Naruto: Menma Exiting Infinite Tsukuyomi

Chapter 192: Rasa, Rōshi, Deidara, Kakashi, Yamato

As the saying goes, even the cleverest housewife can't cook without rice.

Although the Land of Wind is the largest of the Five Great Nations in terms of territory, it is also the great nation with the most scarce resources and the weakest overall strength.

Most of its land area is desert, unsuitable for planting crops. Both crops and water sources are heavily dependent on imports from abroad.

This has also led to a situation where, although Sunagakure has a very high level of medical technology, the scale is difficult to expand due to the extreme scarcity of land suitable for growing medicinal herbs.

When there was no way to change the Land of Wind's topography in the past, and the Daimyō was unwilling to extend a helping hand,

Rasa, as the Kazekage, even had to personally go into the desert to mine for gold dust to earn funds.

This feeling of robbing Peter to pay Paul was simply too frustrating.

And many times, all of Sunagakure's funds combined were barely enough to recover from post-war losses.

But now, a chance for change has arrived.

"Our mining mission this time is very likely to encounter many obstacles, both overt and covert."

Rasa's tone was serious, his expression grave: "According to intelligence, Ōnoki has also set his sights on this mineral vein. I just don't know what he will do. Plus, there's Konoha, which is near the Land of Rivers..."

As soon as these words were spoken,

the atmosphere in the meeting room became even more solemn.

Konoha...

Perhaps Kumogakure and Iwagakure believe that Konoha is now on the decline.

But the higher-ups of Sunagakure would not be so wishful and self-righteous.

Precisely because they had a long-standing relationship with Konoha, they were able to understand how terrifying Konoha was.

Every time others thought Konoha was finished,

a few outrageous geniuses would suddenly jump out from among them.

Single-handedly, they would turn the tide and support a collapsing building.

Therefore, compared to Iwagakure, the higher-ups of Sunagakure actually paid more attention to Konoha.

Just then.

"Jōnin Maki."

Rasa looked at a male Suna-nin beside him with red paint on his face and called out.

"What the Gelel Stone means... I'm sure you are also very clear."

He looked at Maki with a profound meaning, his tone meaningful: "No matter what price we have to pay, the Gelel mineral vein must belong to Sunagakure, must belong to the Land of Wind!"

"However, I hope you do not forget that Sunagakure is a peace-loving ninja village. We will absolutely not proactively start a war."

Maki was first taken aback upon hearing this.

After reacting, he nodded with a solemn expression.

"I understand, Lord Kazekage."

Rasa was entrusting him with full responsibility for this extremely important mining mission.

This was not only a recognition of his ability but also a form of trust from the bottom of his heart.

However, this was not a time of war.

Their Sunagakure must maintain a righteous image on the surface, and could not plunder the resources of a small country with great fanfare and brazenly.

Meaning, this time, they could not act in the capacity of Sunagakure.

"Very good."

Rasa nodded, then said seriously: "To be safe, I will also accompany you on this mining mission."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone present was astonished.

Maki came back to his senses, urgently trying to persuade him: "Lord Kazekage! How can this be? You..."

"No more words are necessary. Now is not the time to be concerned with face."

Before he could finish, Rasa waved his hand, interrupting directly: "The Gelel mineral vein is of utmost importance to Sunagakure and even the Land of Wind. There must be no mishaps!"

Looking at the determined Rasa, Maki swallowed the words on the tip of his tongue.

"Lord Kazekage, I understand."

He let out a long breath, his firm gaze meeting Rasa's: "Unless they step over my, Maki's, dead body, I will absolutely not let any harm come to you!"

"And please promise me, unless it is absolutely necessary, please do not make a move."

As the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa was the leader of Sunagakure.

Once news of his appearance in the Land of Rivers was revealed, who knows how many demons and monsters would pop out.

If any harm came to Lord Kazekage because of this, then even if he, Maki, committed seppuku, it would not be an overstatement!

"I promise you, Jōnin Maki."

A stiff smile appeared on Rasa's serious face: "Use practical actions to tell Konoha and Iwagakure that Suna's will is by no means weaker than anyone's!"

...

Meanwhile, in Iwagakure.

Pitch-black smoke rushed towards the sky. The Tsuchikage's building was engulfed in a raging fire, the entire structure leaning to one side.

From the giant crater on the side of the building, one could see it was caused by an explosion.

However, there was no sign of an enemy attack at all.

Then there was only one answer.

"Where's Deidara!? Huh? Where is that brat Deidara!? Bring that brat to me now!!"

