There Will Be Two Trees in Front of My House!

The weather was getting hotter and hotter.

As a semi-closed ninja village, Sunagakure was completely surrounded by walls built from sand and stone, while the houses inside... were all built like fortresses.

That was why everything looked so densely packed.

Although the walls could block the sandstorms, the village's climate was still extremely hot.

As usual, Karura walked toward Rasa's house. Ever since Rasa had gone to the northern border to participate in the war, she had come here every day to help him clean, straighten the bedsheets, and, if the wind wasn't too strong, air out the blankets.

"Lady Karura!"

"Hello!"

Karura wore a gentle smile as she nodded at the Sand Ninja and ordinary villagers who greeted her.

The news that Rasa had crushed the Grass Ninja and Stone Ninja, slaughtering his way in and out of the Grass Ninja's camp seven times and single-handedly killing more than a hundred Stone Ninja Jonin, had already reached the village. It could be said that Rasa's reputation had become the pillar of Sunagakure.

After the Kazekage went missing, the atmosphere in Sunagakure had remained somewhat gloomy. Especially now, they had no money, no ninjas, and had inexplicably been confronted with a terrifying war...

How could the villagers feel at ease?

A village's Kage was the faith and pillar in the hearts of all its ninjas and residents. If that person went missing, the impact on the village could well be imagined!

And some time ago...

After hearing the news of Rasa's powerful rise, especially the strength described by the messenger ninjas... he could absolutely become the next Kage!

Moreover, it was said that even the Tsuchikage, despite Iwagakure suffering such heavy losses, still didn't dare to attack Rasa lightly.

"Lord Rasa's strength... is absolutely enough to shoulder Sunagakure and become the Fourth Kazekage!"

Karura held some supplies she needed in her arms. Hearing the surrounding villagers' words, the corners of her mouth lifted slightly. With a proud smile, she raised her head and walked toward Rasa's house.

Rasa... had already been recognized by the villagers as the Fourth Kazekage without even realizing it.

As Rasa's fiancée, she was naturally delighted.

Therefore, as she walked along the road, she wore a smile regardless of who she met and warmly responded to each of them.

As for the matter of Rasa stealing a woman... Karura didn't care. After all, as Rasa's childhood sweetheart, she had always believed in him.

Rasa... was absolutely not that kind of person!

It didn't take long before she arrived at Rasa's house. After checking that none of the villagers had followed her, she breathed a sigh of relief and took out the spare key Rasa had given her. Just as she was about to open the door...

"Huh?"

Karura carefully moved her foot aside, a look of surprise on her face as she lowered her head to look at... two tender green saplings beside the door!

"How... how are there saplings here?"

For saplings to suddenly grow in the desert... this was a major event!

Rasa had no idea that two of the fruit pits he had casually buried as trash in front of his house had actually taken root and sprouted this year.

Otherwise, he would probably have found it utterly unbelievable as well!

At that moment, he was leading Kana and the other Sand Ninja who had come as reinforcements toward the battlefield where Chiyo was stationed.

In late spring and early summer of Konoha Year 43, Kumogakure officially declared war on Konoha and Iwagakure. Its army of ninjas, which had long been prepared, immediately headed for the borders of the Land of Fire and the Land of Earth.

Forced into action by one of the powerful Five Great Ninja Villages, Kumogakure, Iwagakure didn't dare relax in the slightest and quickly shifted its focus toward Kumogakure and Konoha.

As for why they still had to keep an eye on Konoha...

After all, they could lose the war, but... they absolutely had to attack Konoha!

This was an understanding the other four great ninja villages had established long ago.

At the same time, after seeing Kumogakure begin attacking Konoha, Kirigakure also quickly took action and joined this war against Konoha.

In short... Konoha was too strong, so they were going to weaken it a little!

As all five great ninja villages joined the conflict, another Great Shinobi War that swept across the entire shinobi world began. In order to survive while surrounded by the Five Great Ninja Villages, the other smaller ninja villages also participated in the war, hoping to profit from it and develop themselves.

It could be said...

The true Great Shinobi War had finally arrived!

