The more the Uchiha veteran thought about it, the angrier he got. The rage burned so hot it actually sobered him right up.
He whipped his head around, trying to spot the people who had been whispering, but they had long since vanished.
Just then, another Uchiha walked into the bar.
The two locked eyes. The veteran waved him over, and soon, they were deep in a heated debate over the very same topic.
By that night, the discussion regarding Kagami Uchiha was spreading through the clan compound like wildfire.
A dozen Uchiha members gathered in a dimly lit room, their faces twisted with indignation.
"Listen to me, everyone."
A member of the moderate faction saw the rising tension and tried to calm the room.
"Don't you think this whole thing smells fishy? No one has mentioned this for years, and suddenly these rumors pop up out of nowhere? Someone is deliberately spreading this."
"We don't even know the source."
" It's highly likely a plot by another village—probably the Hidden Stone. They want to drive a wedge between the Uchiha and the Leaf to gain an advantage on the battlefield."
A hardliner snorted in contempt.
"I don't give a damn who started it. I care if it's true."
"Since you think the official story is so solid, answer me this regarding Hiruzen Sarutobi's version of events."
"One: If Hiruzen Sarutobi was the first to volunteer to stay behind as the decoy, why is it that after Tobirama Senju died, Hiruzen didn't stay behind? Why was it Kagami?"
"Either Hiruzen's claim that he volunteered first is a lie..."
"And the truth is exactly what the rumors say."
"Or, Hiruzen is a hypocrite whose actions don't match his words."
"The reality is likely that he volunteered only to secure the Hokage seat. Once he got the title, he lost all interest in sacrificing himself."
"Hiruzen Sarutobi stole the position of Hokage that rightfully belonged to Elder Kagami."
"Two: Why is there absolutely zero mention of the details of Elder Kagami's death?"
"Where did he die? Who killed him? How did it happen?"
"How do you explain these two massive plot holes? Answer me!"
The room murmured in agreement. These two points were damning.
"Exactly! Who can explain that? The truth definitely isn't what Sarutobi has been feeding us."
"Either Tobirama intentionally got Kagami killed, or Hiruzen is a massive hypocrite."
The moderate struggled to find a counter-argument. "Maybe... maybe Elder Kagami had already died fighting Cloud ninja during the pursuit before the final stand?"
"If that's the case, doesn't that mean Elder Kagami was the actual first person to sacrifice himself for the group? So why does Hiruzen get to claim all the glory for being the 'first volunteer'?"
These men didn't believe the rumors 100%, but the seeds of doubt regarding the events of that year had been firmly planted.
"We must get justice for Elder Kagami!"
"What belongs to the Uchiha must return to the Uchiha."
"We need to expose the truth. Let the world see the true faces of Tobirama Senju and Hiruzen Sarutobi."
"The real evil here is Tobirama and Hiruzen."
---
The Next Morning.
Rasa woke up and glanced at Karura, who was still fast asleep. He moved carefully, trying not to wake her as he slipped out of the room.
He reached the courtyard gate.
A dull ache throbbed in his lower back. Rasa instinctively made a fist and massaged his kidneys.
Suddenly, a figure appeared, dropping to one knee before him.
"Lord Kazekage."
Rasa smoothly retracted his fist and straightened his posture, looking as dignified as possible.
He had to admit, Karura was a good wife. Maybe too gentle. After learning the context of the situation, she hadn't blamed him, nor was she angry at Pakura.
She had even comforted him.
But Rasa could tell she did care.
If she didn't care, she wouldn't have dragged him into bed last night and wrung him dry until dawn.
Rasa couldn't help but sigh internally. Ninja constitution is no joke. Even though Karura had been a housewife for years and hadn't trained seriously in a long time, her stamina was far beyond that of a normal human.
Thank god he had completed that newcomer mission and inherited 100% of the original Rasa's strength.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have even been able to crawl out of bed this morning.
"Yashamaru. Your sister knows about Pakura."
"She has been wronged by this, and Pakura has been wronged as well. But for the sake of the village, we have no choice. Everything is for the Hidden Sand."
"Yashamaru, do you understand me?"
Yashamaru nodded.
"Lord Kazekage, I understand completely. The village's situation is dire. You made the most correct decision available. Selling out a comrade for a temporary truce is not the way of the Sand."
"My parents were a bit stubborn about it, but I've already convinced them."
Rasa raised an eyebrow.
"Thank you, Yashamaru. You've done well. Prioritizing the greater good of the village... that is the spirit every Sand shinobi should have. With ninja like you, the village will never fall."
"Let's go. To the Kazekage Building."
"Yes, Lord Kazekage."
Rasa walked toward the administrative building with Yashamaru following close behind.
Upon arriving, Rasa ordered the guard downstairs to buy him some breakfast, then headed up to his office.
Another figure was already waiting at the door.
"Lord Kazekage."
Rasa nodded slightly.
"Yashamaru, Baki. Regarding my wedding to Pakura in two days—I need the two of you to handle the notifications and spread the word throughout the village. Can you handle that?"
The two exchanged a look and nodded in unison.
"No problem."
"Good. Go get it done."
"Yes, Lord Kazekage!"
The two flickered away.
Shortly after, the guard returned.
"Lord Kazekage, your breakfast."
"Thanks."
Rasa ate while staring at the translucent panel floating in front of him.
Breakfast was standard Sand fare: flatbread, tea, and some dried cheese.
Overnight, the panel had updated.
[Name: Rasa]
[Identity: Fourth Kazekage]
[Ninjutsu: Eye of Sand, etc.]
[Taijutsu: General Taijutsu]
[Genjutsu: None]
[Kekkei Genkai: Magnet Release - Gold Dust]
[Remaining Activation Points: 0]
[Remaining Points: 221]
"Over 200 points already? Not bad, not bad at all."
Rasa smiled.
"Let's test my luck. Two draws."
With a thought, the command was sent.
The invisible roulette wheel began to spin wildly.
[Congratulations Host. You have obtained F-Rank Item: One Ounce of Gold.]
[Congratulations Host. You have obtained E-Rank Item: Forged Suicide Note (Hidden Cloud Genin Edition).]