My Journey as Fourth Kazekage

Land of Fire, Konohagakure.

Hokage's Office.

The moment news reached Konohagakure that the war between Sunagakure, Kumogakure, and Iwagakure was on the brink of exploding, the current pillar of Konoha, Minato Namikaze, could no longer stay in Mount Myoboku for training.

At this moment, the Hokage office was filled with tension. All the high-ranking officials of the village had gathered. The atmosphere was heavy as everyone awaited updates from the village's intelligence officers regarding the battlefield.

The outcome of this war would determine Konoha's position in the conflict.

Everyone in Konoha hoped that this war between Sunagakure, Iwagakure, and Kumogakure would drag the three villages deeply into the quagmire of war, allowing Konoha to finally rest easy. And they wouldn't have to wait long. In just a day or two, news from the frontlines would surely arrive.

Sitting beside Minato, Jiraiya, seemingly more relaxed, casually asked.

"How's it going? Have you returned home? Was Kushina angry?"

Minato gave a somewhat awkward smile at Jiraiya's question.

Although he had written letters to Kushina through the frogs while in Mount Myoboku, it was impossible for her not to feel resentment after being separated for so long.

Just then, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed from outside, silencing the entire office.

The door to the Hokage office opened, and Shikaku Nara, the current strategist of the Hokage, appeared. However, in that moment, the stern expression on Shikaku's face immediately made everyone feel that something was wrong.

"What's the matter, Shikaku?"

Shikaku glanced around the office before steeling himself and walking up to Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Hokage, pulling out a scroll and speaking.

"Hokage-sama, this is the intelligence we just received from Iwagakure. Please take a look."

Hiruzen's face grew serious as he took the scroll, giving Shikaku a brief glance before slowly unrolling it. Upon reading it, his body shook, and he shouted in disbelief.

"How is this possible? Has the intelligence been confirmed?"

Hiruzen's outburst immediately raised alarms among everyone in the office.

Shikaku nodded gravely.

"We've confirmed it, Hokage-sama. There's no mistake. After all, this concerns the Jinchūriki. Iwagakure wouldn't make a joke out of this."

"..."

Hiruzen's grip tightened on the scroll as the tension in the room escalated.

Sensing the rising unease, Minato could no longer contain his curiosity and asked Shikaku.

"Shikaku, what's going on?"

Shikaku glanced at the Hokage, waiting for a moment before he slowly replied.

"We've just received word that Rasa, the Kazekage of Sunagakure, along with the Jutsu masters Pakura and Michikawa, appeared in the Land of Birds. With overwhelming force, they defeated Iwagakure's ninja and captured two of Iwagakure's Jinchūriki: the Four-Tails, Roshi, and the Five-Tails, Han."

"What!!!"

At that moment, everyone in the Hokage's office had their expressions change drastically.

Danzo's reaction was the most intense, immediately shouting.

"Stop spouting nonsense, Shikaku! Sunagakure's forces were in the Land of Rivers, weren't they?"

"Yeah!"

This was something everyone had confirmed.

At this moment, only Minato understood what was happening and spoke in a low, grave tone.

"Shikaku, are you saying that Sunagakure, with just three people, stopped Iwagakure's 6,000-strong ninja force and captured two Jinchūriki?"

Shikaku glanced at the shocked faces of everyone in the room, his pupils narrowing slightly, before reluctantly nodding.

"Yes, according to the intelligence from Iwagakure, the Kazekage of Sunagakure, Rasa, along with the Scorch Release user Pakura and Magnet Release user Michikawa, demonstrated extraordinary power in this battle. Even the Tailed Beast Balls of the Jinchūriki were easily neutralized. Especially Rasa, who, in the final battle, fought two Jinchūriki simultaneously and captured them with overwhelming force!"

!!!

At that moment, everyone in the Hokage office shuddered, their faces filled with disbelief.

"You're kidding! Those are Jinchūriki we're talking about!"

"Fighting two at once, with overwhelming strength? How is that even possible?"

"Only the First Hokage could do something like this, right?"

Everyone spoke in shocked disbelief, their fear palpable in their words.

At this point, the only ones who managed to stay calm were Minato, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru.

"Interesting!!!"

Orochimaru, who knew some secrets, excitedly licked his lips. Jiraiya furrowed his brows in thought. Minato's gaze momentarily blanked, but he quickly regained his composure, a hint of respect in his tone as he spoke.

"I see now. So, this is the true plan of the Kazekage. With just three people, they changed the course of the war. If that's the case, with the Tailed Beasts in hand, and considering the nature of the Tsuchikage, Iwagakure probably won't be attacking Konoha anymore. This breaks up the alliance between Iwagakure and Kumogakure. From now on, Sunagakure only has to face Kumogakure. No... after this battle, with the Kazekage's demonstrated ability to suppress two Tailed Beasts, even Kumogakure will think twice before acting rashly."

Once again, the Hokage office fell into silence.

Everyone could feel the uncertainty about the future of the ninja world.

---

Land of Rain.

Under the steady patter of rain.

As the leaders of the Akatsuki, Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato, looked at the intelligence they had just received, they were equally astonished.

Not long ago, they had been tasked with intercepting the Iwagakure ninjas who tried to pass through the Land of Rain, as per their agreement with Sunagakure. However, Yahiko had only ordered the Akatsuki members to secretly obstruct the Iwagakure ninjas without direct confrontation.

After all, the Akatsuki's numbers and strength were no match for Iwagakure's forces.

Fortunately, the Akatsuki was familiar with the geography of the Land of Rain. Even so, Yahiko had still been concerned that the conflict might escalate, potentially leading to the death of their members in this war.

However, to their surprise, the Iwagakure ninjas suddenly chose to retreat, without even completing their journey.

This baffled Yahiko and the others, as they initially thought it might be some kind of trick by Iwagakure. It wasn't until they received the latest intelligence that everything became clear.

As they read the report detailing the overwhelming power displayed by the Kazekage, Rasa, who had captured two Jinchūriki, the three were stunned. Yahiko recalled his previous encounter with Rasa and the stories Jiraiya-sensei had told them about the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, who had once ruled the ninja world.

Yahiko then had an idea and asked.

"Konan, Nagato, have you ever been to Sunagakure?"

---

While the entire ninja world was shocked by the frightening power displayed by Sunagakure's Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, the story's protagonist, Rasa himself, returned to Sunagakure. After safely securing the two Tailed Beasts, he went straight to the Ryūchi Cave to meet with the White Snake Sage.