Looking at the almost destroyed Tsuchikage building, Ōnoki jumped up and down, roaring with a face flushed red.

The ANBU ninja behind him couldn't help but tremble with fear.

Someone actually dared to blow up the Tsuchikage's building. This was simply a lawless act.

Even if that guy was an Explosion Release genius and the Tsuchikage's disciple, he couldn't be let off easily as if it were just a child's prank.

"Lord Tsuchikage, we will go and bring Deidara back right now!"

With that, the ANBU ninja quickly retreated and dispersed, going to capture the main culprit who destroyed the Tsuchikage's building.

"Infuriating! Cough cough! That guy Deidara..."

Ōnoki, his face full of anger, cursed continuously.

But, only a "crack" was heard.

"Ouch, my back!!"

Ōnoki's expression froze, and he clutched his lower back with a pained face.

"Father, please calm down first. Your health is important."

The tall Kitsuchi quickly walked over, hurriedly supporting Ōnoki.

"That brat Deidara... he must be holding a grudge about the solitary confinement."

Ōnoki's large nose twitched as he shouted with dissatisfaction: "Why can't he change his personality? Why can't he let this old man have some peace of mind!"

Ōnoki managed to calm his emotions, his furious expression becoming more and more distressed.

"When Deidara is captured and brought back, I'll have to clean up his mess again. But how can I appease the people's hearts like this?"

Ōnoki's tone carried a hint of concern.

After all, no matter how bad Deidara's personality was, he was still his prized final disciple.

If there were no surprises, he would definitely become a top-tier combat force for Iwagakure in the future.

Taking it a step further, perhaps he could even inherit the position of Tsuchikage.

But...

He, Ōnoki, had been Tsuchikage for thirty years. What kind of grand scenes had he not seen?

But the Tsuchikage's disciple blowing up the Tsuchikage's building... this was truly the first time he had seen such an operation in his long life.

If this kind of personality was exploited by others, it would be easy to suffer losses in battle.

Kitsuchi sighed, his tone helpless: "Wanting to correct his troublesome view of art and personality... is no simple matter."

To him, Deidara was also like family.

However, what troubled Kitsuchi most was his daughter, Kurotsuchi.

Since she was young, she liked to follow behind Deidara, constantly calling him "Deidara-nii-san."

Kitsuchi sincerely hoped his daughter wouldn't be led astray by Deidara.

"Hmph, never mind him for now. We'll deal with him when the ANBU bring that little brat back."

Ōnoki snorted with dissatisfaction, then looked at Kitsuchi and asked: "How is it? Has any intelligence come from Amegakure?"

A while ago,

that giant meteorite that fell into Amegakure... their Iwagakure had naturally also received the news.

And had immediately sent intelligence personnel to Amegakure.

"I feel... there's a big problem with Amegakure."

Kitsuchi's expression turned serious as he answered gravely: "All the people who infiltrated Amegakure have lost contact. We only managed to ask some superficial intelligence from the residents of the Land of Rain."

"Ever since the end of the Second Shinobi World War, Hanzō seems to have disappeared and no longer shows his face."

"That old fellow Hanzō has disappeared?"

Ōnoki frowned deeply: "A living person disappearing inexplicably, without a sound..."

Then there was clearly only one possibility.

-- He was killed.

But who could kill Hanzō of the Salamander, known as the "Demigod," without a sound?

Hanzō of the Salamander was also an old rival of his.

Although at the end of the Second War, Hanzō's ambition was almost beaten out of him,

his "Kage"-level strength was still there.

To kill a "Kage" stealthily, without leaking any news, was no simple matter.

"According to the news sent back by the intelligence personnel, the current ruler of Amegakure is called an 'Angel,' a woman who seems to possess a Kekkei Genkai."

Hearing this, the corner of Ōnoki's eye twitched: "Angel? What a strange title."

This was clearly just a moniker the residents of Amegakure and the Land of Rain had for their ruler.

"However, to be able to deal with all the spies who tried to infiltrate,"

Ōnoki's face showed a thoughtful expression: "It seems the ruler of Amegakure is trying to hide something."

Kitsuchi leaned over, asking in a low, probing voice: "You mean..."

"No, just have people keep a close watch on the periphery."

Ōnoki shook his head, his tone meaningful: "As long as Amegakure doesn't make any unusual moves, there's no need to pay them excessive attention."

"Compared to what Amegakure is hiding, that mineral vein in the Land of Rivers is more worthy of attention."

