A Military Pledge!

Shaye and the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, returned to Sunagakure one after the other. Both bore the dust and minor wounds of fierce battle, yet the atmosphere between them was utterly different from the tense hostility that had accompanied their departure. A subtle, heavy silence hung between them.

Well-informed members of the upper ranks, such as Elder Chiyo and Ebizo, had long learned through special channels of the breathtaking clash in the desert and its outcome. They waited in the Kazekage's office, their grave expressions carrying a faint, barely perceptible anticipation.

When Shaye followed Rasa into the office, every gaze instantly focused on him. Rasa walked straight to the main seat and sat down without a word, merely signaling with his eyes for the meeting to begin.

Ebizo gave a light cough, taking the lead in breaking the silence. "Lord Kazekage, Jonin Shaye, it seems... you have reached a decision?"

Rasa did not answer directly. Instead, he turned his complicated gaze toward Shaye.

Shaye stepped forward, standing tall. Though exhausted, his eyes shone with startling brilliance. He swept his gaze across every top decision-maker of Sunagakure present, his clear and resolute voice shattering the last of the silence:

"Lord Kazekage, esteemed elders. Hidden Mist Village's terms are the most utter trampling of Sunagakure's dignity. We must never accept them!"

His words were final, leaving no room for compromise.

"But," he continued, his sharp gaze like a blade, "empty talk of conviction cannot solve the village's real predicament. I understand that we need a powerful response—not only to protect our companions, but also to obtain the compensation we deserve, and to declare to the entire Ninja World that Sunagakure is no soft persimmon to be squeezed at will!"

He took a deep breath and made a decision that shocked everyone:

"Therefore, I,