Naruto: Reborn as Yagura Karatachi

The internal policies of Sunagakure regarding talent management—Yagura only took a casual jab at it. Whether Rasa would actually change anything was his own business.

But based on what Yagura knew of him, it wasn't likely.

"Lord Kazekage, just a small question."

Seeing that Rasa had started to accept reality, Yagura relaxed a little and asked in a more casual tone,

"How many children do you have now?"

Rasa, nearly thirty years old, replied, "A son and a daughter. And another one on the way."

That third child would be Gaara. Almost born already.

Still, Rasa had put in quite the effort during the Third Great Ninja War.

Three wars in the ninja world—and Rasa fought in all three.

Yagura offered a rare compliment.

"With your bloodline, Lord Kazekage, your children are sure to grow into exceptional shinobi."

The future, renowned trio of Sunagakure siblings.

But apart from those three, no other shinobi from Sunagakure would become widely recognized.

Especially since Temari would later marry into Konoha.

Rasa could tell Yagura meant the praise sincerely, but he had little interest in hearing it.

"Mm. Thanks."

He knew full well that bowing his head to Yagura symbolized something far greater—that Sunagakure would, from this point forward, be seen as a step below the other great villages.

Officially, they were still part of the Five Great Hidden Villages. But that was only because even a sinking ship has a few nails left in it.

No matter how weakened, Sunagakure had once known wealth and strength. The foundation was still there. With two Kage-level shinobi remaining, they were still far beyond the reach of a minor village like Takigakure.

Whether it started when Sunagakure chose to side with Konoha to default on debts, or when Yagura subtly began moving against them in the shadows, things had long been set in motion.

Years ago, Kirigakure had worried Sunagakure would drag them into war. Sunagakure feared a sneak attack from the Mist once war began.

That fear led the two villages to sign a secret Non-Aggression Pact between the Mist and the Sand.

Today, that pact was officially worthless.

The real root of the matter was simple: ever since Sunagakure's defeat and their severely diminished strength, there was no way that treaty—built on equality—could survive.

A dark thought surfaced in Rasa's mind. I wonder how the Hokage and the Tsuchikage will react to this intel.

Sunagakure had effectively been pried away—forced to side with Kirigakure and Kumogakure.

Konoha and Iwagakure now had no other allied villages.

The Third Hokage and Third Tsuchikage—the oldest among the Five Kage—were about to find themselves squeezed out by the three younger Fourth Kage.

Even if Konoha was soon to appoint its own Fourth Hokage, it wouldn't change much.

In fact, the very reason the alliance between Konoha and Iwa would never happen… was because that Fourth Hokage would be Minato Namikaze.

Thinking about how this decision might reshape the future of the ninja world, Rasa forced himself to accept Yagura's conditions.

"Good," Yagura said with a smile, offering his hand. "It's a blessing for the shinobi world to have a Kazekage who understands the greater picture."

"I'm sure Lord Raikage will be pleased to hear this."

Rasa shook his hand, though inwardly he scoffed.

The Fourth Raikage was a famously competitive hothead—far worse than his father, the Third Raikage, at this point.

Officially, the alliance was led by Kumogakure.

But how much of this had been the Mist's doing? Rasa suspected Yagura had made most of these moves himself.

Even if war had been won, and Sunagakure had submitted, Rasa could already imagine how smug that "bad kid" Raikage would be.

The old Mist-Sand pact was now officially null and void.

From this day on, Sunagakure would be the subordinate in this new alliance.

In accordance with an unwritten understanding, Rasa also refrained from participating in the battle to subdue Shukaku.

He watched the distant battlefield where the Tailed Beast raged, thinking about the path Sunagakure should take from here.

Their revenue had dropped drastically. There was no way they could continue supporting such a large number of shinobi.

They'd have to shift to a model like Kirigakure's "Bloody Mist" era—an elite-focused approach to shinobi training.

But puppet masters? Their units were expensive to maintain.

Eventually, Rasa's thoughts landed on the most immediate option—Shukaku.

...If they could obtain more effective sealing techniques and successfully control the power of the Tailed Beast.

