Faced with the overwhelming cries of the gathered crowd, Rasa's expression was ice-cold. Inside the Kazekage's office, several high-ranking Suna shinobi and ANBU members stood silently, their heads bowed, waiting for his command.
They were his most trusted subordinates, well aware of his temper. Speaking up now would only bring them trouble. The best course of action was to stay quiet and follow orders.
For a protest to escalate to such a massive scale, there had to be instigators working in the shadows. And at the very front of the crowd stood Pakura, the Scorch Release user.
Her strength and reputation in Sunagakure were undeniable. At one point, she had even been a candidate for the Fourth Kazekage position.
With Pakura leading the charge, sending anyone else out to calm the crowd would be useless. Only Rasa himself could face them now.
For a long moment, Rasa remained silent. But the deafening noise of the protest only fueled his irritation, making it impossible for him to think of a proper solution.
Finally, his patience snapped.
"Follow me," he ordered, his voice like steel. "Let's hear what they have to say."
A cold glint flashed in his eyes as he walked toward the entrance.
Rasa had spent years reforming Sunagakure, believing he had secured absolute control over the village.
He refused to believe that a group of instigators—no matter how well-organized—could pose a real threat to him.
Not even Pakura would be able to shake his authority.
'I gave you a place as a hero, Pakura. You should've been content. But if you're determined to step forward—then don't blame me for what happens next.'
The moment Rasa stepped out of the Kazekage's office, the shouting ceased.
The villagers had been demanding answers—but now that he had appeared, they fell silent.
Rasa swept his gaze over the assembled crowd, then spoke in a low, commanding tone:
"If you have grievances, you may submit a formal appeal through the proper channels. Gathering like this—do you intend to pressure your Kazekage?"
As he finished speaking, an immense surge of chakra exploded from his body.
The sheer pressure sent shockwaves through the air, causing those at the front—both shinobi and civilians alike—to stiffen in fear.
They had almost forgotten just who they were dealing with.
This was Rasa, the Fourth Kazekage.
Yet, despite the intimidation, a firm voice broke the silence.
"Lord Kazekage, we only have one question. We just want a clear answer."
A Suna Jonin stepped forward from the crowd, his expression unwavering as he met Rasa's gaze.
His name was Morihei.
"Why were the previous One-Tail Jinchuriki sealed away in a temple outside the village, but this time, the Jinchuriki is allowed to walk freely among us?"
"If Shukaku goes on a rampage again, what happens to the people of Sunagakure? In the past, we've suffered through multiple incidents—three dead, sixty-seven injured."
"These were our own comrades who suffered, Kazekage-sama!"
A ripple spread through the crowd as many people nodded in agreement, their attention fixed on Rasa.
This was an issue that concerned their very survival.
Even those who had come out without much concern were now beginning to seriously consider the risks.
'Maybe they should lock that monster up again. At the very least, don't let him walk around so freely.'
Rasa clenched his fists.
This Jinchuriki was his son, Gaara.
He had spent years carefully pushing Gaara to master Shukaku's power—a necessary step to securing Suna's future.
He could not allow his son to be isolated or imprisoned.
"I will discuss this matter with the village council and deliver an answer," Rasa said firmly.
But Morihei wasn't finished.
"And when can we expect this answer, Kazekage-sama?" he pressed. "After all, Gaara is your son. If too much time passes, and another incident occurs, more innocent people will suffer."
Murmurs spread through the crowd, growing louder with each passing second.
Some even began whispering accusations:
"The Kazekage's son is the monster?"
"So that means… the Kazekage is responsible for all those deaths?"
Rasa's fury boiled over.
Damn you, Morihei!
His gaze turned icy, his fingers twitching with the urge to crush this man to dust with his Gold Dust Jutsu.
But he couldn't—not here, not now.
With gritted teeth, he forced himself to take a slow breath, calming the storm inside him.
His gaze then landed on Pakura, who stood at the forefront.
Even with Morihei's boldness, he still stood behind her.
That alone was enough to tell Rasa everything he needed to know.
"Pakura," he said coolly. "Do you feel the same way?"
Pakura hesitated for a moment before offering a diplomatic response.
"Well… resolving this issue would be beneficial for the village," she admitted. "I'm sure the Fourth will find a suitable solution—so let's not act too hastily."
She had no intention of escalating tensions.
The villagers' concerns were valid, but she understood that such matters took time to resolve.
However, the moment she finished speaking, she noticed Rasa's expression darken even further.
His anger had not subsided—it had intensified.
To Rasa, Pakura's words were not reassurance—they were pressure.
A thinly veiled demand: Solve this problem… or lose your position.
Fine. If that's what they wanted—
"Seven days."
