Naruto: Rebuilding the Hidden Sand Village

"I hate Daddy the most!"

"…"

So it really didn't work?

Kids in this world… grow up way too fast!

Rasa let out a helpless sigh. In the end, he gritted his teeth and reluctantly pulled out a small gold bar he had stashed away as a private treasure. He handed it to Temari as a birthday gift.

Only then did the little girl break into a wide grin, her tears forgotten as she happily clutched the shiny gold bar.

Children in this world… really are too mature…

Ever since Sunagakure's gold-mining operations got on track, the village's financial revenue had been steadily increasing. Naturally, this also meant he could reallocate funds—ahem, save more money on the side.

Really!

All these gold bars came from legal means. Not shady at all!

After all, he was the Fourth Kazekage—Rasa wasn't that kind of person. Even the 80 million ryō he'd "accidentally" misused in his younger days had been quietly paid back.

But now, with more and more money piling up, the flames of his gacha addiction were beginning to burn again.

Once your basic needs are met, it's only natural to want to spend big.

If not for his incredible self-control… he might've already gone down a path of no return.

The birthday celebration was lively and cheerful. Ever since Kabuto and Kana had come to live in Sunagakure, the house had become much more animated—everyone was full of laughter.

As for Kaguya Ōtsutsuki…

She was a goddess. Just sitting there quietly, exuding divine presence, was more than enough. Party hype just wasn't her thing.

So…

Rasa's wife—the fearless mother of the future Fifth Kazekage—along with Kana, probably felt awkward seeing Kaguya so silent and tried to chat with her awkwardly.

Do they not realize she's the future ultimate boss of the entire shinobi world?

Sure, this was just a projection…

But better to treat her like a revered ancestor altar than risk something stupid.

Kabuto's gift was a finely crafted puppet girl—able to sing and dance (but not rap). One point deduction!

Kana had prepared a delicious birthday cake.

As for Karura… a sweet kiss from Mom, and Temari was already giggling with joy.

Who said daughters are their dads' little angels?

His little angel was clearly playing favorites!

Kaguya Ōtsutsuki, on the other hand… living on the moon and only able to come out for a limited time each day, obviously couldn't have prepared a gift. Rasa simply ignored this fact, and both Karura and Kana were aware she was still sealed and unable to appear freely, so no one said anything.

After shouting "Let's eat!" to begin the meal—

Kaguya, ever the cold one, sat silently next to Temari. She didn't touch her food. A while later, she gently patted Temari, whose face was covered in cake and giggles, and turned to look at Rasa, now enjoying the meal.

"Is the One-Tails in Sunagakure?"

"That's right. Why?" Rasa casually smeared some cream on Temari's face, dodging her playful swats, then looked up in confusion at Kaguya's sudden question. "You want it?"

To be honest, One-Tail wasn't of much use to Sunagakure. It was more of a walking natural disaster than a resource.

Seriously, why release a walking nuke for no reason?

Besides, a beast like Shukaku…

Half of Kurama could mop the floor with eight of him!

Rasa still had no idea what the First Kazekage had been thinking when he designated Shukaku as their secret weapon.

What, the Wind Country wasn't inhospitable enough already?

So honestly, returning it wasn't out of the question. It didn't do him much good anyway.

As long as he kept throwing money at the gacha system, Rasa believed he'd eventually pull an SSR. Even if he didn't, he'd just buy his way into chakra supremacy.

"It's currently sealed inside the Black Kettle in the Fūinjutsu Chamber. If you—"

But before he could finish, Kaguya's sudden reaction startled him so much that he dropped his cake.

"Gift. Temari. I want!"

"…"

What is this goddess thinking?

Isn't she supposed to be working on breaking her seal?

Rasa let out a dry laugh. "Come on, everyone eat! Don't listen to her jokes!"

He quickly changed the subject, trying to gloss it over. Karura and Kana both looked stunned.

"She's been a queen too long. Thinks everything belongs to her. Just ignore her—eat, eat, it's getting late."

Just as the words fell—

"I am Chakra—"

Kaguya's brows furrowed slightly as she watched them all dig into the meal cheerfully. Then, she went quiet again, saying no more.

…

A secret mission must, of course, be carried out in secret!

So, Rasa didn't inform anyone else. It was just him and Momu—two manly men.

"Lord Kazekage, I will complete this mission no matter what," Momu declared seriously, patting his chest. "For the future of Sunagakure, I swear on my title as a Jōnin—I'll keep my identity completely hidden."

"The future of Sunagakure… is in your hands."

Rasa clapped him on the shoulder with solemn gravity.

"If this works, we'll never have to worry about water shortages again. This mission… is crucial."

You'd better lay low for a while.

Otherwise, I'm worried that this time next year, Elder Ebizō's test crops might be growing on your grave.

"I guarantee success!"

Momu gave a confident smile. "Lord Kazekage knows my capabilities. You don't have to worry!"

"I'm worried because I know your capabilities. Stop running your damn mouth so much in the future."

And as for your "Will of Sand"… better keep that hidden.

If someone discovers just how thick your Will of Sand is, who knows what might happen?

Rasa sighed and shook his head. "Just stay safe."

"Don't worry, Lord Kazekage. Even before I became a shinobi, I was prepared to sacrifice everything for the development of a uniquely Sunagakure-style village."

"Wow, you've really grown ideological lately."

"Hehe, that's all thanks to your good teaching!"

Momu scratched the back of his head, grinning sheepishly.

But then he sighed.

"I'm fine with it, really. It's just… Daimaru's still so young. And my wife, Pei, will have to take care of the kid all on her own…"

"Don't worry. I'll make sure they're looked after."

Rasa patted him on the shoulder with a firm, serious tone. "You just focus on your mission."

"Thank you, Lord Kazekage. Then… I'll be off."

Without hesitation, Momu turned and walked away, determination on his face, his steps filled with the sturdy resolve of the Will of Sand.

Who knew when he'd return?

But one thing was certain—he would not fail Lord Kazekage's trust.

As his figure disappeared into the distance…

Rasa, who had been watching with a sentimental look, suddenly remembered something. He waved and shouted,

"Oh, right! One more thing—if you run into a guy who's completely black, make sure to get on his good side! That way, maybe you can—"

But Momu had already run off, too far to hear.

Rasa could only sigh, shake his head, and mutter,

"…Hope you survive."

Time to head over to the alchemy plant and mine some more gold…

But just then—

"Lord Kazekage!"

A Suna-nin suddenly ran up, panting and out of breath.

"Advisor Ebizō requests your presence—urgently! He needs you at the back mountain, right away!"