"Get up. The battles ahead will still need you. You must redeem yourself through meritorious service."
Pakura was silent for a moment, then stood up.
"Yes, Kazekage-sama."
Rasa stopped looking at her, turned around, and strode to a simple tent that had just been hastily set up to temporarily replace the command function. He lifted the curtain and went inside, then waved his hand to signal his subordinates to leave.
Chiyo stood by the tent flap, glanced at him, and seemed about to say something, but in the end she said nothing. She simply sighed softly, turned around, and walked out.
Inside the tent, only Rasa remained.
The overhead light cast a flickering, dim yellow glow, casting shifting shadows on his face.
'This shouldn't be happening....'
Rasa didn't look at the various battle reports scattered on the table. He just sat there blankly, his usually calm and steady eyes now unfocused while staring emptily in a certain direction.
He, Rasa, relying on the Magnet Style Kekkei Genkai, had stepped forward during the crisis when the village lost the third Kazekage, and faced both internal and external troubles.
Recommended by the two elders, Chiyo and Ebizo, after many twists and turns, he finally took the position of the fourth Kazekage.
He was ambitious and determined to prove to everyone that he, Rasa, was no less capable than the previous Kazekage, and that he could lead the Village Hidden in the Sand out of poverty and into prosperity!
This war against Konoha was a crucial step in his plan.
Taking advantage of the mystery surrounding the disappearance of the third Kazekage to incite a united front against a common enemy, he launched a swift and sudden attack. With Elder Chiyo's unsolvable poison techniques and Pakura as his sharpest weapon to seized the rich border lands and resources of the Land of Fire, and demonstrated the power of the Village Hidden in the Sand in one battle. This would also solidify his unparalleled prestige and authority within the village.
However... Since the start of the war, the overwhelming momentum he had envisioned has not materialized. Instead, there has been a stalemate, attrition, and even setbacks and humiliation.
The Village Hidden in the Sand was already impoverished, and its national strength could not sustain a long-term stalemate with Konoha. Every war of attrition that failed to achieve a decisive victory was depleting the Village Hidden in the Sand's already weak foundation. Every Sunagakure ninja who died in battle was a loss that the village could hardly bear.
As the Kazekage, the initiator and supreme commander of the camp, he must take responsibility for all of this.
Prestige? Could his newly secured position withstand such a series of defeats and massive casualties? What would those forces, who already harbored doubts about his rise to power or who held Pakura in higher regard, think? How much more of this kind of battle report could the village's public opinion withstand?
Will the Daimyo continue to firmly support them? After all, they didn't even inform the Daimyo about this war, and it's said that the Daimyo was furious afterward.
"The fourth Kazekage? Nothing special..."
"Rasa-sama is too hasty..."
"If only Lady Pakura were the fourth Kazekage instead..."
"This battle shouldn't have been fought..."
A heavy sense of powerlessness welled up in Rasa's heart. He could almost hear the whispers behind him and see the disgruntled gazes falling on him, whether overt or covert.
Just as Rasa was feeling suffocated, footsteps sounded outside the tent.
"Kazekage-sama, this subordinate requests an audience."
Rasa opened his eyes. The voice was familiar; the person was named Renji Kazehara, a Jonin in the staff department and one of his trusted subordinates.
This person is capable, meticulous, and most importantly, extremely loyal.
For Rasa, who had just taken office, loyalty was the rarest and most precious quality.
"Come in."
Rasa said, his expression returning to its usual calm.
The curtain was gently lifted as Renji stepped in. He had a medium build and an ordinary face, the kind that would be hard to distinguish if thrown into a crowd.
After entering the tent, he subtly and swiftly glanced at Rasa's expression and posture from the corner of his eye, then respectfully bowed.
"This subordinate has two matters: first, to grieve for Kazekage-sama; second, to congratulate Kazekage-sama."
Rasa raised an eyebrow and said calmly, "Renji, what nonsense are you spouting? Our side is suffering setbacks, and as the Kazekage, I am deeply worried. What is there to be happy about?"
Renji met Rasa's gaze and slowly said: "Kazekage-sama, fortune and misfortune are intertwined; great things are on the horizon."
Rasa's brows furrowed even more.
"Explain clearly."
"Kazekage-sama, please take a look."
Renji Kazehara nodded, took out an intelligence report from his pocket, and presented it with both hands.
"According to intelligence, the Village Hidden in the Cloud has been making frequent moves. There are even rumors that the third Raikage has completed a large-scale troop mobilization that involves more than 10,000 people. The mobilization of various war supplies has also been completed. All signs indicate that the Village Hidden in the Cloud is about to launch an attack on the Hidden Leaf Village."
"Over there in the Village Hidden in the Mist, a large number of ships have been gathering at the ports along the coast of the Land of Water recently. It seems that the ninjas who have been shrouded in bloody mist for many years are also unable to hold back."
"On the Village Hidden in the Stones side, the third Tsuchikage, Onoki, is still outwardly maintaining a wait-and-see attitude, but his preparations behind the scenes have begun to accelerate, and he may intervene at any time."
"Once the Village Hidden in the Cloud starts fighting in the northeast of the Land of Fire, the Village Hidden in the Stones and Village Hidden in the Mist will definitely not let this opportunity pass."
"At that time..."
At this point, Renji Kazehara paused, then continued with a hint of excitement in his voice: "Konoha will face pressure from four directions simultaneously."
"We, the Village Hidden in the Sand, can take this opportunity to rest and recuperate, and sit back and watch the tigers fight."
"We will launch a new offensive once they've fought to the bitter end and Konoha is exhausted from fighting on multiple fronts."
"By then..."
He raised his head and looked at Rasa.
"Great things are expected."
"Renji..."
After a long silence, Rasa slowly spoke, his voice regaining its usual composure. Then he looked at the Renji with a hint of appreciation: "You're right, fortune and misfortune are intertwined, and there is fortune within misfortune. It seems that this setback may not be all bad."
He stood up, walked to the simple map, and slowly traced the long border of the Land of Fire with his finger, finally stopping at the southwest region.
"Transmit orders to all units. Starting tomorrow, the frontline will shift to a defensive posture. Rely on existing positions, reinforce fortifications, and primarily use small elite units to conduct continuous harassment, sabotage, and reconnaissance while avoiding large-scale frontal engagements."
"Order the logistics department to expedite the transfer of supplies from the country, especially medicines, puppet materials, and a new batch of ninjas."
"Notify the intelligence department to intensify the monitoring of the movements of Village Hidden in the Cloud, Village Hidden in the Mist, and the Village Hidden in the Stones, especially Village Hidden in the Cloud. I need to know the exact time and scale of their operation as soon as possible!"
"Yes, Kazekage-sama!"
Renji Kazehara bowed and accepted the order, then turned and left.
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