Rasa was contemplating the feasibility of dragging Kirigakure into this war.
However, one of the advisers believed the chances were slim.
"Ever since Kirigakure's Mizukage, Mei Terumi, put an end to the terror of the Bloody Mist era, she has been pursuing a policy of peace. If we want them to join this war, we'd have to show them enormous, immediate benefits."
Inside the Kazekage's office, the advisers of Sunagakure launched into another intense debate on how to force Kirigakure into the conflict.
Rasa did not participate. He merely listened, weighing their proposals in silence.
Seeing the advisers growing red-faced, on the verge of arguing outright, Rasa chose the right moment to interrupt.
"Enough. I already have a plan."
The four advisers immediately fell silent.
Rasa began outlining his strategy.
"I will dispatch a ninja to Kirigakure to seek the signing of an alliance treaty with the Mizukage."
One adviser quickly cut in.
"Kazekage-sama, how could that possibly succeed?! Setting aside whether Kirigakure, which is currently seeking peace, would even consider an alliance—during the Third Shinobi World War, we formed an irreconcilable blood feud with them. There's no chance such a treaty would ever be signed."
Rasa waved his hand dismissively.
"Of course I know the treaty will never succeed. Listen carefully. The ninja sent to Kirigakure must be prepared to make a sacrifice.
"As long as that ninja dies within Kirigakure's borders, we will have justification to declare war on them. And once we are at war with Kirigakure, that is something Kumogakure and Iwagakure cannot accept, because they need Sunagakure to keep Konoha in check.
"So Kumogakure and Iwagakure will inevitably come to persuade us. When that happens, we will join forces with them and apply pressure on Kirigakure together. Faced with pressure from three Great Shinobi Villages, Kirigakure will have no choice but to join the war.
"At that point, Kirigakure—forced into the conflict—will have to act as the vanguard and fight Konoha first. Sunagakure's burden will be greatly reduced."
The advisers pondered this for a while and found Rasa's plan feasible.
"But who will be the sacrificial ninja?" one of them asked. "This person's status cannot be too low. In fact, the higher their standing in Sunagakure, the better—otherwise Kirigakure won't take the bait."
Rasa's eyes turned cold as he spoke a single name.
"Scorch Release… Pakura."
The four advisers stared at Rasa in shock. None of them had expected him to choose Pakura.
In terms of reputation and influence, Pakura was more than qualified—so much so that she could almost rival Rasa himself.
During the Third Shinobi World War, Sunagakure and Iwagakure had clashed repeatedly. Pakura had once uncovered and thwarted an Iwagakure plot, saving the lives of many shinobi and becoming a hero of the village.
In battles against Kirigakure, Pakura, with her unique kekkei genkai, Scorch Release, had killed a great number of Kirigakure ninja. It could be said that Kirigakure harbored deep hatred toward her.
Most importantly, unlike the ambitious Rasa, Pakura advocated peaceful development. She had repeatedly urged Rasa to abandon his plans to invade Konoha. She had even disobeyed orders and refused to go to the front lines in an attempt to stop the invasion.
That action had crossed Rasa's bottom line.
After careful consideration, the four advisers realized that Rasa's decision to sacrifice Pakura was, in fact, understandable.
They agreed with the plan. Given the current situation, Sunagakure needed unity above all else. Pakura's act of defying orders threatened the village's morale.
Moreover, a shinobi unwilling to fight held no value. Sacrificing Pakura now would bring only benefits, no drawbacks, to Sunagakure.
Pakura was summoned to the Kazekage's office. Seeing Rasa and all four advisers present struck her as odd.
She asked respectfully,
"Kazekage-sama, may I ask what this is about?"
Rasa replied with an unusually gentle tone,
"Pakura, I know you yearn for peace, and that you are unwilling to fight on the front lines. I will not force you."
Pakura looked at him in surprise. He seemed like a completely different person.
"Thank you for your understanding, Kazekage-sama."
Rasa continued,
"However, Sunagakure is severely short on manpower. I would like to assign you a mission."
Straightening his posture, Rasa formally announced,
"Pakura, in the name of the Fourth Kazekage, I assign you to travel to Kirigakure and negotiate a peace treaty with the Mizukage."
Pakura asked in confusion,
"Kirigakure hasn't joined this war. Why is it necessary to specifically sign a peace treaty with them?"
Rasa explained,
"If Kirigakure were to ally with Konoha, it would be extremely unfavorable for Sunagakure. We must secure a peace treaty to ensure they do not attack us alongside Konoha. Since you are unwilling to participate in battle, this is your way of contributing to the village. After all, we are severely understaffed."
Pakura nodded.
"Very well. I will depart immediately."
After Pakura left the Kazekage's office, the warmth vanished from Rasa's face. Expressionless, he ordered,
"Prepare everything. Send two ANBU to shadow Pakura. The moment news of her death arrives, we will join Kumogakure and Iwagakure in putting pressure on Kirigakure."
Across the shinobi world, undercurrents were surging.
On the front lines, Sunagakure's forces, under Chiyo's command, withdrew from the border of the Land of Fire and temporarily fortified themselves within the Land of Rivers.
Despite launching several offensives, Jiraiya failed to break through Sunagakure's impregnable defenses.
His inability to repel Sunagakure quickly caused the battle to fall into a stalemate, completely disrupting Nara Shikaku's plans.
Kumogakure noticed that Konoha's main forces were tied down against Sunagakure, and once again began advancing toward the Land of Fire's borders, clashing with Kakashi's unit.
Meanwhile, Iwagakure significantly increased the frequency of its harassment along the Land of Fire's borders.
Yet none of the three great villages were willing to be the first to launch a full-scale assault on Konoha. Whoever acted as the spearhead would suffer the greatest losses—and receive the smallest share of the spoils.
For now, they merely tested one another. Each village sought to gain the greatest benefit at the lowest possible cost.
Under these circumstances, the entire battlefield fell into a strangely delicate balance.
The three great villages waited for the right moment. Whichever village lost patience first would herald the true beginning of the war.
And Konoha, too, waited—searching among the three great villages for a breakthrough, seeking a glimmer of hope amid despair.
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