Embarrassed

"During your time in Iwagakure, did the Iwa ninja do anything to you?" Rasa asked.

Pakura shook her head and said, "I fell unconscious in the Land of Snow, and when I woke up I was already in Iwagakure. Apart from my Chakra being sealed, the Iwa ninja did nothing to me. However, I don't know what happened while I was unconscious."

"When I woke up, my wounds had already been treated, so I wouldn't have noticed if the Iwa ninja had done anything to me."

"Never mind, even if the Iwa ninja want to research the Scorch Release bloodline limit, it won't be something they can do in a short time. What about the four members of the In Unit who went on the reconnaissance with you?" Rasa asked about another matter.

Because Pakura was captured and the other Anbu retreated, Rasa was unsure of the fate of the four In Unit. But as the Kazekage, he needed to know their exact fate.

Pakura recalled for a moment and said, "I can only confirm that two people were burned to death and two were injured by the Tsuchikage's Combination Ninjutsu. When I used Blazing Heaven, the two injured people were still alive."

"After that, I tried my best to avoid them with my Blazing Heaven technique. But I was defeated too quickly and didn't get a final assessment of their condition."

Pakura didn't know whether the two men were alive or dead.

"I understand. Now tell me in detail about your battle with the Tsuchikage," Rasa nodded and said.

According to Pakura, the two people might still be alive, but without evidence, Yichen would never release them. Given Yichen's style, he would definitely lie through his teeth.

Pakura recounted the details of her battle with Yichen, emphasizing how Yichen used Kunai Rain to target her weaknesses.

Finally Pakura said, "My information was leaked; otherwise, the Tsuchikage wouldn't have been able to capture me."

"Yes!" Rasa nodded, not dwelling on Pakura's attempt to save face.

The group fell silent and continued their rapid advance, drawing ever closer to the Land of Earth border. However, before they had completely left the Land of Earth's territory, Rasa suddenly stopped and said, "We're here."

As soon as he finished speaking, a huge club came hurtling down from one side towards Pakura in their group. At the same time, a violent surge of Chakra was gathering on the other side.

It was Hiruzen Sarutobi's Hiruzen Sarutobi Adamantine Staff and Danzo's Wind Release Ninjutsu.

Faced with the sudden attack, Rasa remained indifferent and uttered two words in a low voice. "Attack."

Then, in the Sunagakure group, two Puppet Master suddenly opened the puppet boxes on their backs. But instead of puppets, two people emerged from the boxes: Chiyo and Ryosuke.

The two replaced two ninjas in the group not long after Rasa and his Iwagakure.

Then, Rasa's golden sand and Ryosuke's Third Kazekage Puppet's iron sand immediately launched a defensive counterattack. At the same time, Chiyo also directly brought out her Trump Card, the Ten Puppets of Chikamatsu. Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzō's sneak attack had no effect.

Despite the combined defenses of Iron Sand and Golden Sand, their attacks failed to even break through them.

Immediately afterwards, the Sunagakure launched their counterattack.

Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzō also brought a large group of elite members from the Anbu and Root. They were well-equipped and could not deal with a true Kage Level opponent, but their combat strength was not much Ryosuke than Third Kazekage Puppet.

Therefore, the two sides fought to a standstill, neither able to gain the upper hand. Even with the help of the Monkey King Enma, Hiruzen Sarutobi Danzo summoning the Baku, they only gained an advantage, not an overwhelming victory.

Both the golden sand and the iron sand are exceptionally good at defense, and they also have the ability to fly.

So after a prolonged battle, with both sides suffering casualties of several elite ninjas, they tacitly chose to stop.

During the standoff, Rasa said to Hiruzen Sarutobi, "I think Konoha owes us Sunagakure an explanation."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression was extremely grim. If he could kill Pakura, Konoha would accept the price, even if it meant offending the Sunagakure.

However, now that they've offended the Sunagakure and failed to complete the mission, the losses for Konoha would be too great.

Konoha is short of high-end combat power and urgently needs to recuperate. Faced with Rasa's questioning, Hiruzen Sarutobi had no confidence at all.

"What does Kazekage desire?" After a long silence, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally managed to ask the question.

"Lord Tsuchikage, the Kazekage's party was ambushed before they even reached the border. However, the Kazekage was prepared, and the ambush failed." An Anbu reported to Yichen and other high-ranking officials in the Tsuchikage's Office.

"The battle was very large-scale, but the casualties should not have been high. Neither side fought to the death, and they eventually chose to cease fire. Judging from the timeline, there was a considerable period of stalemate, suggesting that some agreement was reached."

"We didn't dare get too close, we only observed from a distance, so we don't know what the two sides were talking about."

"Besides the Kazekage's golden sand, the Kazekage's side also had a large amount of iron sand, which means they must have used the Third Kazekage Puppet. They also had Chiyo's signature Ninjutsu, the Three Treasures Suction Crushing."

"On the other side, Danzo's Summoning Beast Baku appeared, Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi's summoning Enma Adamantine Staff, which was transformed into the Summoning Beast."

"These are the only people whose identities can be confirmed. Also, judging from the Chakra fluctuations, the ninja controlling the Third Kazekage Puppet among the Sunagakure members is not Chiyo."

Yichen nodded and said, "Alright, you can go now."

