My Journey as Fourth Kazekage

Minato observed the situation unfold before him and immediately understood the severity of the conflict.

He scanned the battlefield, his frown deepening as he took in the chaos. Though the clash between the two villages had only just begun, Konoha's forces had already sustained significant casualties. While the chunin and jonin were managing to hold their ground against Suna's relentless assault, the genin were falling like helpless prey, unable to defend themselves.

Shibi Aburame and his team were also in a dire situation. Shibi's insects and Tsume Inuzuka's ninja hounds were being thoroughly countered by Pakura's Scorch Release, preventing them from closing the distance. Every time they attempted to approach, the intense heat from Pakura's fireballs instantly evaporated the moisture in their bodies, leaving them charred husks, lifeless before they could even react.

Meanwhile, Chōza Akimichi and Dōtō struggled to hold their ground against Michikawa's Iron Sand. Their Multi-Size Jutsu was barely enough to keep them alive, with every attack from the Iron Sand threatening to overwhelm them. Despite their efforts, they were hanging on by a thread, each moment more perilous than the last.

As for why they hadn't switched opponents—well, that wasn't their decision to make. Pakura and Michikawa, armed with detailed intelligence from Rasa, had carefully positioned themselves to ensure that none of Konoha's forces gained any advantage. While Pakura's Scorch Release remained effective against close-combat fighters like the Akimichi clan, Michikawa's major vulnerability lay in the Aburame clan's insects. These insects had the ability to absorb chakra from Iron Sand, rendering Michikawa's control over it unstable and potentially disastrous.

Standing at the base of Rasa's golden pyramid, Minato's expression was steely and resolute.

"Kazekage of Sunagakure, what exactly is your goal?"

Rasa looked down from his elevated position and responded without hesitation.

"My goal is simple. Hand over the one responsible for the death of our Third Kazekage, Danzo Shimura, and provide compensation for Sunagakure's losses. If you comply, we will withdraw immediately. If not, we will wage an all-out war on Konoha until one of our villages is utterly destroyed."

The force of Rasa's words struck Minato like a blow, his mind racing as the gravity of the situation became clear.

At this moment, Minato realized he had no choice. Despite being evenly matched with Rasa, Konoha's forces were already pushing their limits. More critically, Gamaken was still trapped. Should anything happen to him, Minato would have no way to explain it to Mount Myoboku or Jiraiya-sensei.

"I understand. Let's agree to a temporary ceasefire. Give me seven days. I will report everything that has happened here to the village, and the Hokage will decide how to proceed," Minato proposed, his voice steady.

Rasa's cold gaze remained fixed on him as he smirked.

"Three days. You have three days. If I do not receive an answer by then, we will officially declare war on Konoha."

Minato's heart sank at the harsh ultimatum. Three days would not be enough.

"Five days. Please give me five days. Three days is too short. We need more time to investigate the situation thoroughly. As the Kazekage, you must understand that Danzo is a senior elder of Konoha."

Minato insisted, hoping to buy more time but it only caused Rasa's eyes narrowed fiercely.

"Four days. That is my final offer. If I do not have an answer by dawn on the fourth day, we will resume our attack."

Minato sighed inwardly, knowing that the next few days would be crucial.

"Understood. Then both sides will halt hostilities for now."

Rasa snorted in contempt. With a dismissive wave of his hand, he signaled for his troops to withdraw, their movements precise and disciplined as they began to retreat from the battlefield.

The Sunagakure shinobi, who had been locked in intense combat with Konoha's forces, heard the order to retreat. Though reluctant to leave the battlefield, they obeyed without hesitation. The previous night, Suna's high-ranking jonin had already briefed them on their true objective—survival.

With the enemy withdrawing, Konoha's shinobi finally allowed themselves a brief moment of respite. However, as they surveyed the battlefield and the countless fallen comrades, especially the young genin, they could only clench their fists, silently mourning their losses and seething with anger.

At that moment, Rasa's voice rang out across the battlefield.

"Remember your promise, Konoha ninja. You have four days. If you do not hand over the murderer of the Third Kazekage—Danzo Shimura—this war will not end so easily. For now, we withdraw."

