The real Shinobi World...
On a nameless dune, a fierce wind whipped up yellow sand, shrouding the land beneath a vast, hazy sky. Orochimaru stood atop the dune, his golden snake eyes slightly narrowed as he stared through the blowing sand at a figure gradually emerging in the distance. Fourth Kazekage Rasa, clad in white Kazekage robes, rode a wave of sand slowly toward him. His expression was stern, with a hint of unease between his brows.
"You finally came, Rasa." Orochimaru's voice was low and hoarse, with a trace of mockery. "I thought you were planning to back out."
Rasa stopped a short distance from Orochimaru. He glanced around; there was no one else on the dune. The wind howled, as though whispering some ominous portent in his ear.
"Back out?" Rasa sneered. "Since I agreed to your proposal, I naturally won't go back on my word. But your people from Otogakure have already infiltrated Konoha, while Sunagakure must proceed more cautiously. Konoha won't be so easy to deal with, after all."
Orochimaru's lips curved into a chilling smile. "Cautious? Or... are you hesitating?" His gaze was as sharp as a venomous snake's, as though he could see through Rasa's thoughts.
Rasa's heart tightened, and the stunning battle on the Heavenly Screen involuntarily rose in his mind: Naruto against Pain. According to the intelligence he had obtained, the Naruto in those images was clearly much older than he was now, and his strength was unbelievably great. If those images really were of the future, then their plan this time... might be doomed to fail.
"What are you thinking about?" Orochimaru's voice interrupted Rasa's thoughts.
Rasa came back to himself and said calmly, "Nothing. I just think Konoha is far stronger than we imagined. Especially the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Naruto Uzumaki."
A flicker of interest appeared in Orochimaru's eyes. "Oh? You're concerned about him?"
Rather than answer directly, Rasa asked, "Orochimaru, do you really think our plan can succeed? Konoha has deep reserves of strength. Even if we join forces, we may not find it easy to succeed."
Orochimaru chuckled, his voice tinged with contempt. "Rasa, when did you become so timid? Have you forgotten why we're working together? Konoha's collapse is only a matter of time. And you'll get everything you want."
Rasa fell silent for a moment, but his unease only deepened. He recalled the images on the Heavenly Screen: Naruto's determined gaze, his immense chakra, and his resolve to do whatever it took to protect the village. If that really was the Naruto of the future, then their plan... might have been doomed from the start.
"Orochimaru," Rasa said slowly, "what will you do if our plan fails?"
Orochimaru's smile gradually vanished, replaced by a chilling expression. "Failure? There's no such word in my dictionary. Even if the plan changes, I have ways to deal with it. But what about you, Rasa? Are you already wavering?"
Rasa did not answer. He simply looked into the distance. The wind and sand continued to rage across the vast, hazy landscape, but turmoil had already risen in his heart. Working with Orochimaru had always been a dangerous gamble. And now, he increasingly felt that he might have placed his bet on the wrong side.
"I won't back out," Rasa said at last, "but I'll act in my own way. Sunagakure's interests will always be my first priority."
Orochimaru stared at Rasa, a nearly imperceptible chill flashing in his eyes. "I hope so. After all, you know the price of betraying me."
Rasa gave no reply and turned to leave. His retreating figure looked especially lonely amid the wind and sand, as though he bore a heavy burden. Orochimaru remained where he was, watching Rasa leave, a cold smile once again curling his lips.
"Rasa, do you think you can escape my control?" Orochimaru murmured to himself, his voice fading into the wind above the dune.
Meanwhile, Rasa was lost in thought as well. He had begun to question whether he really should continue working with Orochimaru. The images on the Heavenly Screen seemed like a warning, reminding him that the road ahead was filled with unknown dangers.
Perhaps I should reconsider... Rasa thought, though his steps did not falter. He knew he had become caught up in a conspiracy he could not easily escape. And the outcome of that conspiracy might already have been decided.
The wind and sand raged on as the two men on the nameless dune, each with his own thoughts, headed in different directions. The gears of fate had begun to turn, and no one could predict how it would all end.
Orochimaru stood atop the dune, watching Rasa's figure gradually disappear into the blowing sand. His golden snake eyes narrowed slightly, and a chilling murderous intent flashed within them. The wind and sand howled, as though whispering of the plot in his heart.
"Rasa... it seems you're already wavering," Orochimaru murmured to himself, his voice hoarse and cold. "The images on the Heavenly Screen have made you suspicious, even made you start regretting our partnership. Unfortunately, there's no turning back for you now."
A cruel smile curled Orochimaru's lips. He had long expected that someone as meticulous as Rasa would not be easily brought completely under his control. The images of Naruto fighting Pain on the Heavenly Screen had clearly shaken Rasa's confidence in the future. And an ally who wavered was often more dangerous than an enemy.
