Unfortunately, the Sand Ninja had no better alternatives.
While it cannot be said that this was entirely Rasa's misjudgment, it was Rasa's excessive caution that led to a momentary oversight, causing the Sand Ninja to fall into such an awkward situation. This highlights Rasa's very special position within the village.
In addition, the current situation in the Land of Land of Rivers is not really that bad for Sunagakure, and most importantly, the Third Kazekage still firmly believes in Rasa, which is why there hasn't been much of a turmoil within Sunagakure.
Otherwise, no one else would really be qualified.
Pakura, another outstanding member of the younger generation, might not be so lucky. It's just that this girl is too straightforward. If she had planned more and considered things more carefully...
Rasa might not necessarily secure the top spot as a candidate for Kazekage!
Therefore, Rasa still couldn't completely relax. This Kazekage candidate was more concerned and worried about the problems on the front lines in the Land of Rivers than any other Sand Ninja!
Rasa would pay attention to the slightest movement at the very first moment!
"What did you say!? The Team 5's mission failed!?"
Located in a Sunagakure stronghold, approximately three to four hundred kilometers west of the Land of Land of Rivers' Land of Rivers. (Source: Tianlai Novel Network)
Rasa looked at a middle-aged male Sand Ninja opposite him with a sharp gaze and asked in a slightly raised tone.
"Yes, Rasa. Although Moriyasurō successfully completed their mission, annihilating the Mist Ninja at point A and intercepting some of the Mist Ninja's basic supplies being transported to the northwest, Team 5, led by Fushigi, was ambushed by the Mist Ninja. Except for Fushigi, who escaped with serious injuries, everyone else was killed. Furthermore, Team 13, which was dispatched to the western canyon front to conduct reconnaissance, was also wiped out. Based on the initial reconnaissance, Team 13 was likely killed by one person, most likely..."
"It's that Minazuki Kei, right!?"
Rasa's expression was icy, and his words were filled with barely suppressed anger.
As mentioned before.
Over the past four months.
The number of Sand Ninja killed by Kei has reached an extremely high level, although there were still opportunities to seriously injure some of them!
However, in that battle, the Sand Ninja side once again paid the price of losing two Jonin!
All they got in return was Qi's severely wounded retreat!
Such a record is something that even Jonin commanders like Suikazan Fuguki, Kaguya Mashin, and Minazuki Fuuka have not achieved!
While it's true that there are a few Jonin who need to lead the team, Kei's strength is undeniable!
And how old is Qi now!?
She's only a little over nine years old!
Such a single person could inflict such a devastating blow on the Sand Ninja!
Rasa didn't know where to put his face anymore, because this was one of the important pieces of evidence that some people in the village had used to suppress him recently!
'Why did you stand by and watch a mere boy so brazenly kill their Sand Ninja!?'
This is pressure coming from the village.
It was the Third Kazekage who deliberately told Rasa in a message. Clearly, this was a reminder to Rasa, and also an expression of some dissatisfaction with Rasa.
'You are my chosen successor; you must demonstrate performance far exceeding that of the others!'
Rasa didn't care about other people's attitudes.
However, the Third Kazekage's attitude is of paramount importance!
Rasa was so disgusted that he wanted to tear Qi Sheng apart alive because a mere brat from the Yuki Clan had made him look so pathetic!
"Yes, Rasa. Based on previous intelligence, the closest one in sight should be Minazuki Kei!"
The middle-aged Sand Ninja nearby also subconsciously lowered his head, not daring to look Rasa in the eye, and replied in a much lower tone.
The anger was palpable, plain to the eye.
This middle-aged Sand Ninja didn't want to take the blame.
Rasa seemed to realize that he had lost his composure, and after taking a deep breath, he suppressed the anger in his heart.
Ultimately, Rasa was only in his early twenties at this time.
It's impossible to truly keep one's emotions completely hidden.
He is far from being the Fourth Kazekage in the original story. Moreover, this special operation is of great significance to Rasa, and if he were to suffer a Waterloo here...
This will inevitably have a negative impact on the succession of the Kazekage!
"Then abandon the previous plan immediately, order Moriyasurō to halt their operations, and send reinforcements to fill the southeastern defensive line. Remember, the Mist Ninja cannot be allowed to advance another step, understand!?"
Rasa, trying his best to remain calm, looked at the middle-aged Sand Ninja in front of him and said...
"Yes, Rasa!"
After bowing his head in response, the middle-aged Sand Ninja leaped away from his spot.
'asshole!'
This also happened after this middle-aged Sand Ninja left.
Rasa's expression instantly turned ferocious.
More than four months!
I've been stuck on the front lines for over four months now!
Although it doesn't seem to have really affected his position yet, his biggest worry, competitor Pakura, was also transferred to the front line in March due to the probing invasion of the Stone Ninja on the northern border!
However, it was precisely because of this that Rasa Pakura to achieve merits on the front lines against Stone Ninja in the north, while he remained bogged down in the war in the Land of Rivers, and the Sand Ninja suffered more casualties than the Mist Ninja, then...
It's hard to say how the situation will develop in the future.
'We absolutely have to find an opportunity!'
Rasa sat upright in his main seat, his expression constantly changing.
He was pondering one plan after another in his mind.
But whatever plan he came up with, he abandoned it within seconds!
These plans either require a large number of troops, or they take a lot of time and may not even be effective, or they are too risky!
This was certainly not a choice that Rasa was willing to make.
This also reveals a fatal flaw in Rasa's personality: he is somewhat hesitant and indecisive!
The Konoha Crush Plan in the original story was the same!
Orochimaru wouldn't have ambushed and killed Rasa without a reason.
There are certainly more than one reason that can be thought of, but the most reasonable one is that Rasa regretted it Rasa was unwilling to continue the Konoha Crush Plan.
Without the help of the Sand Ninja.
The Otogakure alone cannot possibly pose a significant threat to Konoha!
Not to mention Jiraiya returned it!
Therefore, Orochimaru could only kill Rasa and then impersonate him, so that the power of the Sand Ninja could still be used!
It cannot be said that this is 100% certain.
However, this inference is probably the most reasonable.
This also fits Rasa's personality quite well!