The Sand Guardian

The setting sun bathed Suna in a crimson hue, and the shadows of the desert stretched endlessly as Enma and Sasori approached the village gates. The Kazekage's body was not visible. In a remote part of the desert, far from prying eyes, they had left behind a version of events designed to protect a secret only they shared.

Silence hung heavily between them, broken only by the whispering wind and the soft crunch of their footsteps on the sand. Finally, Enma spoke, his voice monotone, devoid of emotion, yet tinged with a faint sense of respect.

"They'll ask why we didn't bring him back."

Sasori, walking slightly ahead, replied without turning. "We'll tell them the Iwa ninjas burned his body. They won't need more details. Who would dare question the survivors?"

Enma nodded slowly, his empty eyes fixed on the horizon. "He deserved better," he murmured, his tone still detached, as if the weight of his own words couldn't reach him. "Even in death, he had a role to play. Now that role is in your hands."

Sasori paused briefly, glancing back at him. "I know what needs to be done," he said simply.

Another stretch of silence passed before they resumed their walk.

When they finally entered the village gates, the guards' eyes turned to them, filled with questions and unease. Yet Enma and Sasori did not stop. They headed straight for the council chambers, where the elders waited, their faces etched with worry.

In the council room, the murmurs ceased the moment the two young shinobi entered. All eyes fell on them. The absence of the Kazekage was immediately noticed, and the atmosphere grew even heavier.

One of the elders, a stern-faced man with a gravelly voice, broke the silence. "Where is the Kazekage?"

Enma stared at the elder, his expression as impassive as ever. When he finally spoke, his monotone voice seemed to chill the room.

"He is dead."

A stunned silence descended on the chamber. The elders' faces froze, some showing disbelief, others a mixture of fear and shock.

"Explain yourself," demanded another elder, his tone firm but shaky.

Enma recounted the events, detailing the Iwa ninja attack, the intense battle, and the Kazekage's fatal poisoning. He also described, with his usual detached tone, how the enemies had burned the body in an act of cruelty to erase all trace of their crime.

"We were left with only ashes, carried away by the wind," he concluded, his empty gaze sweeping over the room.

The elders exchanged troubled glances, their shock turning into murmured discussions.

"And now?" one of them finally asked.

"Now, you read his will," Enma said, his monotone voice giving the impression that he cared little about their reaction. "He left his final wishes to guide Suna. But you should also consider what this village needs to become. His legacy was just the beginning."

Sasori, who had remained silent until now, added calmly, "The Kazekage believed Suna could evolve. But that evolution won't come from one man alone. It will come from those willing to act."

Another silence fell. The elders seemed overwhelmed, unable to respond immediately.

When Enma and Sasori finally left the chamber, the council plunged into heated debates and whispers. Outside, under the starlit sky, the two young shinobi walked silently through Suna's dusty streets.

Sasori eventually broke the silence. "You respected the Kazekage, didn't you?"

Enma turned slightly toward him, his eyes still hollow. "Respect? I respect those who understand their role, even if they fail. He believed in this village. But he didn't realize that it's tools, not ideals, that shape the future."

Sasori gave a faint, almost imperceptible smile. "And now, that 'tool' is in my hands."

"Don't waste the opportunity," Enma replied, his tone flat as ever, his gaze fixed ahead. "The desert is full of secrets. But this one must stay between us."

Sasori nodded slowly. "Between us."

The two prodigies continued their march, leaving behind a Suna in turmoil while they carried the true burden of their fallen leader. A burden invisible to the rest of the world, yet one that could reshape the fate of the village.

a few days later

The council chamber was packed. Every significant figure in Suna had been summoned to hear the reading of the Third Kazekage's will. A tense silence filled the air as Elder Matsuro carefully unfurled the scroll.

"Shinobi of Suna," he announced gravely, "this testament represents the final will of our Kazekage. Listen carefully."

The murmurs died instantly. All eyes were fixed on the elder.

"To all who hear these words,

My time has come to an end, but my spirit remains with you. This village, which I have loved and protected, must not falter in my absence. Suna must continue to grow, to evolve, to become an unyielding pillar in the heart of the desert."

