"I went too far?"
Uchiha Gen's gaze sharpened as his voice dropped, calm yet cold enough to slice air. "No, I haven't gone too far. If anything, I've been holding back."
He rose slightly, his chakra pressure swelling through the room like a tidal wave. "Tell me, Rasa—why was Pakura ambushed the instant she set foot on the Hidden Mist's island?"
His tone was deadly quiet. "If I hadn't arrived when I did, her chances of surviving would've been close to zero."
It was the bitter truth.
Pakura had been stranded deep within Mist territory. Even if she'd somehow escaped the initial attack, the ocean surrounded her on all sides. She couldn't fly, couldn't use the Flying Thunder God Technique, and the Mist's ships patrolled every route. Once they began their dragnet search, there would've been nowhere to run—no sky to reach, no earth to hide in. Only a slow, certain death.
As Gen's killing intent filled the air, the disturbance sent a ripple through the Sunagakure Anbu stationed outside. In the next heartbeat, masked figures flooded into the building, shadows flickering in the windows and corners.
Rasa opened his mouth to speak but Gen cut him off, voice hard as steel.
"My informant in the Mist told me your village struck a deal, an agreement to appease Kirigakure's fury by trading Pakura's life for peace."
The temperature in the room seemed to plummet.
"To sacrifice one of your own heroes in exchange for a truce…" Gen sneered. "And to kill off a potential threat while you're at it, what a convenient, filthy move."
His Mangekyō eyes burned crimson. "So, tell me—should I believe my informant… or you?"
The Anbu flanking the walls froze. Even behind masks, their faces twisted with shock. These were words they were never meant to hear.
Chiyo and Ebizō's expressions shifted subtly, doubt flickering where loyalty once stood.
Rasa's heart thudded once, hard. He forced his breathing to steady, smoothing his expression with practiced calm. "I made no such decision," he said slowly. "Sunagakure would never buy peace through betrayal."
"This was a trap set by the Mist," he continued, adopting a solemn tone. "They wanted to kill one of our key commanders, sow discord between the Sand and the Uchiha, even drive a wedge between Sunagakure and Konoha itself."
He bowed his head slightly. "I bear responsibility for failing to see their scheme—but I swear, I will demand justice for Pakura."
It was a flawless performance. The deal with the Mist had never been written down—only spoken. No evidence, no witnesses. Rasa had made sure of that long ago.
Gen watched him in silence, a faint, knowing smile tugging at his lips.
Anyone who could become a Kage had to be skilled in the art of lies and masks. Dodging blame was practically part of the job description.
"You talk pretty," Gen said at last, "but I don't buy a word of it. I know you did it."
Rasa's tone chilled. "If you refuse to believe me, there's nothing more to say. Leave Sunagakure immediately. Otherwise, if this sparks a diplomatic crisis, you'll bear full responsibility."
Gen's laugh was low, dangerous. "Diplomatic? Let's be clear—this isn't about Konoha or the Uchiha."
He straightened, the flicker of his Sharingan dancing across the room. "I'm here as Pakura's boyfriend. That's it."
He paused, his voice turning almost lazy. "If I leave, then every single one of you better stay inside your walls forever. Because if anyone from this village steps outside…" His smile widened into something feral. "… Sensei and I will make sure to welcome them personally."
He leaned forward slightly. "we are both very hospitable. We don't care if it's a Kage, Elder, Jōnin, Chūnin, or Genin—everyone gets the same treatment."
He chuckled darkly. "Maybe we'll even come visit your village ourselves. After all… there's such a fine selection of ingredients here."
The word ingredients made several Anbu stiffen.
No one mistook the meaning.
Gen was done talking.
The air thickened with the oppressive aura of someone who didn't bluff. Even Rasa's composure faltered. Chiyo and Ebizō exchanged tense looks. If Uchiha Gen and Orochimaru truly worked together against Sunagakure… no one in the village could sleep easily again.
Rasa steadied himself, forcing his voice to remain even. "Such threats violate the very foundation of the alliance between our villages. I'll report this directly to the Hokage."
Gen gave a mocking snort. "Report whatever you want. I told you—I'm here privately. Can't you understand plain words?"
He tilted his head. "If you drag Konoha into this, my sensei and I can handle it. Unless the Hokage's desperate to spark civil conflict and tear apart what peace remains, he'll just hand down a token punishment."
He smiled again, slow and deliberate. "So tell me, Rasa… what can he really do to us?"
A collective shudder ran through the room.
So that's how bad it's gotten inside Konoha, Chiyo thought grimly. For him to speak this way… the internal struggle must already be bloody.
Gen's voice broke the silence. "Tell the Hokage everything I said. I'm not afraid. But if you do…" His eyes narrowed dangerously. "Don't expect me to just let it go. I hate tattletales... and I tend to strangle them."
The weight of his killing intent made even the Kazekage's chest tighten. For a brief moment, Rasa felt trapped, unable to advance, unable to retreat.
Chiyo stepped forward quickly, her tone calm but urgent. "Gen-san, Pakura truly suffered a grave injustice. But it might not be Lord Kazekage's doing. Let's all take a step back and discuss this."
"Yes, yes," Ebizō added immediately, raising a placating hand. "Surely there's been some misunderstanding. We can resolve this peacefully."
Gen glanced at them with a faint smirk. "I've been plenty patient. But your Kazekage doesn't seem interested in compromise."
His voice hardened. "Does he really think he's that impressive?"
"I've fought your so-called strongest—the Third Kazekage." His tone turned mocking. "For all his reputation, he was barely average. So tell me, is the Fourth supposed to be stronger?"
The insult landed like a slap.
Rasa's face went rigid. "Heh… since you're so confident, I'll gladly accept the challenge."
His chakra began to surge, golden dust rising like a storm around him.
He had endured this man's provocations long enough—humiliation upon humiliation, in front of his subordinates no less. Did Gen think the Kazekage was a man without pride?
Let him see for himself how strong Sunagakure's Fourth truly was.
But while Rasa's fury burned, Chiyo's reaction was different. Her eyes went wide. "Wait… you've seen the Third Kazekage?"
Her breath hitched. "Where is he now?"
Ebizō and every Anbu in the room turned toward Gen. Even Pakura's expression changed slightly.
Rasa froze, realization striking like lightning.
The Third… alive?
If Uchiha Gen had seen him, then—
A chill clawed down Rasa's spine. If the Third Kazekage returned, the entire balance of Sunagakure would shatter. His authority, his legitimacy—everything would collapse overnight. The man's influence still ran deep, his name still revered.
No. Rasa clenched his fists. I won't let that happen. Not even a former Kazekage will threaten my position.
Gen's gaze drifted back to him, amused. "You know… I'd also like to experience the great Kazekage's 'high-level techniques' for myself."
His Mangekyō spun slowly, glinting like blades. "So come on. Let's make this interesting."
He had no intention of walking away. Not after what they'd done to Pakura.
Besides—testing Rasa's power now would be useful later. The more data he gathered, the easier it would be for Shuryu's team to execute their encirclement when the time came.
Gen's smile thinned. "Still," he said, glancing toward Chiyo, "this isn't exactly the best place to discuss such delicate matters, is it?"
His words hung heavy in the air—half invitation, half threat—as chakra began to stir like thunder in the distance.