Kazekage Building
A simplistic, gourd-shaped sandcastle, typical of the Hidden Sand Village's architecture. After all, the Land of Wind was plagued by relentless sandstorms, and fortress-like structures were better suited to withstand them.
Led by a Jonin, Rasa entered the meeting room within the Kazekage Building. The walls, made of compacted sand, were a dull earthen yellow. As for the stools, chairs, and tables…
They were among the more complete furnishings in the Kazekage Building.
The Hidden Sand Village had no shortage of skilled carpenters—some of the best in the ninja world, in fact. But the scarcity of trees in the village severely limited their craft, a truly regrettable situation.
If they couldn't even replace basic necessities through self-sufficiency, the Hidden Sand Village's situation was dire indeed.
Looking at the high-ranking Sand ninja already gathered for the meeting, Rasa noted there weren't many. As he had surmised, the Hidden Sand Village was critically short on talent. Most of the older generation had perished in the previous wars, and those who survived had grown weary of the endless sandstorms and chosen to retire.
Even Elder Chiyo and her brother Ebizo had considered retirement, but the recent disappearance of their grandson had forced them to postpone those plans as they searched for him.
Sasori… one of the younger generation's pillars. Had it not been for his descent into darkness, the Hidden Sand Village's future wouldn't have fallen to the point where their strongest fighters were merely Jonin-level.
Of course, at this moment, Sasori and Rasa shared an irreconcilable grudge. After all, strictly speaking, Rasa's mentor, the Third Kazekage, had died at Sasori's hands.
But now, being both Rasa and not Rasa, he saw no need to antagonize Chiyo and Ebizo at this stage.
The Third Great Ninja War was looming!
"Rasa, take a seat~"
Elder Chiyo's face bore a kind smile as she looked at Rasa. Glancing at the struggling Hidden Sand Village, she let out a melancholic sigh.
If her grandson were here… he might have been the right-hand man to the next Kazekage—or, if no suitable Kazekage emerged, he could have stepped up to take the role himself.
But now was not the time for such thoughts.
With internal strife and external threats mounting, the Hidden Sand Village faced the risk of annihilation if these issues weren't addressed.
The Hidden Sand Village had initiated the previous two Great Ninja Wars but lost both, leaving the Land of Wind deeply dissatisfied with their ninja, who couldn't secure victories. Year by year, the Land of Wind cut funding to the Hidden Sand Village, forcing them to reduce their ninja numbers. Combined with the harsh environment and low birth and survival rates, the village's current state was all but inevitable.
The only unexpected blow was the sudden disappearance of the Third Kazekage. Without a successor chosen in time, the village, now without its pillar, was gripped by unease among its ninja.
Moments later, seeing that time was running short, Chiyo adopted a serious expression.
"I know you've been deeply affected by the Third Kazekage's disappearance," she said, shaking her head with a wry smile and a tone of helplessness. "But the village's situation—you know it well. We've received reports from spies that the Land of Lightning is mobilizing its military on a large scale. The atmosphere in the Hidden Cloud Village is also off, so…"
She fixed Rasa with a deep look.
"We believe someone is preparing to take advantage of the Hidden Sand Village's vulnerability to wage war against us."
As her words landed, Ebizo, her equally aged brother, interjected, "Sister, it's not just the Land of Lightning. The Hidden Grass Village, an ally of the Hidden Leaf, is showing signs of unrest. The Hidden Leaf might join the war, and perhaps even the other five great ninja villages will get involved. The Third Great Ninja War is about to begin."
After all, the other nations wouldn't simply stand by and let the Land of Lightning seize the advantage.
"I understand. But this news can't be spread yet, Ebizo," Chiyo said helplessly, shaking her head. "You know the ninja in the village are already uneasy. If this information leaks, they'll panic even more. We can only conceal it for as long as possible."
"…Sigh, you're right," Ebizo replied, falling silent for a moment before sighing and shaking his head. He then glanced at Rasa, who remained calm and composed. [Truly worthy of being the Third Kazekage's disciple. Even hearing this news, he shows no trace of panic.]
After a pause, Ebizo continued, "You've probably guessed why we called you here."
"War preparations?" Rasa asked.
"Yes, Rasa," Chiyo nodded, her tone still laced with helplessness. "We can't afford to let our guard down against the Land of Lightning. The Hidden Cloud Village won't pass up such a prime opportunity."
Wars between nations were, in essence, wars between ninja villages.
"At this critical moment, Ebizo and I will lead a group of ninja to defend against a potential surprise attack from the Land of Lightning. As for you…" Chiyo sighed. "Among the younger generation, only you and Yekura are capable of stepping up."
She pointed to a spot on the ninja world map on the table, near the Land of Earth.
"I want you to lead a team to guard this border, preventing the Hidden Rock Village and the Hidden Grass Village from invading during the chaos. As for Yekura…"
Yekura, dressed in a tight-fitting ninja outfit that accentuated her figure, with her hair tied in a bun, looked at Chiyo.
"We can't ignore the Hidden Mist Village across the sea," Chiyo continued. "I want you to keep an eye on them. We don't know if the Hidden Mist will join the war, but we must be prepared. If the Third Great Ninja War truly breaks out…"
She gave another bitter smile and shook her head.
"It's a dire situation."
The Hidden Sand Village was poor and understaffed. If the Great Ninja War came, Chiyo couldn't even imagine the village's fate—especially with no one yet chosen as the next Kazekage.
Without a Kage, how could the ninja below feel secure?
"The old man and I will fight to the death to hold back the Land of Lightning," Ebizo added.
With a jovial smile, he tried to lighten the tense atmosphere, but no one could relax.
Yekura nodded solemnly. "I'll defend the Hidden Sand Village with my life!"
As for Rasa…
He wanted to refuse. He even considered quitting as a ninja altogether and had already thought of excuses to resign. But while he was Rasa, he also wasn't Rasa. If he quit now, he felt he might regret it. After all, according to his inherited memories, this village was where he had lived for over twenty years.
But war…
It was still terrifying~
His "golden finger" system only allowed him to pay for power, not grind for it. There was no way to grow stronger without spending money.
In the end, he could only nod with a blank expression. "Understood."
(End of Chapter)