Land of Wind.
The Third Kazekage stared at the intelligence report in his hand—the one declaring that the Land of Rain had declared war.
His grip tightened.
Holding the report, he walked into a room.
Inside sat an elderly ninja with a bald head and a dragon tattoo across his scalp.
It was the Second Kazekage, Shamon—the only surviving member of the second generation of Kage.
"Sensei, the Rain shinobi have declared war on us. At the same time, they've also declared war on the Land of Fire and the Land of Earth."
"Cough… cough… good, very good. I didn't expect that at the end of my life I'd still get one last chance to help the Sand Village. Go ahead and do what you must. I never imagined these old bones of mine could still give the Sand Village one final bit of strength. Not bad… not bad at all."
The old man coughed up blood as he laughed.
"Sensei, you've already done more than enough for the Sand Village. You pioneered a new style of puppet techniques that better suit warfare, and you even invented sand-manipulation ninjutsu. You've already given everything to the Sand shinobi."
The Third Kazekage spoke with clear pain in his voice.
He truly felt for this old man who had devoted his entire life to the Sand Village.
But the old man suddenly flew into a rage.
"With that attitude, how can you possibly be worthy of being the Third Kazekage?! The First Kazekage united all the scattered powers across the Land of Wind. My sand-control techniques only helped the Sand Village gain a firmer foothold in this land. But you're different. If your Magnet Release can be passed down, then Sand shinobi will be able to establish themselves in every corner of the shinobi world! Have you forgotten the oath you swore when you first took the position of Kazekage?"
"I haven't forgotten! I will lead the Sand Village to become the strongest shinobi village in the world!"
The Third Kazekage dropped to his knees, shouting with tears in his eyes.
"Hahaha! Now that's the Third Kazekage of our Sand Village! A man who aims to become the strongest Kazekage! Remember this—if you cannot lead your village to become the strongest, then you will never be a qualified Kage. Go and do what you must. These old bones of mine can still help you one last time. As the last surviving member of the second generation, if I were to simply die of illness in bed, that would be the greatest disgrace of all."
The old man laughed loudly as he coughed up blood.
Then he waved his hand.
Signaling for the Third Kazekage to go handle what he needed to do.
As the Third Kazekage left the room, the old man's final words reached him.
"Chiyo and Ebizo can both be trusted with great responsibility. Even though they've always resented me because of the puppet technique incident… they absolutely love the Sand Village."
"Yes, Sensei."
The Third Kazekage departed.
...
Back in the Kazekage's office.
"Sensei, I will give you the most magnificent farewell ceremony possible."
"Pass down the order. All senior members of the Sand Village—including Chiyo and Ebizo—are to gather in the conference room in one hour."
...
One hour later.
Conference room.
The Third Kazekage sat in the main seat.
"Oh my, how rare. Since when do gatherings of Sand shinobi remember to invite the two of us siblings?"
Chiyo walked in with Ebizo beside her, her tone arrogant.
"How dare you! Standing before you is Lord Kazekage!"
The Third Kazekage's disciple—Rasa, the future Fourth Kazekage—immediately stood up and shouted in anger.
"Rasa, stand down."
"But Sensei, she—"
"Stand down."
"…Yes."
After dismissing Rasa, the Third Kazekage spoke gently to Chiyo and Ebizo.
"Since you're here, please sit. There will soon be an important combat mission entrusted to you."
Both Chiyo and Ebizo were confused.
Why was this guy being so polite today?
After all, Chiyo and the Third Kazekage had been rivals since childhood.
Later, Shamon had secretly altered and modified the puppet techniques, which angered Chiyo—a disciple of Monzaemon, the founder of puppet techniques.
Because of this, Chiyo and her younger brother Ebizo had been excluded from the core leadership for a long time.
During that period, Chiyo spent her days at home teaching puppet techniques to her son and daughter-in-law.
The techniques she passed down came from Monzaemon—not Shamon.
As for Chiyo's husband…
He had died accidentally during the First Shinobi World War.
"Regarding the Rain Country's declaration of war against us, I have decided to appoint Chiyo and Ebizo to lead three thousand Sand shinobi, along with the puppet corps, to meet them in battle."
"There is only one objective—make them suffer, make them afraid, make them tremble whenever they see a Sand shinobi."
The Third Kazekage spoke firmly.
"What?! Absolutely not! Kazekage-sama, Chiyo cannot be trusted!"
"Sensei, this won't work!"
"Silence. This is the Kazekage's decision."
The Third Kazekage suppressed the objections from his own faction.
But Chiyo herself was still unconvinced.
"Tch. Who are you putting on this act for? What's the meaning of this? You're so powerful—why don't you go yourself? Don't tell me you've already teamed up with Hanzo of the Hidden Rain Village to plot against me. With someone like you around, I don't think there's any need for me to lead the troops."
Chiyo might have disliked the Kazekage faction, but she still acknowledged the Third Kazekage's strength.
His Magnet Release perfectly countered puppets filled with metal components.
Not to mention the iron sand techniques unique to the Third Kazekage.
Even with the Ten Puppets of Chikamatsu left behind by her master, she would still lose more often than she would win against him.
"I have something more important to do."
"I'm going to attack the Land of Fire and seize a large amount of farmland suitable for cultivation."
"If you're attacking, then attack. What does that have to do with me?"
"Chiyo."
The Third Kazekage removed his Kazekage hat and cloak.
Then he bowed deeply to her.
"As Kazekage, I cannot beg you. But as the disciple of the Second Kazekage… as your lifelong rival, Chiyo… I beg you."
"I must help my sensei complete his final curtain call. He also wishes to give the Sand Village one last contribution."
"But an opponent like the Land of Rain—a small country—is not worthy of being his final enemy."
"Only the strongest shinobi village in the world—Konoha—deserves to be my sensei's last opponent."
Every word struck the hearts of all the Sand shinobi leaders present.
Rasa's eyes filled with tears.
Chiyo stared at the rival who had never once bowed his head to anyone in his entire life—
And now he was bowing to her.
She shoved the Third Kazekage aside with one hand and walked toward the door.
"In the name of Chiyo, those brats from the Land of Rain won't take a single step into the Land of Wind."
Her younger brother Ebizo carefully helped the Third Kazekage put his Kazekage hat and robes back on.
"As expected… you really are the one most suited to be Kazekage."
Then he turned and walked out.
"The Land of Rain is in the hands of us siblings."
Tears filled the Third Kazekage's eyes.
In his heart he murmured—
Old rival… Ebizo… Sensei and I thank you.
Behind him, Rasa couldn't stop the tears streaming down his face.
But his eyes were also full of admiration.
So this… is what it means to be Kazekage.
Sensei, you're amazing.
One day, I want to become someone like this too.
"Now… we will discuss the strategy for attacking Konoha."
"Yes!"
Voices of agreement echoed through the room.
At this moment, the entire Sand Village stood united.
...
Not far outside the meeting room,
An old man revealed a relieved smile.
The Sand Village truly has worthy successors.
It seems I judged the right person after all.
So the final opponent will be Konoha of the Land of Fire…
What a worthy adversary.
I suppose it's time to dust off the ninjutsu I haven't used in years.
Ah…
I really am getting old.
In the end, the future of the village belongs to the younger generation.
Hahaha…
The old man slowly walked back to his room.
...
This is an extra chapter released as a reward. Thank you!