"All of this was planned by Danzō Shimura and the Third Kazekage. Big Brother Rasa and I were just swept along. We had no choice at all."
Chiba had originally prepared a perfect excuse, but now, to save Rasa, he had to change his tune.
"Big Brother Rasa didn't want to attack his own comrades, and I didn't want to attack you or Chiyo-sama either. What Big Brother Rasa and I were doing just now was an act! Neither of us took a single life tonight!"
Rasa heard the excuse. A flicker passed through his eyes. The truth was, he hadn't killed anyone simply because he hadn't found them valuable enough…
Shigure fell silent for a long moment, his expression still icy. "Even so, that doesn't change the fact he once hunted Sasori. Step aside, Chiba. Or else—!"
Chiba's heart plunged. Damn it. Value-bro was about to meet an early end. Guess he'd have to take care of Karura himself.
Rasa gave a bitter smile, patted Chiba's shoulder, and said quietly, "Enough, Chiba. You've done all you can. Step aside. Live well for me."
With that, Rasa strode towards Shigure, a strange calmness settling over him. He was facing failure and death with startling acceptance.
Because just moments ago, he had finally found his own "value."
"Shigure. Lower your blade."
Just as Shigure prepared to execute Rasa, Chiyo, who had been silent until now, spoke up.
"It was the Third Kazekage's inability to tolerate others that led to his end today. Will you be like him?"
With a single sentence, Chiyo defined the night's events. And in truth, she was right.
If she, Chiyo, had ever truly craved power, the title of Third Kazekage would have been hers long ago. No one else would have had a chance.
Shigure jolted. "But, Mother—!"
"Enough. Before, they served their master and fulfilled their duties. There is no fault in that. For this child to hold onto his bottom line is commendable enough."
Chiyo's voice was mild. "This Rasa boy has considerable ability. After you become the Fourth Kazekage, let him serve as your advisor."
Old and shrewd, Chiyo saw the holes in Chiba's story. But it didn't matter. Judge actions, not thoughts. The result was all that counted.
Rasa was "unwilling to harm his own village." Therefore, the Third Kazekage, who had slaughtered his own people, deserved his fate. Shigure's ascension was thus justified.
Promoting Rasa now would help pacify the village and draw the Third's remaining forces to their side.
If Rasa harbored no ulterior motives, they could keep using him. If he did… Chiyo could end him with a wave of her hand.
"(òwó?)! Nani?!"
Not only was Shigure stunned, but Rasa was utterly dumbfounded. He wasn't going to die? He was being… promoted?!
"I… This…"
He'd followed the Third Kazekage for so long and never received an advisory position. Yet here, before he'd even switched sides, the enemy was offering him one. This was…
The twists of tonight were too much. Rasa's brain was short-circuiting.
"Haah… I understand, Mother."
Shigure took a deep breath and nodded. He then extended a hand toward Rasa.
"Then I'll be in your care from now on, Kazekage Advisor. However, as a father, I expect you to offer my son a proper apology."
"Of course… Kazekage-sama."
Rasa took Shigure's hand, feeling like he was in a dream. He'd somehow, bewilderingly, become the Kazekage's advisor.
Can I finally… truly spread my wings? Realize my ambitions?
The confusion in Rasa's heart vanished. He turned and, overcome with emotion, pulled the equally bewildered Chiba into a fierce hug, wanting to share his joy.
"Thank you, Chiba!" Rasa said, his gratitude genuine.
Without Chiba, he wouldn't be getting a promotion. He'd be dead by Shigure's hand.
From now on, Chiba was his sworn brother. If anyone dared harm a hair on Chiba's head, they'd answer to him first!
"Don't mention it, Big Brother Rasa!" Chiba grinned.
The process had been tortuous, but he'd found a path through certain death and saved Value-bro. Mission accomplished.
Finally, the tension coiling in Chiba's nerves began to ease.
Under Chiyo's direction, Rasa swiftly rounded up the Third Kazekage's remaining forces, bringing the massive Suna civil war to an end.
Shukaku, who had been running amok, was promptly apprehended and, with great regret, returned to its "little house" to await its next parole.
"Finally! Time for the harvest! Let's open some blind boxes!"
Looking at the groaning ninja and civilians scattered everywhere, Chiba's eyes gleamed. "Shigure-senpai, please let me join the rescue efforts! I want to help too!"
Shigure naturally agreed. And Chiba shot forward, like a wild horse freed from its reins.
"Ha! Taste my Mystical Palm Technique!"
Chiba's targets were clear. He only healed the pretty—ahem—the severely injured Suna elites wearing jonin or chunin flak jackets.
Genin and ordinary people dropped trash rewards. Unless they were named characters or had spectacular figures, present-day Chiba couldn't be bothered.
[Ding! Rescue successful. Host obtains "Sand Eye"!]
[Ding! Rescue successful. Host obtains "Sand Body Flicker"!]
[Ding! Rescue successful. Host obtains…]
A round of healing later, Chiba had collected a whole set of sand-manipulation skills.
It was no exaggeration to say he now knew more sand (earth) release ninjutsu than most Suna ninja.
[…]
[Ding! Rescue successful. Host obtains "New Chakra Nature: Wind"!]
"Whoo! It's been so long! Finally, a new chakra nature!"
The system prompt appeared. Chiba cheered.
Onlookers thought his joy was for saving another life and praised his noble medical ethics.
The eyes of the Suna higher-ups also softened considerably.
How could such a sincere, warm-hearted youth be involved in this mess?
Clearly, it was all Danzō Shimura's fault!
"Perfect! Now I just need Lightning Release, and I'll have all seven natures!"
Chiba thought excitedly as he performed chest compressions on two kunoichi. He was one step closer to mastering Kekkei Mōra.
"This diplomatic mission to Suna was totally worth it. Got a pile of jutsu and a new chakra nature."
Chiba didn't lose. Chiyo's faction didn't lose. Rasa didn't lose. Everyone was happy!
(PS: The Uchiha bloodline granted Chiba the Yin nature. The Water and Earth natures common to Senju are fanon additions.)
…
By the time Suna's mess was cleaned up, dawn was breaking.
Several Suna elders, led by Chiyo, gathered to discuss the village's future path.
Chiba, the double agent, also joined the meeting in his special capacity as the Konoha representative.
"Konoha has gone too far this time! I propose we ally with Iwa and Kumo to oppose them!" one elder said angrily.
Chiyo nodded slowly. "Konoha did overstep. I will make Danzō Shimura pay for this."
The Great War had just ended. Now, with this chaos, Suna's pillars were broken, casualties were countless. It would take seven or eight years to recover.
Just as they were about to set the tone for opposing Konoha, Chiba suddenly spoke up. "Honored elders, on this matter, I have a different perspective."
"Who are you to speak here? Allowing you to attend is already—!"
"Hmm?"
A furious elder began to berate Chiba, but icy glares from both Shigure and Rasa silenced him instantly.
"Speak, child. What are your thoughts?" Chiyo looked at Chiba with interest.
Chiba nodded, speaking seriously. "Chiyo-sama, I believe the most beneficial course for Suna right now is to continue its alliance with Konoha."
"What?!"
The Suna elders present were thunderstruck. If not for Shigure and Rasa, their blades would already be drawn.
"Your Konoha orchestrated our civil war, and now you want us to remain allies?! Are you Konoha people all shameless bastards?!"
One elder pointed a shaking finger at Chiba, spitting with rage. "I have never seen someone so brazenly thick-skinned!"
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