Sunagakure Central Army
"Report! Kazekage-sama, Elder Chiyo requests an audience!" shouted the guard at the entrance.
The Kazekage, who had been studying the current situation on the sand table, frowned at first. Wait, Elder Chiyo was supposed to be leading the shinobi forces in battle at Chōga, planning to ambush Konoha's medical unit camp. Why would she leave the battlefield and come here?
Could something have happened at Chōga? Impossible! Chiyo was a veteran of Sunagakure, a commander since the First War. Even if they were defeated, it couldn't be this soon!
He shook his head. No point overthinking it. She was already here, so he'd find out soon enough.
The Third Kazekage put on a warm expression. "Where is Elder Chiyo now? I'll go greet her personally!"
The Third Kazekage and the Council of Elders had been working together for years. Their relationship was like family, united for the prosperity of Sunagakure!
Thus, their rapport was extremely harmonious.
"Elder Chiyo is still at the camp gates!" the guard replied hastily.
The Kazekage frowned again. "Didn't you invite her in? Is this how I taught you to behave?" He was angry. How could his subordinates be so disrespectful?
"Kazekage-sama, we did invite her. But Elder Chiyo said she is old and weak, and dared not overstep. So she chose to wait at the gates." The guard looked uneasy. Was he really that clueless? The problem was Elder Chiyo refused to enter!
The Kazekage took a sharp breath. This was serious. Chiyo was clearly upset, refusing even to step inside the camp.
"Lead the way. I'll invite her myself." The Kazekage didn't hesitate. He must have done something to offend her. Otherwise, she wouldn't act like this.
Sigh. No helping it. Sunagakure couldn't afford internal strife. Whatever Chiyo demanded, he'd comply. Minimize the damage.
The guard quickly pushed open the tent and hurried toward the camp gates. The Kazekage channeled chakra to form a steel platform under his feet, floating behind the guard.
When they reached the gates, the Kazekage descended and walked forward, extending his hands with a smile. "Ah, Elder Chiyo! What brings you here? How goes the battle at the front?"
Chiyo took a step back and bowed. "Kazekage-sama, the front is stable. This visit is due to my personal reasons for abandoning my post. I await your punishment." Her tone was icy, her expression cold. She stared at the ground, refusing to meet his eyes.
The Kazekage's heart sank. What was going on? Why was Chiyo acting so hostile? This could escalate badly if mishandled!
"Elder Chiyo, what are you saying? Your matters are mine, are Sunagakure's! There's no question of punishment!" The Kazekage feigned reproach, his tone gentle.
Chiyo's expression softened slightly. "Thank you for your understanding, Kazekage-sama. But this time, I've come to accuse your disciple, Rasa, of colluding with Konoha and harming his own village!"
The last ten words—"Rasa, colluding with Konoha, harming his own village"—were especially loud. The Kazekage's face paled. Even the guards at the gates and people inside the camp heard it clearly.
"Elder Chiyo, you can't say such things without proof!" the Kazekage said urgently. He had always held his disciple in high regard.
Rasa was devoted to the people, humble and respectful toward him, and excelled in military strategy. Aside from his clashes with the elders, he was flawless in the eyes of the Kazekage and even Chiyo—until now.
When Chiyo produced the map and letters, the Kazekage's eyes widened. What kind of map was this? It only marked Chiyo's family's location. And the handwriting… Yashamaru!
The Kazekage was stunned. He knew immediately that Rasa was involved. Yashamaru was Rasa's brother-in-law, loyal to him. This was clearly Rasa's doing.
His face darkened. He took a deep breath, forcing himself to remain calm. "Elder Chiyo, I will give you an answer after the war."
Seeing the Kazekage's sincerity, Chiyo nodded. To her, the Third Kazekage's word was trustworthy.
"Very well. I leave it to you, Kazekage-sama. I'll return to the battlefield now." With that, Chiyo and her group departed for Chōga.
The Kazekage watched her leave until she was out of sight. Then he turned, his expression grim. "Summon Rasa. Now. Immediately!"
"Yes, sir!" The guard saluted and rushed toward Sunagakure. The Kazekage had entrusted Rasa with guarding the village, so he wasn't with the army.
The Kazekage muttered under his breath, "Rasa, Rasa… How could you do this? Harming your own, colluding with the enemy. What a fine disciple you've turned out to be."
He had already crossed Rasa off the list of potential successors. No matter how talented, principles mattered. This mistake couldn't be overlooked.
Sunagakure Village
Rasa listened to the spy's report. The Konoha assassin hadn't killed Chiyo's son, Chiron. Instead, they left the map and letter with him.
Moreover, Chiyo had left the front lines for the central army. His face darkened with fury.
"The plan failed. Konoha… How dare they." He slammed the table. The servants trembled. To the outside world, Rasa was gentle. Only his household staff knew his true nature.
"You, summon Yashamaru," Rasa ordered a servant.
The servant nodded and rushed out. Rasa's eyes grew shadowed. He sighed and muttered to the air,
"Ah… I didn't want this. But someone has to take the blame. And it can't be me. Right, Yashamaru?"
Soon after…
The Kazekage's Tent
"Report! Kazekage-sama, Lord Rasa is approaching the camp… wearing mourning clothes!" The guard was exasperated. Why did he always get stuck with these situations?
"Mourning clothes? Who died?" The Kazekage raised an eyebrow, already suspecting the answer.
"His brother-in-law, Yashamaru. It's said Yashamaru poisoned himself. A letter was found beside the poison bottle." The guard handed over the letter.
"Forgive me, Lord Rasa. I acted on selfish thoughts, trying to use Konoha to kill a fellow villager. After much reflection, I believe only death can atone. Please, for my sister's sake, spare her." That was the letter's content.
"Lord Rasa also said he failed to discipline properly, nearly causing disaster. His wife—Yashamaru's sister—has been imprisoned. He comes personally to apologize to you and Elder Chiyo," the guard added.
The Kazekage was silent. Everyone knew the truth. What stunned him was Rasa's ruthlessness. To sacrifice even his wife and brother-in-law… He realized Rasa was someone who could achieve great things.
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