Since you're no longer reliable, I have no choice but to ask you to die, Orochimaru thought. I'll personally see you off on your way to Konoha. Then I'll disguise myself as you and enter Konoha as the Kazekage. That will make my plan go even more smoothly.
Orochimaru's plan had long since taken shape in his mind. Rasa's death would not hinder his operation; on the contrary, it would make things easier for him. Rasa's identity as Kazekage would allow him to enter Konoha's inner areas easily, and even get close to the Hokage. And Orochimaru's disguise technique was enough to fool everyone.
Still, relying on myself alone might not be safe enough, Orochimaru considered. I need Kimimaro and the others to come and back me up. Rasa isn't such an easy opponent, after all.
With that thought, Orochimaru took a small scroll from his sleeve and gently unfurled it. Intricate runes were inscribed on the scroll; it was the secret technique he used to contact his subordinates in Otogakure. He bit his finger, quickly wrote a few lines on the scroll, then formed hand seals and murmured, "Summoning Technique: Message Snake!"
A puff of white smoke appeared, and a tiny black snake emerged from the scroll, flicking its tongue and hissing. Orochimaru handed the scroll to the snake and quietly instructed it, "Go find Kimimaro and tell him to bring his squad here immediately. Remember, hurry."
The black snake nodded, swiftly burrowed into the sand, and vanished.
Orochimaru put away the scroll and looked into the distance. The wind and sand raged on, but he was in a better mood than before. Rasa's hesitation had instead given him an excellent opportunity. As long as the plan went smoothly, Konoha's collapse would soon be at hand.
"Rasa, you have only your own indecisiveness to blame," Orochimaru said with a cold smile. "In this world, those who hesitate are destined to become stepping stones for others."
Meanwhile, Rasa was walking alone on the road back to Sunagakure. His heart was heavy, and the images on the Heavenly Screen replayed constantly in his mind. Naruto's powerful figure seemed to remind him that the road ahead was filled with unknown dangers.
Orochimaru... can that venomous snake really be trusted? Rasa thought. If the images on the Heavenly Screen really are the future, then our plan is doomed to fail. And I may become a sinner in Sunagakure's eyes.
Rasa's steps gradually slowed. He stopped and looked back toward the nameless dune. The blowing sand obscured his vision, but he could almost feel Orochimaru's chilling gaze fixed on him.
No, I can't just sit here and wait for death, Rasa resolved. I have to return to the village as soon as possible and reevaluate the partnership with Orochimaru. Otherwise, Sunagakure could fall into an irredeemable situation.
Rasa did not know, however, that Orochimaru's murderous intent was already fixed on him. His every step was within Orochimaru's calculations.
A few days later, Rasa set out for Konoha. He took only a few trusted aides with him, traveling discreetly and in secret. But as they passed through a desolate canyon, something unexpected happened.
"Lord Kazekage, something's up ahead!" A Sunagakure ninja suddenly stopped, looking warily around.
Rasa frowned and raised a hand, signaling everyone to stop. He looked around as faint rustling came from the rock walls on either side of the canyon.
"Careful, it's an ambush!" Rasa shouted in a low voice.
No sooner had he spoken than dozens of enormous snake shapes burst from the rock walls and lunged straight at them. Rasa quickly formed hand seals and swept both hands out. Gold dust poured from his sleeves, turning into sharp blades that chopped several snakes into pieces.
It's Orochimaru! Rasa's heart sank as he immediately realized he had walked into an ambush.
"Hehehe, didn't expect this, did you, Rasa?" Orochimaru's voice came from above the canyon. He stood on a jutting rock, looking down at Rasa with mockery in his eyes.
"Orochimaru, what's the meaning of this?" Rasa asked coldly, though he already understood everything.
"What's the meaning of this?" Orochimaru chuckled. "Why, I'm here to see you off, of course. You're no longer of any use to me, Rasa."
Rasa's face darkened instantly. He knew he was in a dangerous situation. Orochimaru's strength was unfathomable, and he had only a few trusted aides with him.
"Orochimaru, do you think you can carry out your plan without a hitch just by killing me?" Rasa tried to buy time while secretly preparing to counterattack.
"Of course." Orochimaru's smile grew more vicious. "Once I kill you, I can enter Konoha as the Kazekage. Then no one will be able to stop Konoha's collapse."
A chill ran through Rasa's heart. He knew he could hesitate no longer. He thrust up a hand, and the gold dust transformed into countless sharp blades that flew straight at Orochimaru. But Orochimaru vanished from the spot like a phantom, easily evading the attack.
"It's useless, Rasa." Orochimaru's voice came from every direction. "Your struggles will only make your death more painful."
