Sunagakure.
Inside the Kazekage's Office, Rasa slowly set down the intelligence scroll in his hand, a complicated expression on his face.
"Three Billion Five Hundred Million Ryō... a ten-year restriction..."
He murmured to himself, his voice carrying undisguised envy and regret.
Chiyo sat across from him and likewise sighed:
"What a shame. We chose the wrong target back then."
"If our army had marched straight north to attack the Land of Lightning instead of heading to the Land of Fire Border, those Three Billion Five Hundred Million Ryō might belong to Sunagakure now."
Rasa gave a bitter chuckle and said:
"Who could have imagined Kumogakure would be this weak?"
He rose and walked to the window, gazing at the yellow sand filling the sky outside over Sunagakure:
"Hyuga Hiashi severed the Fourth Raikage's arm, and that 'Genbu' abducted the Two-Tails Jinchūriki... Kumogakure suffered one devastating blow after another, giving Ōnoki an opening."
"Indeed."
Chiyo nodded. "But this also serves as a warning to us-the balance of the shinobi world has been completely shattered."
She paused before continuing:
"Konoha has Hyuga Hiashi, Kirigakure's new Mizukage, Mei Terumi, is no weakling, and Iwagakure has Ōnoki holding the fort. Though Kumogakure has been badly weakened, the Fourth Raikage and the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki are still there... but our Sunagakure..."
Chiyo did not continue, but her meaning was already clear. Sunagakure now lacked a truly top-tier powerhouse who could hold the fort.
Rasa fell silent for a moment before slowly asking:
"How are things going for Ebizo in Konoha?"
"He's still 'providing support.'"
Chiyo sounded somewhat helpless. "Although Konoha suspects our intentions, we never actually took action. Besides, Ebizo has spent nearly a month helping guard the border with a thousand Sunagakure ninja, so there's not much they can say."
"However..."
A sharp gleam flashed