The next morning.
After Rasa's comforting and rousing speech the previous day, the Sand shinobi looked… even more exhausted. After quickly downing soldier pills, he headed to the temporary command post as directed by Chiyo.
As for Kanna… for various reasons, she couldn't move freely yet. Thanks to Rasa's reputation, the other Sand shinobi held their tongues, despite their countless questions.
The situation here was indeed worse than his previous front. Supplies like soldier pills were equally scarce, but…
The atmosphere was heavier, and injuries… far more numerous.
Bandaged Sand shinobi were everywhere, diligently carrying out tasks. Though most of Sunagakure's medical ninja were assigned here, the lack of advanced medical techniques, equipment, and proper conditions meant they could only provide basic care.
Sunagakure…
It was now just a poor village clinging to the title of one of the five great ninja villages.
"You're here!"
As Rasa stepped into the command post, Chiyo and Ebizō greeted him with smiles, gesturing to a nearby seat.
"Come, sit here!"
Rasa didn't think much of it and took a seat. He roughly understood why Advisors Chiyo and Ebizō had urgently summoned him to a meeting the very next day.
First, Sunagakure's situation was dire. Kumogakure, daring to provoke Sunagakure, Konoha, and Iwagakure single-handedly, was no fool—they meant business!
There was no time for him to take things slowly.
And second…
"That woman is from the Uzumaki clan?" Chiyo's kind smile vanished, replaced by a stern expression as she looked at Rasa. "You know how we handle rogue ninja."
"…"
Rasa nodded silently. He knew the drill: rogue ninja were either killed or used as tools.
This was why rogue ninja later tried to seize the Land of Birds.
If no village would take them in, they had to carve out their own place in the world.
Rogue ninja often met tragic ends.
Even Konoha only took in an Uzumaki girl because they needed a new jinchūriki. Otherwise, no matter their ties, rogue ninja were unwelcome—potential spies from rival villages.
Especially during these tense wartime moments…
Scrutiny of rogue ninja was even stricter. If they could be treated as enemies, no one bothered with pleasantries.
Rasa's face grew serious, his tone firm as he looked at Chiyo. "Uzumaki Kanna is not an enemy ninja or a spy."
"…"
Chiyo met Rasa's resolute tone with a stern gaze, pondering for a moment.
"You guarantee it?"
Her aged eyes locked onto him.
"You know if you're deceived, it'll severely damage your reputation."
The future Fourth Kazekage, tricked by a woman!
The entire ninja world would scorn him!
"The best course is to…"
"No, Advisor Chiyo, I guarantee it!" Rasa shook his head, his tone unwavering. "She's absolutely not a spy from another village."
"Rasa!"
As Chiyo's reprimanding voice rose, Rasa cut her off. "I swear on my name as the future Fourth Kazekage!"
Seeing Chiyo about to speak again, he pressed on. "Uzumaki Kanna is *not* a spy from another village!"
"Rasa, you know it's wartime! And you're not the Kazekage yet!" Chiyo sighed helplessly, frowning as she gave him an odd look. "Karura's waiting for you back in the village!"
"…"
Why bring up Karura?
Rasa looked at Chiyo, exasperated. But he knew if he didn't provide a convincing explanation, Chiyo would never allow a suspected outsider into Sunagakure during wartime.
His mind raced.
After a moment, his face turned pained, and he sighed with a melancholic shake of his head. "Advisor Chiyo… everything I do is for Sunagakure's future!"
"??"
"What does our village lack most?"
"Money?"
"That too, but…" Rasa stared at Chiyo's furrowed brow, exasperated. [Why does everyone's first answer have to be money?]
He quickly adopted a serious tone. "Talent! In this ninja era, what's most important? Talent!"
"I understand your point… but she's still a rogue ninja," Chiyo said, unmoved, sighing and shaking her head. "The Uzumaki clan's physique is tempting, but… we can't trust her, especially now. I'm even less convinced."
And…
Rather than recruit an uncertain rogue ninja, it'd be better to use her as "material" for research.
Of course, she couldn't say that now, given how much Rasa seemed to want Sunagakure to accept her!
But just as Chiyo finished…
Rasa had a hunch about her concerns. It boiled down to him not yet being Kazekage and the wartime distrust of rogue ninja, especially…
The Uzumaki clan's historically close ties to Konoha. Who could guarantee this wasn't a plot?
He frowned slightly. [This is indeed a problem.]
In peacetime, as the Fourth Kazekage, it'd be a simple order. But in these tense times…
After a moment's thought, as Chiyo prepared to speak again, he declared, "I will bring victory to Sunagakure in this war!"
Seeing Chiyo and Ebizō's surprised, skeptical looks, he cut off Chiyo's response with unwavering resolve.
"And I swear on my name as the future Fourth Kazekage!"
His words rang out…
"Are you sure about this?" Chiyo frowned, studying Rasa.
After a long pause, seeing his steadfast gaze, she sighed and shook her head. "Fine… she can stay in the camp for now, but I'll have ninja monitor her until…"
Before she could finish…
"It doesn't need to be so complicated. I plan to have her study medical ninjutsu under you. You can observe her yourself."
"…"
This brat!
I'm still an advisor of Sunagakure, and you're not the Kazekage yet. Getting a bit bold, aren't you?
But after thinking it over… teaching her was one thing, but keeping her close meant Chiyo could spot any signs of espionage or trouble immediately.
Chiyo pondered, then nodded faintly. "Alright. If you can protect Sunagakure in this war, I… will honor our promise!"
(End of Chapter)