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My Journey as Fourth Kazekage 151
🕑 Added 2025-04-18 16:00:10 +0000 UTCChapter 151: A Two-Pronged Arrangement
A cool breeze swept past a domed building near the Sand Clan’s territory.
Honoka stood with the three who had just returned from the Land of Demons, Daikoku, Ishiyuu, and Koishi, watching the battle ahead with surprise.
This was one of Rasa’s contingency plans.
Knowing that Iwagakure and Kumogakure’s arrival was anything but innocent, how could Rasa not prepare for both possibilities?
On the surface, Baki led the Anbu in monitoring the Iwagakure and Kumogakure shinobi. Secretly, however, Honoka was in charge, leading a covert operations unit.
Though the number of operatives in the shadows was small, Honoka’s sensory abilities surpassed all of Sunagakure’s Anbu.
At Honoka’s question, Daikoku answered,
"That boy is Kunmi, the child of Michikawa-sama. The girl who broke free of the Kumogakure shinobi’s genjutsu is Sara, the daughter of Seramu-sama. The other girl is just an ordinary civilian child named Kanna. All three are in the same class this year."
Honoka’s eyes lit up and her doubts now cleared.
So, she was the child of that woman called Seramu? No wonder Honoka sensed senjutsu chakra within her. She remembered clearly what Rasa had said, the senjutsu energy of Dragon Oasis originated from the ruins of Roran, where Seramu once lived.
Like the Priestess of the Land of Demons, the Queen of Roran was born with the ability to wield the power of the Dragon Vein.
Now, that power was senjutsu energy!
That boy, Kunmi, wasn’t bad either. For a child, he could barely hold his own against a Kumogakure jōnin. Though barely was the key word.
"Go assist them. And inform the Sand Clan, letting Kumogakure shinobi set up an ambush near their territory? Their vigilance is far too lacking."
The three exchanged glances but moved without hesitation.
Kunmi and Sara’s status was anything but ordinary, they could not afford to lose them! Below, Kunmi, manipulating iron sand in his fight against the Kumogakure jōnin, sighed in relief when he saw the Anbu arrive.
Immediately, he shielded Sara and Kanna, retreating and leaving the battle to the Anbu.
"So soon?!"
"No choice… For the village!"
The Kumogakure shinobi grimaced at the sight of Sunagakure’s Anbu, but they had already prepared to sacrifice themselves. Such was the fate of a shinobi.
---
Sunagakure – Kumogakure Shinobi’s Lodgings
Tsuchi sat silently in the building.
Time passed slowly. At last, a knock came at the door.
"Enter."
A shinobi wearing a Kumogakure forehead protector stepped in, kneeling with a somber expression.
Seeing this, Tsuchi already understood. He sighed.
"Failed?"
"Yes. Sunagakure also has sensory-type shinobi… and theirs were more skilled than me. Higarashi and the others were exposed as soon as they moved."
Though Tsuchi had expected the plan wouldn’t go smoothly, such an immediate setback still disappointed him.
"So, no useful intelligence was gained?"
"Hai!"
"I see."
Tsuchi directly took out a scroll and used the Summoning Technique to summon a lizard. After handing the scroll to the lizard, he spoke to the kneeling shinobi.
"Since the first plan failed, we have no choice but to proceed with the second step. You will carry it out personally."
"Hai!"
Watching the shinobi leave, a cold glint flashed in Tsuchi's eyes.
---
On the Desert Outskirts of Sunagakure
Under the cover of night, Iwagakure shinobi, led by their commander, stealthily climbed the cliffs relying on gathered intelligence and finally caught sight of the oasis.
This discovery filled them with excitement.
"Excellent!"
"If we follow this oasis, we’re bound to uncover the source of Sunagakure’s 'Green Miracle.'"
However, the shinobi leading the mission remained stern-faced despite their enthusiasm.
"Everyone, proceed with caution. Even if it costs us our lives, we must investigate thoroughly and relay this information back to the village!"
"Hai!"
Not a single complaint was voiced. Such was the fate of a shinobi, to sacrifice everything for the sake of their village.
The team of four immediately advanced along the forest's edge, heading deeper into the desert.
As their figures vanished into the distance, two white figures emerged from the sand.
"Ara ara~ So the Iwagakure shinobi have finally set out? Are the spores prepared?"
"Rest assured, this is a matter arranged by Madara-sama himself."
"Good, good. Though it’s a shame… If not for Madara-sama’s current weakened state, we could’ve handled this ourselves."
"Enough foolish talk. Don’t forget, there’s someone among them who can sense us. If your carelessness exposes Madara-sama’s existence, he will truly kill you."
"Scary… So scary!"
---
Not long after, at Dragon Oasis
Hana, who had been meditating there, suddenly opened her eyes as if sensing something. She turned to Chiyo-baa, who was studying a set of puppets under lamplight.
"Chiyo-baa, I sense four powerful chakra signatures rapidly approaching this location!"
Chiyo’s expression turned icy.
"So they’ve finally arrived? Since they’ve come, let’s ensure they never leave. A perfect opportunity to test my newest puppets."
Glancing at the wall, nine massive puppets hung in display. Their shapes bore a striking resemblance to the legendary tailed beasts, albeit smaller in size and cruder in craftsmanship.
These were Chiyo’s latest creations, developed under Rasa’s orders by combining the puppet techniques of Roran with senjutsu energy.
Thus, beneath the seemingly peaceful and lively surface of Sunagakure, the clash of the three great shinobi villages had only just begun.
---
Two hours passed swiftly.
After the banquet concluded, Rasa invited the Priestess of the Land of Demons to his home as a guest.
Michikawa and Seramu did not accompany them since having already heard about the incident during the banquet, they rushed home to check on their families. Meanwhile, Pakura returned to Dragon Oasis to fight with the upcoming threats.
In Rasa’s modest household, Miroku, now dressed in casual attire, met his wife, Karura, along with Honoka and his brother-in-law, Yashamaru.
Since this was a private gathering, the atmosphere was far more relaxed than the formal banquet. With Honoka, a familiar face, present, Miroku quickly warmed up to Karura, and the three women chatted happily.
Rasa and Yashamaru stayed briefly before excusing themselves to the balcony outside, leaving the women to their conversation.
As Rasa’s brother-in-law, Yashamaru still felt somewhat nervous around the Kazekage. Fortunately, Rasa took the initiative to ease the tension with casual conversation, allowing Yashamaru to relax.
About ten minutes later, Baki suddenly appeared.
His expression was grim, prompting Rasa to frown and ask,
"What’s happened?"
Baki knelt, cold sweat dripping from his forehead.
"Kazekage-sama, I beg for your punishment..."
