Cutting the Budget

Rasa's succession as the Fourth Kazekage required not only the village's approval, but also the Land of Wind Daimyo's formal investiture, granting him legal legitimacy and, most importantly, national financial support. Before long, Rasa set out for the Land of Wind's capital with several senior village elders led by Elder Chiyo.

The ceremony itself was solemn and cumbersome, filled with aristocratic pleasantries and restraint. The Daimyo offered formal condolences over the Third Kazekage's disappearance and gave Rasa routine words of encouragement regarding his succession. Everything appeared calm until, after the official succession ceremony had concluded, the Land of Wind's finance minister—a sharply eyed old man dressed in lavish clothes—met privately with Rasa and his group in a side hall.

The minister wore a practiced smile, but his tone allowed no dispute. "Lord Fourth Kazekage, Elder Chiyo, first, allow me to once again convey the Daimyo's support for you all. The peace of the Land of Wind depends on Sunagakure's valiant efforts."

Then he changed the subject. His smile remained unchanged, but his words made every Sunagakure official's heart tighten. "However, unrest has recently spread along our borders, trade routes have been obstructed, and tax revenues have fallen sharply compared to previous years. Furthermore, water shortages at oases across the country have created immense disaster-relief and civilian-aid expenses, leaving the treasury truly strained. After deliberation by the Daimyo's court, we have no choice but to make a difficult decision: effective immediately, Sunagakure's annual funding will be reduced by one-third. We hope Lord Kazekage and the elders can understand the national government's difficulties and weather these hard times together."

"Reduced by one-third?!"

A hot-tempered elder nearly erupted on the spot, but Ebizo pinned him down with a hard look.

Rasa's face instantly darkened, yet he forcibly suppressed his anger and spoke calmly,