My Journey as Fourth Kazekage

As Rasa's words fell, the eyes of everyone in the room lit up.

They did not feel any shame about such actions.

After all, they were ninja—synonymous with shadows and deception. Moreover, such tactics were common among all the great nations and ninja villages.

In the original storyline, Nagato's parents were killed by Konoha ninja while they were looting supplies.

However, Rasa had higher moral standards, so there were some things he needed to make clear beforehand.

"That said, I have one rule: Though we are ninjas born to kill, we also have our own pride. In this mission, we must not harm ordinary civilians."

His statement shocked everyone in the room.

This was completely contrary to their usual practices. To these individuals, who had long been accustomed to killing, the idea of sparing civilians was foreign. As far as they were concerned, anyone on the other side was an enemy, regardless of their status.

Their hearts had long since been numbed by endless slaughter.

To them, Rasa's words might have sounded like weakness. However, strangely enough, none of them felt he was being softhearted. Instead, a certain indescribable respect for him began to grow.

Ignoring their astonished expressions, Rasa continued.

"Our target is the wealthy nobles. Most of them are notorious for their vices, running gambling dens and brothels that hoard the wealth of entire cities. Moreover, since the last Ninja World War, the world has had time to recover, and these aristocrats must have accumulated significant wealth—gold, grain, minerals, and weapons. We want all of it."

He then turned to his most trusted aide.

"But efficiency is key. Baki, I need you to mobilize the Anbu. Within seven days, I want intelligence gathered on these cities. Identify key targets. However, no genin will participate in the battle this time. That means all available lower-ranked ninja will be at your disposal."

He then explained the rest of the plan.

"From the moment we cross the border into the Land of Fire, the clock starts. You will have seven days. No matter what happens after that, we retreat. So, tell me—seven days. Will that be enough?"

Hearing Rasa's plan, even elders like Ebizō found themselves involuntarily convinced at that moment.

For the first time, despite their differing factions, they all agreed on a course of action that would benefit the village.

Then, suddenly, Chiyo spoke up.

"And what about me?"

As one of Sunagakure's ultimate weapons, leaving the Puppet Brigade out of the strategy was unreasonable. It also seemed like he was mocking the Elder Chiyo, either because of her age or because of her reliability. But Rasa had an explanation prepared.

"I need you, Elder Chiyo, to remain in the village and lead the Puppet Brigade. You will also be responsible for securing our retreat seven days later. Konoha will not let us leave so easily, and there's even a chance they may counterattack the Land of Wind."

The realization dawned on everyone—Rasa had thought even further ahead than they expected. Chiyo had no objections.

"Very well. Then let's begin preparations. Secrecy is key. The success of this operation hinges on complete surprise. Konoha has plenty of spies in our village." Rasa then turned to another elder as if he remembered something, "Oh, and Elder Ebizō, since we've agreed to involve the Daimyō in this war, we mustn't forget our own demands."

"I understand. I'll negotiate with the Daimyō to secure as much funding as possible."

"Good. Then that settles it. Pakura and Michikawa, you may prepare. Elders Chiyo, Ebizō, and Baki—stay. There is something else I need to discuss."

Rasa's words made Pakura and Mikawa frown slightly, but after witnessing his strategic leadership, they had no choice but to respect his authority. Without any argument, they left.

Once they were gone, Rasa turned to the remaining three and spoke with an undeniable tone of command.

"I need you to hand over both Bunpuku and Shukaku to me—including all the sealing techniques."

The room, which had been relatively calm, instantly tensed as Chiyo and Ebizō, who had seemed frail and weary just moments ago, snapped their eyes open, staring at Rasa in shock.

Chiyo reacted immediately, rejecting the idea without hesitation.

"Impossible! Even though you are the Kazekage, matters concerning Shukaku and the Jinchūriki are far too important! The Second Kazekage entrusted this to us—it is best left in our care!"

Rasa had expected this reaction.

After all, if Sunagakure had a single most valuable asset, it was undoubtedly the One-Tailed Shukaku. Unlike other Tailed Beasts, which had been captured and distributed among the great nations, Shukaku had always belonged to Sunagakure. The First Kazekage had personally captured and sealed it, and the Second Kazekage's research on Shukaku's chakra had led to the development of puppet techniques and the ability to manipulate sand.

Shukaku was deeply significant to Sunagakure. Moreover, as a massive military asset, the One-Tail was also a disaster waiting to happen if mishandled.

But Rasa needed Shukaku.

Despite Chiyo's outright refusal, Rasa remained calm—because he had absolute confidence in his leverage.

Leaning back in his seat, he said in a composed tone.

"I know the truth about the Third Kazekage's disappearance."

"!!!"

Chiyo and Ebizō's expressions darkened. They couldn't understand why Rasa was suddenly shifting the topic from the Tailed Beast to the previous Kazekage.

"The Third Kazekage is dead."

That much was expected.

Though many in the village still clung to the belief that he was merely missing, those who understood the power dynamics of the world knew that a Kage-level ninja wouldn't simply vanish without reason. The only possible answer was that he had been killed.

"Who killed him?"

Ebizō couldn't help but ask.

Rasa did not answer immediately. Instead, he looked directly at Chiyo and posed a question.

"Elder Chiyo, do you not already know the answer?"

His counter-question made Chiyo freeze. Her first instinct was to retort, but then—as if a terrible realization had dawned upon her—her aged body suddenly stiffened. Her eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at Rasa.

Seeing this reaction, Rasa knew that she had figured it out—or rather, that she had always known deep down but refused to accept it.

After all, when the Third Kazekage went missing, one other person had disappeared alongside him. Someone Chiyo never wanted to suspect.

"So, Elder Chiyo, you understand now. The choice is yours—do you want me to say it out loud, or will you hand over Shukaku?"

Though Chiyo was an elder and a powerful shinobi, the weight of Rasa's words pressed heavily upon her. Her face darkened as she responded in a low, dangerous voice.

"Are you threatening me?"

"No… Not at all. I am simply proposing a trade. Besides, as Kazekage, the power of the Tailed Beast rightfully belongs under my control."

Chiyo had half a mind to refuse outright. But then she recalled the image of a lonely child, isolated from the world. Her resolve wavered.

In the end, as if surrendering, she sighed heavily, her already-aged body seeming even older.

"I understand… I will trade you Shukaku."

Seeing this unexpected development, Ebizō was stunned. He had never imagined that his once unyielding sister would actually yield. He had no idea what was happening—until Rasa's next words revealed everything.

"I don't know his exact whereabouts… but from the intelligence I've gathered, he has turned himself into a human puppet. Not only that…"

Rasa paused, then dropped the final bombshell.

"He has also turned the Third Kazekage's corpse into a puppet."

At that moment, Chiyo and Ebizō fell completely silent.

Even Baki, who had been listening on the sidelines, turned pale with horror.

"Im-impossible… is the culprit… Sasori?"