"I leave each of you with a responsibility. To the elders, to guide with wisdom. To the shinobi, to protect with loyalty. And to the younger generation, to rise above our mistakes and lead this village to new heights."

Expressions in the room ranged from respect to sadness, determination etched on many faces. Matsuro took a deep breath and read on.

"But I also leave a recommendation for my successor. After observing your strengths, your weaknesses, and your potential, I am convinced that a young prodigy is ready to take on this role. Enma, I entrust to you the title of Fourth Kazekage."

A stunned silence swept through the room, followed immediately by hushed whispers.

"Enma, your perspective on the world is unique. Your calm and analytical nature are necessary to guide Suna in an era where emotions alone are not enough. I trust you. Do your best for this village."

"To everyone, I ask that you support this decision. Together, you will ensure Suna's prosperity."

Matsuro rolled up the scroll carefully and looked up. "This is the will of the Third Kazekage."

Enma, standing at the back of the chamber, stepped forward slowly. The sound of his footsteps echoed in the vast, silent room. He fixed his empty gaze on the elders and the crowd, then spoke in his monotone voice.

"If this is what the Third has decided, then I will do my best."

There was no passion or arrogance in his words. Just a simple, almost mechanical acceptance.

At that moment, Rasa, one of Suna's most influential shinobi, stood abruptly. "This is absurd," his voice boomed across the chamber. "A fifteen-year-old, leading the village? It's madness!"

Murmurs of agreement spread through the room. Many nodded, exchanging doubtful glances.

"We need someone experienced, not a child!" Rasa continued sharply. "The Third Kazekage may have been wrong. We cannot entrust Suna's future to a teenager!"

Enma remained unmoved. He looked at Rasa but did not respond. His silence, far from making him appear weak, seemed instead to frustrate his opponents even more.

Matsuro raised a hand to restore order. "Rasa, I understand your concerns, but we must honor the Kazekage's final wish. This decision is not one to be dismissed lightly."

Another voice chimed in. "What if Enma fails? What if his inexperience costs the village its safety?"

This added fuel to the murmurs. Enma turned slowly toward the crowd, his voice cutting through the noise.

"I don't claim to be perfect," he said simply, his tone neutral. "But if the Third chose me, then I will do my best. It's not my place to convince you. Do what you believe is right."

His apparent indifference caught the assembly off guard. Some saw it as arrogance; others interpreted it as an unusual maturity.

Finally, Matsuro spoke again. "We must respect the Kazekage's last will. The elders will support Enma. He will be guided and advised to ensure a smooth transition."

Despite continued protests, the majority of the elders nodded in agreement. Rasa, clearly unhappy, sat down with his arms crossed in frustration.

Once the decision was finalized, Matsuro led Enma on a tour of the areas reserved for the Kazekage. They began in the strategy room, a circular chamber filled with maps, scrolls, and reports.

"This is where you'll plan military operations," Matsuro explained. "Every detail matters. This is where your mind must outmaneuver our enemies."

Enma observed the room with detachment. His empty gaze scanned the maps without showing any emotion, yet it was clear he was absorbing everything.

Next, they moved to the archives, where scrolls detailing Suna's history, alliances, and secrets were stored.

"Here lies the knowledge of our ancestors," Matsuro said. "You'll need to rely on these archives to make informed decisions. Respect them."

Enma nodded silently.

They ended at the top of the Kazekage's tower. From there, the young shinobi could see the entire village. The desert stretched endlessly beyond Suna, an ocean of sand surrounding the village.

"This is your responsibility now," Matsuro said. "Every life here depends on your choices."

Enma stood quietly, staring out at the horizon. The warm desert wind blew softly, lifting grains of sand into the air.

"I understand," he murmured finally, his voice as neutral as ever.

In the village below, whispers continued. Some still doubted him. Others saw him as a chance for a fresh start. But Enma remained true to himself: unshaken.

"I am not the Third," he said at last, more to himself than to Matsuro. "But I will do my best."

And so began the era of Enma, the Fourth Kazekage—a figure who would shape Suna in ways no one could have foreseen.