Although Rasa had anticipated that the arrival of these Kirigakure shinobi wouldn't be for simple purposes, their outrageous demands still struck him as utterly laughable.
"Your Mizukage certainly has quite the appetite!"
As he spoke, a sudden realization flashed through Rasa's mind.
"Now I understand. So, when Kirigakure destroyed Uzushiogakure back then, you actually failed to obtain the Uzumaki clan's sealing techniques after all? No wonder your Land of Water still hasn't been able to produce proper jinchūriki to this day, despite having acquired both the Three-Tails and Six-Tails back then."
The expressions of all five Kirigakure representatives immediately darkened.
Yagura forced himself to regain composure before responding:
"Whether the appetite is large or not depends on mutual benefit. Exchanging the Uzumaki sealing techniques for a reliable ally, isn't this the most advantageous choice for Sunagakure in its current situation?"
"You're quite the silver-tongued brat!"
Rasa let out a light chuckle, completely ignoring Yagura's displeased expression as he continued his questioning:
"Then let me ask this, if I were to agree to this cooperation, who would hold command authority over Kirigakure's shinobi forces?"
The question momentarily caught Yagura off guard, but he quickly recovered:
"The command of Kirigakure's shinobi naturally remains with Kirigakure. However, Kazekage-sama can rest assured that as mercenaries, completing our employer's missions would absolutely be our top priority."
"Oh? So you expect me to trade the precious Uzumaki sealing techniques in exchange for a group of Kirigakure shinobi who won't even obey my direct commands? Tell me, is it your Kirigakure that has misunderstood the nature of warfare, or is it me? Meanwhile, Kirigakure would gain the means to create two powerful jinchūriki with these techniques. Is your Mizukage taking me for some kind of fool?"
!!!
The Kirigakure delegation's expressions shifted dramatically once again.
Yagura had no choice but to step forward and argue:
"But this arrangement would still alleviate Sunagakure's current predicament, would it not? Kazekage-sama, Kumogakure and Iwagakure won't give Sunagakure any breathing room, and Konoha will soon follow suit. Sunagakure's situation has reached a critical juncture. Therefore, forming an alliance with us is your best possible option."
His words seemed to steady the Kirigakure representatives somewhat.
Unfortunately, Rasa merely responded with a faint smile:
"So what you're saying is that Kirigakure intends to take advantage of our desperate situation to extort us?"
Without giving the Kirigakure delegation any further opportunity to speak, Rasa directly addressed Baki:
"See them out, Baki. Yagura, you can go back and tell your Mizukage to return for negotiations when he's thinking more clearly."
With that, he stood up and prepared to leave.
"Kazekage-sama..."
Yagura attempted to continue speaking, but Baki stepped forward with clear displeasure on his face, extending his arm to block their path.
"Please take your leave now. Don't waste the Kazekage's valuable time any further!"
Yagura's brow furrowed tightly, but in the end he had no choice but to lead his group away.
---
Hmph!
On the rooftop of the Kazekage Building,
Rasa watched the departing Kirigakure delegation with undisguised contempt on his face.
To the entire shinobi world, the weakened Sunagakure facing the combined assault of Iwagakure and Kumogakure must appear like fresh meat on a butcher's block, ripe for the taking by any opportunistic village.
Yet what these short-sighted fools fail to comprehend is that within every crisis lies hidden opportunity. Should Sunagakure successfully weather this storm and emerge victorious against the combined might of two Great Villages...
We would instantly surpass Kirigakure in standing, overtake both Iwagakure and Kumogakure in military prestige, and position ourselves as equals to Konohagakure itself.
As that ancient military treatise states. "A single decisive victory prevents countless future battles."
Before long, Baki returned from escorting their unwanted guests, approaching to murmur respectfully,
"Kazekage-sama, the Kirigakure delegation has been properly seen beyond our borders."
Rasa acknowledged with a slight nod, his sharp gaze turning contemplative.
"These Kirigakure snakes never miss an opportunity to fish in troubled waters... though their shameless attempt has inadvertently reminded me of something important."
Turning to his subordinate, Rasa issued crisp new orders.
"Since the First Hokage distributed the Three-Tails and Six-Tails to Kirigakure, they've shockingly failed to produce stable jinchūriki. I want our intelligence network to locate where those two tailed beasts are currently contained."
Baki stiffened visibly, even amidst crisis, the Kazekage's strategic vision remained focused on acquisition.
"Understood. I'll dispatch our best operatives immediately."
After a measured pause, Baki carefully voiced his concerns.
"Kazekage-sama... shouldn't we prioritize defensive preparations? Iwa and Kumo's military mobilizations suggest imminent invasion."
Indeed, for over a week since detecting enemy movements, Rasa had only issued basic precautionary warnings, no fortifications, no countermeasures beyond cautionary alerts to field operatives.
Rasa's gaze turned toward distant Dragon's Oasis as he posed a tactical question.
"Baki, what odds would you assign Sunagakure surviving conventional war against two Great Villages?"
Baki's features darkened before mustering conviction.
"Our average shinobi may be weaker, but with your power, Pakura-sama and Michikawa-sama matching their elites, plus our senjutsu chakra... We can endure like Konoha did!"
"Endure like Konoha?"
Rasa's voice turned icy.
"Konoha sent children to die by war's end. Is that Suna's future?"
Seeing Baki's conflicted expression, Rasa revealed his strategy.
"Suna cannot absorb Second War-level losses. Our smaller population makes attrition warfare untenable. Therefore..."
His voice dropped to a steely whisper.
"We won't follow Konoha's playbook. We'll end this with one surgical strike."
"A single strike?!"
Baki's eyes widened.
"Like the Fire Country operation? But they'll have prepared countermeasures!"
Rasa's lips curled dangerously.
"This time, only three operatives: myself, Pakura and Michikawa. A leadership decapitation strike."
Before Baki could protest, Rasa continued.
"Minimal monitoring on Kumo, just for appearances. Full intelligence focus on Iwa. Track Ōnoki's every movement. That fossil only understands pain, so my plan is to make Iwa bleed enough and his self-preservation will force withdrawal. Break one, and their alliance crumbles."
Seeing dawning comprehension, Rasa concluded.
"One final move. Recall that 'Akatsuki' organization? Rather than scheming with Kirigakure... why not employ mercenaries we can actually control?"