The battle was about to erupt, and the atmosphere in the canyon instantly grew tense to the breaking point. Rasa's trusted aides quickly formed hand seals, trying to counter Orochimaru's surprise attack. Before they could finish, however, a white figure leaped down from the rock wall like a phantom and landed steadily before them.
It was Kimimaro.
He was expressionless, his gaze cold as frost, and the bone blade in his hand gleamed in the sunlight. His arrival seemed to freeze the air around them.
"Lord Kazekage, watch out!" a Sunagakure ninja shouted, then charged at Kimimaro, trying to buy Rasa time.
Before his attack could reach Kimimaro, however, Kimimaro vanished from the spot. The next moment, the Sunagakure ninja's body stiffened. He looked down to see a sharp bone blade protruding through his chest.
"Too slow," Kimimaro said coldly. He withdrew the bone blade, and the Sunagakure ninja collapsed helplessly to the ground.
Rasa's heart sank at the sight. He knew his men were no match for him. Orochimaru, meanwhile, stood above the canyon, watching it all with cold eyes, as though enjoying a play whose ending had long since been decided.
"Orochimaru, you really are a despicable bastard!" Rasa roared, rapidly forming hand seals. Gold dust poured from his sleeves and turned into countless sharp blades that flew straight at Orochimaru.
Orochimaru chuckled and dodged the gold dust attack with the agility of a snake. His voice echoed through the canyon, tinged with mockery. "Rasa, your struggles will only make your death more painful. Why bother?"
Rasa did not reply. He knew he had no way back. He had to give it everything he had if he wanted any chance of escaping this desperate situation. But Kimimaro was already closing in again, his bone blade stabbing toward Rasa's vital points like lightning.
"Gold Dust Shield!" Rasa shouted. Gold dust rapidly gathered before him into a thick, heavy shield, blocking Kimimaro's attack. But Kimimaro was far stronger than he had imagined. The instant the bone blade struck the gold dust shield, cracks appeared across its surface.
"Lord Kazekage, is that all you're capable of?" Kimimaro said coldly. He suddenly exerted more force, and the bone blade pierced straight through the gold dust shield, heading for Rasa's chest.
Rasa retreated swiftly, narrowly evading the blow. But before he could regain his footing, Orochimaru's attack followed. An enormous snake burst from the ground, opened its gaping maw, and lunged straight at him.
"Gold Dust Spear!" Rasa swept both hands out, and the gold dust turned into several spears that stabbed straight at the giant snake's head. The snake was struck and let out a roar, then vanished in a puff of white smoke.
But that was only Orochimaru's feint. The true killing blow came from behind Rasa.
"Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!" Orochimaru's voice rang out beside Rasa's ear as several snakes burst from the ground and quickly wrapped around his legs. Rasa tried to break free, but the snakes were immensely strong, completely restricting his movements.
"It's over, Rasa." Orochimaru appeared before him, the kunai in his hand pointed straight at his throat.
Rasa gritted his teeth, determination flashing in his eyes. He knew he could no longer escape, but he would never surrender without a fight.
"Gold Dust Burial!" Rasa roared. All the chakra in his body erupted at once, and gold dust surged wildly around him, forming countless sharp blades that attacked indiscriminately in every direction.
Orochimaru and Kimimaro swiftly retreated, avoiding the deadly blow. But Rasa's attack covered an enormous area. Gold dust blades filled the entire canyon, splitting rocks and collapsing the ground, as though the end of the world had come.
"Death throes," Orochimaru said with a cold smile, rapidly forming hand seals. "Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"
A powerful blast of wind erupted from Orochimaru's mouth, rushing straight at Rasa's gold dust blades. Wind and gold dust collided with a piercing scrape, and the blades were gradually blown apart.
Meanwhile, Kimimaro was not idle either. A layer of bone armor rapidly covered his body, and he charged straight into the range of the gold dust blades. Bone armor clashed with gold dust, producing a piercing sound, but Kimimaro did not slow in the slightest.
"Rasa, it's over," Kimimaro said coldly, pointing his bone blade straight at Rasa's heart.
Rasa's chakra was nearly exhausted, and his body trembled slightly within the gold dust enveloping him. He knew he was powerless to turn things around.
"Orochimaru... you venomous snake... Sunagakure... will never let you go..." Rasa's voice was low and hoarse, filled with endless hatred.
Orochimaru walked up to Rasa and looked down at him without a trace of pity in his eyes. "Sunagakure? Hehe, once I've destroyed Konoha, Sunagakure will be next. Rasa, your death is only the beginning."
