Naruto: Rebuilding the Hidden Sand Village

Kabuto.

A kid with amnesia.

Rasa didn't even know what to say. He sat there staring at the boy in front of him—bandages wrapped around his head, standing quietly with a calm expression.

Then he turned to face Kana.

"You're the one who found him?"

"Yes," Kana replied with a gentle smile, though there was a trace of sympathy in her eyes. "When we reached the area near Kikyo Pass, he was sneaking along behind the main unit, all on his own."

Maybe it was because she saw a younger version of herself in him—the same way she once wandered the shinobi world like a stray dog, bullied and discarded.

She reached out and gently ruffled Kabuto's hair.

"He's lost his memory. All he remembers is that his name is Kabuto. As for a surname, he doesn't know. I've quietly tried to help him find his parents, but… no luck. I suspect…" She trailed off, glancing at the boy who was now looking up at her in silence. Then she turned back to Rasa. "He doesn't have any chakra reserves to speak of. He's not a ninja. Probably just a normal kid. Chiyo-sensei examined him as well."

"…"

When Kabuto became an orphan in Konoha, he was taken in by Nonō Yakushi. And yeah—he did lose his memory at that time. And if he made it through Konoha's vetting process, that meant… there really wasn't anything suspicious about him.

But still…

Was any of that important right now?

What was Kabuto doing here?!

Originally, he should've been taken back to Konoha with the other prisoners. But because of his interference… Yakushi Kabuto was never adopted?

That means… the guy who almost single-handedly kicked off the Fourth Great Ninja War might never exist.

Wait a second—if Kabuto's not around, who's gonna use Edo Tensei?!

And if it ends up in the hands of some super lucky idiot instead… wouldn't that be a disaster for the Allied Shinobi Forces?

Rasa frowned, deep in thought, stroking his chin while staring directly at the eerily calm child.

Yeah… even if I send him to Konoha now, they probably won't take him. They'd probably be too suspicious to take him back—thinking it's some kind of trap.

Just then—

"Um… I'd like to bring him back to the village with me," Kana said quietly, a bit hesitant. "I know we're not supposed to let just anyone into the village, especially during wartime, but…"

She took a deep breath and bowed deeply, her voice earnest.

"I can't just leave him out there to fend for himself. He's so young… and the world's a dangerous place right now. Please, Lord Kazekage."

"…"

Rasa blinked, surprised by her sudden plea. Then his gaze flicked to Kabuto, who for a split second showed a flicker of emotion—just a tiny tremble in his eyes—before reverting to that same unsettling calm.

This kid...

Rasa let out a sigh and looked away with a helpless smile.

"It's fine. Really. The village does need more people, after all."

Sure, they couldn't start collecting war orphans like Konoha did. The village was still dirt poor, barely keeping their own population fed. But…

A few kids? That was doable.

"In that case…"

He furrowed his brow in thought, then squinted at Kabuto like he was trying to solve a puzzle.

"I'm leaving him in your care, Kana. Something tells me… he might have a real talent for medical ninjutsu."

"Really? Are you sure?" Kana blinked. "But… the village doesn't really have formal policies for orphans yet…"

"Don't worry about it." Rasa waved off her concern, giving her a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "I trust you'll raise him well. Make him into a proud shinobi of Sunagakure—one who embodies our values: thrift, resilience, and discipline. A future pillar of the village."

"But… I only just joined the village myself…"

"No problem. I have faith in you, Kana. Haven't you been doing great so far?"

Then he turned to Chiyo, who had been standing nearby, her expression guilty and withdrawn.

He sighed, voice turning quiet but firm.

"Chiyo-sama… I think we need to talk."

Early February, Year 46 of the Hidden Leaf Calendar.

Sunagakure signed a two-shinobi alliance and mutual assistance treaty with Konoha on Kikyo Pass, known as the "Kikyo Pass Treaty." This marked the end of the war between Sunagakure and Konohagakure, and signified another alliance between Konoha and Sunagakure.

"At the same time, Iwagakure, in accordance with its prior agreement with Sunagakure, withdrew its forces from the Land of Wind's border. However, when questioned about their unilateral retreat from Kikyo Pass, they offered no explanation—responding to Sunagakure's inquiry with complete silence."

Truth be told, no one in Suna really expected an answer. After all those drawn-out wars, they no longer had the strength to fight another.

Mid-March, Year 46.

While Konoha was severely depleted after a series of major battles, the Third Tsuchikage immediately mobilized 30,000 shinobi, launching a fierce assault on the forces led by the Third Raikage that had invaded deep into the Land of Earth.

The battle lasted three days and three nights.

Iwagakure suffered devastating losses. And as for Kumogakure…

The Third Raikage was dead.

Rumor had it that he died in a final stand, protecting his troops, fighting alone against an entire army for three days before finally succumbing to exhaustion.

Everyone praised his bravery—even his enemies.

His strength? He was comparable to the God of Shinobi!

Of course… only Kumo and Iwa knew what really happened.

When word of his death reached the man who would become the Fourth Raikage, A—he was so furious he reportedly vomited blood on the spot, his body crackling with lightning. Upon returning to Kumo and assuming leadership, he immediately vowed vengeance for his father and deployed troops toward Iwa.

Late March, Year 46.

With Kumo and Iwa now locked in conflict, Konoha finally had breathing room. It didn't take long for them to seize the opportunity and launch an offensive of their own against Kumo.

May, Year 46.

Kumo never formally declared defeat. But after sustaining heavy losses, they quietly pulled back. Now, Konoha's only remaining enemies were Kirigakure and Iwagakure.

Back in Sunagakure…

Rasa sat in his office, scowling at a stack of reports. After a long pause, he let out a cold chuckle.

"No butcher? So now we're just gonna eat a pig with the hair still on it?"

"…Kazekage-sama, we don't raise pigs in the village."

"GET OUT."

With a sharp kick, he booted the wounded shinobi who'd returned from the frontlines across the room.

"It was a figure of speech!"

Then he turned to the latest message from Kirigakure—and promptly incinerated it with a Wind Release technique.

"Send word back to Kirigakure: Sunagakure will never abandon a single one of its own—especially not our heroes. If they want a fight, let them come. If not, then get the hell out of our country."