The Joint Chunin Exams Begin

Rasa said.

Gaara didn't answer. He kept a straight face, crossed his arms, and looked like he was saying, "Say what you have to say or shut up."

"The Chunin Selection Exam will begin in three days. You all know your respective tasks, right?"

"Father," Temari said, "Do we really want to go to war with Leaf Village? If we do, it will be Sunagakure that betrays us, and that will have a negative impact on us."

The biggest impact of breaking an alliance is certainly not on the next alliance.

Rather, it was to cause the client to distrust the village.

This is why Sunagakure has been able to endure until now. The mission quota was already very tight; if it were any less, the current ninja force would not be able to sustain itself.

"Don't be so extreme, Temari," Rasa said. "Who our enemy is depends on Leaf Village, do you understand?"

"However, if a decision is not made now, given the suddenness of the event, the village's ninjas may not be able to respond to your orders immediately."

"So-called elites are those who can always keep pace with the village. Those who can't have already been eliminated by the village." Rasa remained unmoved. "As for those who don't know how to act without specific instructions, they are even less qualified to participate in this operation. Don't disappoint me."

"Yes..." Temari lowered her head.

As always.

In Sunagakure, she had many suitors, but she said...

With my family situation, where would I find the time to date!

His biological mother had passed away long ago, his Tenten father always had a stern face as if he wanted to sever ties, his uncle tried to assassinate the third son but was killed in return, the second son was particularly fond of causing trouble, but the third son, who was assassinated by his uncle, was the most troublesome.

Temari said that she is under tremendous pressure Tenten.

As for what the Jonin- level leader Baki said about elite training, Temari didn't feel any pressure.

After all, the three siblings were all far superior to all their peers in the village in their respective fields.

Unless Sunagakure reduces its ninja population to three or fewer, this elitist policy will have no impact on them.

Looking at her daughter's appearance, and thinking that among her three children, her daughter was the least troublesome, Rasa softened her tone.

"Don't feel too much pressure. We Sand Village can only act according to the situation. Even if it's just a test, it's possible," Rasa said. "As for the supplies we've contributed this time, since it's something that can be solved with money, it's nothing."

Temari and Kankuro both appeared somewhat relieved.

Gaara's expression remained indifferent, unchanged.

"However, you should pay attention to the people who clashed with you during the day; they hold a special position in Hidden Leaf Village."

Rasa waved his hand.

The guards distributed the prepared materials to the three of them.

"No way? That idiot kid is actually the Hokage's son?"

Kankuro remembered the events of the day very clearly.

The one who started the argument was indeed a black-haired kid, but the one who struck first was that blond-haired guy.

"You are outstanding among this year's examinees, but you are not without rivals. These people are your rivals." Rasa ignored his son's meaningless remarks and said to his Temari, "I trust you to do things well, but you need to pay special attention to those two from the Uchiha Clan."

"I see, are they the strongest among the Leaf Village examinees?"

"Not necessarily, but their teachers are troublesome," Rasa said. "Gaara has met them."

Gaara, who hadn't reacted at all until now, suddenly changed his expression.

Is it that guy?

"That's right, Uchiha Shingen, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say he's the strongest ninja in the Ninja World right now. Most importantly..." Rasa said, word by word, "This guy has no bottom line. He won't care about anything just because you're young. So you should stay away from him, especially you, Gaara."

Rasa couldn't say for sure what Gaara was thinking, but he knew pretty much everything.

What were they thinking? Challenging Uchiha Shingen?

In the present-day Sunagakure, there is no ninja who can defeat Uchiha Shingen, not even the Kazekage himself.

Even Hidden Leaf Village itself is probably gone.

Therefore, even if a war were to break out against Leaf Village, Sand Village would not target Uchiha Shingen; someone else would deal with him.

He believed that other villages shared similar thoughts.

And everyone's choices are not bound by any treaty; everything is driven by the current situation of Hidden Leaf Village, and each village makes its own judgment.

It's impossible to say for sure who the allies are and who the enemies are.

Anyway, Rasa won't be the one to stick his neck out.

He hoped his children wouldn't be the ones to stick their necks out.

"Lord Kazekage," Baki entered, "Uchiha Shingen has come to visit."

"Oh?" Rasa thought to himself, "This guy must have a dog's nose. Could it be that even something as trivial as this could make Uchiha Shingen smell something?"

Did he bring any men with him?

"Yes, he brought two Leaf Village ANBU, and they came in through the main gate."

The main entrance? Then it should be fine.

"Baki, go and invite him over yourself." Rasa nodded. "We are guests, we must be mindful of our manners."

"Yes."