Rasa wasn't surprised by this. After all, he had long known that the Third Great Shinobi War would inevitably come. He just hadn't expected that the one to relieve Sunagakure's siege would be Kumogakure, which had been the first to attack Sunagakure. Truly, the world was unpredictable~

But... that was indeed the case. Sunagakure was poor in land and people. Aside from some Secret Jutsu and ninjutsu, what else was there to plunder?

Why would they send so many troops to Sunagakure for no reason?!

What a waste!

As for Konoha...

It had even more Secret Jutsu and ninjutsu. Especially after the fall of the Whirlpool Country, Konoha could be said to possess the strongest Fuinjutsu in the shinobi world.

Most of the Whirlpool Country's Secret Jutsu had been absorbed by Konoha!

On top of that, it had many bloodline limits, a large population, plenty of money, and even more Secret Jutsu!

If they didn't weaken it, whom else could they weaken?

Moreover, Konoha was simply too strong. It had won twice in the Great Shinobi Wars despite facing several ninja villages at once. Therefore, for the sake of their own villages' development, Konoha had to be weakened!

It was all to narrow the gap between the ninja villages~

Rasa understood this clearly. It was just like how Sunagakure sometimes liked to cause trouble for Konoha for no reason. Although Konoha already had their friend from the four great ninja villages, Shimura Danzō, hidden within it, they still had to cause whatever trouble needed causing.

In order to reach the battlefield in time, Rasa, Kana, and the other Sand Ninja who had come to provide support didn't rest much and headed straight toward the battlefield on Kumogakure's side.

As the war expanded, the entire shinobi world now seemed unusually solemn and quiet.

After all, war meant people would die!

No ninja knew whether, after setting foot on the battlefield, they would still have the chance to return to their beloved village.

There were even many ninjas who had promised to marry each other who suspended their engagements at this time. Before departing, they made a new promise...

When the war ends, we'll come back and get married!

Anticipation, sorrow, longing, and chaos had become the only themes of the shinobi world.

By the time they reached their destination, it was already nighttime a week later.

Rasa looked at Chiyo and Ebizo, who were walking toward him with smiles on their faces, along with nearly a hundred Jonin officers. It was clear that everyone was extremely exhausted. Their faces were full of fatigue, and now and then, some Jonin couldn't help secretly yawning. Yet... they still forced themselves to come and welcome him.

He more or less understood...

Faced with the grim situation of her Grandson and the Third Kazekage both having disappeared, Chiyo and Ebizo were preparing to build up his reputation so that he could directly become the Fourth Kazekage, shoulder the banner of Sunagakure, and lead the village into the future.

"Rasa, you've worked hard!" Chiyo grasped Rasa's hand kindly, smiling as she spoke with a hint of emotion. "Sorry. You understand the conditions here as well, so... you probably won't be able to rest."

"It's fine!"

Rasa likewise shook his head with a smile as he surveyed the Sand Ninja studying him before him.

He had no idea which bastard had been exaggerating his achievements, but his current battle record... had already surpassed that of the Third Kazekage and was even approaching the Shinobi God.

Therefore... when they saw his arrival, quite a few Sand Ninja seemed to relax, filling with confidence in victory!

This is really setting me up!

He knew his own abilities best... He was merely a little better than an ordinary Kage.

So, if he didn't build up his reputation now, when would he?

That was probably also why Chiyo had asked all the Sand Ninja to come out and welcome him.

Rasa took a deep breath, put on a solemn expression, and said seriously, "The conditions are harsh, but we Sand Ninja have always upheld the fine tradition of hard work and perseverance. We have inherited the First Kazekage's thick... no, his fearless spirit of enduring hardship, fighting, getting things done, and accomplishing them. We must continue to develop ourselves, strive forward, fight our enemies, fight our environment, and fight ourselves. We must not complain because conditions are difficult, nor relax because conditions are difficult. We must uphold a heart devoted to selflessly contributing to our village. All of us... every one of us who is part of Sunagakure..." He raised his right fist passionately. "So, all of you have done well!"

As soon as his words fell...

"Good!"

A thunderous, inspiring round of applause immediately rang out across the entire camp.

"Clap, clap, clap~"

The atmosphere was filled with joy!