On the streets of **Konoha**, **Rasa**'s steps quickened a bit more.
Behind him, members of the **Sunagakure** diplomatic mission lowered their heads, their expressions one uglier than the next.
Every word of the conversation among those **Konoha** ninjas just now was like a hammer striking their hearts.
"Annihilated thirty-eight **Kumogakure** ninjas... twenty-four **Kirigakure** ninjas..."
"Zero deaths, only light injuries..."
"This is still barely passing? Then what is passing... destroying a village?"
"Lord **Kazekage**, **Konoha**'s strength... is even more terrifying than we expected."
**Rasa** naturally heard the voices of these **Sunagakure** ninjas.
But... he didn't answer.
**Rasa** just accelerated his pace, fine beads of sweat beginning to seep slowly from his forehead.
On the way here, he was still thinking about how to bargain, how to exchange the smallest price for peace.
But now, there was only one thought in his mind...
Return alive.
Bring his son **Gaara** back alive.
"Quick, faster..."
**Rasa** murmured, his speed increasing even more.
**Hokage** Office.
**Kaze** sat in his chair, playing with a specially made short sword in his hand.
That was the experimental product **Orochimaru** sent last night—a "biological ninja tool" created by fusing White Zetsu cells with metal.
It could automatically track **Chakra** and also absorb a small amount of **Chakra** for self-repair.
An interesting gadget.
"Lord **Hokage**."
"The **Sunagakure** diplomatic mission seeks an audience. **Yondaime Kazekage Rasa**... came personally."
**Nara Shikaku** pushed the door open and entered.
"Let him in."
**Kaze** nodded, putting away the short sword in his hand.
A few minutes later, **Rasa** walked into the office alone.
This **Yondaime Kazekage** wore a formal **Kazekage** robe today, but the hem of the robe was stained with dust, obviously from traveling quickly.
His face was weary, eyes bloodshot, but his posture was very low.
The first thing he did after entering was bow deeply.
"**Godaime**, I came this time to deliver a thank-you gift."
**Rasa** didn't beat around the bush and spoke directly.
**Kaze** didn't speak, just looked at this **Yondaime Kazekage** · **Rasa** in front of him.
Such a posture made **Kaze** look at him sideways.
Sure enough, those who could become a Kage were not simple characters.
"This is... the thank-you gift."
"Thanking Lord **Hokage** for his magnanimity in letting **Baki** return to the village to deliver the message."
**Rasa**'s voice was a bit dry as he placed a scroll in front of **Uchiha Kaze**.
When truly standing in front of this **Godaime Hokage**, all of **Rasa**'s previous calculations, plans, and preparations.
All dissipated.
He knew that as long as the person in front of him wanted to... then **Sunagakure** would soon be erased from the ninja world.
"Where is your son?"
**Kaze** opened the scroll and glanced at it, then spoke with a smile.
"**Gaara**... is at the embassy. If Lord **Hokage** wants to see him, I will bring him over immediately."
**Rasa**'s body stiffened, and he spoke quickly.
"Send him over later. Let him stay in **Konoha** temporarily and be my disciple."
**Kaze** directly asked for the Jinchūriki.
And he asked for him right in front of the Jinchūriki's father, without concealing it at all.
"I..."
"I agree, but there is one condition."
**Rasa** was somewhat nervous, but gritted his teeth and forced himself to speak.
"Speak."
**Kaze** put away the scroll, leaned back in his chair, and stared at **Rasa** with interest.
"Our **Sunagakure** wants to form an alliance with **Konoha**."
"Not simply mutual non-aggression, but mutual protection."
"**Sunagakure** will directly inform the entire ninja world that the minerals of the Land of Wind will only be traded with **Konoha**."
"At the same time, if **Konoha** has a need, **Sunagakure** will definitely support it with full force."
"I also hope that when my **Sunagakure** encounters danger, **Konoha** can also lend a hand."
**Rasa** took a breath and stated his decision directly.
As for whether those elders and consultants in the village had opinions, **Rasa** couldn't care less.
Because **Rasa** knew this might be the last chance to complete an alliance with **Konoha**!
"Agreed."
"How many people do you need?"
**Kaze** nodded and asked at the same time.
**Rasa** was slightly stunned, thoughts surging in his mind.
"Five squads led by **Jōnin**."
**Rasa** understood; these people were given to him to deal with the "hidden dangers" within **Sunagakure**.
"Okay, **Nara Shikaku**, you go arrange it."
"The specific alliance details are also left to you to coordinate with the **Yondaime Kazekage**."
As **Kaze**'s voice fell, **Nara Shikaku** immediately came forward.
"Lord **Kazekage**, this way please."
"We will arrange everything as soon as possible, and then go help you deal with the trouble early this morning."
...
**Nara Shikaku** was already very skilled.
Leading **Rasa**, he walked out of the **Hokage** Office.
The office quieted down again.
**Kaze** leaned against the back of the chair, fingers tapping lightly on the desktop.
**Sunagakure**, taken.
Although only temporary submission, as long as **Konoha** maintained strength, **Rasa** wouldn't dare to rebel.
Next...
Two kunai shot out from **Kaze**'s hand, embedding into the map on the wall.
**Kumogakure**, **Kirigakure**.
...
Land of Lightning, **Kumogakure**, inside the **Raikage** Office.
"Bang!"
The desk in front of the **Yondaime Raikage** shattered all over the floor.
"Damn it, how dare **Konoha**?"
Apart from anger, the **Yondaime Raikage A** felt more disbelief.
In the Third Great Ninja War, **Konoha** as the victor was pressed by him for compensation, and previously the **Hyūga** clan was even forced to kill **Hyūga Hizashi**.
Why, after a rebellion broke out inside **Konoha**, was there suddenly such a huge change?
**Uchiha**...
Right, absolutely that group of madmen **Uchiha**.
Is that guy planning to declare war on the entire ninja world?
"Lord **Raikage**, here is intelligence from **Kirigakure**'s side."
"Similar to us, the **Kirigakure** ninjas who infiltrated the Land of Fire were wiped out."
"Now, **Kirigakure** has already... already sent a letter of challenge to **Konoha**."
**Mabui** stated another piece of intelligence.
"**Kirigakure**?"
"What can these guys, who are about to kill themselves under the Blood Mist policy, still do?"
"However... letting them take the lead isn't bad."
"Contact **Iwagakure**, tell them our **Kumogakure** plans to make a move on **Konoha**."
**Yondaime Raikage A** said, lightning still flowing on the surface of his body.
"This time, I will go there personally!"
Then, the **Yondaime Raikage** threw another bombshell.
"Should we investigate first? Intelligence regarding **Konoha** during this period has been completely cut off."
"Those lurking in **Konoha** have also disappeared."
"Could it be..."
**Mabui** was somewhat worried.
**Konoha**'s performance was really too strange.
Even if the **Uchiha** were a group of madmen, they were not a group of fools.
Being able to do such things, they must have some confidence and reliance.
"A mere **Uchiha** wants to prop up the weak **Konoha**?"
"Hmph... absolutely impossible!"
What **Mabui** said, **Yondaime Raikage A** naturally thought of as well.
But he... cared more about another thing—**Konoha**'s rise!
That's right, **Kumogakure** already stood at the peak of the ninja world; he absolutely couldn't allow **Konoha** to rise again!
So, nothing would change his will.