Sunagakure.
Kazekage's Office.
Rasa sat in the seat of honor, his eyes fixed on the intelligence scroll on the desk.
Veins bulged on the back of his hand, and even his knuckles trembled slightly.
"Wood Human Technique?"
"Sage Art Wood Release: Several Thousand Hands?"
Rasa's voice was incomparably hoarse.
It was as if he had been thirsty in the desert for three days and nights, his throat practically smoking.
Baki lowered his head, not daring to respond at all.
Chiyo and Ebizo, seated beside him, were likewise silent.
"Rasa."
After a long while.
Chiyo finally spoke, trying to persuade Rasa.
"Withdraw every spy from the Land of Fire's border."
"The Senju Clan has produced another unreasonable monster."
Ebizo sighed.
"Even that brute, the Raikage, was slapped unconscious."
"What little foundation Sunagakure has can't withstand the Fifth Hokage's torment."
Rasa clenched his teeth.
His Gold Dust was powerful.
But against Wood Style on the scale of several thousand meters, it probably would not even be enough to scratch the other party's itch.
"Issue the withdrawal order!"
"Terminate all actions targeting Konoha!"
"Not only that."
"Baki, go pick out a few presentable gifts from the treasury."
"Send them to Konoha in Sunagakure's name."
"Say that... we are celebrating the Fifth Hokage's official inauguration."
Rasa slammed his fist onto the desk.
"Lord Kazekage."
"Our treasury... hasn't had many valuable things left for a long time."
Baki's face was full of bitterness.
Sunagakure was truly poor.
They might have been one of the Five Great Ninja Villages.
But their village's economy had always ranked at the bottom.
"Then dig for money if we have none!"
"Go pan for gold!"
"Even if I have to sell my Kazekage Hat, we still have to keep up appearances!"
"..."
Land of Water.
Inside Kirigakure's Mizukage Office.