Konoha Year 42, Summer.
This spring, the Land of Wind saw a few light rains, easing the Sand shinobi's spirits. But now, summer had arrived…
The Land of Wind's climate turned dry and scorching. The blazing sun overhead soured most Sand shinobi's moods.
To shield against sandstorms and direct sunlight, many ninja wrapped themselves in headscarves, bundling up tightly. They had to guard against sand, wind, and sun while avoiding heatstroke from over-layering.
Life as a Sand shinobi in the desert…
It was just too hard!
Moreover, since sand couldn't retain the sun's heat, daytime temperatures soared to 50–60°C. At night, they plummeted sharply.
So, they had to stay warm after dark.
Lately, unless duty called, ninja gathered together, refusing to venture out. Groups huddled, relying on Wind Release users to fan air in the tents.
Thus, Wind Release shinobi were currently the most popular ninja here.
Of course…
One other figure was exceptionally well-liked.
"Rasa-sama!"
"Good afternoon, Rasa-sama!"
As Rasa entered the ninja rest tent with a stern expression, the cooling shinobi stood, bowing respectfully.
His reputation was truly earned. Annihilating Iwagakure's scouting team, raiding Kusagakure's camp, inflicting heavy losses, and… someone spread a rumor he'd stolen a Kusagakure woman.
What a colossal misunderstanding!
Was he that kind of person?
Absolutely not! What if Karura got the wrong idea?
These rumors didn't dent his prestige or achievements. By now, Advisor Chiyo likely heard of his triumphant return.
Ninja world communication was cumbersome—relying on ninja or summoning beasts. Foot travel couldn't match signal speed, though reverse summoning via spatial techniques was possible, but it demanded specific contractor bonds.
Glancing at Uzumaki Kanna, standing beside him with a gentle smile and serene aura, then at the Sand shinobi chuckling and staring at the tent's ceiling, Rasa shook his head helplessly. "You lot are really bored."
As the only Water Release user here…
Kanna's Water Release outshone her healing skills in popularity. In this sweltering heat, a sip of cool water was pure bliss.
With desertification worsening, the village's sole drinking lake was shrinking, and household water rations dwindled. To drink freely on the battlefield—how could they not be thrilled?
Sure, Rasa had tried the TV trick: using day-night temperature swings and cloth to condense water. But that trickle? Practically a scam!
It didn't compare to Kanna's single ninjutsu.
Shaking his head, Rasa looked at Kanna. "You, too. Water's precious. Store enough daily, but save your chakra for emergencies."
"Understood, Rasa-sama," Kanna nodded gently, her smile unwavering.
Since waking that day, she'd been wary at first. After Kusagakure's inhumane treatment and being coerced by this Sand shinobi, she feared the worst. But gradually… with Rasa's authority and the ninja concealing her unique physiology, these days might be the happiest she'd known in her wandering years.
[How long can this last?]
Kanna glanced at Rasa, her eyes dimming with a hint of fear.
"???"
What's wrong?
Rasa was puzzled by Kanna's sudden melancholy.
Still, he knew she'd gladly help any ninja who asked.
The Uzumaki Clan's chakra was vast, but his heavy draining months ago had left her unrecovered. She needed to be cautious.
Glaring at the grinning Sand shinobi, he scolded, "And you lot—how can you exploit your comrade?"
"Rasa-sama… we just asked Kanna-sama to make some water to wash our faces," a rugged-looking shinobi said, scratching his head sheepishly. "Yesterday, I saw you ask Kanna-sama to wash—" Rasa's glare cut him off. "I saw nothing!"
"What nonsense!" Rasa snapped, glancing at the embarrassed Kanna. "I only asked her for some water."
In the Land of Wind…
Even bathing was a hassle.
But…
"Oh~" The other Sand shinobi nodded knowingly, eyeing Rasa as if thinking, [So, Rasa-sama's wasting water too.] Rasa was at a loss for words.
It's all because he didn't lead by example!
No, wait—he worked tirelessly to mine… protect the village. What was wrong with a little water for a bath?
Was it serious?
Was it shameless?
Not at all!
Every day, returning from gold-mining covered in sand, his body ached.
Rasa coughed awkwardly, noticing the green bead Kanna wore around her neck.
[Healing Orb: Boosts base vitality recovery by 50%]
A recent gacha pull, he'd given it to Kanna, whose vitality was severely depleted. Thanks to it, her complexion had improved lately.
Sternly addressing the smirking shinobi, he said, "You lot need to focus. Though Kusagakure and Iwagakure's assaults have eased, this is still a battlefield. Stay vigilant!"
Since the stalemate began, Kusagakure, battered by losses, hesitated to press forward, while Iwagakure seemed to have other plans. The three-way clashes were less fierce, with fewer casualties.
If no external factors intervened, the war might drag on like this until its end.
This lull…
Gave him time to mine gold and bathe.
"Understood!" The shinobi's faces hardened at Rasa's words. [Indeed, the war's not over!] They nodded gravely.
Inwardly, they marveled.
[With Rasa-sama here, even on the battlefield, we've relaxed without realizing it.]
The Sand shinobi had suffered losses too!
Rasa-sama inspired such trust!
This stemmed from his recent displays of overwhelming strength.
He…
Had earned every Sand shinobi's respect here.
"In that case, Kanna…" Rasa brushed off the sand, looking seriously at the quiet Kanna. "I need your help with something."
"…"
The Sand shinobi, stirred by Rasa-sama's words, stared speechlessly at his righteous demeanor.
[As expected of Rasa-sama!]
Before they could sigh in awe…
"Rasa-sama!" A patrolling shinobi rushed in, saluting. "Kusagakure and Iwagakure have launched another attack!"
(End of Chapter)