Konoha Year 42, late autumn, nearing the year's end.
If one set aside the harsh realities, the autumn in the Land of Wind was, from a scenic perspective, quite beautiful.
The setting sun bathed the desert in a golden glow, transforming the pale sands into a shimmering expanse that stirred Rasa's heart, tempting him to embark on another gold-mining spree.
But…
Sand was still just sand, wasn't it?
Summer had passed, and the desert's daytime heat was no longer as oppressive. However, from dusk onward, the temperature plummeted sharply.
Autumn nights were far colder than summer ones.
The Sand shinobi still bundled up tightly.
The war had dragged on for nearly a year. Though Kusagakure and Iwagakure hadn't launched a full-scale assault, their occasional skirmishes had left Sunagakure with fewer familiar faces.
As shinobi…
They were prepared for sacrifice from the start.
Yet, under the bleak autumn sky, Rasa couldn't help but feel a pang of melancholy, a tightness in his chest. Even the crisp, refreshing autumn breeze—unlike summer's stifling air—couldn't soothe the heavy hearts of the shinobi.
Still… their ninja training compelled them to stand firm.
Everyone knew this stalemate favored Sunagakure, fighting on home soil. But constantly enduring attacks and eating sand left them restless.
Today, Rasa didn't head out at dawn to mine gold as usual, nor did he ask Kanna to prepare bathwater.
He…
Was weary too.
Especially after the recent skirmish, where Momu took a hit and was now wrapped in bandages, resting.
No one knew… if they'd see their comrades tomorrow.
Amid this rare calm, so different from the battlefield's chaos, Rasa's heart swelled with emotion. He murmured, "When will this end?"
As time passed, the ninja world's tension grew. More villages were joining the fray, yet Konohagakure—the self-proclaimed beacon of peace—remained on the sidelines, watching from its perch as the strongest ninja village.
Kusagakure seemed to be considering retreat, but Iwagakure… their attacks had grown fiercer lately.
Rasa knew… the true Great Shinobi War was coming!
And Sunagakure—without the Third Kazekage, with the daimyō withholding funds and ninja numbers dwindling—could he really turn the tide, as he had in that flashy display at Kumogakure's battlefield? Could he bring peace to Sunagakure?
No matter how he looked at it, this war wouldn't be that simple.
"Rasa-sama, feeling restless lately?"
A gentle voice broke his thoughts. Rasa glanced at Kanna, sitting quietly beside him, and paused before shaking his head. "Who wouldn't be, with a war like this?"
Besides… he'd been in this world less than a year.
Kanna said nothing, just smiled softly, gazing at the sky. Rasa fell silent too.
His frustrations paled compared to hers—fleeing the destruction of the Land of Whirlpools, wandering the ninja world, used as a "healing pack" by Kusagakure.
Noticing the bite marks on her arms had faded, likely thanks to the OK bandages, Rasa felt a small relief.
In the end, he'd given her all six packs of OK bandages. After treating her that day, not much was left, but… erasing some of her past scars was worth it.
As for Momu… those bandages would've helped him recover faster.
Kanna had been a lifeline lately. Though Rasa promised not to use her as a healing pack unless she consented, she threw herself into logistics, using her incomplete, self-taught medical ninjutsu to treat the Sand shinobi. With so many wounded, her skills had soared—now she just needed a proper mentor.
Of course…
The ninja world's greatest medic, Tsunade, was out of reach. Even if Kanna joined Konoha, Tsunade would likely leave soon.
And Sunagakure wouldn't let an Uzumaki of unclear origins study under their top medic.
Unless Tsunade herself took her on.
But Tsunade probably wasn't in the mood.
So… it fell to Advisor Chiyo. She might specialize in poison and puppets, but her medical ninjutsu was formidable in the ninja world.
"I'll find you a teacher," Rasa said, a slight smile tugging at his lips as he looked at Kanna. "You can properly study medical ninjutsu."
Advisor Chiyo, now elderly, served as Sunagakure's advisor and medical chief. But in recent years, she'd stepped back from non-critical duties, especially after Sasori's disappearance, which left her disheartened and eager to retire.
Rasa knew… she and Ebizō had built a cozy cabin by the lake supplying Sunagakure, likely planning to spend their days fishing and relaxing once the village stabilized.
"Otherwise, letting people bite you isn't a solution."
He glanced at Kanna suspiciously. "You haven't been reckless lately, right?"
"No, I've followed your advice," Kanna said gently, shaking her head with a faint smile. "I haven't told anyone about my ability."
"Good!"
That kind of ability couldn't be revealed. Rumors were fine—people wouldn't take them seriously.
But once someone tested it, as an outsider, Kanna would be reduced to a tool. And Rasa, for hiding it, might face resentment from shinobi or families who'd lost loved ones.
It wasn't a miracle cure, but… what if it worked?
One bite, and my son, father, grandfather, brother could live! Why not try?
If the whole village had the same ability, it might be fine. But one person? That power could become a Pandora's box of disaster—unless they treated her as a healing pack outright.
With a serious, firm tone, Rasa said, "Remember, don't let anyone know about your ability."
"I understand," Kanna replied, her eyes crinkling with a warm smile. "Thank you, Rasa-sama."
"No need. If not for you, I'd have been in trouble too."
At the very least… he'd have had to sell out a teammate to escape.
"Actually…" Kanna hesitated, glancing at the yawning Rasa, and said softly, "My ability could help Sunagakure…"
"Stop!"
Rasa cut her off, knowing what she was about to say.
You're going to get me in trouble!
Rolling his eyes, he said sharply, "Your ability can't sway this war!"
Not this war, engulfing the entire ninja world!
"So, listen, study under a master, and learn medical ninjutsu properly."
Contribute to Sunagakure's struggling medical field!
Just then…
"Rasa-sama, here…" Momu, bandaged and limping with a crutch, approached respectfully, handing Rasa a bundle. "These are from the fallen Kusagakure and Iwagakure shinobi. I know you're short on funds, so…"
(End of Chapter)