The drizzling rain struck the seemingly boundless lake, turning into ripples that slowly spread outward.
Tap!
Amid the soft sound of footsteps on water, five people dressed in conical hats and white robes resembling traditional attire came to a stop.
"Fourth Kazekage, once we leave this lake, we'll be out of the Land of Rain. The Border Line of the Land of Fire is just ahead."
After looking into the distance, one of them spoke.
"I know."
The young man standing at the center of the group, whose attire was clearly different from that of the other four, replied.
His tone carried considerable authority.
He was Rasa, Sunagakure's newly appointed Kazekage, the Fourth Kazekage.
And the future Fifth Kazekage Gaara's father.
Is that so?
We're almost at the Border Line of the Land of Fire...
A heavy thought weighed on his mind.
"Fourth Kazekage... would you like to rest for a while?"
Seeing that he had not moved forward for some time, the guard standing ahead to his right cautiously spoke up.
"No need to rush."
Rasa glanced at the vast lake and answered steadily.
If only we could have incorporated part of the Land of Rain's water sources into our territory during this Third Great Ninja War. Then we wouldn't have to worry about our people's water supply.
Moreover, the lakes and rainfall here in the Land of Rain could serve as a reliable source of irrigation. As long as we had water, our country's economy would not be so strained. We could more or less become self-sufficient like Konoha.
Then, what difficulty would there be in returning the Land of Wind and Sunagakure to one of the top positions among the Five Great Villages? As he looked over the lake, Rasa's heart was filled with regret and helplessness.