As Baki withdrew, Rasa said to his children, "You may also withdraw."

"Yes, Father, we're going back." Temari pulled Kankuro along, hesitated for a moment, then tugged at Gaara as well, "Gaara, go back with your sister."

Gaara glanced at Temari his hand, said nothing, turned around, and walked towards the door.

After the children had all left, Rasa said to the guard, "Go and get the tea I brought, brew a pot, and prepare some food as well."

The guards accepted the order.

Before long, two guards brought over a low table with a pot of brewed hot tea, two teacups, and several dishes of dates and grilled fish.

Just then, footsteps could be heard at the door.

Baki arrived with Uchiha Shingen and two others.

"Lord Kazekage, it's so late, I hope I haven't disturbed your rest?" Uchiha Shingen greeted Rasa with a beaming smile, his joy practically overflowing. "It's been a long time, you look to be in excellent health."

"Not at all, it's the environment of Leaf Village that's so nurturing." Rasa's usually cold and stern face softened into a warm and friendly smile. "Your village's hospitality has been exceptionally attentive, and I am very satisfied."

After saying this, he gave instructions to the two guards:

"You may all leave. I haven't seen Lord Shingen for a long time, and we need to have a good chat today. Don't disturb me unless it's something important."

"Torune, Fu, you two should go out too," Uchiha Shingen said to the two behind him upon seeing this.

Aburame Torune and Yamanaka Fū didn't linger. Together with two Kazekage guards, they left the room one after the other and closed the door.

"Come, Shingen- kun, please sit down." Rasa smiled warmly. "I've heard that you're now in charge of the ANBU. I know a little about the ANBU's work. At this hour, you probably haven't had dinner yet. Come, try some of our Sunagakure's specialties."

"Then I won't stand on ceremony with you." Uchiha Shingen sat down at the low table.

Rasa picked up the teapot, poured tea into the cup in front of Uchiha Shingen, and then poured one for himself.

"Try this fish. It lives in underground water. Elder Chiyo caught it herself. It's famous for its deliciousness in the Land of Wind," Rasa said.

Uchiha Shingen picked up a grilled fish with his chopsticks. The fish seemed to have no eyes, but it smelled incredibly delicious and made one's mouth water.

This is Hidden Leaf Village; there's nothing he wouldn't dare eat.

I took a bite, and the meat was tender. Although it wasn't seasoned much, it tasted delicious and was very appetizing.

"Good stuff," commented Uchiha Shingen.

"Water is scarce in the Land of Wind, but where there is water, there are surprises." Rasa smiled. "Speaking of which, did Lord Shingen come here specifically because of what happened during the day?"

"Yes, the Genin from our village was very disrespectful to the guests. I have to come here to apologize to you."

"Sigh, Lord Shingen, that's too much, too much." Rasa waved his hand magnanimously, "Young people, you know, I was quite competitive when I was young too. Seeing them so energetic makes me quite nostalgic."

"These are two different things. As the hosts, they are Leaf Village ninjas, so they should think like hosts." Uchiha Shingen was indeed a bit hungry, and he quickly devoured another grilled fish. "Speaking of which, Lord Kazekage, what are your thoughts on Sound Village?"

"Sound Village?" Rasa pondered. "That village that has developed rapidly in recent years. I heard it has made a significant contribution to the peace of the Land of Rice Fields, but its strength is still lacking. It doesn't have any powerful figures. Is Shingen- kun paying close attention to it?"

"After all, they are our northern neighbors. Back when Sand Village, Cloud Village, and Iwagakure were fighting, I passed through that area, and they were in charge of the ports in the northern part of the Land of Rice Fields."

"Oh? They have quite a few ninjas then." Rasa stroked his chin. "However, they're too far from the Land of Wind, so Sand Village doesn't have many opportunities to interact with them."

You're talking Sound Village. Isn't Sand Village the main trading partner of Otogakure?

Uchiha Shingen has now figured out where Orochimaru's huge demand for such a wide variety of affordable equipment came from: it was all from this guy in front of him.

Looking across the entire Hokage Continent, only the Land of Wind, with its developed manufacturing industry and which happens to be outside the association's monitoring scope, could afford to provide it.

Not to mention the various metals used to forge ninja tools.

However, in Uchiha Shingen's perception, the person in front of him was indeed the real Rasa.

It wasn't a pseudonym after all...

Chapter Six: The Joint Chunin Exams Begin

Inside the room, Uchiha Shingen and Rasa ate, drank, and chatted.

"There's a rumor that the leader of Sound Village is actually Orochimaru. I wonder if the Lord Kazekage has heard of this?"

