That Fourth Kazekage Business of Mine

Rasa instantly understood Granny Chiyo's brilliant yet poisonous scheme, and a surge of excitement rose in his heart:

"Are you planning to... let Ōnoki see that Hidden Sand has thrown all its chips into Mount Kikyo, even completely exposing the 'weak point' of the Land of Rain, which borders the Land of Earth?"

"This is equivalent to telling Ōnoki that Konoha's main force has been tied down by us and cannot move, while the northern gate leading into the heart of the Land of Fire—the Land of Rain—is now like a defenseless piece of juicy meat!"

"Exactly!"

A shrewd gleam flashed in Granny Chiyo's eyes.

"Pakura's Scorch Release force is a major deterrent against Iwagakure along the Land of Rain's border."

"During the Second Shinobi World War, we fought that old bastard Ōnoki to the death on the Land of Rain battlefield more than once."

"Now that she is withdrawing, the defensive line will be wide open. To Ōnoki, that is the most tempting invitation! He will think that, in our desperate gamble at Mount Kikyo, Hidden Sand has become unable to tend to both ends."

"This is Iwagakure's heaven-sent opportunity to send troops into the Land of Fire and even strike directly at Konoha! With his greed, he will never let it pass!"

Ebizo clapped his hands in admiration.

"Brilliant! Truly brilliant, Sister! Spreading false intelligence is the feint, while having Pakura withdraw and expose the defensive line is the real move! With falsehood and truth combined, Ōnoki will have no choice but to believe it!"

"He will surely think that if Hidden Sand had not been driven to the end of the road at Mount Kikyo, why would we abandon a strategic chokepoint like the Land of Rain?"

Chiyo narrowed her eyes and spoke thoughtfully.

The Land of Rain, with its extremely important location, had always been a focal point contested by every major power.

And now, Hidden Sand was abandoning this strategic chokepoint without hesitation. That would undoubtedly make others question Hidden Sand's strength.

"In that case, once Hidden Sand falls into a hard battle or is even defeated, Konoha, freed up to act, will absolutely not be something Iwagakure alone can handle."

Chiyo continued her analysis.

As one of the Five Great Ninja Villages, Konoha far surpassed the other villages in both strength and resources.

If Hidden Sand were defeated, Konoha could deal with Iwagakure without any reservations.

"Therefore, the best time to enter the fray is while we still have enough strength to hold Konoha down. Once that window is missed and Hidden Sand surrenders to Konoha, he and those ambitious fools will never get another chance."

Chiyo's words carried both helplessness and resolve.

This was a conspiracy, but it was also an open scheme.

Though Ōnoki was calculating, he did not dare take risks lightly. Everyone knew that with Hidden Sand's poor-man strength, it was absolutely impossible for them to defeat rich-kid Konoha.

Only then did Rasa realize how young he still was. Compared to those two old schemers, he was as pure as a white lotus.

He no longer hesitated and immediately gave the order. "Someone!"

An ANBU ninja appeared instantly.

"Immediately carry out Elder Chiyo's orders! Top-level encryption, codename: 'Eye of the Sandstorm':

First, order Yura to have Sand Bee spread intelligence at full force that Konoha's main force is pinned down at Mount Kikyo and its rear is empty. Focus on infiltrating Iwagakure!

Second, urgently order Pakura's unit to abandon its current defensive line in the Land of Rain. Do not get entangled with Konoha. Move at full speed toward the main battlefield at Mount Kikyo! The operation must be swift, and we must make it appear that Hidden Sand has no heavy forces guarding the Land of Rain direction!

Tell her this is the highest strategic decision issued by Elder Chiyo and Elder Ebizo. It is not to be questioned!"

Rasa's voice was decisive.

"Yes, sir!"

The ANBU accepted the order and vanished like a ghost.

The tent fell silent once more, but the atmosphere was completely different.

"Next,"

Granny Chiyo slowly sat down.

"Let us wait patiently for Pakura's forces to withdraw and for our 'Sand Bee' to deliver the message where it needs to go..."

"Then we shall wait for that old bastard Ōnoki to lead his 'Earth-and-Stone Torrent' into Konoha!"

Rasa took a deep breath and looked out at the heavy darkness beyond the tent, his heart swelling with excitement.

It was not because of the battlefield situation, but because his future was basically assured.

Fourth Kazekage—who else could it be but him!

Not only had Elder Chiyo entrusted these tasks to him and tacitly allowed the ANBU to remain under his command.

More importantly, he had led Hidden Sand in capturing key locations in the Land of Rivers and Kikyo City, bringing tangible benefits to the village.

He had also wiped out several hundred Konoha ninja on the other side, greatly increasing his prestige.

Now look at his rivals.

The person most likely to inherit the Kazekage position had originally been Elder Chiyo's grandson, Sasori of the Red Sand, a member of the Third Kazekage's guard unit. But he had disappeared together with the Third Kazekage.

If that brat had not defected, then he was definitely dead. The Kazekage position would not go to a missing person.

Baki, the representative of civilian ninja, was too young, lacked connections, had no notable achievements, and was not powerful enough. He had even been beaten up by Orochimaru.

If he had not shown Rasa such respect and willingly become his lackey early on, Rasa would have punished him long ago.

That left only the fairly powerful bloodline ninja, Scorch Release Pakura. She had some achievements, but not many; some prestige, but not much. She had even been suppressed by Jiraiya, another of the Legendary Three. She was equally insignificant.

So, who else was there!

He, Rasa, was guaranteed to become the Fourth Kazekage. Who approved? Who dared object?

(Pakura's main achievements came during the Third Shinobi World War, when she fought Hidden Mist. It was precisely because she led Hidden Sand to defeat the Hidden Mist army that had crossed the sea, despite being outnumbered, that she gained enough achievements and prestige to threaten Rasa's position as Fourth Kazekage.)

Before he could continue imagining the future,

Chiyo's finger struck heavily against the location of Konoha's main position on Mount Kikyo as she said gravely:

"However, before Orochimaru's reinforcements arrive, we must continue dealing decisive blows to the Mount Kikyo defensive line!"

"We do not need to break through completely, but we must hurt them badly and cripple them! Even when reinforcements arrive, they must be unable to immediately launch a counterattack!"

Her sharp gaze turned to Rasa, carrying the weight of a grave responsibility.

"Rasa, at dawn tomorrow, I will personally command the puppet forces and cooperate with the main force in launching our strongest feint against the Mount Kikyo positions, drawing their attention and high-level combat power."

"You will lead the most elite assault team around their flank. Your objective—destroy their frontline command headquarters and medical camp!"

"If the fighting here is not intense enough, those old geezers like Ōnoki may not make up their minds so quickly."

A startling light burst from Rasa's eyes, and he nodded solemnly.

"Yes, Elder Chiyo!"

He would use the Gold Dust Torrent to crush Konoha's command center, kill that Konoha commander named Shinku Yuhi, and thoroughly wash away his shame.

At the same time, Ebizo added a few details at the right moment to ensure the plan was foolproof.

"Tell every unit: for the village, for survival, show the last of Hidden Sand ninja's fighting spirit!"

"Yes!"

The orders were swiftly relayed, and Hidden Sand's war machine began operating at high speed once more.

Rasa stepped out of the tent and gazed at the faint firelight of Konoha's camp in the direction of Mount Kikyo, feeling the Magnet Release chakra surging through his body.

When I destroy your command headquarters... Shinku Yuhi, you had better be there too! This time, I will never give you another chance to use genjutsu!