The war dragged on.
Lately, due to various factors, including the oppressive heat, the frequency of battles had gradually decreased.
However, every few days, Kusagakure and Iwagakure sent ninja forces to attack their defensive lines, forcing the Sand shinobi to wearily respond.
Every ninja knew…
Kusagakure and Iwagakure were biding their time, waiting for an opportunity to shift the war's tide!
Otherwise, if this stalemate persisted, they'd have no choice but to retreat in disgrace.
Large-scale troop movements, combined with the Land of Wind's harsh environment, were immensely draining for all ninja villages.
Rasa understood this clearly. It was only summer, Konoha Year 42. The Third Great Shinobi War wouldn't end so easily—especially now…
Most major ninja villages had yet to fully engage!
When the majority of the ninja world joined the fray, the true war would begin.
For now…
This was barely the prelude.
"When will this end?" Rasa sighed, watching the retreating Kusagakure and Iwagakure forces.
While the stalemate favored the weakened Sunagakure, constantly mobilizing in this heat was exhausting.
Of course, he was merely venting. A full-scale war would be disastrous for the cash-strapped, diminished Sunagakure.
So, maintaining this deadlock wasn't bad.
After repelling the enemy once more, Rasa returned to the camp amid the Sand shinobi's cheers.
This war had undeniably elevated his prestige. By now, tales of his daring raid on Kusagakure's camp, slaughtering Iwagakure and Kusagakure ninja, and his "seven-in, seven-out" heroics had likely reached the village.
Barring surprises, Rasa knew the Fourth Kazekage title was his.
"Is it over?" Kanna asked, seeing the returning Sand shinobi and Rasa at the forefront. She sighed in relief, smiling gently. "It's great that everyone's safe."
"Don't worry, it'll stay a stalemate for now," Rasa said casually, waving a hand. "With me here, unless the Tsuchikage himself shows up, we're fine."
The Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki of Both Scales—that old fox wouldn't move unless other Kage did.
But Sunagakure…
The Third Kazekage died too soon!
Rasa suddenly recalled his flashy display at Kusagakure's camp months ago. [Oh no… am I being targeted?!]
Yet, as the future Fourth Kazekage, reliant on his shinobi's funds for gacha pulls, how could Rasa show fear? With a confident smile, he waved again, meeting their admiring gazes. "Rest assured, I'll protect Sunagakure!"
"Rasa-sama!" The Sand shinobi erupted in cheers.
Kanna, seeing his confidence, felt an inexplicable calm. Smiling, she said, "Rasa-sama, the bathwater's ready."
"Huh? Kanna-sama, what about mine?" a Sand shinobi behind Rasa called out. "I'm drenched in sweat and want a bath too!"
"Me too! I've been working hard!"
"I'm not greedy—just some water to cool off!"
"And me! Me too!"
"Quiet, all of you!" Momu, Rasa's loyal follower, shouted. "Don't you know how hard Kanna-sama works to provide us water? How can you tire her out just to wash?"
Ignoring the dejected and remorseful shinobi, Momu sidled up to Rasa, grinning. "Rasa-sama, how about I join you? My back-scrubbing skills are top-notch!"
"…" Rasa rolled his eyes at Momu's flexing muscles. "Get lost!"
*I've never bathed with another guy!*
Kanna, meanwhile, watched with a soft smile, lips pursed.
[Maybe… I can truly belong in Sunagakure.]
---
Elsewhere, in Sunagakure, Chiyo and Ebizō, weary-faced, suddenly broke into delighted expressions upon receiving a dedicated Sand shinobi's report, baffling those around them.
"Excellent!" Chiyo slammed the table, laughing heartily. "As expected of the Third Kazekage's disciple. Rasa hasn't tarnished his mentor's legacy!"
"Rasa-sama?" The attending jōnin exchanged glances, then looked at Chiyo, who smiled, her wrinkled face beaming as she held the freshly delivered letter.
"Didn't he… die?" one ventured.
"I misjudged," Ebizō said, smiling and shaking his head with admiration. "Rasa's strength has grown formidable."
Facing the shocked shinobi, he continued, "Some time ago, Rasa single-handedly infiltrated Kusagakure's camp, dealing massive blows to them and Iwagakure. Kusagakure still hasn't recovered. That minor village…" His lips curled into a cold smirk. "It's finished."
Raising his head to the now-excited shinobi, he added, "That's not all. The Iwagakure ninja sent to hunt Rasa? He admitted to eliminating them. This will hurt Iwagakure deeply. His repeated repelling of Kusagakure and Iwagakure has forced them to cower in their camps. The situation there is under control."
Of course…
This was a bit exaggerated. Kusagakure's losses were severe—meddling beyond their means was their fault. If Sunagakure weren't crippled, without a Kazekage and short-handed, they'd have crushed them, showing what a great ninja village could do.
Even as Konoha's ally, Kusagakure should know their place.
Iwagakure's loss of a dozen jōnin stung, but it wasn't crippling.
Chiyo's embellishment was to boost morale. After days of passive defense and mounting casualties, the shinobi were disheartened. Now, a [great victory]!
A [great victory] for Sunagakure!
Why not proclaim it?
"Spread the word: we rest today. Have logistics prepare—bring out the sake and food. Let's celebrate Rasa's triumph!"
Yet…
As Ebizō stroked his beard, smiling and issuing orders, the shinobi didn't leap with excitement as expected.
[What's wrong? Aren't they thrilled by our victory?]
Before he could reprimand them…
"Advisor Ebizō, logistics… we've run out of supplies," a shinobi said with a bitter smile, shaking his head.
Most Sand shinobi were surviving on soldier pills, and water was being hauled from distant sources.
(End of Chapter)