My Journey as Fourth Kazekage

Temari and Kankurō's process of gaining new powers went smoothly.

This not only proved that Rasa's idea was correct, that the God Tree he planted could transform the people of this world into a constitution capable of naturally using senjutsu energy, but also meant that he had embedded a "stake" in this future parallel timeline.

As for what kind of effect this stake would have, that would depend on how useful this future world would be to him. However, some things were verified during this process.

Namely, the type of chakra fruit produced by the senjutsu constitution gained through the God Tree, and the special abilities that came with it, were not determined by Rasa's will. The bloodline present more influenced the individual's body.

For example, the abilities Temari and Kankurō gained were exactly the same.

Wind Release + Magnet Release. No other abilities at all.

The God Tree in Rasa's underworld was grown from Hashirama's chakra fruit and Shukaku's chakra.

This also allowed Rasa, after a year, to regain the power of Wind Release.

After all, Wind Release was one of Shukaku's innate abilities.

As for the rest, Rasa already possessed them.

Rasa had originally expected that once Temari and Kankurō injected their chakra, the new constitution they obtained would include some of Shukaku's abilities, such as sand manipulation or Magnet Release sealing techniques, but unfortunately, none of those manifested.

Rasa had particularly hoped for sand manipulation or Magnet Release sealing arts. Unfortunately, there were none. Still, the senjutsu-infused Wind Release and Magnet Release provided a significant power boost for both of them.

Regarding the current lack of senjutsu energy in the future timeline, that is indeed a problem. However, Rasa believes two years will be sufficient to resolve it. In the time that followed, Rasa became even busier.

His own world was already in the midst of a Shinobi World War, and he had numerous matters to handle daily. Now, with the arrival of a future timeline, he became so busy that he barely had time to breathe.

Fortunately, it was all worth it.

Because of the existence of the two timelines, Rasa now had an extra trump card to ensure his survival. He could take bold action against the Tailed Beasts, which would rapidly increase his power. Once he possessed the strength to truly dance freely in this world, he wouldn't need to act so cautiously anymore.

Just like that, time passed slowly. Both timelines began progressing according to their own histories.

First, in Rasa's original timeline, after he captured two Jinchūriki from Iwagakure, the stalemate Sunagakure had been facing was instantly broken. Both Iwagakure and Kumogakure chose to back down, and the previously tense situation quickly eased.

However, several days passed, and Iwagakure still hadn't sent anyone to negotiate the ransom for their two Jinchūriki. This made the situation seem rather strange.

In truth, it wasn't just Sunagakure that was confused; even Kumogakure and Konohagakure couldn't understand what was going on. What exactly was Ōnoki of Iwagakure thinking? Two of his village's precious Jinchūriki had been captured, and yet there had been no response from Iwagakure.

Little did they know, Ōnoki was having a major headache of his own!

Ōnoki had fallen into a state of helplessness ever since he learned that Sunagakure had captured Rōshi and Han.

He didn't even need to think about it because if he negotiated with Sunagakure, they would definitely make outrageous demands. However, trying to use force instead, the current Iwagakure simply wasn't capable of that.

It could only be said that Ōnoki's worst fear had come true. Sunagakure had truly become a fierce tiger. He read every word of the intel coming from the front lines.

Setting aside Rasa, the Kazekage, who had demonstrated power enough to effortlessly suppress two full Tailed Beast forms alone, even his two trusted aides, Pakura and Michikawa, had displayed strength comparable to full Tailed Beasts.

One had to understand, in all of Iwagakure, the only person capable of such feats was Ōnoki himself. But now, Sunagakure had three such individuals.

This meant that, in terms of top-tier power, Sunagakure had already surpassed Iwagakure.

Perhaps only Konohagakure could still match them now.

As for Kumogakure, there was no need to even bring them up. Besides that old man, the Third Raikage, the rest, including his son and the village's two Jinchūriki, hadn't matured yet.

Maybe in ten years they'd be able to challenge Sunagakure, but right now? Not a chance.

Especially when considering Sunagakure's demonstrated ability to suppress Tailed Beasts, this made it even more impossible for the Third Raikage to risk sending his Jinchūriki into battle.

"This is a real headache… What should I do now?"

Ōnoki genuinely had no idea how to save face or turn the situation around. That was also why, after so many days, he still hadn't made a decision. But just then, a group of unexpected visitors appeared, a delegation from Kirigakure.

Ōnoki was quite surprised by this. Ever since the Second Shinobi World War ten years ago, when his teacher, the Second Tsuchikage, Mu, perished together with the Second Mizukage, Gengetsu Hōzuki, the two villages had become sworn enemies.

The hatred between them was even deeper than that between Iwagakure and either Konohagakure or Sunagakure. Logically speaking, Ōnoki should not have agreed to meet with these Kirigakure shinobi. However, given Iwagakure's current difficult situation, he decided to at least hear them out.

And then, Ōnoki received some troubling news.

"So you're saying that Sunagakure also used Kirigakure?"

"Yes!"

As soon as the subject came up, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, Jūzō Biwa, showed an expression of anger.

"Mizukage-sama never expected that Sunagakure would manipulate us like this. While Mizukage-sama did intend to cooperate with Sunagakure, they not only flatly rejected the offer but also exploited Mizukage-sama's goodwill!"

At this point, Ōnoki could confirm that Sunagakure truly hadn't entered into any collaboration with Kirigakure. However, it was already too late to dwell on that.

"So, what does your Mizukage want?"

"The Mizukage's intention is simple. Since we've all been used by Sunagakure, why not become allies instead… Our request is also simple: the girl from the Uzumaki clan in Sunagakure must be handed over to us."

Ōnoki's brow furrowed.

"And what benefit does Iwagakure gain from cooperating with Kirigakure?"

Jūzō Biwa glanced around.

Ōnoki immediately understood and had everyone in the area retreat. He even set up a sealing barrier.

"Kirigakure may have received the Three-Tails and Six-Tails from the First Hokage Hashirama Senju, but due to our lack of sealing techniques, our attempts to create Jinchūriki have always ended in failure."

Ōnoki's frown deepened.

"Don't waste my time with meaningless talk."

But Jūzō Biwa didn't mind and instead said something that made Ōnoki's pupils contract.

"No… Tsuchikage-sama, a successful Jinchūriki indeed has value as a weapon. But even a failed Jinchūriki is not useless. Because they can destroy themselves… and take the enemy with them."