kazekage. After preparing, Rasa and Chiyo set off together.
Sunagakure might be the easiest of the Five Great Ninja Villages for the Land of Fire to persuade. The village was very poor. If the Kain Chamber of Commerce were to blockade the Land of Wind, not only would they be unable to support the ninja village—the entire nation would struggle to feed itself.
More than half the country is desert, and without trade from abroad, it would collapse. Ironically, the first ones to clamor for war wouldn't be the shinobi—but the Daimyō of the Wind Country and his nobles.
Meanwhile, in the Kamui dimension, Uchiha Obito had grown increasingly irritable ever since the container holding the Four-Tails mysteriously vanished.
This new enemy was too cunning, manipulating events behind the scenes and staying one step ahead of him. Not long after Obito left, the container had been taken.
Since then, he often remained in Kamui, trying to uncover who was orchestrating everything. But the Kamui space was too vast. He could move freely within it, but he couldn't monitor the entire dimension.
One day, Obito saw a familiar bright light—another virtual projection, just like last time.
As he approached, the image began to play.
Familiar faces appeared—Nohara Rin, now nearly an adult. The sight of her brought a wave of longing and pain. Her voice, her name…
Suddenly, one of Obito's eyes shifted into the Mangekyō Sharingan, while the other spun wildly as a fully awakened three-tomoe Sharingan. Bloodshot veins emerged as he shouted, eyes full of rage:
"You bastard—don't you dare put your hands on Rin's waist!!"
…
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