"Lord Kazekage, Konoha's full-scale military forces have already arrived in the Land of Rivers."
"At their current pace, they will enter the Land of Wind the day after tomorrow."
Inside the Kazekage Office in Sunagakure, the intelligence chief was reporting Konoha's movements to Rasa.
"The day after tomorrow, huh~"
Rasa unconsciously tapped his fingers on the table. His gaze drifted elsewhere; no one could discern his thoughts.
"Lord Kazekage?"
"Lord Kazekage?"
After being called twice, Rasa finally snapped back to reality.
"I understand."
"Yashamaru, gather the higher-ups for a meeting."
Rasa replied and dispatched his future brother-in-law to summon everyone.
"Yes sir."
Yashamaru emerged from the shadows and vanished from the office.
"Do we stand a chance?"
Rasa asked the intelligence chief, though it also seemed like he was asking himself.
"I… don't know."
The intelligence chief hesitated for a moment before daring not to voice the answer in his mind.
A chance?
Where would that come from?
Even if Konoha's army doesn't destroy Sunagakure this time, wouldn't they just send more reinforcements?
He saw no glimmer of hope.
"Don't know~"
"Heh~ I don't know either."
"You're dismissed."
Rasa chuckled in a self-deprecating manner. Once again, Sunagakure found itself on the brink of disaster.
All his years of effort suddenly felt like a joke.
"Yes, Lord Kazekage."
The intelligence chief bowed and withdrew. Only once outside did he release a long sigh.
He understood Rasa's feelings, but what good would that do?
Inside the office, Rasa sat in silence for about half a ke before slowly rising.
By the time he reached the conference hall, an eerie silence filled the room.
Everyone wore gloomy expressions, clearly reluctant to speak.
Their greetings were weak and feeble as Rasa entered.
Slowly walking to the head seat and sitting down, Rasa still had no clear answers in his mind.
Would they even fight? If not, then what? And if so, how?
As he remained silent, the atmosphere inside the conference hall grew even more oppressive.
After another pause, a kunoichi finally broke the silence.
"Lord Kazekage."
"You gathered us here—what is it we're discussing today?"
The kunoichi had short shoulder-length sandy-yellow hair and appeared quite kind.
None other than Rasa's wife, Karura.
She knew exactly why the meeting had been called, but she simply wanted to remind her husband.
After all, letting the meeting room stay completely silent wasn't helping either.
Hearing his wife's voice, Rasa finally spoke.
"You've probably all heard the news by now—Konoha's forces are coming."
"I won't hide it—I'm completely lost right now."
"During the Second Shinobi World War, our Sunagakure was pushed into desperation by Konoha."
"This time, they're bringing freshly defected Akatsuki ninjas with them."
"So what now? I'd like to hear your thoughts."
Rasa had no choice but to be honest—he lacked confidence, let alone a trump card.
The painful memories of the war remained fresh in his mind. Each recollection sent chills down his spine.
"Lord Kazekage, what is the Daimyō's stance?"
"This elder knew the daimyō—both were on the same sinking ship.
They're worried, but the daimyō is probably even more desperate.
Unlike previous wars, this time Konoha's goal is clear—they aim to conquer the entire Land of Wind.
'Daimyō? Don't count on him.'
'He asked me if I had confidence.'
I haven't responded yet."
Rasa waved his hand dismissively. Could he actually rely on that cheap bastard now?
If Sunagakure truly couldn't win in battle, he believed the Wind Daimyō would surrender at the first sign of trouble.
As for Sunagakure, whether it survived or fell meant nothing to the daimyō.
"So there's no room for negotiation, is there?"
Since the daimyō dared ask Rasa such a question, the elder already suspected he'd failed in his negotiations with the Fire Daimyō.
Perhaps the Wind Daimyō wasn't willing to let go of his wealth; perhaps the Fire Daimyō simply wanted too much.
In the end, that last path was closed off, leaving them with no real choices left.
"You could put it that way."
Rasa said nothing further—only he knew the true outcome of those talks.
The Fire Daimyō accepted only unconditional surrender, which the Wind Daimyō refused.
He preferred to wait while Sunagakure fought Konoha head-on before deciding his next move.
"As much as I hate saying this and lowering our morale while boosting theirs,
should war break out, we have little chance of winning.
Just Konoha alone is already tough enough.
Add Akatsuki's forces into the mix, and we'd have no chance."
Truthful words may not be pleasant to hear, but someone still needed to speak them.
Once this Suna ninja finished speaking, some in the conference hall grew furious, but no one stood up to challenge him.
Defeat already felt like an inevitability.
"So then, how do you think we, Sunagakure, should respond?" Rasa turned his gaze toward him and continued questioning.
"I'll follow the Kazekage's decision without question."
This man—if you called him slick, he'd still claim he was just being honest.
Call him naïve, but he knew exactly how to show loyalty, making it impossible for Rasa to press further.
In the end, the responsibility landed right back in his own hands.
"I see you also have nothing meaningful to offer.
At present, only two paths remain before us—
to die with dignity or live in disgrace.
Don't bother worrying about what the daimyō thinks. In the end, Sunagakure remains our own to govern."
Rasa had no patience for subtleties anymore and chose to speak plainly.
Is fighting or surrendering all that matters? As long as there was a decision, he'd go along with the majority.
Fighting honored his late teacher; surrender protected the innocent villagers.
He didn't see one choice as clearly right and the other clearly wrong.
Within this trap, he'd already done everything he could.
Following Rasa's words, murmurs finally filled the conference hall.
There were those who wanted to fight to the death, others who wanted to surrender, and even some who were ready to become wandering ninja.
The growing noise made Rasa's head pound.
I just want your help in choosing—could it really be so difficult?
Seeing the argument spiral out of control, he realized it was pointless to continue.
"Silence!"
"That will be all for today's meeting."
"Return and reflect on the matter. We shall reconvene tomorrow."
With that, Rasa abruptly rose and left without another word, not sparing a glance behind him.
After he left, Bunpuku—who had remained silent throughout—quietly followed.
"Kazekage-sama, I have something I wish to speak with you about."
At a corner of the hallway, Bunpuku quickened his pace and called out to Rasa.
"Elder, please share your thoughts."
Rasa turned around, facing Bunpuku. His emotions had already settled.
"My time has come."
"Should the Tailed Beast be extracted, or perish with me?"
"I entrust this choice to you, Kazekage-sama."
Bunpuku's expression remained calm, as if discussing something trivial and detached from himself.
Hearing this, Rasa was stunned—as if struck by lightning, nearly losing his footing.
If Bunpuku truly passed away, would Sunagakure still possess the strength to endure?
"How could this happen?"
Rasa had believed Bunpuku's health was stable; he never imagined receiving such grave news at a time like this.
"Life and death are not ours to control."
"That I have lasted this long is already a miracle."
"But when the day comes that my mind falters, Shukaku may run rampant."
"That would leave Sunagakure in an untenable position."
If Bunpuku were imprisoned like in the original plot, he might live for several more years.
Yet, after countless great wars, his body could no longer sustain the strength it once held.
"T-this—"
"Elder, allow me some time to think."
"My mind is in chaos right now."
Rasa closed his eyes, overcome by dizziness.
"In that case, I'll take my leave."
Bunpuku bowed politely and departed. Rasa stood motionless for a long while before finally regaining his composure.
Could fate deal him anything crueler?!
...
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