Just as Konoha received news of the war situation, Sunagakure's forces had also finished setting up a new camp.
However, without enough supplies, it was still as crude and cold as before.
Inside the large tent at the center of the camp, all of the surviving Sunagakure jōnin had gathered.
Of course, their numbers had dropped sharply once again. Another third had been lost.
And they were not the only ones inside the tent. Every medical-nin from Sunagakure had gathered there as well, filling the space to the brim.
"Rasa, hang in there…"
"Yeah, Rasa, you can't die here…"
As they looked at Rasa, who was surrounded by medical-nin, all of Sunagakure's jōnin commanders were filled with anguish.
If not for Rasa's final large-scale technique, it was uncertain how many of them would have survived.
Precisely because of that, every one of them was deeply grateful to him.
It was Rasa who had sacrificed himself to carve out a path of escape for them.
"Chiyo-sama… he's fading."
"Rasa-sama's life force is draining far too quickly…"
One of the medical-nin raised his head, his face full of helpless bitterness.
At that moment, four medical-nin were simultaneously using healing ninjutsu on the severely wounded Rasa.
However, after already rotating through two shifts, Rasa's condition had still not improved in the slightest.
It was like an oil lamp that had already burned through its wick.
No matter what they did, the flame simply would not rise again.
"Let me do it."
Chiyo had been standing to the side, watching silently for a long time.
In the end, she let out a weary sigh.
Rasa's injuries had already been severe and untreated for too long, and on top of that, he had exhausted himself far beyond his limits.
At this point, nearly every cell in his body had withered.
Ordinary medical ninjutsu was no longer enough.
"Chiyo-sama… you can't mean…?!"
The one who spoke was the same medical-nin as before.
His name was Dhaka, captain of the medical unit.
At this moment, Rasa was already on the verge of death.
So when Chiyo said she would take over, Dhaka immediately thought of the forbidden technique Chiyo had created… the one that demanded the user's life in exchange.
"Let me do it."
Chiyo sighed again.
Then she stepped forward and slowly crouched down.
"No! You are Sunagakure's acting Kazekage!"
Just as Chiyo stretched out her hands, Dhaka panicked and grabbed her arm.
The strange exchange between the two, vague and incomplete as it was, instantly drew everyone's attention inside the tent.
"Dhaka, what's going on?"
Pakura frowned and asked, clearly confused.
Because the behavior of the two at that moment was far too unusual.
"Pakura, stop Chiyo-sama, quickly!"
"Chiyo-sama… she intends to use the Reanimation Technique born from her own life!"
"Her own life… to reincarnate?"
Everyone in the tent looked stunned.
They had never even heard of such a technique before.
"This is a forbidden technique that can heal the living… and even bring the dead back to life!"
"But in order to perform it, the user must pay with their own life!"
Dhaka answered anxiously.
The One's Own Life Reincarnation Technique…
It was a forbidden jutsu Chiyo had developed not long after completing her puppet research.
This technique could not only revive the dead, but even grant life to puppets.
Originally, Chiyo had intended to use this technique to bring Sasori's parents back.
But after the disappearance of the Third Kazekage, that matter had been shelved.
Because of that, the only person who knew of its existence was Dhaka, who had once assisted her in its development.
"What?!"
"A ninjutsu that costs the user's life?!"
"Chiyo-sama, you…"
Everyone inside the tent looked at Chiyo in horror.
Just as they were about to stop her, Chiyo suddenly spoke.
"I'm old… and Sunagakure has already lost far too much in this war."
"The village, as it is now, may soon be facing even more difficult days ahead…"
"So Sunagakure can no longer afford to lose someone as important as Rasa."
"There is no need to try to stop me. I've already made my decision."
Chiyo gently pulled her arm free from Dhaka's grip as she spoke.
Her voice was soft, but the resolve in it allowed no room for argument.
In truth, the defeat in this war had already broken Chiyo's heart.
On the journey back while carrying Rasa, she had struggled with this decision again and again in her mind.
And in the end… she had made up her mind.
If Rasa truly could not be saved, then she would use this forbidden technique to save him.
Because after observing him over these past few days, Chiyo had come to realize something.
Rasa would undoubtedly be able to guide Sunagakure toward a better future.
He was resourceful, calm, and decisive in moments of crisis.
That was a kind of talent she herself did not possess, not as someone whose heart had long been burdened by hatred.
Most importantly of all, Chiyo knew she was already old.
Rasa, meanwhile, was still in the prime of his life.
When it came to the village's future, the role Rasa could play far surpassed her own.
And so, the once-disheartened Chiyo had decided to offer the last of her value to the village she had devoted her life to.
"Chiyo-sama…"
"No… Chiyo-sama…"
"There has to be another way…"
Chiyo's resolute words filled the tent with sorrow.
Every Sunagakure shinobi felt their hearts grow heavy.
"There's no need to persuade me. My mind is made up."
Blue chakra light began to glow from Chiyo's hands as she pressed them against Rasa's chest.
Then, looking toward Dhaka across from her, she said,
"If my chakra isn't enough, you will be the first to assist me…"
"Chiyo-sama…"
The moment he saw Chiyo begin using the forbidden technique, Dhaka's vision blurred with tears.
Then he nodded firmly at her.
"Haha…"
Seeing Dhaka nod, Chiyo suddenly smiled with gentle warmth.
At that moment, she was no longer Sunagakure's acting Kazekage.
Nor was she the stubborn, unyielding elder who had carried the village's burdens for so many years.
At that moment, she was simply an ordinary old woman…
A kind elder, preparing to leave behind everything for the sake of the next generation.
"Chiyo-sama…"
"Chiyo-sama…"
Sobs of grief echoed throughout the tent.
Everyone's eyes were clouded with tears.
But Chiyo had already made her decision, and no one could stop her now.
"Alright, why are you all crying?"
Chiyo interrupted them with a warm smile.
Then, in the little time she had left, she began calmly giving her final instructions.
And the very first thing she said was this—
They must seek peace with Konoha as soon as possible.
Because at this moment, there was nothing more important to Sunagakure than that.
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