The Land of Earth's greatest enemy at present has never been a small country like the Land of Rain, but the fiercely developing Land of Lightning.

Ending the mining operation as soon as possible and refocusing on development was Ōnoki's most pressing thought.

"Yes, I will make the arrangements. The mining team has already set out..."

Before Kitsuchi could finish, a figure suddenly appeared in the room.

It was an ANBU ninja, masked and panting.

"Why so flustered?"

Ōnoki frowned, pressing: "Did that brat Deidara cause some other trouble?"

"Lord Tsuchikage!"

The ANBU ninja knelt on one knee, speaking in a panicked tone: "Deidara... just flew out of the village on a clay bird!"

"This..."

Kitsuchi's face changed. He turned to Ōnoki: "Father, I will personally go and bring Deidara back!"

With that, he strode to leave.

But suddenly felt a weight on his shoulder. He subconsciously stopped and turned his head to look.

"Don't be so anxious. Just send people to follow him from a distance."

Ōnoki sat on his shoulder, saying with an air of composure: "It's not wartime now. That brat's current strength is enough for self-protection."

"Besides, that fellow just caused trouble. It's just right for him to go out and lie low for a while."

As for whether Deidara would come back, Ōnoki wasn't too worried.

With that fellow's playful nature, he would naturally return to the village when he got bored of playing.

But just as Kitsuchi breathed a sigh of relief,

"Cough cough! No, that's not it!"

The ANBU ninja also caught his breath, even with a hint of a sob in his voice: "When Deidara left, he took Rōshi with him!"

As soon as these words were spoken, Ōnoki's face changed, his calm expression instantly vanishing.

"What did you say? Deidara took Rōshi with him?!"

He angrily grabbed the ANBU ninja by the collar, spittle flying: "Is that little brat crazy? Why didn't you stop them?! Huh?!"

The ANBU ninja trembled all over, replying: "He... they mixed in with the mining team for the Land of Rivers. By the time we discovered them, they were already far away."

Ōnoki grit his teeth upon hearing this, directly flinging the ANBU ninja aside.

It was useless to lose his temper now.

The top priority was to immediately bring Rōshi and Deidara back!

Besides being an Elite Jōnin, Rōshi was also Iwagakure's Four-Tails Jinchūriki!

And Rōshi had a stubborn and obstinate personality. Due to political disagreements, he often argued with him and had tried to sneak out of the village several times, only to be stopped by him.

But he never expected that his "filial disciple" would actually take Rōshi out of the village.

"Kitsuchi! Immediately, right now, set out at once!"

Ōnoki's face flushed red, word by word: "The Jinchūriki and the Tailed Beast absolutely cannot be lost! Even if you have to tie them up, you must bring them back!"

That's a Jinchūriki!

That's a Tailed Beast!

Who knows how many people are eyeing them!

If an accident really happened outside, the loss to Iwagakure would be simply immeasurable.

"Yes, I'll go prepare now."

Kitsuchi's expression was also grave. Without any dawdling, he turned and left.

...

Meanwhile, in Konoha's Hokage Tower.

"Lord Hokage, you were looking for me?"

Kakashi bowed respectfully, glancing at the two people at the side.

One was "Tenzō," who had recently been brought into ANBU by Sarutobi Hiruzen and had now changed his name to "Yamato."

The other was a sloppily dressed old man with a drinker's nose, a strange face Kakashi had never seen before.

"Kakashi, although I know you've been busy with training recently, the village is really short on manpower. So... I can only trouble you to go on a mission." Sarutobi Hiruzen said with a hint of apology.

"Lord Hokage, you speak too seriously. This is the duty of a ninja."

Kakashi shook his head, then asked with some curiosity: "However, I wonder what the mission is?"

Looking at the current situation, he actually wanted him and Yamato to carry out a mission together?

A Sharingan ninja and a Wood Release ninja.

What mission was worth Sarutobi Hiruzen placing such importance on it?

"This is an S-rank mission. The mission content is all written on the scroll."

Sarutobi Hiruzen tossed a scroll to Kakashi, his expression exceptionally serious: "Prepare yourself now and set out on the mission immediately."

Kakashi caught the scroll but didn't have time to look at it. He couldn't help but be stunned upon hearing it was an S-rank mission.

One must know, a mission with a possibility of encountering ninja would be defined as B-rank.

A-rank missions generally occurred during wartime, but this was a relatively peaceful period for the ninja world.

As for... an S-rank mission...

(End of Chapter)

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