Hoshigaki Kisame left.
He left together with Elder Genji.
A ninja squad escorted them, though it could also be called surveillance.
One Akebino Jinin had already gone missing. It was already difficult enough to explain that to Sunagakure. If another person went missing, Yagura felt Sunagakure would certainly seize the chance to make even more excessive demands.
Not long after the two left, Yagura announced a decision.
He would form a death squad to retaliate against Konoha.
This decision drew the attention of many Kirigakure ninja.
"Mizukage-sama has decided to retaliate against Konoha by forming a death squad."
"We should have done that long ago!"
"Konoha went too far. What they did to Kirigakure can never be forgiven!"
"That's right. By now, it's practically already confirmed."
The people of Kirigakure hated Konoha even more than they hated Sunagakure.
Against Sunagakure, they had truly been unable to win. Losing was losing.
In the world of ninja, the victor had the right to carve up the defeated.
But the people of Kirigakure could not accept being betrayed by Konoha.
They were clearly allies.
Konoha had clearly accepted enormous benefits from Kirigakure.
If Konoha felt Kirigakure was a burden and wanted to abandon them, then fine. Say it openly.
Why did they have to send someone to control Kirigakure's ANBU ninja and make Kirigakure's ANBU kill Konoha's ninja?
Konoha was clearly the one that wanted to betray Kirigakure, yet they still wanted to pretend they were the good side?
That was too shameless.
"However, Konoha's current strength is indeed greater than Kirigakure's."
"So if we retaliate, we can only do it through a death squad."
"Once they go, the chance of returning is extremely low."
"To go means being prepared to die."
"But even if they die, they must still inflict damage on Konoha."
"They must make Konoha feel pain."
"They must make Konoha understand that Kirigakure is not so easy to bully."
Rasa revealed a smile.
"The provocation succeeded."
Immediately after, he began calculating quickly.
"The Duel Points Exchange Card obtained two thousand emotion points from Danzo and converted them into two thousand points."
"The points brought in by Ebizo's team promotion were more than one thousand."
"So after the first thirty consecutive draws, I still had some points left."
"After Kirigakure's operation this time, I won't be far from reaching three thousand points again."
A faint look of regret appeared on Rasa's face.
"Unfortunately, I have already signed a peaceful coexistence agreement with Konoha. Otherwise, I could have used the small-card strategy again."
"The method of scattering them directly may not be as effective anymore, but I can do it through an update to the Ninja Kill game."
"This game, Ninja Kill, is already popular throughout the shinobi world—no, throughout the entire world."
"Many people like it and welcome it."
"But even the best game will make people tired if it stays the same forever."
"Only freshness can keep attracting people."
"Once Ninja Kill is updated and new ninja cards are added, it will definitely be pursued enthusiastically, raising the game's popularity once again."
However, that was only one of the benefits of continuing the war.
For Sunagakure, a ceasefire brought even greater benefits.
That was why Rasa had agreed to Konoha's request.
As for gaining points, Rasa was not very worried.
Losing the methods available during wartime might slow things down, but there would definitely be ways to obtain enough points.
"Next is the final value of this Hoshigaki Goki role."
Rasa controlled Hoshigaki Goki and walked out.
Puchi!
A kunai stabbed straight into his own throat.
Blood instantly gushed out.
Rasa's consciousness returned to his own body.
The next day.
"My husband."
Pakura, fully prepared to depart, arrived at the Kazekage Building.
Rasa processed the documents in his hand while saying,
"Pakura, stay at home. I'll go for Kirigakure's reparations this time."
Pakura froze for a moment.
"Didn't we agree that I would go? My husband, you still have many matters to handle in the village. If you do this, you'll be too tired. Let me go."
"I've already rested for several days. I've rested enough."
Rasa shook his head.
"No. I happen to have other business outside this time, so I'll just go there on the way. Whether your body has recovered or not—do you think I don't know?"
"If you have time, rest more."
"The night before yesterday, your performance did not satisfy me very much."
Pakura's face flushed red, and her voice immediately lowered.
"My husband, why are you saying these things? This is the office."
"It is also my office. Don't worry. There's no one else here. No one will hear."
Rasa smiled.
"Be obedient. Go back. The war is over, but there will still be plenty of matters in the village to keep you busy later."
"Alright."
Pakura lowered her head and quickly ran out.
Rasa took out a commission.
It was a commission regarding sand bandits.
The Crescent Dune needed to be tested on living targets, and the stronger the target, the better the effect of the test.
Now that the war had ended, sand bandits were the best test subjects.
"Your luck is quite good."
"Wolf Spider Sand Bandit Group."
"They only have a dozen or so people, but the damage they have caused in the Land of Wind is no less than those sand bandit groups with several dozen, even hundreds of members."
"Their individual strength is very high."
"Some are missing-nin from certain ninja villages."
"Some are not ninja, but still possess decent strength."
By evening—
Yatagarasu's enormous body flew high through the sky.
Rasa sat cross-legged on Yatagarasu's back.
Golden sunlight spilled down.
A village stood beside a small pool of water. Several date palm trees grew near the pool. It looked peaceful and tranquil.
But in truth, Rasa knew exactly what this village was.
This was not a village at all.
It was the lair of the Wolf Spider Sand Bandit Group.
The "villagers" here had all been captured by the bandits and used as slaves.
"Refreshing!"
A sand bandit drank heavily and ate meat in large bites.
"Being a sand bandit is the best."
"Whatever you want, you just take it."
"Back when I was a ninja, it was too suffocating. Everything was decided by the people above. When I went outside, I still had to care about the village's image. Most of the mission payment had to be handed over to the village too."
"Worked harder than an ox, ate less than a chicken."
"Now it's finally good."
"This kind of life is what you call living."
"I have strength. Why should I restrain myself?"
"This world has always belonged to the strong."
Another sand bandit agreed.
"Exactly. You're right."
Suddenly, both of them frowned at the same time.
Because they saw an unfamiliar figure walking casually through the village street, calm and unhurried, as though strolling through his own home.
But neither of them had ever seen this person before.
"I smell the stench of ninja!"