The Anbu responsible for observing the battle between Rasa and Hiruzen Sarutobi left immediately upon hearing this.

After the Anbu left, Yichen said to Ikura and the others, "What a pity, both sides were very restrained!"

"I didn't expect Danzo to be so calm," Sakaya said.

"That's easy to understand. If Konoha has a significant advantage, Danzo won't remain calm. But if the advantage isn't that great, and Rasa Chiyo, Danzo will also be in danger, so Danzo definitely stay calm," Yichen said with a smile.

"What do we do next? I wonder what agreement the Kazekage and Konoha reached?" Mei asked worriedly.

"We just had a fight. No matter how Rasa, he's unlikely to cooperate with Konoha right now. At most, he'll ask Konoha for some compensation to make up for the losses he suffered here, and he'll mine less." Yichen wasn't too concerned about this.

"Shall we continue our cooperation with the Sunagakure?" Tomoko asked. Tomoko was currently the negotiating representative for the Iwa ninja.

Yichen nodded: "Continue! It's just an agreement for deeper cooperation; Rasa won't care too much. Since he agreed, he won't easily go back on his word. This small loss isn't worth trading his reputation for."

"It's not a big problem to bully Rasa a little bit, as long as you don't make him feel hopeless, he won't act impulsively. But we can't go too far, or he will explode," Yichen said.

In the original story, Third Shinobi War, the Sunagakure was constantly suppressed by the Konoha, and the Daimyo of the Land of Wind severely cut off the Sunagakure Village's funds. In despair, Rasa decided to take a desperate gamble, which led to Orochimaru's so-called Konoha Collapse Plan.

Tomoko nodded.

Thinking of Orochimaru, Yichen looked at Saka and asked, "Senior Saka, do you have any news about Orochimaru? I was planning to trade White Zetsu clone with Orochimaru last time, but I haven't been able to find him."

Yichen knew that Orochimaru had joined the Dark Akatsuki Organization. However, he knew that Akatsuki Organization had a large number of White Zetsu clone monitoring them, Yichen didn't want to be too arrogant and trade his clones in front of White Zetsu.

It's practically a collaboration with Nagato; he can now operate semi-openly within the Dark Akatsuki Organization's sphere of influence. Yichen guesses that the members of the Dark Akatsuki Organization are still under the surveillance of White Zetsu clone.

"We don't have his exact whereabouts, but it seems Orochimaru has returned to the Land of Whirlpools. Our people found out on the black market that Orochimaru has been seen in the Capital City of the Land of Whirlpools," Saka said.

"The Capital City of the Land of Whirlpools? And he's openly showing up there? Is Orochimaru planning to establish a ninja village in the Land of Whirlpools?" Yichen said.

Everyone else was stunned. What was going on? A missing-nin was planning to establish a ninja village? And in the Land of Whirlpools?

There are no rules in the Ninja World that prohibit anyone from establishing a ninja village, nor are there any rules that prohibit small countries from establishing ninja villages.

However, missing-nin are hunted down by their own ninja villages. Who would dare to openly establish a ninja village in a country? Wouldn't they be afraid of being besieged?

Furthermore, since the destruction of Uzushio Village, the Land of Whirlpools has been considered a semi-vassal state of the Land of Fire, and the Land of Whirlpools doesn't even have a daimyo now.

Previously, the former Main Family of the Hyuga Clan had considered incorporating Uzushio Village into the Land of Fire. Had it not been for the interference of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, he might have succeeded.

Orochimaru, this Konoha Rogue Ninja, established a ninja village within Konoha's affiliated forces. Does this mean he completely disregards Konoha?

Or perhaps this whole thing was actually orchestrated by Konoha. The so-called establishment of a ninja village is like Iwa ninja opening a branch in the Land of Snow.

No one could understand it.

Yichen was also uncertain, saying, "I don't believe that Orochimaru established a ninja village in the Land of Whirlpools entirely under Konoha's orders."

"However, it's quite possible that the two sides could reach a certain understanding. For example, Orochimaru could hold off those unpredictable lunatics from Kirigakure for Konoha, and Konoha would stop pursuing Orochimaru."

"Should we stop them?" Ikura asked.

Yichen thought for a moment and said, "There's no need to stop him, we can't stop him anyway. Prepare a gift and send it to Orochimaru, wishing him a speedy establishment of his ninja village."

Just think about the Konoha Collapse Plan in the original story, and you'll know that Orochimaru couldn't possibly be on Konoha's side.

At crucial moments, Orochimaru will use his methods to ensure Hiruzen Sarutobi dies with dignity, which is a good thing.

"By the way, the Kazekage came to participate in the Joint Chunin Exams this time and asked about the Third Hokage. I guess he's already suspecting that the Third Hokage might have left the village," Yichen said.

Kitsuchi became anxious upon hearing this and asked, "Will Father be in danger?"

Yichen said, "Captain Kurotsuchi, don't worry. If we're talking about safety, the village is definitely safe. But the Third Generation has already left the Land of Snow; his whereabouts are uncertain. We don't even know where he's going, let alone anyone else."

"Furthermore, given Jiraiya's precedent, the Third Hokage won't be so careless."

"Moreover, he possesses the Light-Weight Rock Technique; without a simultaneous sneak attack from Three Kage-level, it would be difficult to capture him."

Kitsuchi breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this, but he couldn't help but worry.