"Hahahaha! With the Kazekage gracing us with his presence, my humble place is truly honored!"
In the Hokage's reception hall, Hiruzen Sarutobi, clad in his Hokage robes, warmly shook hands with the middle-aged man standing before him.
"For the busy Hokage to take time to entertain me—I'm truly moved."
The brown-haired man looked at the elderly Sarutobi, a polite and diplomatic smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
"Oh, it's nothing at all. The Sand Village has always been an ally of Konoha—it's only proper we host you well."
Sarutobi gestured for the Kazekage to take a seat, and then ordered someone to bring tea.
Sakura stood silently behind Sarutobi, her pair of emerald eyes calmly observing the Kazekage.
He's changed. Everything has changed.
The man who, in the original timeline, should've been assassinated by Orochimaru—Rasa—was now very much alive, standing right in front of her.
Was this because of Konoha's changes?
Did Orochimaru uncover the true motive behind the resource war and decided not to assassinate Rasa?
Or perhaps... he simply wanted to observe how long Sarutobi Hiruzen could keep this windmill—Konoha—spinning?
But if that's the case... why did Orochimaru still appear in Konoha?
"And this young lady?"
Rasa sipped his tea as his eyes landed on Sakura, who stood behind Hiruzen.
Sakura's background hadn't been classified, so Rasa naturally knew that Sarutobi had taken on a new student.
"She's my little disciple—nothing too impressive," Sarutobi said with a chuckle, waving his hand modestly.
"So she's the Hokage's esteemed pupil. Talented youth indeed."
"Iruka, say hello."
Rasa looked back at the two youths standing behind him—Temari and Gaara.
As for Kankurō, he hadn't come along. After being defeated by Iwagakure's Kurotsuchi, Rasa didn't think he was presentable enough to bring to this meeting.
"Hello,"
Temari politely nodded toward Sakura, while Gaara simply gave her a silent nod, expression calm.
Sakura responded with a nod of her own, maintaining a neutral expression.
Hiruzen observed the brief exchange between the young ones with a warm smile but didn't comment further. Rasa also said nothing more.
After all, in each of the previous Great Ninja Wars—first, second, and third—the Sand Village had always been the first to betray Konoha and initiate attacks.
Even now, though labeled an ally—what does that really mean?
Ally?
Nothing is more trustworthy than actual tangible interests.
"I thought the Kazekage would arrive in Konoha in a few more days. I didn't expect you so early," Sarutobi remarked with a smile.
Rasa narrowed his eyes slightly at the comment.
Currently, the Land of Wind was facing severe food shortages. Prices had surged. The minor nations nearby simply couldn't supply enough resources to meet their country's needs.
Only the Land of Fire had the capability to supply what the Land of Wind needed.
And the Daimyō of the Land of Wind had already issued a strict order: if negotiations failed, prepare for war.
Rasa shared that sentiment.
When you're nearly starving, why keep pretending you're allies with the Land of Fire?
Because of the urgent situation, the Wind Daimyō had finally loosened the purse strings for the Sand Village's military budget.
Rasa cast a glance around the room, observing both the attendants and Sakura behind Sarutobi.
Sarutobi understood the unspoken message. He waved his hand, signaling Sakura and the others to leave.
"You two as well."
Rasa looked at his daughter and son.
"Yes, Lord Kazekage."
Temari respectfully bowed and then led the silent Gaara out of the reception hall.
Sakura also glanced one last time at the Fourth Kazekage before turning and leaving swiftly.
Though old, Sarutobi's mind was still sharp. He could clearly see that the Kazekage's early arrival meant trouble—the Sand Village was desperate for resources.
And such problems couldn't possibly be solved with just a single conversation.
It would take at least a month to even approach an agreement.
Besides...
The Sand Village... was once the enemy...
Heh.
---
Outside the reception hall, Sakura spotted the Kazekage's children waiting by the door. She cast them a quick glance and continued on her way.
"Haruno Sakura."
Gaara's voice called out from behind.
Sakura stopped and turned to look at him. "Yes?"
"As the Hokage's disciple… are you strong?"
Gaara's voice was shadowed, his eyes harboring thinly veiled hostility.
Temari's heart skipped a beat when she heard Gaara's tone. Afraid her brother might suddenly snap, she quickly bowed to Sakura and apologized, gesturing urgently for Gaara to calm down.
This was the Hokage's building! If Gaara lost control here, regardless of his fate, she'd be the first to die!
"Hmph. Why don't you try and find out?"
Sakura wasn't the type to take provocations lightly. Her reply came with a defiant glare.
"I'm really sorry," Temari said nervously, eyes darting between the two, trying to defuse the tension.
Gaara kept staring at Sakura, silent.
Sakura gave him one last look, snorted coldly, and turned to leave.
She didn't care what Gaara's deal was. But if he tried to start a fight here, she wasn't going to back down.
Let him feel what a fist the size of a watermelon could do.
---
Outside the Hokage building, Sakura looked up at the third floor where the reception hall was.
With the Fourth Kazekage still alive, the future was already deviating from the original storyline.
Besides Rasa, there was still Ōnoki, the Third Tsuchikage, who had yet to arrive.
Fortunately, Tsunade had returned to the village, and Jiraiya had already realized the true stakes of this Chūnin Exam. He wouldn't just run off to handle Orochimaru's summoned beasts like in the original timeline.
And more importantly…
Sakura clenched her fist, a determined glint shining in her eyes.
She… wasn't made of clay.
Even if that old Ōnoki tried to interfere, as long as she didn't take a direct hit from his Dust Release, what did she have to fear?
She'd just break that old man's back with one punch!
Sakura didn't dwell further on what would come next. Instead, she made her way to Training Ground Three.
Yesterday, she had just started learning the Heavenly Veil Formation and hadn't had the chance to test combining it with her Body Flicker Technique before Tsunade interrupted her.
Now was the perfect opportunity to test fusing the two techniques.
There were still two weeks left before the final stage of the Chūnin Exam.
Plenty of time.
If one path didn't work—she'd smash her way through it with her fists.
---
At that same moment, the meeting between Rasa and Sarutobi had nearly wrapped up.
Just as Sakura predicted, Rasa hadn't expected to reach a deal in one go.
Under Sarutobi's courteous deferrals, Rasa could only plan to revisit the discussion in a few days to renegotiate the grain supplies.
Even if Sarutobi agreed to a deal, Rasa wouldn't be grateful.
The Sand Village's situation was drastically different from that of Konoha, Kumogakure, or Iwagakure.
After a decade of peace, the Wind Daimyō had finally increased military spending, giving Rasa a rare window of opportunity.
He had to take a bite out of the Land of Fire while he could.
Otherwise, it wouldn't be long before the Sand Village was once again strapped for resources, their military budget slashed without mercy...
---
(End of Chapter)