Ti passed day by day.
Unknowingly, it had already been a week since the Genjutsu Network's launch.
Even though Konoha tried to keep things low-key, news of the Genjutsu Network had already reached all the major factions.
As Konoha's ally, Sunagakure was one of the first to receive the intel. The Third Kazekage had taken notice of the Genjutsu Network from the initial report, but the details were scarce—he couldn't quite tell what the system was really capable of.
At the ti, he rely assud it was just a larger version of a local intranet.
And just as Konoha had anticipated, soone as sharp as the Third Kazekage had already considered possible applications for a local network. As long as the range could be expanded, it would unlock various new functions—this recent developnt simply confird his assumptions.
A network that covered the entire Hidden Leaf Village, and even allowed multiple cities in the Land of Fire to have their own local networks—this was the key takeaway from the initial intelligence.
It left the Third Kazekage deeply unsettled. That Konoha had managed to scale up such a system so rapidly was cause for concern. He began to question whether his earlier judgnt had been wrong. Was Konoha really as weakened and corrupt as he thought?
But considering Konoha's heritage, he ca to terms with it.
After all, Konoha possessed the richest resources and the most elite shinobi in the entire shinobi world. They had also inherited most of the Uzumaki clan's legacy and still had several Uzumaki living within the village—likely even a hidden branch still surviving.
The idea that a secret remnant of the Uzumaki clan existed within Konoha ca from a character in the ga: a red-haired young man who was unmistakably from the Uzumaki clan, clearly modeled after Kushina Uzumaki in a gender-swapped form.
Since that character's debut, over a month had passed, and rumors had long spread.
Konoha had never comnted on it. Those who knew about Kushina's real situation were keeping it secret, while those in the dark assud that Konoha had intentionally revealed this character to showcase its strength.
Among those misled by the intel was the Third Kazekage. His misjudgnt only deepened his wariness of Konoha, and made him even more reluctant to take action.
Now, he had received a second batch of information.
He learned that the Genjutsu Network could support over ten thousand users simultaneously playing the sa ga—and even matching up in battles.
This stunned the Third Kazekage.
Even if it only worked within Konoha's region, applying such a system in warfare—especially in sothing like a Shinobi World War—could offer massive advantages in regional command.
With the Genjutsu Network, Konoha's commanders could communicate and direct subordinates in real ti. Even squad-to-squad communication could happen instantly.
Keep in mind: the shinobi world hadn't even invented walkie-talkies yet. That piece of tech only appeared during the Third Great Ninja War and didn't beco common until after. It was one of those classic "war drives tech" inventions.
So, from the shinobi world's current standpoint, the Genjutsu Network was revolutionary—an overwhelming technological advantage that made the Third Kazekage's scalp tingle just thinking about it.
"No, we must find a way to acquire the Genjutsu Network technology for ourselves. Sunagakure must have its own system!"
"If we can't obtain the tech, then we need to find a way to destroy it—or at the very least, develop counterasures!"
"If not, even if Konoha falls into decline in two and a half years, as long as they hold onto the Genjutsu Network, they can still unleash terrifying power."
"Besides, other villages will surely make the sa call as . If those guys manage to get their hands on the technology, both Sunagakure and the Land of Wind are in trouble!"
Having made up his mind, the Third Kazekage summoned his most trusted subordinate: Rasa.
Monts later, Rasa arrived.
The man who represented Sunagakure's future greeted his leader with impeccable formality and waited silently for orders—nothing had changed from before.
The Third Kazekage was quite satisfied. His trust in Rasa had never wavered. He handed over the classified intel and shared his conclusions and suspicions.
After taking it all in, a sharp glint appeared in Rasa's calm eyes.
"Kazekage-sama, please entrust this mission to ! I will go to Konoha and do everything I can to bring the Genjutsu Network to Sunagakure!"
The Third Kazekage smiled, pleased by Rasa's determined and passionate response. Inwardly, he praised him—this was the embodint of the Will of Wind. A role model for Sunagakure. He wished those who had been softened by Konoha's luxuries could see this—to know what true loyalty looked like.
With that, Rasa departed to fulfill his mission, accompanied by the diplomatic team that had previously visited Konoha.
At that mont, Rasa was practically striding on air.
After all…
He was finally heading back to Konoha.
He could already feel the comfort of the massage parlors, the hot springs, and the full-body spa treatnts. Just the thought made him giddy.
Of course, Rasa insisted—it wasn't that he disliked Sunagakure.
Sure, Sunagakure was dry and water was scarce. It looked more like a refugee camp than a hidden village. It certainly didn't have the luxurious anities of Konoha.
But it was his holand, the place he had sworn to dedicate his life to. How could he possibly look down on it?
That said…
As his good friend Sarutobi Mizuki once said: even as a Kage, a shinobi is just fulfilling their duties.
But shinobi are human too. Beyond missions and responsibilities, they also have personal lives and hobbies!
Right now, Rasa's "hobby" was visiting Konoha's leisure clubs—the kind of indulgent places the Land of Wind would never have.
Could you bla him? Of course not!
As Mizuki put it: shinobi carry massive ntal burdens. If they can't relieve the pressure, they either go mad or beco twisted—like many of the infamous maniacs of the shinobi world. Kirigakure was the textbook example.
To avoid ending up like that, proper relaxation was necessary. It refreshed the mind, enabling better judgnt and fewer mistakes.
Yes, as Mizuki said: shinobi who spend money on enjoynt do so for the sake of their village, their families, and their friends. The heavier the burden, the more they need it.
After all, if soone with power and status loses it and snaps, the damage could be worse than dealing with an S-rank rogue ninja.
Just look at the Third Mizukage—a cautionary tale. He turned Kirigakure into a blood-soaked nightmare. Despite the village's advantageous location and sea access, he dragged it down to the sa level as Sunagakure.
The scars he left were long-lasting. Even now, in the era of the Fourth Mizukage, that bloody legacy still lood, driving a wedge between the village and its bloodline clans.
If Konoha had one Uchiha clan, then Kirigakure had *multiple* Uchiha-tier clans—every one of them ready to rebel at the drop of a hat.
If not for the Fourth Mizukage's competence, the village would've imploded long ago.
Seeing this real-world example, Rasa couldn't agree more with Mizuki.
Especially now, back in barren Sunagakure, surrounded by heavily dressed, unappealing won, with no baths due to water shortages, and lice thriving on his dry skin…
All of it left him tense and irritable. He needed that break in Konoha. He missed the leisure spots—and his good friend Mizuki.
Yes, Mizuki was corrupt and decadent—a parasite in Konoha's system.
But as the saying goes, "Your enemy's scourge is your brother."
Mizuki hard Konoha, not Sunagakure. And he shared valuable intel with Rasa, making him an ally by Rasa's standard.
So…
"Mizuki-bro, I'm coming back! This ti, let's enjoy our ti at the Heaven and Earth Club to the fullest!"
With that delightful thought in his heart, Rasa led Sunagakure's delegation out, sent off by the Third Kazekage and a sizable escort—carrying the hopes of the entire village.
At the sa ti, other delegations from other villages were also departing.
Of course, the people within each team wouldn't be exactly the sa—so fresh faces had joined, while so familiar ones were gone.
In the case of the Sunagakure group, one new mber stood out: an elite jonin nad Yakura!
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