"Orochimaru, during the war, I truly hated him to the core." Rasa's expression seemed genuine. "However, as the Kazekage, I still admire him. I never imagined he would become missing-nin... But, to establish a ninja village right under Leaf Village's nose, that's something I find hard to believe."

"Rumors are always bound to cause speculation, and besides... people's thoughts are always changing," Uchiha Shingen took a sip of tea. "On the other hand, losing such a powerful wielder would be an unbearable pain for any village. Leaf Village hasn't even recovered yet, so even if that's the case, it's not entirely impossible."

"I see. Sand Village has learned a painful lesson like Sasori of the Red Sands, which is why they haven't produced a similar talent since." Rasa nodded, his expression regretful. "Hopefully, this kind of thing won't happen again. If Leaf Village needs anything from Sand Village will help investigate."

The two exchanged a glance and simultaneously let out a long sigh, their regret palpable.

On the low table, the plate of grilled fish was almost empty.

Of course, it wasn't all eaten by Uchiha Shingen alone; Rasa also made a tiny, insignificant contribution.

After taking a sip of tea, Uchiha Shingen sighed.

Judging from his reaction, he knows Orochimaru is the leader of Sound Village. Talking to him is really tiring!

"Hmm? Lord Shingen, is something troubling you?" Rasa asked, his face showing doubt. "We've known each other for a long time, so please speak freely."

[Supporting the Sound Village seems feasible, but Orochimaru is a dangerous individual; we must find a way to eliminate him!]

"It's nothing else, I'm just thinking about something, but I can't figure it out."

"Oh? Tell me about it, maybe I can offer some insights? To be honest, the Sand Village is running out of talent, and I've become the Kazekage. All I have to offer is a little experience."

"Lord Kazekage, you are too modest. I just don't understand why you came to Hidden Leaf Village in person. To be honest, this is just an exam." Uchiha Shingen looked at Rasa. "Although Mizukage also participated in the Chunin Ninja Exams held by Sand Village, it was because he hoped to use this opportunity to change everyone's preconceived notions about Kirigakure. But Sand Village is not Hidden Mist Village."

"I see, that's what's puzzling you." Rasa smiled. "As I just said, Sand Village is running out of talent, so when important matters arise, only someone like me, who's barely passable, can handle them by using the Kazekage's name."

"It seems that Lord Kazekage's true purpose this time can only be revealed to Lord Hokage. Being a Kage is truly tough; you can't even tell your friends the truth," Uchiha Shingen remarked with deep feeling. "Bearing the expectations of so many people, it must be difficult for you too."

"You've hit the nail on the head. Since that's the case, I might as well speak the truth." Rasa had a look on his face that said, "You're really a confidant of mine." "Actually, on one hand, I want to see the young heroes from various villages, and on the other hand, I also want to discuss the alliance with the Hokage."

"The alliance..." Uchiha Shingen's expression turned serious.

That statement can't really be said to be entirely false.

Sunagakure has made this request to Hidden Leaf Village almost annually.

"Indeed, Sand Village and Leaf Village were enemies during the last great war, but due to their respective interests, they ultimately chose to form an alliance to counter the pressure from Iwagakure, Cloud Village, and Hidden Mist Village." Rasa's expression was not relaxed either, which was originally a major reason why he could not make a final decision yet. "Shingen- kun, you were involved in many of Hidden Leaf Village's policies, so you must know Sand Village's desire for this. The alliance at that time is far from meeting Sand Village's needs, and continuing this alliance has already endangered Sunagakure's survival."

At this point, Rasa paused and took a sip of tea.

"Of course, it still has positive aspects, enhancing mutual trust between our two villages. However, the existing alliance agreement is no longer sufficient for Sand Village to fully fulfill its role in diverting Iwagakure's power from Leaf Village. We have repeatedly requested revisions, but your village believes that revising the alliance agreement would be disrespectful to the retired Third Hokage. As allies, Sand Village is willing to fully consider this reality. I came here today hoping to discuss this matter with the Fourth Hokage Hokage reach a mutually satisfactory outcome."

"Since you've put it this way, I can't remain indifferent," said Uchiha Shingen. "I've heard about the difficulties facing Sunagakure. While I can't give you a specific answer, I will do my best to facilitate a meeting between you and the two Lord Hokage."

"Really?" Rasa, somewhat surprised.

"Of course, the alliance between Sunagakure and Konoha was a key element in ending the Third Shinobi World War, and from my personal perspective, I do not want this relationship to fail over time."

"If that's the case, I would be extremely grateful!"

"No, it's what I should do."

Uchiha Shingen stood up, Rasa, seeing this, also stood up.

"I've taken up too much of your time today. I'll handle this matter immediately, please rest assured."