Wind Country, Sunagakure.
In just a few days, both the Third Kazekage and the Daimyo of Wind Country had died one after another. The string of tragedies left the nation leaderless and thrown into chaos.
A few hours ago.
With the support of Chiyo, Ebizō, and others, thirteen-year-old Rasa was hastily appointed as the Fourth Kazekage.
This youngest-ever Kage wasted no time revealing his ruthless nature after stepping into power.
During his inauguration speech in front of thousands of Suna ninjas at the Kazekage building, he branded Pakura as a traitor guilty of colluding with foreign enemies, announcing her exile to Hozuki Castle Prison for life imprisonment.
Rasa's reasons for this move were threefold: first, to make an example out of her as a warning to others; second, to cater to public opinion and consolidate popular support; third, to eliminate a rival—after all, Pakura had always been his biggest competitor.
Killing two birds with one stone—with a third thrown in for good measure.
This scheme quickly gained Rasa significant popularity among villagers, allowing him to firmly grasp power.
Currently, Pakura was already en route under Anbu escort from Sunagakure.
In the original timeline, Pakura was betrayed by high-ranking village elders after the end of the Third Great Ninja War, eventually dying tragically in Kirigakure, becoming a victim of political struggle.
But in this world, she still couldn't escape persecution—in fact, thanks to Heiyan's presence, her tragic fate had come even sooner than it should have.
Heiyan wouldn't allow such events to unfold unchallenged.
He decided to save Pakura.
"Hozuki Castle Prison…"
Heiyan murmured softly, frowning slightly.
From what he knew, this prison was established in Hozuki Castle by request from multiple nations specifically for incarcerating ninja guilty of severe crimes—it was essentially a gathering place for criminals.
Pakura, just a teenage girl barely out of childhood, would face horrors unimaginable in such a place.
Rasa truly was ruthless.
Thinking thus, Heiyan revealed a cold smile.
He didn't intend to go straight to Hozuki Castle while Pakura was still in transit and the route remained confidential—heading there now would only mean waiting around uselessly.
Therefore, Heiyan decided to visit Sunagakure first—to give those bastards a lesson, which could also be considered revenge for Pakura.
"Guagua, it's time to go."
Heiyan waved toward the Stealth Frog, then smoothly dove into its body. With a plop, the creature leapt into the well, sending up a splash before disappearing as if swallowed by the depths.
Months ago when he helped Sunagakure complete the Oasis Plan, he'd secretly left behind an Enshinsui seal. Now, that precaution was finally useful.
...
The night deepened into silence.
A pale crescent moon hung high on the horizon, gazing indifferently over the desolate desert below. Moonlight poured over Sunagakure, bringing an air of oppression and coldness.
A gust of western wind howled through, kicking up dust and sand, adding a chilling, ominous atmosphere.
Tonight seemed destined to become an extraordinary night.
At this moment, every household in Sunagakure had long extinguished their lights, people immersed in dreams. Only the temple deep inside the village remained brightly lit, figures bustling about.
Inside the temple.
Surrounded by high-ranking Sand elders, the newly instated Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, stood beside a sickbed.
On the bed, Bunpuku, the monk Jinchuriki of the One-Tail Shukaku, lay pale as paper, gravely ill and unconscious.
Though Bunpuku had barely survived the battle in the Land of Iron, he collapsed shortly after returning to the village. His condition deteriorated rapidly, leaving his life hanging by a thread.
"Proceed immediately to extract Shukaku, the One-Tail. Until we find a suitable new Jinchuriki, seal it temporarily inside the teapot."
After a pause, Rasa issued his command solemnly. Then he added, "And if no worthy vessel can be found, I shall become the new Jinchuriki of Shukaku myself."
"But removing Shukaku will kill Bunpuku. Rasa, may I try one more time? Perhaps I can heal him and save his life."
Chiyo hesitated briefly before making her plea.
After all, the monk had made tremendous sacrifices for the village. To discard him like this felt... inhumane.
However—
"Elder Chiyo, follow my orders."
Rasa gave Chiyo a meaningful glance and coldly replied.
"Yes, Kazekage-sama."
Chiyo's expression shifted instantly as she quickly lowered her head. Others present were secretly alarmed by Rasa's ruthlessness.
From prodigy to leader overnight, Rasa had undergone a dramatic transformation. He had matured overnight, thinking and acting like the Third Kazekage—or perhaps even more decisively.
Clearly, he had adapted to his new role quite quickly.
The extraction began without delay.
During the process, the already critically ill Bunpuku could not withstand the torment of having the Tailed Beast removed from his body. He soon perished in unbearable agony.
"What an opportunity! Increase speed!"
Seeing this, Rasa's eyes lit up with excitement as he urgently commanded.
Normally, when a Jinchuriki dies, the Tailed Beast within temporarily loses consciousness, entering a state similar to death. This was the best possible moment to seal it into the teapot.
If they didn't act fast enough, Rasa feared that once Shukaku regained consciousness, it might go berserk—causing tremendous trouble.
Still—
Sometimes, the very thing you fear most is exactly what happens.
At that moment, something unexpected occurred.
Boom!
A massive surge of chakra exploded from Bunpuku's corpse, its terrifying presence forcing everyone from Sunagakure to retreat in shock.
A few seconds later—BOOM!
A second deafening explosion shook the ground as the entire temple collapsed into ruins. Immediately afterward, with a thunderous roar, the colossal form of Shukaku the One-Tail reappeared in the world.
This furious roar awakened countless sleeping villagers of Sunagakure. Still half-dressed, they rushed out in panic, eyes wide with terror as they beheld Shukaku's towering figure beneath the moon—an enormous beast rivaling the size of a mountain peak.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
As soon as it appeared, Shukaku opened its giant mouth and launched a series of enormous wind spheres in all directions.
[Wind Release: Air Bullets]
Boom!
Moving with incredible speed, these wind spheres shot directly toward the village's oasis development project, obliterating large areas of forest and riverbanks.
Though there were no casualties, watching helplessly as Shukaku wrecked billions worth of infrastructure left Rasa and the others livid.
"Capture it!"
Rasa roared in fury and, before the echo of his voice had even faded, activated his Magnet Release: Golden Sand and charged ahead at the forefront.
Chiyo and the Sunagakure Anbu followed closely behind, rushing forward together to perform a sealing technique in unison and subdue Shukaku.
But Shukaku displayed unexpected intelligence. After landing one successful strike, it immediately disengaged and lashed its tail, sending Rasa flying backward before breaking through the encirclement—
and vanishing into escape.
"Kazekage, are you alright?"
Chiyo and the others quickly rushed over. If anything happened to Rasa now, Sunagakure would truly be doomed.
"Leave me! Chase after it immediately! We absolutely cannot lose Shukaku!"
Wiping blood from the corner of his mouth, Rasa's tone was firm and unwavering.
That night, Sunagakure was thrown into chaos and panic — a night destined to be sleepless.
On a cliff outside the village, Heiyan stood motionless, watching it all unfold in silence.
It was he who used Parasitic Spores to manipulate Shukaku into rampaging and disrupted Rasa's plans.
Although annihilating the entire Sunagakure would have posed no difficulty for Heiyan, unlike Madara Uchiha, he was not someone who delighted in senseless slaughter.
Thus, he merely ordered Shukaku to cause destruction as punishment for Sunagakure.
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