"Father!"
"So Lord Kazekage is still alive!"
"Let's hurry out there and join the fight!"
A red-haired youth with light green eyes excitedly pushed open the door to the Kazekage's Office.
Rasa had been sitting upright in the chair behind the Kazekage's desk. He had been swiveling in it, but when he heard the news, he sprang to his feet. The sudden force sent the chair rolling straight into the wall.
"Gaara! What did you say?!"
Rasa's eyes flashed with astonishment.
"The Third Kazekage is still alive!"
"It turns out our village has plenty of hidden forces!"
"Elder Chiyo, Senior Pakura, Big Brother Kimimaro, Big Brother Shiluo—they're all fighting the enemy!"
"Father, let's get over there!"
"Lord Kazekage is by the east gate!"
Gaara's cheeks were flushed with excitement as he spoke.
"I see..."
"So our village had so many secrets I knew nothing about..."
"Gaara..."
"Go join the battle..."
Rasa gazed blankly out the window.
"Yes, Father!"
Gaara thought his father was acting a little strangely, but he had no time to dwell on it. He had to join his comrades and fight to protect the village!
"Kazekage..."
"So all of this was just a test?"
"You never... trusted me, did you?"
"Even after Souya was gone..."
"I still wasn't worthy of inheriting the title of Kazekage?"
Rasa slumped helplessly into the chair. He turned his head and stared out the window, his expression complicated.
He had even secretly rejoiced at Kirigakure's overwhelming strength, because only then would he have a chance to reach the pinnacle of power.
Even if it meant becoming Kirigakure's puppet...
That would still make him the Kazekage he had long yearned to be!
But...
If the Third Kazekage was still alive, then his little dealings with Kirigakure would sooner or later...
No. Given the