Rasa had returned the day after Shuji's group arrived, but he had not alerted anyone.
Rather than personally engage in negotiations, he preferred letting Advisor Chiyo handle discussions with the Konoha envoy. Especially since the agreement Chiyo had negotiated last time had tangibly alleviated Sunagakure's situation.
The only thing beyond Sunagakure's expectations was that after suffering setbacks on Konoha's western front, Ōnoki had so decisively shifted his strategic focus entirely westward, contesting control of those barren lands with Sunagakure.
Though Sunagakure shinobi excelled at combat in sandy environments, once they left familiar desert terrain and entered steep mountain terrain where Iwagakure felt at home, they often found themselves at a disadvantage.
The protracted tug-of-war consumed Sunagakure's already thin foundation. What made things more anxious was that even paying such enormous costs, what they could ultimately grasp firmly would likely only be the limited mission quotas at a few border outposts.
Rasa understood all too clearly what this meant. The village's fiscal revenue would shrink further. Future days would only grow harder.
He had recently met with the Land of Wind's daimyo regarding Sunagakure's military funding.
This time, the daimyo directly had subordinates spread the Land of Wind's financial records before Rasa.
"Fourth Kazekage, please review these. These are the Land of Wind's tax collection details for the past twenty years."
"The previous generation emptied the treasury's reserves long ago to support Sunagakure's external expansion wars."
"Our territory is already poor. Wind and sand erode it. Fertile farmland is scarce. Output is limited. Years of shinobi world wars have severed many trade routes. The tax base grows increasingly weak... I truly lack the means."
"Forgive my frankness, but with Sunagakure's current shinobi scale, protecting the Land of Wind's territory should already be... sufficient, correct?"
Rasa remained silent. Given the Land of Wind's conditions, even if he killed the current daimyo and replaced him, it would not produce more money and resources. It might instead trigger chaos, causing funds to become even scarcer.
This time, Chiyo's negotiations with the Konoha envoy had not yielded visible benefits as they had last year. They had only obtained a promise.
Rasa could not blame the old advisor. Times had changed. Konoha was not in last year's circumstances. Failing to obtain greater benefits was not surprising.
But could things truly only remain this way?
Could Sunagakure truly only remain confined, continuously bleeding in conflict with Iwagakure over barren land for such meager gains? Just slowly being dragged down like this?
A dangerous thought uncontrollably surfaced in Rasa's mind. Since war was unavoidable, why not direct their gaze toward lands offering greater benefits?
The Land of Rivers had fertile soil and abundant resources, with no powerful shinobi village stationed there. If they could crush Konoha's forces stationed there and compel the Land of Rivers' daimyo to transfer all tax revenue and mission commissions to Sunagakure, all current predicaments could be resolved instantly.
But this thought only flashed momentarily before Rasa himself suppressed it.
With Sunagakure's current strength alone, with relations with Iwagakure so poor, seizing the Land of Rivers was unrealistic.
Unless Konoha fell into enormous trouble and could not spare attention elsewhere.
This required greater power. Cultivating the new generation could not quench immediate thirst.
So what existing power could be called "strategic" level...
Jinchūriki...
Just as Rasa's thoughts sank deeper, roaring from outside the window in the distance, the thunderous collapse of buildings, and cries of alarm interrupted him.
"Again, has it lost control..." Rasa's brow furrowed tightly.
Inside the quarters, Anko, Izumo, and Chōji had prepared for combat. Shuji only stood by the window watching Shukaku playfully destroying surrounding buildings.
Yes, playfully. Compared to the Nine-Tails' rampage, Shukaku's behavior after emerging—neither firing Tailed Beast Bombs nor throwing Air Bullets—already counted as docile.
Moreover, Sunagakure shinobi seemed long accustomed to this. From the window's view, though residents swiftly evacuated their homes and scattered to open areas, most only gazed numbly, as though the spectacle before them was merely a vile performance staged every few days.
The two Sunagakure shinobi guarding the quarters had not even left their posts.
One came to reassure them. "Konoha guests, please rest easy indoors. No need for alarm. This is merely a minor disturbance. It will subside shortly."
Anko's eyes widened. Sunagakure people called this scene a minor disturbance.
Izumo murmured, "That is... a Tailed Beast, right..."
One could only say these country bumpkins from Konoha lacked experience.
Counting tails, Shukaku had only one. But regarding difficulty of sealing, Shukaku ranked high. Over the past decades, Shukaku had been most peaceful only when Bunpuku served as jinchūriki.
As for others? Shukaku periodically broke seals. The current jinchūriki, Gaara, had Shukaku manifesting whenever he failed to resist sleep.
