Kazekage Ninja: The Rise of the Hidden Sand

"Do you understand your mission?"

"Yes!"

"Do you have any reservations?"

"None!"

"Are there any difficulties?"

"None!"

"Very well. Go prepare. Take this with you."

Yamashita Tetsu pulled out a small box from his pocket and opened it in front of the young man. Inside were two small glass senbon needles. The needles were hollow, and a vivid green liquid shimmered inside.

The young man carefully picked up one of the needles, holding it up to the sunlight for closer inspection.

"This senbon is specially crafted. Once it pierces the body, the liquid inside will automatically inject into the target," Yamashita Tetsu explained.

The young man, in his early twenties, was thin and pale, with bloodshot eyes that gave him the appearance of a sickly invalid. However, few would guess that this frail-looking individual was once the dashing and renowned "third-generation official" of Sunagakure—Eizo, the grandson of the former Minister of Military Affairs, Dust Sand.

Eizo's lineage was impeccable. His grandfather, Dust Sand, was an "old revolutionary" who had followed the First Kazekage, Retsu, and his father, Falling Ash, had died heroically in Amegakure during the Second Kazekage's campaign. With such an illustrious family background, Eizo was the epitome of a "pure-blooded" Sunagakure ninja.

Adding to his impressive lineage was his exceptional talent. With outstanding ninjutsu skills, a striking appearance, and a promising future, he had already become a Special Jonin in the Intelligence Division's Action Unit at a young age. If not for concerns about nepotism, he would have likely been promoted to a higher-ranking position by now.

But his bright future was shattered when his grandfather fell from grace, dragging Eizo down with him. The once-proud youth couldn't believe the accusations and even fought with the anti-corruption enforcement officers who came to raid his home. However, when he saw them haul out box after box of cash from his grandfather's quarters, he broke down. The once-revered and "righteous" figure he had idolized was revealed to be the biggest corrupt official and a protector of criminal syndicates in Sunagakure. The revelation destroyed him.

Although the investigation found no evidence linking Eizo to his grandfather's crimes, the routine interrogation process left him a broken man. Emerging from the interrogation chamber, he was a shadow of his former self—his once fiery spirit extinguished, replaced by a deep sense of despair.

Seeing such a promising talent on the verge of self-destruction, Yamashita Tetsu, the head of the Intelligence Division, personally sought him out.

"Are you planning to waste your life like this?" Yamashita Tetsu asked as he stood by Eizo's bedside.

Eizo lay motionless.

"Your faith was never in your grandfather. Your belief should be in the Will of Wind—the invisible yet unstoppable force that drives us to fight relentlessly for our village! Your grandfather lost his faith and strayed from his path. That has nothing to do with you. Stop wallowing in self-pity like a grieving widow. Instead, channel your energy into proving to the village that you are the true inheritor of the Will of Wind!"

Hearing this, Eizo struggled to sit up, a faint spark of life returning to his eyes.

Seeing this, Yamashita Tetsu barked, "Captain of the Third Squad, Action Unit, Eizo!"

"Present!" Eizo forced himself to stand, barely managing a proper salute.

"I have a mission for you!"

"Eizo accepts the mission!"

Rasa watched Eizo's departing figure before turning to Yamashita Tetsu with a concerned expression.

"Senior, I know it's said that we should trust those we use, and I understand his character. But his grandfather's head was chopped off on Jing Hang's orders. Blood is thicker than water. Isn't this a bit risky?"

Yamashita Tetsu smiled calmly. "Lord Kage Assistant, rest assured. I wouldn't misjudge someone like him. He's a bamboo shoot that grew in a crooked forest—a rare find. More importantly, he desperately needs a chance to prove his faith to the village."

Rasa thought about it for a moment and nodded in agreement. When it came to understanding people, Yamashita Tetsu was unparalleled.

"By the way, what's in the syringe?" Rasa asked.

"Extracted jujube seed essence. It promotes sleep. Didn't they say Lord Kazekage hasn't been sleeping well recently?" Yamashita Tetsu shrugged.

"Oh, then I'm relieved," Rasa replied.

"You might be, but I'm not. The syringe for the Kazekage is fake, but the three syringes for you are real! Let's discuss your security arrangements. If anything goes wrong, I won't be able to bear the consequences," Yamashita Tetsu said with a smirk.

One Week Later, Sunagakure Anti-Corruption Summary Meeting

The anti-corruption campaign's results, experiences, and lessons were to be publicly disclosed at a large gathering held outside the Kazekage Tower. According to Jing Hang, the campaign's secrecy during execution should be contrasted with full transparency in its results, demonstrating their unwavering resolve to root out corruption.

After the spokesperson, Karukei, announced the list of officials implicated and the campaign's achievements, Jing Hang stepped onto the stage to deliver the closing speech.

But before he could begin, a masked figure in black suddenly charged onto the stage and hurled a transparent glass senbon at him.

Jing Hang reacted swiftly, flicking his cloak to deflect the senbon. He then delivered a powerful kick, sending the assailant flying.

"Magnet Release: Capturing Chains!"

A black iron sand rope slithered across the ground like a snake, instantly binding the masked assailant's hands behind his back.

It was only then that the Kazekage's guards reacted, rushing to subdue the attacker.

"I want to see who dares to assassinate the Kazekage in broad daylight!" Jing Hang bellowed as he strode forward and tore off the assailant's mask.

"You're Eizo! Dust Sand's grandson!" Jing Hang exclaimed in shock, and the crowd erupted into chaos.

Eizo smiled faintly and suddenly opened his mouth, revealing a concealed blowpipe.

"Thwip!"

A tiny glass senbon struck Jing Hang in the neck. He quickly pulled it out, but the liquid inside had already been injected.

"How dare you!"

Rasa, who was accompanying him, slapped Eizo twice, drawing blood from his mouth.

"Speak! What poison is in that senbon?"

"Heh..." Eizo let out a chilling laugh.

"Don't worry, Lord Kage Assistant. It's not poison—it won't kill him. Just a concentrated chakra-weakening agent."

He turned to Jing Hang, his expression turning sinister.

"My apologies, Lord Kazekage. From now on, you won't be able to use ninjutsu. Hahaha! The Kazekage reduced to an ordinary man! What a joke!"

Even as he was restrained by two guards, Eizo struggled and laughed maniacally.

Before his laughter faded, the iron sand binding him suddenly crumbled to the ground.

Jing Hang looked at his trembling hands in disbelief, repeatedly forming seals in an attempt to control the iron sand. But the iron sand remained motionless.

"I... I... I..."

Jing Hang stared at his hands, terror etched across his face, before collapsing unconscious.

"Someone! Get Lord Kazekage to the Medical Division immediately!" Rasa shouted.

"Take him to the interrogation chamber and hand him over to Minister Yamashita Tetsu! We must find out who's behind this!"

~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~

Welcome to visit my Patreon, read the early chapters, and enjoy your reading!

 patreon.com/DarkGolds