At the end of Konoha Year 41, winter had begun to settle across the entire shinobi world. Even the once-golden desert of Sunagakure, the Hidden Sand Village, was now lightly blanketed with a thin layer of snow.
However, much like the biting chill of this winter, a wave of sorrow had engulfed Sunagakure. The shocking news of the Third Kazekage's mysterious disappearance had finally come to light!
For over half a year, no one knew where the Third Kazekage had gone. Even his direct disciple, Rasa, had no answers. As time dragged on, though most were reluctant to admit it, the grim reality had settled in: the Third Kazekage was likely no more.
But… who could have taken down the Third Kazekage so silently?
The Hokage of Konoha?
The Tsuchikage of Iwagakure?
The Raikage of Kumogakure, or perhaps the Mizukage of Kirigakure?
In the hearts of the villagers, Konoha bore the greatest suspicion. As the most powerful shinobi village, Konoha had emerged victorious in both of the past two Great Shinobi Wars, a testament to their overwhelming strength.
To eliminate the Kazekage so discreetly would require more than just a single Kage.
Perhaps…
the Kazekage had fought alone against the Hokage and Konoha's Legendary Sannin, only to fall in an ambush.
With the Kazekage missing, the Daimyo of the Land of Wind had begun slashing the village's ninja forces and funding, causing Sunagakure's strength to dwindle. Now, with this news spreading to other villages,
Sunagakure was in grave danger!
Worse still, Rasa, devastated by his master's disappearance, had become a shadow of his former self—listless, confused, almost as if he were a different person.
After an examination by Elder Chiyo, it was suspected that Rasa's mind had been deeply shaken.
With no leader, no new Kazekage appointed, and Rasa in such a state, the Sand shinobi were gripped by fear and helplessness. The future of Sunagakure seemed bleak.
---
"Rasa, are you feeling any better?"
"I'm sorry for worrying you."
Rasa looked up at the young woman who entered the room. She had light blonde hair, a gentle smile, and striking indigo eyes, dressed in a casual kimono.
"You don't have to come here every day, you know."
Karura, Rasa's fiancée, was set to marry him soon, but the wedding had been postponed due to the Third Kazekage's disappearance. Rasa, in truth, supported the delay.
Having arrived in this world just a month ago, he was still adjusting.
As a former struggling writer and self-proclaimed "forever single," waking up with a fiancée was both thrilling and overwhelming.
Truthfully, he was both Rasa and not Rasa.
Since being found drunk and unconscious at home last month—thanks to some cheap sake—Karura had been visiting regularly, cooking his meals, tidying his home, and offering emotional support.
But no one knew the real reason for his change wasn't just the Kazekage's disappearance.
Fortunately, Elder Chiyo's diagnosis hadn't revealed that he was, in fact, a different person. With access to the original Rasa's memories, he'd avoided being sent to a lab or interrogation room.
"I'm feeling much better. I can manage on my own," Rasa said, watching Karura tie on an apron to prepare dinner and clean.
"Really, I'm not lying!"
"I believe you," Karura replied with a smile, nodding. But as she looked at Rasa's earnest yet slightly embarrassed expression, she sighed inwardly. [You never used to make that face before.]
"I caught a fish at the lake near the back mountain today," Karura said, turning away, her voice still gentle. "The fish there are getting scarcer, and the water level's been dropping for years. Some say this place might become a true desert someday."
She continued, "This fish will help you regain some strength."
"Thank you."
"You never used to say 'thank you' to me."
"…"
Rasa felt a pang of helplessness as Karura's tone carried a hint of displeasure. [How did I end up as the future Fourth Kazekage?]
The Fourth Kazekage's legacy wasn't exactly stellar. His wife passed early, his questionable decisions nearly drove his children to ruin, and though he was later redeemed through Naruto's influence, he remained a widower for life.
To keep up with Konoha's growth, he allied with Orochimaru—Orochimaru, the Hokage's own disciple! That alliance led to Konoha's collapse plan, which only strengthened Konoha's young shinobi while leaving Sunagakure in shambles.
The Fourth Kazekage died unexpectedly, the village's veterans either passed or retired, and his youngest son, barely twelve, was left an orphan. Sunagakure's strength hit an all-time low, with his son eventually becoming Kazekage—a sign of how far the village had fallen.
But those were future concerns. For now, the Third Kazekage's disappearance signaled the looming threat of another Great Shinobi War.
"Fake sake is trouble," Rasa muttered.
Why would a Kazekage's disciple drink cheap, fake sake? Unlike Rasa's original self—a broke writer who could only afford bargain-bin drinks—the real Rasa had no excuse. Two people drinking fake sake had collided, and now Rasa was here, with the original's memories merged into his own.
Looking at Karura—beautiful, gentle, and kind—he thought, [Why did it have to be like this?]
Sunagakure had little to offer. Even eating fish was a luxury. The village relied on mission income, but the Land of Wind's Daimyo was cutting support. Water and soil erosion was severe, and while birth rates were decent, the death rate was high.
So why was he here? Was this some kind of "college grad supports the desert" program? And a *transmigration* at that? Talk about a leap.
Soon, Karura finished preparing fish soup and a simple vegetable dish—tonight's dinner. Life in Sunagakure was tough; even this flavorful but under-salted soup wasn't an everyday treat.
"Let's eat," Rasa said, picking up the fragrant bowl. Karura's cooking was simple but delicious. Noticing her watching him with a smile, he paused, glanced at her empty bowl, and hesitantly placed some vegetables in it.
"Why aren't you eating?" he asked, feeling self-conscious under her gaze.
"I'll eat too," Karura replied, picking up her bowl.
As Rasa ate, he glanced at the "golden finger" system that had followed him to this world: a [Gacha Pool]. Spend money, draw items—anything from an apple core to an aircraft carrier.
As a one-star "pay-to-win" player, an aircraft carrier was a pipe dream. Most draws yielded junk like apple cores, with the occasional stat-boosting item.
He'd spent his entire savings—100,000 ryō—on ten draws, earning two points of vitality, two points of strength, two points of chakra, and four apple cores. The drop rate was abysmal: 10,000 ryō per draw, and even a ten-pull was lackluster.
Why was 100,000 ryō his entire fortune?
Sunagakure was poor. Most mission earnings went to village maintenance and development, leaving little for individuals—even a Kazekage's disciple.
After dinner, Karura handed him a cup of boiled water. Rasa sat cross-legged on the tatami, watching her bustle about. [This… isn't so bad,] he thought, a faint smile tugging at his lips as he gazed at her back.
"Karura," he began hesitantly, "do you prefer the old…"
But before he could finish, a whoosh sounded.
A ninja in Sunagakure garb appeared in the courtyard outside the hall.
"Rasa-sama, Elder Chiyo requests your presence at the Kazekage Building for a meeting."
(End of Chapter)