What could Shinnō even say? Compared to Hōki, Shinnō was far more cunning and calculating, and he still tried to feign ignorance. However, Rasa cut straight to the point and revealed that he had already ordered the Anbu to investigate the Sky Village and the existence of the Zero-Tails.
Shinnō's face darkened further.
"So you've known all along, Kazekage-sama?"
Rasa's expression remained calm.
"What do you think? Although your continued dishonesty disappoints me, I'm still willing to give you a chance because of your talents. But if you want my trust, you'll have to give me something else in return."
Shinnō's fists clenched tightly. Under the cold stares of Rasa, Pakura, and Michikawa, he eventually forced a smile back onto his face and dropped to one knee.
"Looks like I no longer have a choice. Then, I greet you, Kazekage-sama!"
---
Inside the Kazekage's Office, Rasa looked down at the two scrolls Shinnō had handed over and appeared visibly surprised.
One scroll contained the Sky Village's method for controlling the Zero-Tails. The other held what Shinnō considered his most treasured research: techniques to stimulate cellular vitality, along with an extensive compilation of medical ninjutsu.
After reading through them, Michikawa spoke up with a note of doubt.
"Kazekage-sama, are we really just letting that Shinnō guy off the hook?"
Rasa let out a cold sneer.
"Of course not. Michikawa, I'm assigning him to you. Once you've extracted every drop of his worth, you can arrange a suitable place for him to rest."
Michikawa nodded, clearly satisfied. He was indeed suited for this kind of task. Not only was he far more composed than Pakura, but when it came to strategy, he was no less capable than Rasa himself. Additionally, Rasa had grown increasingly dissatisfied with the Anbu following several recent failures.
"What about those shinobi from Takumi Village?"
Pakura asked.
Rasa raised an eyebrow.
"What, are you interested in them?"
"No... I was just asking casually."
Rasa smiled.
"Since you asked, I'll leave them to you then."
"Eh!?"
Pakura was caught off guard.
"It's not going to be something troublesome, is it?"
Not long ago, the large-scale development plan in Sunagakure had already left her utterly exhausted.
"..."
Rasa hesitated briefly, and Pakura immediately realized it probably was something troublesome. She quickly tried to back out.
"If it's going to be a pain, then forget it."
"No... this is something that must be handled by you and Michikawa. Seramu and Baki aren't fit for this. But like with the development plan, you don't have to do it personally. Just assign the right subordinates to manage it."
Both Pakura and Michikawa looked surprised at that.
"What exactly is it?"
Pakura asked with hesitation, while Michikawa leaned forward with genuine interest. After all, as a noble and an elder, Michikawa wasn't rushing for power anymore. What mattered more to him now were the long-term interests of his clan.
"It's like this. According to our agreed timeline, the River of Flowing Sand will be completed in half a month. Once that happens, a large number of merchants will begin arriving in Sunagakure by ship. Without someone to manage the situation, it could quickly descend into chaos. Michikawa, since your Sand clan has many literate members, I plan to establish a new department within the village — the Sunagakure River Affairs Administration Bureau. This bureau will have two main responsibilities. First, to manage the ships coming into port. Second, to regulate and set reasonable trade tariffs. We didn't build this waterway just so merchants could fill their pockets. Sunagakure must benefit from it too. With this system in place, the village's development funds will no longer be a problem."
Michikawa's eyes gleamed with enthusiasm.
"Excellent! It should be done exactly that way. I'll begin preparations immediately and report back once everything is ready, Kazekage-sama!"
"Good. Don't enforce the rules too harshly at the start. The goal is to attract as many merchants as we can to Sunagakure. Let's prioritize growth first. We can handle everything else once we've stabilized."
Michikawa nodded knowingly, understanding Rasa's intentions.
"Don't worry, Kazekage-sama. I understand completely!"
"Great. I'm also planning to set up another division — the Sunagakure River Construction Division. Its duties will be straightforward: shipbuilding. Now that we have a waterway, it won't do if Sunagakure doesn't have its own ships. Maritime transport is incredibly profitable. Pakura, I'm putting you in charge of this department. At the same time, I'll assign those shinobi from Takumi Village to assist you. Of course, shipbuilding is just the surface. The real value lies in the unique technology that Takumi Village's craftsmen possess. Here, take this document — it outlines their special methods for creating unique ninja tools. If we can harness this technology effectively, it will significantly enhance Sunagakure's overall power."
Pakura wasn't naive. She could clearly see that this was a deliberate move on Rasa's part. It was a strategic decision to maintain balance between the factions within the village, ensuring both sides gained benefits and influence.
"I understand. I'll delegate the work accordingly."
"One final matter. It's been over a year since I became Kazekage, and you've both supported me loyally as my left and right hands. I believe it's time I rewarded that loyalty. It might just be a title, but I hope you won't consider it meaningless."
Both Pakura and Michikawa looked startled as Rasa announced their new roles.
"Starting today, Pakura and Michikawa, you are officially appointed as Elders of Sunagakure. Your status is now second only to me, and equal to Elder Chiyo and Elder Ebizō. From this point on, you'll have full authority to participate in all key administrative decisions in the village."
For the first time, Michikawa lost his usual composure.
In Sunagakure, the title of Elder was no ordinary honor — it was a symbol of true power.
Before this, although both Pakura and Michikawa had represented their own factions, their positions within the village hierarchy were roughly equivalent to that of a typical clan leader.
They had neither the authority nor the influence wielded by Elder Chiyo or Elder Ebizō, and there were many important matters within the village that had proceeded entirely without their input. But now, everything had changed. With their new appointments, they had been granted decision-making power over nearly all aspects of Sunagakure's administration, their authority second only to the Kazekage himself.
Pakura was just as stunned as Michikawa. Yet once the initial excitement faded, her sharp instincts quickly sensed something beneath the surface. She couldn't shake the feeling that Rasa's promotion wasn't merely a reward for their loyalty and achievements — it was also a way for him to offload some of the more burdensome responsibilities that came with leadership.
Of course, she didn't voice any of that.
"The future of Sunagakure is in our hands now."
There was no need for further ceremony. Both nodded resolutely.
"Alright. I'll have Baki make the public announcement today. From this moment forward, you are Elder Pakura and Elder Michikawa. But don't let village affairs make you neglect your training. You must've noticed the rising intensity of Senjutsu energy lately, haven't you?"
They had noticed. Both nodded once more.
Seeing that, Rasa chose not to keep things hidden any longer.
"I've already infused the environment with the chakra of Shukaku and the Six-Tails. From now on, the Senjutsu energy throughout the area will carry traces of their power. Of course, how far it benefits you will depend entirely on your own progress."
Michikawa looked visibly surprised by this revelation, while Pakura's eyes flashed with excitement.
"So that's what's been happening!"
"That's all from me. Focus on your training from now on. Peace never lasts forever. For the sake of Sunagakure's future, I can't be the only one growing stronger..."
"Understood. We'll be on our way."
"Very well."
After watching the two new Elders depart, Rasa summoned Yashamaru and handed him a scroll containing Shinnō's forbidden techniques.
"Take this and study it thoroughly. Once you've made a copy, pass it along to Elder Chiyo..."
Rasa didn't intend to oversee the matter himself. He had more urgent concerns on his mind.
Soon, he would be leaving the village.
His destination — the one known as the Zero-Tails.