The next morning.
Despite his comforting words and encouragement the day before, the Suna shinobi looked even more exhausted than before. After choking down a ration pill, Rasa made his way toward the temporary command post that Chiyo had pointed out.
As for Kana… for several reasons, she still wasn't allowed to move around freely. But thanks to his growing reputation, the other Suna shinobi kept quiet. Even if they had questions or doubts, none of them dared speak up at the time.
The situation here was clearly worse than what he had seen on his end. Everyone had roughly the same meager supplies, but—
The atmosphere here was heavier. And the number of wounded… far higher.
Everywhere he looked, shinobi were bandaged up and still forcing themselves to carry out missions. While most of the village's medical-nin were already stationed here, there was only so much they could do. No matter how many people they had, outdated medical techniques, lack of equipment, and poor facilities meant injuries could only be treated superficially at best.
The Village Hidden in the Sand…
Now, it was just a "Great Village" in name. In reality, it was a struggling shinobi outpost barely holding onto its former status.
"You've arrived?"
As Rasa stepped into the command tent, Chiyo and Ebizō greeted him with polite smiles. Chiyo gestured to a nearby seat.
"Come. Sit here."
Rasa nodded and sat without a word. He already had a good idea why the village's senior advisors had called him in so early the next day.
First, the situation in Sunagakure was deteriorating fast. For the Hidden Cloud to provoke not just them, but Konoha and Iwagakure all at once… it was clear they weren't acting on impulse. The enemy was serious.
There was no time for him to take things slow.
And second—
"That woman—she's a member of the Uzumaki Clan, isn't she?" Chiyo's gentle expression vanished. Her face turned grave as she stared directly at Rasa. "You should know how wandering shinobi are handled."
"…"
Rasa nodded silently. Of course he knew. It was either kill them, or use them as tools.
That was exactly why, later on, those very same rogue ninja would attempt to take over the Land of Birds.
If none of the villages would take them in, they'd carve out their own space in the world. No surprise that most wandering shinobi met miserable ends.
Even Konoha had only taken in an Uzumaki child because they needed a new jinchūriki. Otherwise? It wouldn't have mattered if they were allies in the past—if you were a wanderer, you were a threat. You could be a spy sent by any one of the other villages.
Especially now, in the midst of war…
No one would hesitate to treat a rogue shinobi as the enemy. No questions asked.
Rasa's expression hardened. His voice turned firm.
"Kana Uzumaki isn't from another village. She's not a spy."
"…"
Chiyo narrowed her eyes, contemplating his words.
"Then you'd better swear it."
Her aged gaze bore into him.
"You understand what it would mean for your reputation if you've been deceived. If the future Fourth Kazekage was tricked by a woman…"
She didn't need to finish that thought. The shame would echo through the entire shinobi world.
"The safest option is still to—"
"No, Elder Chiyo. I give you my word." Rasa shook his head firmly. "She's not a spy."
"Rasa—"
Chiyo started to speak, but he cut her off, meeting her eyes with conviction.
"I swear it on my name as the future Fourth Kazekage."
Chiyo frowned, clearly wanting to press further.
"Kana Uzumaki is not a spy!"
"Rasa, you have to understand… this is wartime. And you are not Kazekage yet." Chiyo sighed. "What I'm proposing is simply the most cautious path. Besides…" Her eyes turned sharp. "Karura is still waiting for you back in the village."
"…Seriously?" Rasa gave her an exasperated look. "Why bring up Karura right now?"
But he knew—if he didn't offer a convincing reason, Chiyo would never allow a suspected outsider into the village.
His mind raced.
A few moments passed.
Then Rasa heaved a heavy sigh and put on a pained expression.
"Elder Chiyo… I'm doing this for the future of Sunagakure."
"???"
"What do you think we're lacking the most?"
"Money?"
"…That too," Rasa muttered, annoyed. Why is that always the first answer?
He quickly shifted back to a serious tone.
"No, it's talent. In the shinobi world, what matters most is human resources."
"I understand what you're saying… but she's still a wandering kunoichi," Chiyo said, unconvinced. "The Uzumaki Clan's unique chakra is certainly tempting, but… we can't trust her. Not in times like these."
In fact—
Rather than recruit an uncertain variable, it would make more sense to use her as material for research.
Of course, she wasn't about to say that aloud. Not when Rasa was so determined to have her accepted into the village.
But—
Rasa could already tell what she was thinking. It all came down to one thing: he wasn't the Kazekage yet, and this was wartime. No one in their right mind would let a rogue kunoichi join their ranks—especially not an Uzumaki, a clan long tied to Konoha.
She could be part of a larger conspiracy.
Rasa frowned. That was a real concern.
If it were peacetime and he was already the Fourth Kazekage, this would've been a simple matter. But right now…
He paused for a moment, deep in thought.
Just as Chiyo opened her mouth to speak again—
"I will win this war for Sunagakure."
Chiyo and Ebizō looked up, startled.
"And I swear it on my future title as Fourth Kazekage."
He met her gaze with unwavering determination.
"I will become the Fourth Kazekage."
Chiyo stared at him for a long moment.
"You're really set on this?" she asked.
When Rasa's expression remained firm, she finally sighed and shook her head.
"…Very well. She may remain at the camp—for now. But I will assign shinobi to keep her under surveillance. Once—"
"No need for that," Rasa cut in smoothly. "I was planning to have her learn medical ninjutsu under your guidance. You can observe her directly."
"…You little brat."
She was still an advisor of Sunagakure, Chiyo fumed. And you're already trying to push your luck? You're not even Kazekage yet!
But after a moment's thought… whether or not she actually taught the girl was another matter. As long as Kana stayed close to her, even if she was a spy, she could act before anything happened.
Chiyo nodded slowly.
"Fine. If you can protect Sunagakure and lead us through this war… then I'll uphold this promise."
PS: Read Advance Chapters at https://www.patreon.com/c/ReadJin