These words stirred a mixture of resentment in the hearts of Konoha's shinobi. While they loathed Suna's forces for their aggression, a growing bitterness toward Danzo Shimura began to take root as well.

As the Sunagakure forces retreated, Minato returned to his comrades.

"What do we do now?" Akimichi Chōza asked, sweat dripping from his brow and his breath heavy with exertion.

Minato cast one last glance at the withdrawing forces before turning to Tsume Inuzuka.

"Tsume, I need you to return to the village immediately and report everything that has happened here to the Hokage."

This situation was too delicate, too tied to Danzo, to simply relay intelligence through ordinary channels. A high-ranking, trusted shinobi needed to deliver the message personally.

---

Meanwhile, on the Sunagakure side.

As Rasa led his troops away, he signaled for Yura, one of his ANBU, to approach.

"Your unit must immediately spread today's events to Kumogakure, Iwagakure, Kirigakure, and Konohagakure—particularly to the Uchiha clan in Konoha."

"Understood, Lord Kazekage."

Without delay, Yura and several other ANBU members split from the main force, vanishing into the distance with swift precision.

Back at the Sunagakure encampment, most of the troops had gone to rest, but Michikawa stepped forward, approaching Rasa.

"I have some questions for you."

Seeing Michikawa's expression, Pakura instinctively followed suit and stepped forward as well.

"Let's talk inside the tent," Rasa said, motioning for them to follow.

Once inside, the three settled down, the weight of the moment pressing on them. Before Michikawa could speak, Rasa raised a hand to silence him.

"I know what you want to ask," Rasa said, his tone measured. "But for now, the only truth that exists is that the Third Kazekage was killed by Konoha's Danzo. That is the most advantageous answer for Sunagakure."

Michikawa's eyes narrowed as he processed Rasa's words. He understood immediately what Rasa was implying. Despite the countless questions swirling in his mind, he realized that Rasa had no intention of elaborating further. With a reluctant nod, Michikawa fell silent, unwilling to press the issue any longer.

Pakura stared at Rasa, a flicker of realization crossing her features. She hesitated for a moment, surprised by what she had just comprehended. Instead of pressing him with her questions, she chose to redirect the conversation.

"Isn't four days too much time for Konoha? If they use this period to prepare, we could find ourselves in a difficult position."

Rasa remained calm, unfazed by her concerns. "Don't worry. I've already sent ANBU to spread the information to the other villages. Kumo and Iwa won't remain passive."

Hearing Rasa's confidence, Pakura relaxed slightly. She hadn't known that he had already accounted for the potential threat from the other villages.

For some reason, as she reflected on the recent events, she found herself growing increasingly impressed by Rasa's leadership as Kazekage. His ability to think ahead and manage the situation with such precision made her reconsider her earlier doubts.

At that moment, Rasa spoke again, his voice carrying a weight of authority.

"For the next four days, Konoha likely won't make any moves. This area will remain stable, so I plan to return to the village in secret. I'll leave the operations here in your hands for now."

Both Pakura and Michikawa were startled by this announcement. However, neither of them questioned Rasa's decision. It wasn't their place to ask, not when the Kazekage had made his choice.

Regardless of their personal opinions about Rasa's decisions, the fact remained that he was the Kazekage, and that position carried with it undeniable authority.

In the short term, a direct conflict with Konoha seemed unlikely. Even if one did erupt, Suna's military strength was more than sufficient to handle it.

But the true reason behind Rasa's departure was something else.

He had realized something crucial during this battle. Despite his formidable abilities, he had only managed to fight Minato Namikaze to a standstill—not securing a definitive victory. If Konoha sent another shinobi of Minato's caliber, Rasa knew he wouldn't be able to handle it.

To ensure Suna's dominance and secure his place as the strongest leader, Rasa needed to grow even stronger before the next conflict.

And he had already set his sights on the perfect source of power: the meteorite of Hoshigakure—the Star.

This mysterious, powerful object would grant him the pure, concentrated chakra he required to elevate his abilities to an entirely new level. His next target was clear, and he would stop at nothing to obtain it.