The Beginning of the Gale (Seeking Subscription)

Indeed, Sunagakure's current attitude was rather thought-provoking.

It was as if they were saying that they did not particularly care about their own Jinchuriki. Bringing this matter to Konoha was practically the same as saying outright: We simply don't want to rescue him!

The importance of a Jinchuriki to a village went without saying. In this world, they were practically equivalent to "nuclear deterrence." Only ninja villages with Jinchuriki could be considered "major ninja villages"!

During the negotiations three years ago, Sunagakure had paid an enormous price to ransom Gaara back. Yet now they were displaying such an attitude, which truly made little sense.

However, after giving it some careful thought, Uchiha Kei seemed able to guess a little about Sunagakure's internal situation.

First of all, Konoha had skinned Sunagakure far too thoroughly back then!

Sunagakure's economy had already been in terrible shape. Coupled with all sorts of internal and external factors, it had driven Rasa to make a decision that gambled on the "fate of the nation" and launch an attack on Konoha.

The consequences of that failed attack were easy to imagine. Sunagakure had practically lost all its wealth overnight. How could they not hate Konoha? How could they not hate Rasa?

Yet compared with their hatred for Konoha, they hated Rasa even more.

At least Konoha had not displayed any aggression. Rasa had been the one to proactively pick a fight with Konoha. Even if he had been tempted into it, the outcome would not change.

In the end, all of Sunagakure had to pay for Rasa's actions. What was more, Rasa had died so decisively that they did not even have a chance to retaliate.

After the negotiations with Konoha ended, Rasa's children, supported by certain Sunagakure higher-ups who held high position and power, had once