Land of Wind, Sunagakure, Kazekage Office.
The atmosphere around the conference table was grim.
The Third Kazekage sat at the head of the table, his expression solemn. On either side sat Sunagakure's veteran siblings, Chiyo and Ebizo, along with several senior advisers.
In a corner, a figure shrouded in a black robe stood silently, revealing only a pair of cold, sinister eyes.
Beside him stood Pakura, a wielder of Scorch Release, a kekkei genkai rare in Sunagakure.
The Third Kazekage began slowly, his voice low:
"Everyone, I've gathered you here today to discuss one matter: the village's finances."
He paused.
"We lost the last war. Besides the war reparations we paid to the Leaf Village,
we later paid an astronomical ransom to recover Shukaku, the One-Tail.
Over the years, the Leaf Village has also squeezed our mission quota to a minimum and restricted our border trade at every turn.
If this continues, Sunagakure will struggle to provide even the most basic supplies for its shinobi."
He looked at Chiyo.
"Elder Chiyo, I know Rasa can use his Magnet Release to extract gold dust.
Have him venture deeper into the desert more often and extract as much gold dust as possible to replenish the village treasury.
We need time and money to gradually recover our strength."
Chiyo nodded, but then spoke:
"I have no objection to sending Rasa to gather gold dust.
But, Lord Kazekage..."
She leaned forward slightly.
"Recently, the Leaf Village and Iwagakure have been at each other's throats along the border.
And with Iwagakure's letter of condemnation, the storm of public opinion within the Leaf Village, and Hatake Sakumo nearly dying...
This is our chance. What do you think of forming an alliance with Iwagakure to stand against the Leaf Village together?"
The Third Kazekage frowned.
"Elder Chiyo,