My Journey as Fourth Kazekage

Rasa's idea had come to him suddenly but it was indeed a highly risky move.

However, Let's think about it. Not just because of Madara Uchiha— even the hidden Black Zetsu would surely take notice of his actions.

But the risks are manageable.

First, with the help of the Kāma Seal, Rasa was confident that his power would rapidly grow to the point where he could compete in the ninja world's highest circles.

Second, his knowledge of the future events allowed him to prepare multiple countermeasures for the dangers ahead.

If the risks could be controlled, then the potential gains were enormous.

Not only would Sunagakure's strength increase dramatically, but the entire Naruto storyline would be pushed in a completely different direction.

If Rasa could protect Nagato's Rinnegan, or take it a step further and destroy Madara's eyes entirely, then Madara's revival plan would fall apart. Without his eyes, Madara wouldn't be able to execute the Infinite Tsukuyomi plan, meaning Kaguya Ōtsutsuki would never be resurrected, and the ninja world could enjoy a period of peace.

As for the future threat of the Ōtsutsuki Clan?

Rasa wasn't worried.

By the time they would arrive, he and Sunagakure would have grown even stronger.

Without Madara causing chaos, many of the tragedies in the ninja world would have been avoided. Heck, even the Fourth Great Ninja War might never happen.

This meant that the world's overall strength would be preserved, making it far better prepared to face the Ōtsutsuki threat.

While the Ōtsutsuki Clan was indeed powerful, they were far from invincible.

From what Rasa knew, Kaguya, despite being labeled as the "disgrace of the Ōtsutsuki Clan," was actually stronger than any of the Ōtsutsuki introduced later in Boruto.

After all, it took a fully powered Naruto and Sasuke working together just to seal her away— they couldn't even kill her.

Meanwhile, even the most hyped-up Ōtsutsuki, like Isshiki, ultimately ended up as little more than a sacrificial pawn for a new Jinchūriki.

Oh, and there was also something about an Ōtsutsuki God?

Rasa wasn't too familiar with Boruto's storyline, so he didn't know much about this so-called deity. But he was aware of the Shinjutsu techniques.

Now that was a terrifying ability. However, Rasa himself was also a Kāma user.

He still didn't know where his Kāma mark had come from, but it gave him confidence that he could handle whatever crises lay ahead. Especially those god-like Shinjutsu techniques.

Maybe… one day, he, too, could master the power of the gods!

---

Land of Birds

After sending off the Akatsuki trio, there was no longer any reason for Rasa and Pakura to stay. Accompanied by Baki and Yashamaru, they began their journey back to Sunagakure.

Deep within the forests of the Land of Birds, their figures swiftly moved towards the Land of Wind. Although Rasa had the ability to fly using his sand, there was no way the leader would act as a chauffeur for his subordinates. So, the four of them traveled the old-fashioned way— running like ordinary ninja.

As high-ranking members of the village, Rasa and Pakura naturally walked at the front, with Baki and Yashamaru flanking behind on either side, staying vigilant of their surroundings.

"Are you serious?"

In the forest, the scenery rushed past them quickly. Pakura's voice sounded in Rasa's ear.

"What are you talking about?"

"I mean, do you really want to invite this Akatsuki group into our village?"

Rasa didn't answer immediately, instead asking a question in return.

"What do you think of these three Akatsuki kids?"

Pakura thought for a moment before answering.

"The one called Yahiko looks a bit foolish, but he's quite likeable. The girl named Konan is beautiful and intelligent. As for the one called Nagato, I didn't really pay attention to him since he didn't seem to speak a single word the entire time."

"Mm."

Rasa nodded.

"These three might be young, but considering they've already managed to form an organization called Akatsuki and gathered so many people, they must have significant potential."

Pakura nodded in understanding.

"I see. So, you have a soft spot for talented individuals?"

"Maybe. You should be able to tell by now that there are very few ninja in our village who can stand on their own. Besides you and Michikawa, there's hardly anyone I can rely on. Elder Chiyo and Elder Ebizo are both too old, and I'd rather not have them spend their final years on the battlefield if I can avoid it."

Pakura was a bit surprised by Rasa's gentle tone. She hadn't expected him to show such tenderness.

"I heard you're planning to have Karura help out too?"

"Yeah. It'd be a waste for Karura's talents to be confined to just being a housewife. However, as her husband, I can't let her get involved in dangerous missions, so I'll keep her in the village for now."

This made Pakura's eyes brighten. Even Yashamaru, behind them, couldn't help but smile gently.

"So, a-are you not planning on having children with Karura?"

Pakura's sudden question caught Rasa off guard, and he turned his head to look at her. He saw Pakura's delicate face, calm but with a hint of unease.

Rasa's mood lightened before he chuckled.

"Of course we are. We've been working on it recently."

Pakura's face turned slightly red but Rasa continued.

"What about you? Children are the future of the village, and as an elite ninja of the village, you can't fall behind."

Pakura, who usually had an ice-cold expression, showed a rare moment of embarrassment before rolling her eyes at Rasa.

"Just worry about your own business!"

With that, she leaped away, intending to speed up and put some distance between herself and Rasa. But just then, Rasa suddenly stretched out his hand and blocked her path.

"Watch out!"

"What?!"

Pakura didn't have time to react. Rasa swept his hand, and countless grains of yellow sand shot up from the ground, forming a circular sand wall that completely surrounded them.

In that instant, a barrage of kunai rained down on them from the forest.

Whoosh!!

The entire sand wall was immediately covered in a layer of kunai, like a bed of needles.

Pakura's face turned pale.

The ambush had come too suddenly; she had been completely unprepared. If Rasa hadn't intervened, she likely would have been pierced through by the kunai.

Baki and Yashamaru, also startled, quickly moved to Rasa's and Pakura's sides, forming a defensive perimeter. Luckily, once the ambush proved ineffective against Rasa's defense, the forest around them fell eerily silent.

But in that moment, looking at the dark forest surrounding them, Pakura, Baki, and Yashamaru all wore grim expressions. The disappearance of the Third Kazekage was still fresh in their minds, and although none of them were professional sensory ninja, as high-ranking Jonin, they all had a certain degree of sensory awareness.

However, despite their vigilance, they couldn't sense anything in the forest.