Chiyo lowered her head and remained silent, maintaining an attitude of accepting any punishnt.
Before long, the Third Kazekage arrived, his voice heard before he appeared. "What are you doing? How dare you block Elder Chiyo! Are your eyes blind?"
The Third Kazekage angrily scolded the guards. The guards stayed silent, letting him vent. When the camp gates opened, the Third Kazekage quickly helped Chiyo up and said, "Elder, what are you doing? I’ve already reviewed the war’s progress. This isn’t your fault. The commander from Konoha was just too cunning."
(Subtext: Elder, this war was too foolish, causing heavy losses to our forces. It was all due to the commanders’ poor decisions!)
Chiyo shook her head. "Kazekage-sama, I am old and confused. This operation resulted in a grave mistake. I request to resign from my position as an elder."
Her words stunned both the Third Kazekage and his guards. The Third Kazekage frowned, visibly displeased.
"Elder! What are you saying? In war, there are wins and losses. We’ll win next ti. There’s no need to dwell on it!"
"No, Kazekage-sama. I know my sins are heavy. I no longer have the face to remain an elder!" Chiyo repeated.
"Impossible. Sunagakure can survive without , the Third Kazekage, but it cannot survive without you, Elder!" The Third Kazekage looked at Chiyo with sincerity.
To others, this seed like the Third Kazekage showing magnanimity. But to Chiyo, it was just an act. She spoke again, "Kazekage-sama, I am old. I just want to live peacefully with my family. Please grant my request."
As she spoke, she even tried to kneel. The Third Kazekage couldn’t let her kneel—that would ruin his reputation. But since she had asked three tis, it was enough.
The Third Kazekage sighed. "Fine. Since you no longer wish to handle political affairs, I approve your request. However, if you have any suggestions beneficial to Sunagakure, you can still co to directly. I will consider them carefully!"
"Thank you, Kazekage-sama." Chiyo said expressionlessly. The Third Kazekage first comforted the returning shinobi, then took Chiyo’s hand and led her into the main tent.
Now that his goal was achieved, the Third Kazekage smiled faintly. From today onward, there was only one elder left in the Elder faction. He could finally relax a little.
But this Rasa... he’s still too reckless! Since Elder Chiyo is being so cooperative, I should return the favor.
Sunagakure.
Rasa sneezed. He had a bad feeling. Then he looked at Karura and smiled. "Wife, don’t be sad. There was nothing I could do. That fool Yashamaru actually did sothing so absurd for my sake!"
Karura’s eyes darkened. She knew her brother wasn’t scheming. This was all Rasa’s doing. She shouldn’t have married this man in the first place.
Years of living together had shown her this man had two sides. To the villagers, he was a dutiful, fair, and just candidate for Kazekage.
To her and his subordinates, he was sotis furious, sotis insane. By the ti she realized it, she was already pregnant with Rasa’s child. She could only pray Rasa wouldn’t harm her family or their child.
Looking at her daughter in her arms and touching her slightly swollen belly, Karura shed a tear.
Rasa noticed this. Whether out of guilt or madness, he took Karura’s hand and said earnestly, "Wife, trust . I won’t harm you or our children."
"I swear, if I harm them, may I die a horrible death!" Rasa vowed.
Karura nodded slightly and ignored him. His eyes flashed with cruelty.
Little did he know, his oath would co true in both the original story.
When Rasa left the room, an ANBU appeared beside him.
Rasa frowned and was about to use his Magnet Release: Gold Dust when the ANBU said, "By the order of the Third Kazekage, Rasa, kneel and listen!"
Rasa quickly withdrew his chakra and knelt. The Third Kazekage was his teacher, the one who could directly decide the next Kazekage. He couldn’t defy him.
"Rasa, after this war ends, you will personally apologize to forr Elder Chiyo with . You can refuse, but think carefully about the consequences." The ANBU disappeared after speaking.
Rasa was furious at first but quickly cald down. Apologize to that old hag Chiyo? Wait—forr elder? Chiyo was no longer an elder of Sunagakure!
This was good news! He was of common birth. Though talented, he was far inferior to Pakura. Originally, Pakura had two elders backing her, making her far more likely to beco Kazekage than him.
But now, with one elder gone, did that an...
Rasa’s eyes glead. He smiled and said to the air, "Your disciple obeys."
The ANBU hadn’t gone far. He was observing Rasa’s every move because this was the Third Kazekage’s test for him. And now, it seed Rasa had passed!
To endure what others cannot endure, to bear what others cannot bear—that is true wisdom!
After receiving the report, the Third Kazekage’s favor tilted toward Rasa. Though Rasa was ruthless and would stop at nothing to beco Kazekage, such was the nature of this competitive era. If he couldn’t do this, he wouldn’t be a qualified leader.
As for Pakura... She was indeed talented. But if she beca Kazekage, she’d just be a puppet, always obeying the Suna elders.
At best, she’d be open to advice. At worst, she’d be the elders’ lapdog.
The Third Kazekage wasn’t denying Pakura a chance. It depended on whether she could break free from the Elder faction and join his side. If she could, she’d be a far better successor than Rasa—strong, loyal. Unfortunately, Pakura remained loyal to the Elder faction until her death, which dood her to never sit on the Kazekage’s throne.
The Third Kazekage smiled. After years of pretending, he could finally relax. As for the deaths of four thousand shinobi, though he was angry, the gains now outweighed the losses. For him, it was acceptable.
He looked at the map marking Konoha’s defensive positions and his eyes turned cold. "Let et you, Danzō Shimura. I’ll show you that in the face of absolute power, sches are useless!"
The Third Kazekage snorted, considering when to attack.
Konoha Village.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat in his office, restless. How was the frontline doing? Were they winning? If not, just say the word, and I’ll lead reinforcents!
Not long after this thought, soone burst in. Hiruzen frowned. "What’s so urgent?"
"Re... report! Hokage-sama..." The ssenger gasped for breath.
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