Chapter 104: Rasa Takes the Bait, SasukeSucceeds
Yellow sand filled the sky, and the fierce wind cut like tempered blades, making people's faces ache.
Every step taken was accompanied by scorching fine sand entering the soles of the feet. If an ordinary person walked too much in such road conditions, their soles would likely blister, and by the next day, they would lose the ability to move.
This was the general situation in the Hidden Sand Village. Although they possessed a few patches of fertile land, compared to Konoha, their foundation was still too shallow...
Due to geographical location, ecological environment, scarcity of resources, and other circumstances, the Hidden Sand Village was undoubtedly the weakest among the five great Ninja villages.
This did not mean the quality or strength of the Hidden Sand Village's Ninjas was low, but rather that their war potential was far inferior to the other four great Ninja villages.
Although battles between Ninjas mostly relied on strength, supply logistics were also an indispensable factor. If a problem occurred in either of these two aspects, the consequences would be extremely severe.
"After Jiraiya returned to the village, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally hardened his stance. He intends to use these Joint Chunin Exams to flex his muscles, and incidentally, gain the favor of the various feudal lords to secure more mission contracts."
Anyone capable of becoming a village Kage must possess, in addition to great strength, political acumen, political maneuverability, a sense of the big picture, and so on, often far exceeding that of ordinary people.
Besides, the Hidden Sand Village also had a council of Elders similar to Konoha's Advisors. However, at this time, Rasa was in his prime, and the Hidden Sand Village's council, apart from offering him advice, could not carve away even a fraction of the power in Rasa's hands.
It could be said that in the Hidden Sand Village, Rasa's word was law, and his political decrees met with no obstruction.
"Have the other three hidden villages responded?"
"They have all rejected Konoha's proposal."
"Heh, I knew it!" Rasa sneered. "After years of internal strife, it would be a miracle if the Hidden Mist Village had even half its strength left. It's normal for them not to participate in the joint exams, but Kumogakure and Iwagakure... A and Ōnoki both have something to hide!"
"This is a very obvious political signal. In recent years, Kumogakure and Iwagakure have developed quite well; they must be getting restless."
"I know all this, but the situation in our Hidden Sand Village... is truly not optimistic!" Rasa's face was gloomy. "After Jiraiya returned to Konoha, the number of our mission contracts has dropped significantly. If this continues..."
"We can use these joint exams to win back our reputation in the eyes of the various feudal lords. After all, our new generation is not necessarily weaker than Konoha's!" An Elder put forward his view.
"But this is ultimately treating the symptoms but not the root cause. After all, our geographical location restricts us too much. Even if the new generation performs well this time, we are merely prolonging our agony..." Another Elder held an opposing opinion.
"I think we should join forces with other hidden villages and take this opportunity to invade Konoha!" The last Elder was clearly a staunch member of the war faction.
"But... the joint exams do not allow us to bring many Ninjas, other than the examinees, the leading Jonin, or the village Kage." The first Elder raised an objection. "If we cannot severely damage Konohain the first instance, we will fall into the quagmire of war!"
The three Elders each expressed their views. It wasn't that one couldn't persuade the others, but each person's analysis was quite reasonable. In the end, it still depended on how Rasa made his decision.
"I have contacted Orochimaru! And the Otogakure behind him!" After a long silence, Rasa dropped a bombshell. "And he has already agreed to join forces with me. In this way, most of Konoha's top combat power has already been checked!"
Actually, at the beginning, Rasa was somewhat hesitant, because if the surprise attack on Konohafailed, they would not only face retaliation from Konoha, but Iwagakure and Kumogakure, who were waiting for an opportunity, would definitely take advantage of the situation to kick them while they were down.
But until Orochimaru contacted him, and accompanying him was the "Heaven" who had recently become famous in the Ninja World!
This gave Rasa peace of mind. With the help of the two, he was confident in achieving success in one stroke, completely disintegrating Konoha's top combat power from within. Even if Jiraiya had returned to the village, it would be of no avail!
"But cooperating with those two is no different from negotiating with a tiger for its skin... Lord Kazekage should still consider it carefully!"
"I have decided to bring Gaara along!" Rasa threw out another heavy bombshell. "Even if the two of them are strong, they will definitely not fare well when facing the Tailed Beast and my pincer attack!"
"Although it is a bit risky, it is a stable insurance policy!" The war faction Elder thought it was feasible. "After all, the Fourth Kazekage is capable of suppressing the Tailed Beast. He can be called the strongest Kazekage in the history of the Hidden Sand Village!"
Listening to the flattery of the war faction Elder, a smile appeared on Rasa's face. Judging by the strength of his Bloodline Limit, Magnet Release, to suppress Ichibi, he believed there was good reason to consider himself the strongest Kazekage in history.
"This matter is settled. Please, three Elders, refine the specific details. I will go meet Orochimaru and that mysterious "Heaven"."
After dumping the task of refining the details onto the three Elders, Rasa stood up, walked out of the Kazekage office, and headed toward a secret conference room in the Kazekage building.
...
"Zzzzt, zzzzt..."
The loud, piercing sound spread throughout the entire Konoha training ground. Uchiha Sasukelooked at the arc of electricity covering his entire right palm, which was abnormally violent yet strangely docile. His slowly rotating two-tomoe Sharingan was filled with satisfaction.
"I will kill that man! I will find the truth! And I will defeat you!"
Amidst Uchiha Sasuke's shouting, because his body had been activated by Lightning Release, his movement speed broke through his original limits. Following the lock-on of his single-tomoe Sharingan, he dashed toward the large tree, which was as thick as three people could embrace, like a gust of wind.
This thick tree trunk had a mark drawn on it. Uchiha Sasuke had drawn it beforehand but hadn't used it until today. However, today was different!
Because of the Sharingan's augmentation, Uchiha Sasuke's rapid dash not only maintained its accuracy but also allowed him to change direction while running. The primitive form of the Chidoriwas indeed more suitable for the Uchiha Clan.
"Boom!"
As the target was hit, the thick tree trunk exploded, and while it toppled to the side, Uchiha Sasuke's momentum did not decrease. The Chidori in his hand showed no signs of fading, and in the hand of the thrusting Uchiha Sasuke, it continued to emit a dazzling light.
One tree, two trees, three trees!
Not until Uchiha Sasuke knocked down three large trees, and his palm blasted a large hole through the trunk of the fourth tree, did the power of the Chidori finally dissipate completely!
If the trees were replaced with Ninjas, once Uchiha Sasuke unleashed this Chidori, it would likely skewer them like candied haws.
However, nothing is absolute. Powerful Ninjas are not without ways to counter Chidori. So, even though Uchiha Sasuke had taken a big step forward, he still had a long way to go before reaching the finish line.
"I will not lose again! Absolutely not!"
Exhausted, Uchiha Sasuke deactivated his Sharingan and lay on his back on the soft ground, staring straight at the twilight sky. The determination in his eyes was not feigned.