Kazekage Ninja: The Rise of the Hidden Sand

"What!? The Third Raikage is visiting Sunagakure for a diplomatic mission? Why is he coming here? How did Jinghang end up in the Land of Earth? How did they get tangled up together?"

In the hotel at Sunagakure, Danzo, listening to the report from the Konoha Anbu, felt his mind was in a mess, asking three disjointed questions. The masked Anbu member hesitated for a moment before daring to reply.

"Sir, based on the intelligence we've gathered, the advisory team has conducted an analysis. Here is the debrief report."

With that, he handed over a sealed envelope.

Danzo took the envelope, glanced at the wax seal and the closure, but didn't hurry to open it.

"Debrief? So, you're saying the events have already unfolded, and you're still making guesses? Is this how you conduct intelligence work? Since when did ninjas rely on imagination and speculation for intelligence gathering? What's the point of such a debrief?"

"My apologies, but the counter-espionage efforts of Sunagakure and Kumogakure are indeed formidable. Over the years..."

"And you still have the nerve to mention these years to me? Haven't I allocated enough funds to you over these years? And this is what I get in return—this laughable debrief intelligence? Do you take me for a school teacher grading homework?!"

Danzo was about to throw the report at the Anbu's face but reconsidered, reluctantly opening the seal and scanning through it quickly.

"Hmm!"

Gradually, Danzo's gaze became serious. The debrief report was not the fanciful, perfunctory work he had imagined. Instead, it provided a clear analysis of the recent movements and intentions of the Kazekage and Raikage, with numerous supporting evidence.

Firstly, it deduced from the movements of Sunagakure's standing army that there was an intent to rescue the Third Raikage. Based on Iwagakure's retreat, it could be confirmed that Sunagakure's military objective was achieved, and the Third Raikage was rescued. Furthermore, it was likely that Kazekage Jinghang personally participated in this operation. Afterward, there was a gap in intelligence for several days, suggesting that the Kazekage and Raikage might be negotiating some agreement. Soon after, news of the Third Raikage visiting Sunagakure emerged, indicating that an agreement had been reached, and the visit was merely a public declaration of this alliance between Suna and Kumo.

The report even proposed several suggestions and strategies: Given the current alliance between Suna and Kumo, Konoha should proactively reach out to Iwagakure and Kirigakure to create a counterbalance. Additionally, preparations for a two-front war should be made, stockpiling provisions, ninja tools, and medicines, and mobilizing ninjas to be ready for war at any time. It specifically highlighted the decisive role of chakra weakening and amplification drugs in future conflicts. Without these, Konoha would be at a significant disadvantage.

The entire report was well-written, logically coherent, with each assumption supported by ample evidence, and each deduction clearly reasoned, drawing nods of approval from Danzo.

"This report is quite well done, it has some value. Who wrote it?"

"A newly appointed strategist from the advisory department named Shikaku Nara."

"Oh? From the Nara clan, no wonder..."

Danzo closed the report, lost in thought.

"When is the Kazekage expected to return?"

"By noon tomorrow."

"Send a message to Sunagakure's foreign affairs department requesting a meeting in the evening!"

"Yes, sir! But isn't that a bit too hasty?"

"What do you know! Just do as I say."

Danzo was somewhat enraged.

The alliance between Sunagakure and Kumogakure was already difficult to reverse, and the rebellion in Kumogakure was orchestrated by Konoha's Orochimaru. Thus, in a way, Konoha had become an enemy of both Kumo and Suna, though this fact had yet to be unveiled. Once it was, forget about trading drugs; they'd be grateful if they weren't attacked.

"Let him wait. Can't he see I've just returned? Doesn't he have any sense?"

Jinghang picked up a hot towel and wiped his face.

"He's a senior official from Konoha, after all. I've been stalling him for days. If I keep this up, it won't end well."

Rasa said with some hesitation.

"Rasa."

Jinghang looked at Rasa coldly.

"Yes!"

Rasa responded mechanically.

"Stand at attention!"

Rasa immediately stood at attention.

"Who am I?"

Jinghang asked.

"You are the Third Kazekage of Sunagakure!"

Rasa replied.

"And who is he?"

"He is the head of Konoha's Anbu, Shimura Danzo."

"Do I need to account to him?!"

"No!"

Rasa maintained his stance, though it was slightly punitive. However, his eyes gleamed with excitement, indicating that his leader was finally about to counter Konoha's "hegemony."

"Repeat it!"

Jinghang's tone grew heavier.

Rasa stood even straighter and shouted,

"You are the Third Kazekage of Sunagakure. You don't need to give Konoha any damn account."

"That's right, at ease."

A smile appeared on Jinghang's lips. He patted Rasa on the shoulder and said,

"Rasa, in the past, I always felt inferior before Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzo because our village was weak, with little resources. Winning ten times was useless, losing once could mean the end. So we had to keep a low profile and develop slowly. But after years of hard work, we now have troops, food, money, and medicine. Why should I still feel inferior to him? Why should I rush to meet him just because a minister demands it? Besides, he's the one who needs something from me! He really doesn't know the difference between a king and a pawn."

Rasa nodded happily.

In the era of cold weapons, how many years does it take to develop from weak to strong? Generally speaking, about 12 years. This isn't nonsense but a statistical conclusion based on population, economy, military, and other aspects. Of course, the most important thing is that the leader must have a heart for progress.

How many years did it take for Gou Jian to return to Yue after tasting Fu Chai's feces and to destroy Wu? 12 years.

How many years did it take for Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, to pay protection fees and drink peace wine at the Weishui Bridge when the Eastern Turks invaded Chang'an, until the Tota Heavenly King Li Jing directly destroyed the Eastern Turks? Also 12 years.

Since the Second Kazekage Shamon was killed in the Land of Rain and Konoha's forces threatened Sunagakure, how many years has it been? 10 years. Not far off.

Now things are different. If Konoha wants to talk, they should talk properly. Don't act like a big boss in front of me. If they overdo it, I'll slap them right in the face.

"What do they want?"

Jinghang asked.

"Weakening agents."

Rasa replied.

"They do know how to pick. What are they offering in exchange?"

"The Flying Thunder God Technique."

"Oh, hmm?!"

Jinghang suddenly stood up.

"If it's that technique, it's not out of the question."

Jinghang said.

"Isn't that technique incomplete?"

Rasa asked.

"It's incomplete, but we can complete it."

Jinghang smiled.

"Then, what about Danzo..."

Rasa asked.

"Haha, the more it is like this, the more we should keep him waiting, to give him the impression that we're not interested in his stuff. Let him wait!"

Jinghang said with a smile.

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