[Congratulations Host. You have obtained F-Rank Item: One Ounce of Gold.]
...
[Congratulations Host. You have obtained C-Rank Item: One-Day Ninja Trial Card (Konoha Chunin Edition).]
[Congratulations Host. You have obtained C-Rank Item: One-Day Ninja Trial Card (Mist Chunin Edition).]
"Two Chunin-level trial cards. One for Konoha, one for the Mist."
Rasa didn't rush to use them.
As for the gold, he casually tossed it into the drawer like before.
Shortly after, an intelligence ninja entered to report.
"Lord Kazekage."
"What's the situation in Konoha now?"
"Reporting to Lord Kazekage. The Uchiha rebels have fled to the border of the Land of Fire. The situation within Konoha has stabilized."
Rasa nodded.
He had expected that the Uchiha wouldn't be able to overthrow Konoha.
The current Uchiha clan lacked truly top-tier powerhouses.
Konoha, on the other hand, was full of elite ninja in this era.
Moreover, Konoha had recalled the forces originally stationed on the Wind border that were targeting the Sand. In terms of both numbers and individual strength, the Uchiha were at a disadvantage.
But as long as the Uchiha could trigger internal strife and divert some of Konoha's attention, it was enough for Rasa.
"By the way, Lord Kazekage, a small squad of Uchiha has entered the Land of Wind. There are about a dozen of them. However... besides us, ninja from the Hidden Mist and Hidden Stone have also discovered them."
Rasa narrowed his eyes.
"What do the Mist and Stone want?"
"They are suggesting that since three villages discovered this Uchiha squad simultaneously, the three villages should divide them equally."
Rasa made a strange face.
Right now, the Mist was fighting a fierce war against the Sand.
And not long ago, the Stone had also fought a bitter battle against the Sand.
Yet, faced with a stray Uchiha squad, these two villages showed absolutely no intention of attacking the Sand. Instead, they actively proposed sharing the spoils.
But after thinking about it, Rasa found it quite reasonable.
After all, those were Uchiha.
Uchiha who had previously belonged exclusively to Konoha.
"Where are they now?"
"In a desert valley to the northeast."
"Do we have a list of names or photos?"
"Not yet."
Rasa thought for a moment.
"Go tell the Mist and Stone ninja: The Uchiha entered the Land of Wind. Technically, anyone on Wind territory belongs to the Sand. However, the Sand is willing to share."
"But we are only willing to share half."
Taking all of them wasn't realistic; the Sand didn't have the strength to enforce that right now.
"Also, when you go, get a list of names for this Uchiha squad. Photos would be even better. Our bottom line is one-third, but we get first pick."
"Yes, Lord Kazekage."
Soon, negotiations between the three parties began.
In a windy desert valley, a dozen Uchiha squad members stood in the center, looking extremely nervous.
Surrounding them were ninja from three villages.
Hidden Sand, Hidden Mist, Hidden Stone.
The ninja from the three villages looked at the Uchiha in the center as if they were looking at livestock.
An older Uchiha tried to comfort the group.
"Don't worry too much. We Uchiha have value. There is no place for us in Konoha anymore, and we don't know how long Lord Yashiro and the others can hold out."
"Perhaps joining another village might actually be a good thing for us."
"As long as we have value, they won't kill us."
But aside from the few very young children, almost no one believed him.
If even Konoha treated the Uchiha like that, would other villages treat them any better?
They only cared about the Uchiha's value, the Uchiha bloodline, the Uchiha Kekkei Genkai.
They could already guess how they would be treated once they entered these villages.
They would be turned into breeding machines.
Unless they could demonstrate value beyond producing offspring.
Or if they got lucky and met some good people.
But the probability was slim.
Since when were there good people in ninja villages?
After the Sand representative presented Rasa's conditions, the three villages immediately engaged in fierce haggling.
Meanwhile, a list of names was expedited back to the Sand Village.
Rasa took the list from the intelligence ninja and raised an eyebrow.
There were no familiar names.
"Neither Shisui Uchiha nor Itachi Uchiha. The two geniuses of the Uchiha aren't here."
Rasa was a bit disappointed.
But deep down, he knew the probability was miniscule.
Putting aside Itachi, Shisui was already old enough—in ninja terms—to have formed his own ideology. Even if the Sand got Shisui's body, they wouldn't get his heart.
As for Itachi... as Fugaku's eldest son, and Fugaku being Sangaku's eldest son...
It was unlikely he would join the rebel faction led by Yashiro, given the bad blood between the factions.
Suddenly, a name caught Rasa's attention.
"Izumi Uchiha..."
Rasa's expression became intriguing.
Izumi Uchiha's talent certainly couldn't compare to the twin stars of Shisui and Itachi. However, awakening three tomoe in a single night? That kind of talent wasn't bad at all.
She was guaranteed to become an Elite Jonin at least.
And for the Sand, that counted as a top-tier talent.
The Sand was desperate for talent.
"We must get this person."
By the time Rasa's order reached the negotiation site, the three-way talks were wrapping up.
"Then it's decided."
The Sand representative stated, "There are thirteen Uchiha here. The Hidden Sand will accept taking only five of them, but we demand priority selection rights."
The Mist and Stone representatives exchanged glances and agreed.
After all, this was the Land of Wind.
The proposal from the Sand was within acceptable limits for both villages.
"Fine. Let's divide them like that."
The list was split into three.
Sand Village: 5 people.
Mist Village: 4 people.
Stone Village: 4 people.
Even though the thirteen Uchiha were unwilling, even though they couldn't bear to part with each other, they had no second choice. Unless they chose death, they had to submit to the arrangement of the three villages.
Soon, the five Uchiha claimed by the Sand were brought to the village.
Rasa looked at the list on his desk.
Izumi Uchiha, 3 years old, Female.
Hazuki Uchiha, 22 years old, Female. (Izumi's mother)
Kai Uchiha, 1 year old, Male.
Daitetsu Uchiha, 30 years old, Male.
Ro Uchiha, 49 years old, Male.