Returning to the Village

Summer, Year 44 of Konoha.

Chiyo, her face filled with exhaustion, and Ebizo returned covered in dust and grime.

Only... of the forty-seven Jonin who had set out, just thirty-two had returned. Yet every Sand Ninja still wore an excited expression as they gazed at Rasa with admiration.

They had probably already heard the news of Sunagakure's victory on the journey back, so they were not overly saddened by the losses.

After all, Sunagakure had truly won despite being at such a disadvantage!!!

What was there to be sad about?

As for Rasa... he did not disturb the Sand Ninja's excitement at a time like this. The crushing pressure of war had weighed on them for nearly two years. Now that they had finally achieved victory, how could he not let them celebrate?

As for their sorrow...

When the memorial service for the fallen Sand Ninja was held... they would understand... that one of their former comrades would never be able to stand beside them again.

"Chiyo, Ebizo." Rasa smiled as he went to greet them. "You've worked hard!"

"Good! Good! Good!" Chiyo slapped Rasa on the shoulder and shouted "good" three times in a row. Then, with a gratified expression, she looked at Rasa. "You haven't disappointed the Third Kazekage's expectations, Rasa... You'll definitely be able to shoulder Sunagakure's future."

And at this moment...

Ebizo, still wearing a gratified smile, stepped forward, nodded, and said, "We heard all about what you did on the way here."

He likewise reached out and patted this junior who had turned the tide during Sunagakure's moment of crisis.

"You had some Sand Ninja stir up sand to confuse the Kumogakure Ninja and make their commander believe that we had already been defeated and accepted our fate, leaving us unable to fight any longer. Then... you seized the opportunity to lead all the Sand Ninja in launching an all-out attack before the Kumogakure Ninja could react. After that, you toyed with the Fourth Raikage and the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki using a terrifying forbidden technique and your own intelligence... You led Sunagakure to victory despite our disadvantage in this war. Well done! Very well done!"

"..."

Was that really what happened?

Rasa froze for a moment, then sighed and shook his head. With a resolute tone, he said, "It was Sunagakure's guidance that made my achievements possible today. This wasn't my accomplishment alone, but a victory brought about by the joint efforts of countless Sand Ninja. In particular, Chiyo and Ebizo... If you hadn't risked your lives to infiltrate Kumogakure and destroy their supplies, securing an opportunity for victory on the front lines, we could never have achieved such a glorious victory. So... this victory belongs to all the Sand Ninja!"

As soon as he finished...

A burst of enthusiastic applause immediately erupted, and countless Sand Ninja shouted their approval.

Even Chiyo and Ebizo nodded with smiles and said gently, "Victorious without becoming arrogant, defeated without becoming discouraged. Well done!"

But then...

"What?!"

Back in the conference room, Rasa stared at Chiyo and Ebizo in astonishment.

"The Kumogakure supply troops weren't destroyed by you?"

"That's right!" Chiyo nodded helplessly. "When we arrived, the Kumogakure supply troops had already been wiped out by Konoha Ninja. And... we were also ambushed by Konoha Ninja. Fortunately... they didn't seem interested in pursuing us."

Of course, she knew that Konoha had merely needed Sunagakure to take the blame.

Besides, Sunagakure was the only one of the Five Great Ninja Villages that had not declared war on Konoha in this conflict. If possible, there was no need to push things too far right now. They could simply withdraw.

"So... Konoha took the supplies from Kumogakure too?"

"...That should be the case!"

"Konoha..." Rasa's eyes widened when he heard that. He slammed his hand against the table and roared, "They've gone too far!"

"..."

Chiyo and Ebizo looked at Rasa speechlessly. After a moment...

They shook their heads and said, "Forget it. Let's not worry about that."

Then Chiyo slightly furrowed her brows, her tone turning serious.

"Now, Moomu told us about the jutsu you used..."

"Forbidden technique." Before Chiyo could finish, Rasa sighed and shook his head. "It isn't that easy to unleash."

At the very least... it required the right time, place, and people. And... most importantly, it required spending money!

Spend hard, spend big, and eventually you'd get it.

"Is that really the case? What a terrifying forbidden technique."

As veteran Ninja, Ebizo and Chiyo naturally knew... there was no need to question someone too much about their jutsu. Whether what Rasa said was true or false, it did not matter. After all...

As long as Rasa became Sunagakure's future Kazekage and could bring better days to their village, that was enough.

Besides, judging from Rasa's appearance... perhaps he would not be able to use it again afterward.

Chiyo pondered for a moment, shook her head, and glanced at the iron basin being carefully guarded by several Jonin. "This basin..."

Isn't this guy's foot-washing basin?

She froze completely, then smiled without saying it aloud. She even felt that after she left, she would have to make sure the other Sand Ninja kept their mouths shut.

Otherwise, if Kumogakure found out... it would lead to a fight to the death!

"The next Raikage of Kumogakure is sealed inside it?"

"That's right!" Rasa nodded and said solemnly, "As long as the lid isn't opened and the basin isn't smashed, the seal won't be broken."

"Is that so?"

Chiyo pondered for a moment, exchanged a glance with her younger brother Ebizo, and nodded.

"The two of us will closely guard this basin from now on. As for you..."

At this, a smile appeared on her face.

"It's time for you to return to the village!"

"???"

What's going on?

Return to the village now?

Could this be a case of the rabbit dying once the hounds have finished their work?

Rasa looked at Chiyo in surprise and confusion. I'm still waiting to use Kumogakure's compensation to protect the village!

"What are you thinking?" Chiyo shook her head helplessly and smiled. "Kazekage... the village is still waiting for you!"

"I... return now to become Kazekage?"

Is this really appropriate?

"This is the best opportunity," Chiyo said with a smile as she looked at Rasa. "You saved Sunagakure from danger, and no one can erase your achievements. However..." A trace of helplessness appeared in her voice. "The village can't remain without a Kazekage forever. It's been nearly three years since the Kazekage disappeared. Sunagakure should choose its own Kage, and you... are the most suitable candidate."

"That's right!" Ebizo nodded with equal emotion. "As long as the Kage remains, Sunagakure will have a pillar and won't collapse. Don't be fooled by our victory—we may have won, but until a Kage is chosen, the Ninja and villagers in the village won't feel at ease for even a day. So... take advantage of this opportunity. My sister and I will watch over the front lines. Even if Kumogakure withdraws and declares defeat, this still isn't the time for Sunagakure to withdraw."

Ninja could not be judged by ordinary standards, so tearing up treaties was not unheard of. Especially for Sunagakure... hadn't they torn up enough treaties just to cause trouble for Konoha?

"As long as the Great Shinobi War hasn't ended... my sister and I will remain here."

This was the most prudent, and also the safest, course of action.

At this, Ebizo gazed at Rasa with his aged eyes, filled with gratification. "Go, child... no, I should call you Kazekage now. Go shoulder Sunagakure's heavy burden, protect Sunagakure, and lead it into the future!"

As soon as he finished...

All the Sand Ninja in the tent immediately knelt on one knee before Rasa, lowering their heads respectfully.

"Kazekage!"

Please vote. The ranking has already fallen out of the top thirty. This lazy fish isn't asking for much—somewhere around the twenties would be enough to put my mind at ease. Even if you're saving the chapters to read later, considering how diligently this lazy fish has been updating, and the fact that I'm still writing alone during the Dragon Boat Festival, you should at least give me a vote~

By the way, the groundwork is finally complete.