In the Third Great Ninja War, Kirigakure, Kumogakure, and Iwagakure had all made use of Jinchuriki in battle. All had proven effective.

Tailed Beasts had value.

...

Under Chiyo's leadership, the Sand shinobi finally managed to suppress Shukaku's rampage.

When the One-Tail was sealed back into his host, Bunpuku, the old man's body—already fragile as a dying flame—gave out completely.

With the death of the Jinchuriki, the Tailed Beast temporarily vanished as well.

Sunagakure now had only a few months to find a qualified replacement.

Fresh off the battlefield, Chiyo didn't even take time to rest. She rushed straight to the Kazekage Tower.

Something had happened there!

She pushed open the door with force. "Lord Kazekage!"

"Elder Chiyo."

Rasa was safe. He nodded and motioned for her to sit across from him.

Finally able to catch her breath, Chiyo sat down. She noticed the two teacups on the table—so Rasa had just been talking with the Mizukage?

And somehow, Shukaku had come up during the conversation?

Chiyo glared. "Where is the Mizukage?!"

"He just left."

Rasa briefly explained what had just transpired—his bloodless battle with Yagura.

He especially made sure to bring up what he'd learned about her grandson, Sasori.

...

After Sasori defected, Sunagakure hadn't actively hunted him during the war. But thanks to Chiyo's efforts behind the scenes, they had been monitoring his whereabouts.

There had long been reports of Sasori showing up in Kirigakure. But with the war raging, Chiyo had been unable to go herself.

Now, with Yagura openly confirming Sasori's location, Chiyo was sharply reminded—she still had a grandson out there.

She cast a healing jutsu over her own wounds, processing everything Rasa had just told her.

Her first concern wasn't Sasori, though.

"Did you get the sealing techniques?"

Compared to a grandson who'd betrayed the village and helped its enemies, Chiyo cared more about Sunagakure's safety.

Rasa nodded solemnly.

Reassured, Chiyo stood. "Then, Lord Kazekage, I'll go see my grandson."

So what if he defected? If he dared to harm Sunagakure's interests, she would set things right.

"Go ahead," Rasa said. "And don't worry. Sunagakure still has me."

Chiyo returned to her home briefly, freshened up from the fierce battle, and gave a quick update to Ebizō.

She packed a few puppet scrolls and traveled light, heading west toward the pass known as Heaven's Crevice.

It was the route Yagura would have to take to return to Kirigakure.

"Chiyo?"

Sensing someone behind him, Yagura turned to find a person he wasn't expecting—and wasn't quite sure how to face.

Chiyo glared. "Hmph. What a rude youngster."

Yagura quickly motioned for Zabuza and Kisame not to draw their weapons.

"She's Sasori's grandmother."

That familiar, gentle way of calling the name—Chiyo, Grandma—the words caught in her throat.

It had been over ten years. The only ones who had ever spoken of Sasori that way were his parents….

"Chiyo... Grandma."

Yagura quickly adjusted his tone, giving her the respect due to an elder.

"Did you learn about Sasori from the Kazekage? I'm sure he'll be happy to see you."

Just a grandmother visiting her grandson. Not a village elder confronting a rogue ninja.

Would Sasori even want to see her?

Hard to say.

But Yagura wanted to take this chance to bring them together.

Chiyo let out a laugh.

"Heheheh... Yes, it's been too long since this old woman saw her grandson. I may have been a bit rude earlier. Forgive me, Lord Mizukage."

"No worries. It's completely understandable. Let's travel together."

Chiyo laughed again, the wrinkles on her face stretching with joy. She accepted his offer without hesitation.

"Very well~ The road from Sunagakure to Kirigakure is long. With the Mizukage's escort, this old woman won't need to worry about danger."

Let us escort you…

Zabuza grunted, but held his tongue out of respect for Yagura.

Yagura simply nodded. "Rest assured."

----------------

Pls Drop some Power Stones

Fanfic is finished on Patreon (265 chapters in total.) 

Patreon(.)com/Jixo (for only $4.50, read this entire fanfic)