Suddenly, golden sand surged forth from all directions, coiling around Shukaku's massive body.
The One-Tail released furious roars, struggling desperately. But the gold dust clearly carried more weight than ordinary sand. No matter how Shukaku twisted, the golden shackles tightened progressively, gradually forcing its enormous body back to the ground.
Shukaku's voice gradually weakened until it completely disappeared.
Afterward, the gold dust receded like a tide, silently vanishing from everyone's view, leaving only a devastated district as proof of what had just transpired.
"That ended so quickly. Those Sunagakure folks really have skills," Chōji muttered. Truly an eye-opener.
"This is the Fourth Kazekage's jutsu," Shuji said flatly.
Rasa had returned. Moreover, judging by appearances, he had been back for some time, yet had never shown himself. Just like last time, letting Chiyo handle negotiations while he himself remained hidden behind the scenes?
If so, perhaps tomorrow they should prepare to meet the Kazekage? Shuji contemplated internally.
Shuji steeled himself mentally and had his squad members return to rest.
However, contrary to his expectations, until they departed Sunagakure the next day, Rasa still showed no intention of appearing. Even during their final farewell with Chiyo, the other party made no mention that the Kazekage had returned.
Shukaku's incident went unmentioned by mutual understanding.
The Sunagakure diplomatic mission thus concluded.
But Shuji understood clearly that the chain reaction brought about by Iwagakure's strategic shift ran far deeper than surface appearances suggested.
Upon return, he must report this matter to Tsunade in detail as soon as possible. Sunagakure's movements required close monitoring.
After leaving the Land of Wind's borders, the next destination was Kusagakure. Following conventional routes, traveling from the Land of Wind to the Land of Grass, the fastest path was traversing the Land of Rain.
The Land of Rain. Hidden Rain Village. Akatsuki's main base.
Shuji considered it and decided to take a detour, avoiding the Land of Rain entirely, returning through the Land of Rivers to the Land of Fire before proceeding to the Land of Grass.
As for the reason.
He was the squad leader. Finding an excuse was easy enough, was it not?
"We will return to Konoha first," Shuji said. "Deliver the news of Sunagakure agreeing to participate in the exam, along with relevant circumstances, especially regarding the One-Tail and the Kazekage's movements, to the village as quickly as possible."
With the most crucial Sunagakure already agreeing to send participants, Kusagakure's matter being delayed by a day or two would cause no harm.
Hidden Cloud Village, Raikage's Office.
"Joint Chūnin Selection Exam?" The Fourth Raikage, A, showed little interest in such activities, but facing Shizune, who had once treated his subordinates, he maintained basic courtesy. "Cloud shinobi have no need to accept evaluation at another nation's examination ground."
His tone shifted. "I heard Tsunade has returned to Konoha? How is her condition?"
"Thank you for your concern, Lord Raikage," Shizune maintained a graceful smile. "Lady Tsunade has recovered."
"Is that so? Good. That condition is most fatal for a medical ninja." A nodded, then suddenly seemed to realize something. "Konoha's Hokage still appears to be the Third, correct?"
"Ah, yes..."
"Tsunade returned... Then she will assume the Fifth position soon, yes?"
Hearing this, Shizune was startled. Her smile froze slightly. She did not answer.
Seeing her expression, the Raikage immediately understood he had guessed correctly.
"If that is the case..." The Raikage leaned forward slightly, falling into brief contemplation.
The war with Konoha had been his first large-scale external operation after succeeding as Raikage. It was also the lesson that made him deeply recognize Cloud's geographical disadvantages and war limitations.
The Land of Fire occupied the most fertile land. Its radiating influence was naturally convenient. Without dealing Konoha a fatal blow, prolonged peace actually benefited Cloud more.
The Land of Lightning had developed commerce. Hidden Cloud benefited considerably from this. War only severed everything.
Tsunade-hime. Someone willing to honor agreements, treat enemy nation shinobi, even a Kage, without secretly sabotaging them.
The bearing and principles she demonstrated left a deep impression. If such a person became the Fifth Hokage, perhaps constructing a new, more stable relationship between Konoha and Cloud was not entirely impossible.
After a moment, A raised his head, reaching a decision. "Very well. Hidden Cloud can participate in this Chūnin Exam."
Hearing this, Shizune's face immediately showed delighted surprise.
But A immediately continued. "However, there is one condition. The next joint Chūnin Exam must be held in Hidden Cloud Village, and Konoha must participate."
Chapters in advance there: patreon.com/Thaniel_a_goodchild