At this moment.
In the barren lands of the ninja world—Sunagakure.
The massive ninja village stood quietly within the desert, like a patch of green life in an endless sea of sand.
At the center of the village, the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, was currently discussing important matters with Sunagakure's high-ranking officials.
"Chiyo, so you're saying that this time when Uchiha Feng went to Konoha, he not only helped repel powerful enemies but also caused that old fox Sarutobi Hiruzen to step down?"
"And now Konoha will truly fall under the control of Namikaze Minato?"
Kazekage Rasa spoke slowly, asking the intelligence department about the recent major events in Konoha.
"Yes, Kazekage-sama. But to be precise…"
"The one who truly controls Konoha right now may not actually be the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato."
"It's said that Minato already intends to pass the Hokage position to Uchiha Feng."
"So in reality, the one controlling Konoha from behind the scenes is very likely Uchiha Feng. Even if he isn't yet… he certainly will be in the future."
The intelligence officer from Sunagakure hesitated before speaking carefully.
The moment those words fell—
The Sunagakure elders, who previously thought Uchiha Feng was merely playing a supporting role, exchanged shocked glances.
Even Kazekage Rasa frowned deeply.
"Isn't Uchiha Feng the Third Rain Shadow of Amegakure?"
"How did he suddenly become the actual ruler of Konoha as well?"
The intelligence officer was just about to hand over the prepared reports to Rasa and the others.
Suddenly—
A ninja from the intelligence department rushed into the room in a panic.
The moment he entered, he shouted urgently:
"My lords! We've just received intelligence from our spies stationed in Amegakure!"
"Uchiha Feng has already returned to Amegakure…"
"And according to reports, his next plan is to hunt down the Fourth Kazekage!"
At the end of his report, the ninja subconsciously glanced at Rasa.
"What?! Hunt me?!"
Kazekage Rasa's brows immediately furrowed.
Sunagakure had always been quite competent when it came to intelligence.
Especially after the Ten Kage Summit, Rasa had sent even more spies to Amegakure to better understand the rising village.
In the past, Rasa had never even bothered to spy on Amegakure.
After all, he had never taken them seriously.
But what he hadn't expected was that Uchiha Feng, whose wings hadn't even fully grown yet, would dare to target him so quickly.
"Hahahahaha!"
"Uchiha Feng might be strong, but hunting the Kazekage is nothing but a foolish dream!"
Rasa laughed loudly, clearly unconcerned.
The Sunagakure officials attending the meeting also burst into laughter.
None of them took it seriously.
Nearby, the still-retired Grandmother Chiyo rubbed her hands together excitedly.
"You all keep saying how powerful that Uchiha Feng is…"
"But I've never seen it myself."
"I wonder if he could handle my puppets. Heh…"
"Granny Chiyo, you probably won't even need to step in!"
"Just the military defenses of Sunagakure alone would give Uchiha Feng a hard time!"
Several Sunagakure elders spoke confidently.
Since the founding of their village, Sunagakure might have been somewhat weaker compared to others, but they had never truly suffered a devastating defeat.
There had even been Kage-level assassins who tried to infiltrate the village alone.
But all of them ultimately failed.
"Alright, it's just a minor disturbance."
"Let's continue the meeting."
Rasa said indifferently.
Compared to Uchiha Feng, the issue that concerned him more was the imminent problem involving the One-Tail, Shukaku.
At this moment, the previous Shukaku Jinchūriki's lifespan was reaching its end.
If they failed to select a new host soon, Sunagakure would lose one of its most powerful weapons.
"Kazekage-sama…"
"We suggest Gaara as the new host for Shukaku."
"He should become the next Jinchūriki."
A Sunagakure official spoke cautiously.
The moment those words were spoken—
Rasa's expression darkened.
Gaara…
That was his own son.
Just as Rasa was silently thinking—
A calm voice suddenly echoed through the room.
"Who would've thought that the great Sunagakure would also sacrifice a child for the sake of everyone's interests."
"Poor Gaara…"
"So young, yet forced to carry a burden he should never have to bear."
"To turn him into a monster feared by everyone?"
The voice was calm but powerful.
The words instantly made the Sunagakure elders flush red with embarrassment.
At the same time—
Everyone turned toward the source of the voice.
Their expressions changed drastically.
The reason was simple.
Standing before them—
Was Ning Feng.
After obtaining Sunagakure's exact location, Ning Feng had rushed there immediately.
He hadn't expected to arrive just in time to witness them discussing the selection of the next Jinchūriki.
In Ning Feng's opinion, sealing monsters like the One-Tail or Nine-Tails inside children and forcing them to carry that burden was incredibly selfish.
Especially children like Gaara, who were only a few years old when chosen.
The Sunagakure elders had other options.
Other possible candidates.
Yet they still chose children who had no ability to refuse.
If that wasn't selfishness—
What was?
"Who… who are you?!"
Kazekage Rasa frowned.
At some unknown moment, golden sand had begun floating silently through the air around him.
At the same time, the Sunagakure elders all stood up abruptly, their eyes cold as they prepared for battle.
It was obvious that beneath their hostility was a deep shock.
They were shocked because none of them had noticed when Ning Feng appeared.
Sunagakure's defenses were extremely tight.
No ordinary person could slip past them and reach this room unnoticed.
"U-Uchiha Feng!"
Suddenly, one of the Sunagakure elders cried out in alarm.
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