A Trash Game You Could Only Pay to Win, Not Grind

Kazekage Tower.

A crude, large sand fortress shaped somewhat like a gourd. Of course, most buildings in Sunagakure were built like this. After all, the Land of Wind had fierce sandstorms, and fortress-shaped buildings were better at resisting them.

Led by the jonin, he entered the meeting room within the Kazekage Tower. The earthy yellow walls were still built from sand. As for the stools, chairs, tables...

They counted as relatively complete facilities within the Kazekage Tower.

After all, Sunagakure had quite a few carpenters. Their woodworking was even first-rate in the Shinobi World. It was just that there were too few trees in the village, limiting the development of carpentry. What a shame.

If even self-sufficient things could not be replaced promptly, then Sunagakure's situation was truly dire.

Looking at the Sunagakure higher-ups who had already arrived for the meeting, there were not many of them. Just as he had said, Sunagakure did not have much talent. Most of the old generation had died in the previous wars, while those who survived had grown weary of the sandstorms and chosen retirement.

Even Chiyo and her younger brother Ebizo had considered retiring. However, their grandson had also disappeared some time ago. To search for him, they could only temporarily put aside the idea of retirement.

Sasori... the pillar of the younger generation. Perhaps if not for his underworld issues, Sunagakure's future would not have fallen to the point where, after he left, its strongest force consisted only of jonin.

Of course, at this stage, Sasori and Rasa bore an immortal grudge against each other. Strictly speaking, Sasori's teacher, the Third Kazekage, had died at Sasori's hands.

But now, he was Rasa, yet not Rasa. There was no need to sour his relationship with Chiyo and Ebizo at this time.

The Third Great Shinobi War was about to arrive!

"Rasa, take a seat."

Old Woman Chiyo looked at Rasa with a kindly smile. Then, seeing Sunagakure's current lack of new blood, she sighed wistfully in her heart.

If her grandson were here... perhaps he could have become the next Kazekage's right-hand man. Or even now, if no suitable Kazekage had appeared, he could have accepted the responsibility in a crisis and become the next Kazekage.

But now...

This was not the time to think about such things.

With internal and external troubles pressing in, if they were not resolved, Sunagakure might truly perish.

After Sunagakure had launched the first two Great Shinobi Wars and lost both, the Land of Wind had become deeply dissatisfied with these ninja who could not win wars. It cut Sunagakure's funding year after year, forcing the village to reduce its number of ninja annually as well. Coupled with the harsh environment, the birth rate and survival rate had never been high to begin with.

It could be said that Sunagakure ending up like this had long been inevitable.

The only unexpected event was the Third Kazekage's sudden disappearance. Without promptly selecting a suitable next Kazekage, the Sunagakure ninja, having lost their pillar, had become deeply unsettled.

After a moment, seeing that it was getting late, she immediately put on a stern expression.

"This old woman knows that the Third Kazekage's matter has left you mentally devastated, but now..."

Chiyo gave a bitter shake of her head, her tone full of helplessness.

"You should know the village's situation as well. Spies have sent word that the Land of Lightning has begun large-scale military mobilization, and the atmosphere in Kumogakure is somewhat off as well. So..."

She looked deeply at Rasa.

"We believe someone is preparing to launch a war against Sunagakure while it is vulnerable."

As soon as she finished speaking.

"Big sister." Ebizo, who was no longer young himself, suddenly interjected. "It is not only the Land of Lightning. The atmosphere in Kusagakure, Konoha's ally, is also somewhat off. Perhaps Konoha will participate in the war too. Even the other Five Great Ninja Villages may join this war. The Great Shinobi War may begin once more."

After all, the other countries could not simply watch the Land of Lightning take advantage.

"I know. This news is not suitable to reveal now, Ebizo. You know that the village's ninja are already extremely uneasy. If this news spreads, they will panic even more." Chiyo shook her head helplessly. "Although we do not know how long we can keep it hidden, we can only conceal it for as long as possible."

"...Sigh, that's true." Ebizo fell silent for a moment, sighed, and shook his head. Then he looked at the calm-faced Rasa. As expected of the Third Kazekage's disciple. Even after hearing this news, he showed not the slightest panic.

After pondering for a moment, he continued.

"You have probably guessed why we called you here."

"War preparations?"

"Yes, Rasa." Chiyo nodded, still speaking helplessly. "We must guard against the Land of Lightning. Kumogakure will not easily let such a good opportunity slip away."

A war between countries could also be called a war between ninja villages.

"At a time like this, Ebizo and I will lead some ninja to defend against a surprise attack from the Land of Lightning. As for you... sigh, among the village's younger generation, only you and Pakura are still capable."

She pointed to the area near the Land of Earth on the Shinobi World sand table.

"I hope you can lead a group to guard this border and prevent Iwagakure and Kusagakure from invading amid the chaos. As for Pakura..."

Pakura, dressed in a tight ninja suit and ninja undergarments that highlighted her sexy figure, her hair tied in buns, looked at Chiyo.

"Kirigakure, across the sea, must also be watched. I hope you can keep an eye on this side. We do not know whether Kirigakure will join in, but we must be prepared. Once the Great Shinobi War truly arrives..."

At this point, she revealed another bitter smile and shook her head.

"This is truly terrible."

Sunagakure was poor and short on people. If the Great Shinobi War truly arrived, she could not imagine Sunagakure's final outcome... especially when no one could become the next Kazekage now...

A village's Kage was absent.

How could the ninja below feel at ease?

"This old man and my sister will risk our lives to hold back the Land of Lightning."

Ebizo spoke again.

"I hope all of you can survive this war as well."

Though he wore a cheerful smile as if trying to ease the tense atmosphere, no one could relax now.

Pakura nodded with a stern expression. "Swear to Defend Sunagakure!"

As for Rasa...

He wanted to refuse. He had even planned to stop being a ninja, and had already thought of an excuse to resign. But Rasa was him... yet he was not Rasa either. If he simply resigned like this, he felt that he might regret it. After all, in his memories, this was also the village where he had lived for over twenty years.

But war...

It was still somewhat frightening.

His Golden Finger could only be paid into, not grinded, leaving him unable to grow stronger with zero top-up.

In the end, he could only nod expressionlessly and say, "Understood!"