Desert Battle

The fierce argument in the Kazekage's office had yielded no result. Shaye's resounding opposition and Rasa's considerations based on practical pressures stood like two parallel, impregnable walls; neither could convince the other. Shaye saw the chilling "deliberation" in the higher-ups' eyes. He knew that words alone could no longer tip the scales that leaned toward "sacrifice."

Amid his despair and fury, an almost mad thought took root in Shaye's heart. Since reason could not get through to them, then he would let strength do the talking! In this world of ninjas, the final say often came from power!

He faced the Fourth Kazekage again, his gaze blazing. This was no longer a subordinate petitioning a Kage, but a challenge between near equals. "Lord Kazekage! Since our beliefs cannot align, then let us settle this the ninja way! Fight me! If I win, withdraw that absurd notion. Sunagakure will never abandon any companion! If I lose... I will no longer stand in your way, but I will personally escort Lady Pakura away. From then on, I will have no further ties with Sunagakure...!"

The entire room was stunned. This was no longer mere insubordination; it was practically a declaration of defection!

Rasa's face instantly turned livid, anger blazing in his chest. The genius he had personally promoted now dared to openly challenge his authority, willing to go this far for an "unrealistic" ideal!

"Good! Good! Good!" Rasa said three times, each word bone-chillingly cold. "Shaye, I'll wake you up and make you understand that a Kage's decision is not something you can treat so lightly! Deep in the desert, I'll be waiting!"

He would use absolute strength to crush Shaye's unrealistic fantasies and make him understand what reality was, and what burdens a Kage had to bear!

That night, the moonlight