Team 5 remained in the Hidden Sand Village for two days.
The Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, finally returned from the Northern Fortress. He didn't summon Team 5 right away—instead, he quietly listened to Ebizo's detailed report on the negotiations.
"These are the conditions," Ebizo concluded. "Konoha's bottom line is quite firm."
Rasa sat upright in the Kazekage's chair, his fingertips rhythmically tapping the cold armrest—soft, deliberate thuds that echoed in the still room.
"Can't we push for more?" Rasa asked. "If we demanded even a small piece of land from Konoha right now, do you think they'd agree?"
Ebizo met his gaze but didn't answer directly. Instead, he replied with a seemingly unrelated statement:
"Kazekage-sama… the current Raikage is not like his father."
Rasa's fingers froze mid-tap.
That Third Raikage—reckless, impulsive. He had once launched attacks across the continent, even marching against Sunagakure after failing to breach Iwagakure.
And for what? Because the Third Kazekage disappeared? Neither Iwagakure nor Konoha had said a word about it—yet the Raikage, halfway across the world, had leapt into action like a man possessed.
Even if he won, what would he gain? The Land of Wind as an isolated outpost of the Land of Lightning? Ridiculous.
If he'd wanted to attack Konoha, he could have just said so—Sunagakure would've joined in.
That man was pure impulse wrapped in muscle. If one of his envoys were killed by Konoha, he'd charge straight into war without a second thought.
But the current Fourth Raikage was different. Hot-headed, yes—but not blind. He knew how to weigh risk and reward.
Rasa understood the subtext.
The Akai incident had dragged on for days, yet Kumogakure hadn't moved an inch. That silence already revealed their stance.
If Sunagakure tried to demand land from Konoha now, the chances of success were slim. Worse, Konoha might compromise with Kumogakure first—then turn around and make peace with Iwagakure.
And Iwagakure, unlike distant Kumogakure, was their neighbor—always breathing down Sunagakure's neck, forever clashing over territory and resources in the western nations.
Still… this kind of opportunity was rare. Rasa couldn't help but feel a twinge of regret. Opportunities to fleece an ally didn't come often.
"Ōnoki can't be trusted," Ebizo said heavily, catching the flicker of temptation in Rasa's eyes. "I don't know how he pulled this operation off, but rest assured—it wasn't for Sunagakure's sake."
"Do you think he'd ever let us gain such an advantage after all that planning? Impossible."
"Kazekage-sama, secure the gains that are real—food, supplies, mission quotas. Those are things that will keep the Village alive. As for land or carving up Konoha… that's too far-fetched for now."
"If real opportunity comes, we can act then. But not before."
Rasa was silent for a long moment before shifting the topic.
"Any word on Kazemaki's whereabouts?"
"Baki confirmed it yesterday, in the Land of Rivers," Ebizo said flatly. "He's dead. Along with the men he took with him. A fool, trying to hijack the Village's will for his own ambitions. He got what was coming to him."
"I see. Dead, then." Rasa's eyes flickered thoughtfully. "Killed by Konoha's shinobi?"
"Most likely."
"Then… can we use that as leverage?" Rasa asked. "We've lost several elite ninja, after all. It's only fair to demand some compensation from Konoha."
Ebizo chuckled dryly. "If you think it'll work, Kazekage-sama, you're welcome to try."
It wasn't pride—just realism. Their men had conspired with Iwagakure against Konoha. And yet, Konoha still wanted Sunagakure as an ally.
Perhaps, with a different envoy, Ebizo would've been willing to play the part and negotiate a little extra.
But not with this envoy.
He could already imagine Roshi's sharp, unflinching counterarguments, and he had no desire to spar with that young man again.
Rasa sensed as much. He didn't press further.
"Very well," he said finally. "I'll meet Konoha's envoys now."
"Kazekage-sama." Roshi bowed slightly. Behind him, Anko and Itachi followed suit.
"Team 5," Rasa greeted. "You've had a long journey. Ebizo has already explained the situation in detail. Rest assured—Sunagakure stands firmly by its alliance with Konoha to face this crisis together."
Anko's lips twitched faintly. She almost couldn't hold back a quip about what "firmly" meant, but Roshi's subtle glance kept her silent.
Itachi, meanwhile, stood quietly, reflecting on what this mission had taught him about the fragile, tangled web between the great villages.
Roshi maintained his polite smile.
"Kazekage-sama, your dedication to the alliance is deeply appreciated," he said smoothly. "May I ask about the situation at the Northern Fortress? If the pressure there is too great, Konoha is prepared to send reinforcements to assist."
Rasa nodded. "The front is stable for now. Elder Chiyo has taken command in my stead. Our defenses hold strong, with no major issues."
He paused deliberately before adding, "Of course, Sunagakure is deeply grateful for Konoha's offer. The Land of Wind is barren, and our needs for supplies are urgent."
'More money, then?' Roshi thought. 'Of course.'
"Regarding provisions and aid," Roshi replied smoothly, "Konoha will do its utmost."
'More money? Not happening.'
He shifted gears to his true purpose. "Konoha is also willing to dispatch elite squads to directly support Sunagakure's defensive line."
Rasa's face didn't change. "Your offer is generous, but unnecessary. Konoha is already stretched thin with Kumogakure pressing on your borders. Use your forces wisely—Sunagakure can still hold."
Support? Rasa nearly smirked inwardly. What a joke.
The northern front was quiet. The Iwagakure envoy's death hadn't even become public yet, and Iwagakure was still sending friendly signals their way. The so-called "battle" up north consisted of a few shuriken exchanges—so few they had to collect them afterward to reuse.
He'd stayed at the front just to keep up appearances, leaving Ebizo to play the bad guy back home.
If Konoha really sent "reinforcements," they'd be more like inspectors than allies—an annoyance that might ignite a real war with Iwagakure.
Rasa didn't want war.
This situation suited him perfectly: take the money, do nothing, and let the storm pass.
Even Kazemaki's death could be spun into justification. Foolish as he was, the man had been a Sunagakure shinobi—dead on foreign soil, at Konoha's hands.
And now Rasa wasn't even demanding reparations.
That alone was already Sunagakure's sacrifice.
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