Rasa's voice cut through the murmuring crowd like a blade.
"In seven days, I will provide an official resolution as Kazekage."
He paused, then added with chilling finality:
"If, within these seven days, another incident occurs because of the One-Tail, I will resign from my position as Kazekage."
A declaration. A challenge. A warning.
With those words, Rasa had silenced the storm—for now.
After the message was relayed by Suna's ANBU, news of Rasa's ultimatum quickly spread throughout the village.
Using his position as Kazekage as a guarantee was the highest form of assurance he could give.
With that, many villagers began to disperse. Since they would receive an answer in seven days, there was no need to continue gathering here.
Once most of the civilians left, Morihei and his supporters followed suit.
Watching Pakura and the others leave, Rasa clenched his fists tightly beneath his cloak.
The moment he returned to the Kazekage's office, his rage exploded.
He immediately ordered the ANBU to investigate why he was the last to know about such a major incident.
As for Gaara, he had no choice but to send him outside the village for now.
The forced stimulation training to control Shukaku would also be temporarily halted—at least until this situation was under control.
Rasa could not afford another crisis right now.
The humiliating defeat in the Third Shinobi World War had been a thorn in his heart for years.
But now, Suna had advanced medical technology, healing talismans, and an economic structure on par with Konoha.
With their abundant funds, Rasa had long envisioned turning Sunagakure into the strongest village in the shinobi world.
Yet his first battle as Kazekage had ended with Konoha crushing him completely.
That humiliation was something he could never let go.
Meanwhile, in another location, Hyuga Mirai was watching the entire situation unfold via a remote feed.
Seeing Rasa's reaction, he shook his head in mild disappointment.
"Is that all? Rasa's leadership is really lacking."
Sitting beside him, Sasori let out a cold chuckle.
"If it were me," he sneered, "they wouldn't even have a chance to challenge me."
Mirai smirked.
"Yeah, I figured as much."
Sunagakure operated differently from Konoha.
While Konoha functioned as a union of noble clans, Suna was more like a military coalition.
Unlike Konoha's tightly bound clans, Suna's puppeteers had no unified faction—they all traced their lineage back to the Second Kazekage.
Yet despite being the Kazekage, Rasa had allowed his reforms to weaken the village's unity instead of strengthening it.
Now, even his political power was weaker than before.
Mirai sighed.
"Well, at least Sunagakure doesn't seem to have any major problems for now."
Then, he turned to Sasori with a playful grin.
"So… what about that deal we made? You still owe me a visit to Chiyo."
Sasori's expression darkened.
Mirai had baited him into this agreement by offering a blueprint for a new mechanical humanoid project.
And now, he had no excuse to delay it any longer.
Sasori rubbed his forehead in frustration before finally muttering:
"…Fine. I'll go."
Then, without another word, he turned and left.
Mirai chuckled.
He was curious about Sasori's reaction when he saw Chiyo again.
That was why he had deployed a satellite to monitor Chiyo's residence—just to witness Sasori's awkward reunion.
It was nothing more than a personal amusement of his.
Back in the Kazekage's office, an ANBU member swiftly entered and delivered a report.
"Kazekage-sama, representatives from Keikou Trading Company are waiting outside."
Rasa frowned.
"What do they want?"
"The issue stems from the Daimyo's orders. It seems they're here to demand an explanation."
The ANBU had already received reports in advance, so they understood the situation clearly.
The Daimyo of the Land of Wind had ordered his subordinates to shut down all mining operations controlled by Keikou Trading Company in the desert.
Not only that—he had issued a strict prohibition against Suna engaging in any independent mining activities within the country.
As if that weren't enough, the Daimyo's office had also sent an official notice:
The next round of funding for Sunagakure would be cut by twenty percent.
BANG!
Rasa's fist slammed down, shattering his desk into pieces.
He was not someone who easily lost his temper.
But the Daimyo's actions had finally pushed him to his limit.
Another budget cut?!
Did the Daimyo even understand how little funding Sunagakure received?
At this rate, they might as well declare total independence and support themselves!
And now, they were even interfering with Keikou Trading Company's mining rights?
That was cutting off Sunagakure's only external financial support!
In that moment, a horrifying realization struck Rasa.
If Keikou Trading Company withdrew their support—
Sunagakure would collapse overnight.
And the worst part?
He couldn't demand compensation from Keikou Trading Company.
They were the ones suffering the losses.
(End of Chapter)
=========================================================
DROP THEM POWER STONES PLEASE
SUPPORT ME ON P@TREON IF YOU'D LIKE ACCESS ON ADVANCED CHAPTERS
PAT REON . COM / TurdTranslations (Just remove the space).