Before he had finished speaking, the kunai in Orochimaru's hand stabbed into Rasa's chest. Rasa's body shuddered, and blood poured from his mouth. His eyes gradually lost focus, and he finally collapsed helplessly to the ground.
The wind and sand raged on, but the battle in the canyon was over. Rasa's body lay motionless in a pool of blood. The gold dust gradually lost its luster, turning into ordinary sand that scattered on the wind.
Orochimaru stood beside Rasa's body, watching it coldly for a moment before turning to Kimimaro. "Clean it up. Don't leave any traces." Kimimaro nodded and began clearing the battlefield.
Orochimaru stood beside Rasa's body, coldly watching the life gradually fade from his eyes.
"Goodbye, Rasa," Orochimaru said softly. "Your death will pave the way for me."
Orochimaru then formed hand seals and used a secret technique to remove the skin from Rasa's face. His body gradually changed until he had taken Rasa's appearance. He looked down at his hands and nodded in satisfaction.
"Next, it's time to go to Konoha." Orochimaru—or rather, Orochimaru disguised as Rasa—turned and left, his figure disappearing at the end of the canyon.
The wind and sand raged on. In the desolate canyon, only Rasa's cold corpse remained, silently telling of the cruelty of this plot.
Windblown sand swirled as the sunset cast its remaining light over the road to Konoha, bathing it in a golden-red glow. Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro were leading a squad from Sunagakure at speed toward Konoha. Their mission was to coordinate from inside and outside with Orochimaru and the people of Otogakure, playing a key role in the Konoha Crush Plan.
They did not know, however, that their father, Fourth Kazekage Rasa, had already fallen in a pool of blood, dead because of his own ambition and desires.
"Gaara, how are you feeling?" Temari glanced sideways at Gaara beside her, a hint of concern in her voice. She had noticed that Gaara looked gloomier than usual, as though something was on his mind.
Gaara did not answer immediately, simply looking down at his palm. Images of Naruto fighting Pain on the Heavenly Screen kept appearing in his mind. That Naruto was powerful and resolute, willing to do anything to protect his village. Gaara himself, however, had always been regarded as a monster by the villagers and treated as a tool by his father.
"I'm fine," Gaara finally said quietly, his voice tinged with indifference.
Temari frowned and was about to say more, but Kankuro interrupted her. "Temari, stop asking. Gaara has his own thoughts. We just need to follow the plan."
Temari sighed and nodded. She knew Kankuro was right. They had no time to think too much now. The mission was what mattered most.
Yet Temari felt a faint unease. She couldn't shake the feeling that something about this mission was wrong. Her father Rasa's attitude, Orochimaru's treachery, and those stunning images on the Heavenly Screen all seemed to foretell something.
"Kankuro, don't you think... Father has been a little strange lately?" Temari asked quietly, a trace of hesitation in her voice.
Kankuro paused, then shook his head. "Father has always been like that. He can do anything for the village's interests. We just need to trust him."
Temari said nothing more, but her unease grew stronger. She looked back the way they had come. The blowing sand obscured her view, as though burying everything in the past beneath it.
Meanwhile, Gaara's thoughts continued to churn. He remembered his experiences growing up, his father's indifference and exploitation, and the villagers' fear and rejection of him. Yet the Naruto on the Heavenly Screen had everything he longed for: friends, trust, and even the village's recognition.
"Why... does he have those things?" Gaara murmured to himself, his voice tinged with confusion and jealousy.
Temari and Kankuro did not hear Gaara's whisper. They simply followed silently behind him, heading toward Konoha. They did not know that their father had already died at Orochimaru's hands, or that what they were about to face was a conspiracy far more cruel than they imagined.
The sun gradually sank below the horizon, and night began to fall. Gaara's squad looked especially lonely in the twilight. Their steps were firm, yet carried an indescribable heaviness.
"Konoha's just ahead," Kankuro said quietly, looking up at the faint outline of Konoha in the distance.
Temari nodded and tightened her grip on her fan. She was still uneasy, but she knew there was no turning back now.
"No matter what happens, we have to complete the mission," Temari said quietly, as though encouraging herself.
Gaara did not answer, merely quickening his pace in silence. A complex light flashed in his eyes, as though he were pondering something.
They did not know, however, that behind them, Orochimaru had already disguised himself as Rasa and was slowly approaching Konoha. His plan was far more insidious and deadly than they imagined.
Night fell, and the wind and sand gradually subsided. Gaara's squad gradually disappeared at Konoha's entrance. Their fates had become tightly entangled with the Konoha Crush Plan. Their father Rasa, meanwhile, had fallen forever on that nameless dune, becoming a discarded pawn in Orochimaru's scheme.
The windblown sand buried Rasa's body, along with his ambition and desires. Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro, completely unaware, were walking step by step into the vortex of fate.