Chiyo's brows furrowed at Uchiha Gen's words. She turned to glance at the Anbu stationed nearby, then at Rasa.
"Everyone, withdraw."
Her tone left no room for argument. "Those outside—move at least twenty meters away."
Rasa, understanding her intent, gave a curt nod. He didn't want this matter spreading any further. The fewer witnesses, the better.
Though curiosity burned in the Sunagakure Anbu's eyes, none of them dared to defy an order from both the Kazekage and Elder Chiyo. In moments, the building emptied, leaving only a tense silence between the four of them—Rasa, Chiyo, Ebizō, and Uchiha Gen.
Chiyo's gaze turned solemn. "Now, can you speak freely?"
Gen shook his head slowly. "Not yet. What I have to say is of grave importance."
He paused, then continued, his voice firm but measured. "Also, considering the ordeal Pakura went through—the betrayal, the ambush, the trauma, and her long record of contributions to your village, I've decided something."
He looked directly at Rasa. "I intend to promote her to the rank of Elder."
Rasa's expression froze.
Gen went on. "As an Elder, she'll be harder to manipulate or use as a pawn through assigned missions. Fewer chances for someone to plot against her again."
For a split second, the corners of Rasa's mouth twitched. His annoyance was barely contained.
"I've always liked Pakura," Chiyo interjected warmly. "A fine kunoichi—capable and loyal. I support this proposal."
"I agree as well," Ebizō added without hesitation. He rarely contradicted his elder sister on matters that affected the village's moral standing.
All three turned their eyes toward Rasa.
Rasa felt the weight of their expectations and his own fury simmering underneath. He didn't want Pakura elevated; her rising influence, especially with Uchiha Gen behind her, could threaten his authority.
But refusing outright would make him appear petty. Worse, it would alienate Chiyo and Ebizō, whose influence among the elders was formidable. Without their support, his position would be weakened.
After a few seconds of silent calculation, Rasa exhaled and said evenly, "I agree in principle. However, the exact implementation will depend on whether Uchiha Gen can prove his worth."
Gen grinned. "Oh? So Kazekage-san wants to test my capabilities?" He laughed lightly. "Fine by me. I promise not to disappoint."
Rasa's tone cooled. "Good. Then perhaps now you can share what you came here to say?"
Gen nodded slowly. "I once saw the Third Kazekage, together with a young man named Sasori, on the battlefield of the Land of Whirlpools."
The moment the words left his mouth, Chiyo and Ebizō stiffened. Even Rasa's composure cracked.
"What did you say?" Chiyo demanded, stepping closer. "You saw the Third Kazekage? With Sasori? Tell me everything—every detail!"
Her hands trembled slightly. It wasn't just the mention of the Third Kazekage but her grandson.
Gen's tone turned regretful. "I can't share too much. That incident is tied to a top-secret Konoha mission."
He paused briefly, then added, "But I can tell you this, besides the Third Kazekage and that young man Sasori, there was also a woman with them. Later, I confirmed she belonged to an organization called Akatsuki."
His gaze swept over them calmly. "It seems they all joined that organization together."
"If you don't believe me, feel free to investigate. You'll find I haven't lied."
Indeed, he hadn't.
Sasori had joined Akatsuki and the Third Kazekage, as one of Sasori's "masterpieces," technically had too. The logic was airtight.
He simply omitted a few… unpleasant details. That wasn't lying—it was strategic editing.
To reveal the full truth... that Sasori had murdered the Third Kazekage and turned him into a human puppet would've been suicidal.
That revelation would devastate Chiyo personally, shatter her credibility, and, worst of all, hand Rasa the perfect weapon to strike at both her and Pakura's influence.
No—better to let them believe the Third still lived.
If Rasa thought his predecessor remained alive, he'd divert his paranoia and energy toward defending his position from that shadow, leaving Pakura safer.
