The three-year Shinobi World War had basically drawn to a close, but the embers of local conflicts were still smoldering. In Sunagakure of the Land of Wind, the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, was frowning hard at the latest battle report. The two ANBU squads he had sent to "assist" Pakura and carry out the silencing mission had actually been wiped out to the last man, and not even their bodies could be found.
"Kirigakure also lost at least three squads?" Rasa sneered and tossed the intelligence scroll onto the desk. "So our Lady Pakura was saved by some mysterious person? How impressive!"
At his side, Ebizo advised in a low voice, "Lord Kazekage, this matter should not be made public. Since Pakura has already disappeared, why not handle it as 'missing in action'? Time will wash everything away."
A sinister glint flashed through Rasa's eyes. "She got off easy. But it doesn't matter. As long as she no longer appears in Sunagakure, once I've completely taken control of the situation in a couple of years, she won't be able to stir up any trouble even if she comes back." He turned and ordered the ANBU, "Pass down the order. Jonin Pakura went missing while carrying out a secret mission and is tentatively listed as killed in action. Erect a cenotaph for her, and issue the pension at the highest standard."
Watching the ANBU leave, Rasa said to Ebizo, "If we're putting on a show, we have to do the whole thing. The most important thing now is to reach a ceasefire agreement with Kirigakure as soon as possible. We must focus on resolving the domestic economic crisis."
At the same time, in Kirigakure of the Land of Water, the Fourth Mizukage, Karatachi Yagura, was listening to Ao's report. When he heard