Kazekage Building
The Kazekage Building resembled a simple, gourd-shaped sandcastle, a common architectural style in Sunagakure. After all, the Land of Wind was plagued by fierce sandstorms, and fortress-like structures were best suited to withstand them.
Led by a Jōnin, Rasa entered the meeting room inside the Kazekage Building. The walls, made of packed sand, were a muted ochre. As for the stools, chairs, and tables—they were among the more refined furnishings in the building.
Sunagakure had no shortage of skilled carpenters; their woodworking was renowned across the shinobi world.
But with so few trees in the village, their craft was severely limited—a true pity. If even basic self-sustaining resources couldn't be replaced in time, Sunagakure's situation was dire indeed.
Rasa surveyed the room. The gathered Sunagakure elders were few in number, a stark reminder of the village's lack of talent. Most of the older generation had perished in past wars, and those who survived had grown weary of the relentless sandstorms, choosing to retire.
Even Elder Chiyo and her brother Ebizō had considered retirement, but the recent disappearance of their grandson had forced them to delay those plans as they searched for him.
Sasori… a pillar of the younger generation. Had it not been for his descent into darkness, Sunagakure's future might not have fallen to the point where its strongest fighters were merely Jōnin.
Strictly speaking, Rasa's mentor, the Third Kazekage, had died at Sasori's hands—a blood feud, in a sense. But Rasa, both himself and not himself, saw no need to antagonize Chiyo and Ebizō at this juncture.
The Third Great Shinobi War was looming.
"Rasa, take a seat," Elder Chiyo said, her face softening with a kind smile. But as she looked at the struggling village, her heart sighed with melancholy.
If her grandson were still here, he could have been the right hand of the next Kazekage—or even stepped up as Kazekage himself if no suitable candidate emerged. But now was not the time for such thoughts.
Sunagakure faced threats from within and without. If these weren't addressed, the village might truly fall.
In the previous two Great Shinobi Wars, Sunagakure had initiated conflicts but lost both times. The Land of Wind, dissatisfied with their defeated shinobi, had steadily cut funding, forcing the village to reduce its ninja ranks.
Coupled with the harsh environment, where birth rates barely outpaced high mortality rates, Sunagakure's current state seemed almost inevitable.
The only unforeseen blow was the Third Kazekage's sudden disappearance, leaving no chosen successor. Without its pillar, the village's shinobi were gripped by unease.
After a moment, Chiyo's expression turned serious. "I know the Third Kazekage's loss has shaken you deeply, Rasa," she said, her voice tinged with resignation.
"But the village's situation is clear. Spies report that the Land of Lightning is mobilizing on a large scale, and the atmosphere in Kumogakure is tense. So…"
She fixed Rasa with a deep, searching look. "We believe someone is preparing to strike Sunagakure while we're vulnerable."
Her words hung in the air.
"Sister," Ebizō interjected, his voice grave despite his age, "it's not just the Land of Lightning. Konoha's ally, Kusagakure, is acting strangely as well. Konoha might join the war, and perhaps even the other five great villages. The Third Great Shinobi War could ignite again."
After all, no nation would stand idly by and let the Land of Lightning seize the advantage.
"I know," Chiyo replied, shaking her head. "But we can't let this news spread, Ebizō. The village's shinobi are already on edge. If this leaks, panic will only worsen. We'll conceal it for as long as we can."
Ebizō fell silent, then sighed and nodded. Glancing at Rasa's calm demeanor, he thought, [Truly the Third Kazekage's disciple—no trace of panic despite this news.]
After a pause, he continued, "You've likely guessed why we called you here."
"War preparations?" Rasa asked.
"Exactly," Chiyo confirmed, her tone heavy. "We can't ignore the Land of Lightning. Kumogakure won't let this opportunity slip."
Wars between nations were, in essence, wars between shinobi villages.
"For now, Ebizō and I will lead a group to guard against a sudden attack from the Land of Lightning," Chiyo said. "As for you, Rasa… the younger generation has few left to rely on. Only you and Yagura remain."
She pointed to a sand table map of the shinobi world, indicating the border near the Land of Earth. "I need you to lead a team to guard this border against Iwagakure and Kusagakure incursions. As for Yagura…"
Yagura, dressed in tight ninja gear that accentuated her figure, her hair tied in a bun, looked at Chiyo. "We must also watch Kirigakure across the sea," Chiyo continued. "We don't know if they'll join, but we must be prepared. If the Great Shinobi War truly breaks out…"
She gave a bitter smile and shook her head. "It's a dire situation."
Sunagakure was poor and understaffed. If war came, Chiyo couldn't imagine the outcome—especially with no one ready to become the next Kazekage. Without a Kage, how could the shinobi feel secure?
"Ebizō and I will fight to our last to hold back the Land of Lightning," Chiyo vowed.
Ebizō spoke up, his face forcing a cheerful grin to ease the tension. "I hope everyone here survives this war."
But the room remained heavy. No one could relax.
Yagura nodded solemnly. "I'll defend Sunagakure with my life!"
As for Rasa…
He wanted to refuse. He'd even considered quitting as a ninja, with excuses already prepared. But while he was Rasa, he also wasn't.
Resigning would leave him with regrets—this village, after all, was where the memories of "Rasa" had lived for over twenty years.
Still, war… it was terrifying. His "golden finger" gacha system required money, not effort, leaving him no way to grow stronger without spending.
In the end, he nodded, expressionless. "Understood."
(End of Chapter)