Become
Damn it, you're all heartless bastards.
Especially you two—Uchiha Shisui, Uchiha Itachi!
What's with those eager looks?
You want to hang me up as some kind of camp amusement?
You two black-hearted worms.
To avoid being strung up, Shikaku wisely chose silence.
Even during the celebrations, he kept his mouth shut—because Shisui and Itachi were watching him like hawks.
If he got hung up now, Nara Shikaku would become a laughingstock.
"Hey, Captain, why so quiet?"
"Hahaha! Scared the Vice-Leader will hang you up?"
Once Yan's orders spread, the camp's shinobi couldn't resist teasing Shikaku, hoping he'd slip up and say something—just so they could see their Jonin Commander dangling in the air.
You damn idiots!!!
Nara Shikaku gritted his teeth in frustration as he angrily scribbled the word "bastards" on a piece of paper while chewing on grilled meat.
"HAHAHA—"
Everyone burst into laughter, thoroughly amused by Shikaku's silent protest.
*Fine, I can't talk, but I can still write. I'll curse you all on paper.*
From the head seat, Yan couldn't help but chuckle:
"Shikaku."
"Sir!!"
The moment Yan called his name, Shikaku instinctively responded—only for his face to darken the second the words left his mouth.
Oh, crap.
I walked right into that one!!!
"PFFT—HAHAHA!!"
The entire camp roared with laughter, even the usually stoic Uchiha members clutching their stomachs in amusement.
Luckily, no one took it seriously. Shisui and Itachi weren't actually going to hang him up.
Jokes were one thing, but taking it too far would just be mean.
Konohagakure's camp was filled with joy.
Meanwhile, the atmosphere in Sunagakure's camp was the complete opposite—their shinobi hung their heads low, frustration thick in the air.
This whole mess had been a massive humiliation for Sunagakure.
Rasa had already left the camp, but not before scolding them and issuing a stern warning:
Anyone who dares provoke Konoha again will be branded a traitor to the village!!!
Nobody wanted that kind of blame on their shoulders.
Rasa had lost face this time, but what could he do? Strength decided everything, and they simply weren't strong enough.
At the very least, he hadn't fled like a coward—he'd stood his ground, negotiated, and ensured his men escaped safely before returning to handle the aftermath.
In truth, Rasa had done everything he possibly could.
Even in defeat, this Kazekage had upheld his duty—not just to Sunagakure, but to the entire Land of Wind.
The only one truly furious would be the Daimyo, who'd stubbornly believe this was all because Sunagakure was too weak, letting Yan push Rasa around.
"Lord Kazekage."
As Rasa returned to the village, Chiyo immediately set aside the documents she'd been handling—these matters were his responsibility now.
Time for me to retire, go fishing with my brother.
If Rasa was back, it meant the border situation had been resolved. While she didn't agree with all his decisions, Chiyo still respected his capabilities.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have backed him as Kazekage over Pakura, despite her potential.
Pakura was strong, with a powerful Kekkei Genkai—but Magnet Release had practically become a requirement for Sunagakure's leaders. That was the real reason Chiyo supported Rasa.
Not because Pakura wasn't good enough… but because she lacked the right bloodline.
"Chiyo."
Rasa sat silently in his chair for a moment, then spoke just as Chiyo was about to leave.
Chiyo paused at the door, turning back to look at Rasa's troubled expression. Her snow-white brows furrowed slightly:
"Did things not go well this time?"
"Sigh..."
Rasa exhaled heavily, slumping back into his chair:
"The matter is resolved, but the village and I have lost all dignity. For a long time to come, we won't be able to provoke Konohagakure or demand anything—we'll have to stay hidden under their shadow."
"???"
That sounded too extreme.
Chiyo tilted her head, slowly processing what could have happened at the border to leave Rasa this defeated.
This wasn't how a Kazekage should behave.
"Uchiha Yan personally came to the border camp. He was the one who ordered the merchant goods seized, and he sent people into the Land of Wind to provoke us."
There was no point hiding it—even if Konohagakure didn't spread the news, the shinobi who knew would talk.
Especially Konoha's side.
Such a triumphant moment would surely be shared unless gag orders were in place.
So Rasa didn't hold back, explaining everything in detail.
"That really isn't good news."
Chiyo muttered to herself, then glanced out the window toward Konohagakure. After a moment, she let out her signature dry chuckle:
"Don't dwell on it, Kazekage. You did everything you could. The problem isn't with you—you're right, Konohagakure is growing stronger. Just Uchiha Yan alone is enough to demand our caution."
"For the village, this is bad news… but also good. After all, Konohagakure won't attack us outright. Don't you think?"
The stronger Yan became, the harder life would be for Sunagakure—in theory.
But in reality, as long as Sunagakure didn't provoke them, Konohagakure wouldn't bother with them, much less target them.
Konoha had no time to waste on such things, and Sunagakure had nothing valuable enough to attract their attention anyway.
So why worry?
The ones who should be concerned were the other villages—especially Iwagakure and Kumogakure. They were Konoha's real enemies.
"By showing his power, Uchiha Yan has ensured that both Iwagakure and Kumogakure will see him and Konohagakure as serious threats. That actually works in our favor."
Konohagakure's growing strength benefiting Sunagakure sounded harsh, but it was the truth.
A thriving Konoha wouldn't waste energy watching Sunagakure—their focus would be on Iwagakure and Kumogakure.
Likewise, those two villages would treat Konoha as their greatest enemy.
All Sunagakure needed to do was quietly keep developing.
As long as they didn't stir trouble.
"..."
Damn, that makes sense... but I'm still pissed! *I'm* the one who got humiliated!!!
Rasa couldn't accept it, but the limits of Magnet Release were clear.
He was strong enough to be a top-tier Kage-level fighter, but breaking past that ceiling? Nearly impossible.
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