[Shinobi God—Hashirama Senju Chakra Quantity Experience Card (Two-Star): 10 Seconds!]
This was the only two-star item Rasa had pulled after 22 gacha draws, and its description suggested it was quite rare.
Truly a lucky break.
Cursing the [trash gacha pool] inwardly, Rasa surveyed the now-calm desert. The Iwagakure shinobi… were all dealt with.
Worthy of the Shinobi God! The moment that chakra surged through him, Rasa felt an overwhelming power and vitality, trembling uncontrollably and letting out a satisfied [Mmm~].
One word: Exhilarating!
The only downside was the emptiness after those ten seconds faded, leaving him unrecovered, craving a cigarette to sit by a window, basking in the moonlight.
And all that massive gold dust… gone! What a waste! His current chakra couldn't gather nearly as much, thwarting any hopes of a gacha spending spree.
Shaking his head helplessly, Rasa stomped the sand beneath his feet. No reaction. "Should be fine," he sighed in relief.
That terrifying sandstorm likely left no survivors. The Shinobi God's chakra was formidable!
For now…
Rasa frowned at the pitch-black night, pondering. "I'll rest and start again in the morning…"
Continue mining gold!
As for the Sand shinobi… those ungrateful jerks didn't even come looking for him! He'd single-handedly fended off the Iwagakure shinobi. Without his potions and that lucky card, he'd be done for.
"Heartless bunch. I'm so disappointed!" he grumbled. He was, after all, the Third Kazekage's disciple—didn't they care at all?
Better to rely on himself and grind for gacha pulls to get stronger.
For now, Rasa decided it was best to stay out of sight. The Iwagakure shinobi had chased him under Kusagakure's watch. Appearing on the battlefield now would draw Iwagakure's attention.
Sure, as the Third Kazekage's disciple, he could shine and likely claim the Fourth Kazekage's seat.
But…
Sunagakure was a backwater dump. Why become its leader? No money, no people, just endless sandstorms, and he'd have to mine gold to feed the whole village…
Too much hassle! Why not lay low and keep Iwagakure guessing?
He wasn't scared!
Really, as the Third Kazekage's disciple, why fear the Tsuchikage, Raikage, or Hokage? Who's afraid of whom?
---
Late in the 42nd year of Konoha's founding, the war had raged for nearly two months. The northern front against Kumogakure grew fiercer, and with limited ninja, Sunagakure was increasingly on the defensive.
Nearly every able-bodied shinobi had been deployed, even children fresh from the academy, sent off with teary-eyed teachers praising their "ninja potential" and early graduation to "shine for the village."
But everyone knew… these excited kids, sleepless over their new Genin headbands, faced grim odds on the battlefield. Few would survive, and most would serve as cannon fodder, their contributions minimal. Survivors might become skilled ninja under veteran guidance, but most wouldn't make it.
In desperate times, the village had to throw everything it had into the fight.
After repelling another Kumogakure assault, Chiyo sat exhausted in the temporary command post, reading a report from another battlefield. Her eyes widened, and she froze. Slamming the table, she shouted, "Rasa… that kid… sacrificed himself?!"
"What?!" Ebizō, stunned by his sister's words, stared at her in disbelief. "You're saying… Rasa's gone?"
"Yes!" Chiyo nodded, her eyes flashing with anger and resignation. Sighing mournfully, she shook her head. "Two months ago, when Rasa led his team to the battlefield, they were ambushed by Iwagakure and Kusagakure.
To preserve our forces, he… sigh. Rasa appointed Momu as temporary commander and drew all the Iwagakure shinobi away alone. He hasn't been seen since!"
"This… this…" Ebizō fumed, pacing the command post. "Outrageous! Utterly outrageous! A minor village like Kusagakure dares to attack Sunagakure?" Sighing helplessly, he shook his head. "Rasa… he lived up to the Third Kazekage's disciple's name!"
Loyal and righteous, drowning his sorrows after the Third Kazekage's loss, mentally shaken, yet still stepping up to protect his comrades and Sunagakure's strength when other villages invaded.
"If he were alive… he could've been the Fourth Kazekage, guarding Sunagakure!" Ebizō said.
"What's the use of saying that now?" Chiyo crushed the report, frowning in thought.
"This mustn't be widely spread."
The Third Kazekage's loss was already devastating. News of Rasa's demise would be a crippling blow to Sunagakure.
"Understood," Ebizō nodded, scanning the other Jōnin sternly. After they nodded in agreement, he turned back to Chiyo. "How's the other front?"
"Not good," Chiyo said quietly, shaking her head. "Most of our support's been sent here. Facing Kusagakure and Iwagakure's alliance, they're barely holding on. They're requesting reinforcements."
Sunagakure… was falling behind.
---
Meanwhile, a brown-haired youth stood atop a sand dune fortress, gazing ahead with a furrowed brow. "Something's off," he muttered. "Isn't the main battlefield supposed to be against Kumogakure?"
Why did this front feel like it was collapsing?!
(End of Chapter)