And once Rasa fell, when Shuryu and the others finally made their move, Pakura's biggest threat would vanish for good.
Everything had been meticulously calculated. Every word, every pause.
Their reactions were predictable.
Rasa's mood soured immediately. The possibility that the Third Kazekage was still alive gnawed at him.
If true, his own rule was in danger. The Third's return would upend the entire power structure. And if the old Kazekage had Sasori—the genius puppeteer and Chiyo's grandson—by his side, the threat was even more dire.
Gen might be bluffing, but the story was too verifiable for Rasa to dismiss it outright. If he accused Gen of lying and was proven wrong, it would destroy what's left of his credibility.
Meanwhile, Chiyo and Ebizō's spirits visibly lifted.
The Third Kazekage and Sasori alive. It wasn't confirmation, but it was hope. A fragile, beautiful hope.
"I hope for your sake you haven't lied," Rasa said finally, his tone level but his eyes glinting coldly. "We'll send people to confirm."
Gen smiled faintly. "By all means. My conscience is perfectly clear."
He straightened, his aura swelling like a stormfront. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll wait outside your village. I've been itching for a proper fight."
He cracked his neck and turned toward the door. "Let's see how strong the Fourth Kazekage really is."
Rasa's sand rustled faintly underfoot, reacting to his chakra.
"Wait," Chiyo called out.
Rasa glanced back, irritation flickering across his face. "What now?"
Gen paused, pulled a few folded bills from his pocket, and placed them on the table. "We don't eat for free. This covers the meal—and the damages to your tableware."
Rasa's lips curved into a thin, mocking smile. "No need. I may not be as wealthy as the Uchiha, but I can handle such small expenses."
His tone carried a pointed jab, and his gaze flicked to Pakura.
Pakura lowered her eyes, expression unreadable—but her disgust ran deep.
You sent me to die, and now you mock me for surviving.
Uchiha Gen, catching the shift in her chakra, didn't bother replying. He simply took her hand, guiding her toward the exit. As he walked past the sofa, he casually tossed the money onto it, the bills fluttering down like falling leaves.
The gesture—arrogant, deliberate—made Rasa's jaw tighten. But he couldn't afford to lose control. Not yet.
At the doorway, Gen turned slightly, his Sharingan glinting crimson. "Ten kilometers west of Sunagakure," he said coolly. "I'll be waiting for you there."
Then he raised his right hand, and a streak of blue-white lightning shot into the sky, splitting the air with a thunderclap.
Moments later, a radiant white light descended from above—stopping just above the ground. Its shape shifted, revealing Kyouki, his ethereal white-winged summon that shimmered like a cloud.
Gen stepped onto Kyouki's back, pulling Pakura gently beside him. The creature ascended gracefully, cutting westward through the desert sky like a streak of moonlight.
Below, a few Sunagakure Anbu stared up, their eyes full of awe and envy.
Show-offs, Rasa thought bitterly. It's just flight. Nothing impressive.
Still, irritation burned in his chest. With a quick sequence of hand seals, sand surged beneath his feet, forming a cushion. He stepped onto it, rising into the air, though slower than Gen's sleek white mount.
Behind him, Chiyo issued orders crisply. "Return to your posts. That's the Kazekage's command."
"Yes, ma'am!" the Anbu chorused.
Though their curiosity screamed at them to watch, they had no choice but to obey.
Chiyo and Ebizō exchanged glances, then leapt into motion, following westward. They couldn't fly, but their speed as seasoned shinobi wasn't far behind.
In under a minute, they arrived.
The desert stretched endlessly beneath the setting sun, yellow dunes shimmering like molten gold.
And there, in the heart of the sands—Uchiha Gen and Rasa stood opposite each other, their chakra flaring like twin storms about to collide.
Neither spoke.
In the next instant, both vanished—launching forward with explosive force, two blurs of power crashing headlong into each other, the impact shaking the desert like thunder.
The battle had begun.