Naruto: Rebuilding the Hidden Sand Village

The water level in Sunagakure had dropped again.

It was likely due to the recent spike in water consumption from the gold refining operations. The drop in water levels was more obvious this time, and that alone was enough to raise alarm.

Normally, when water levels dropped drastically, Sunagakure would hire Kirigakure shinobi to help replenish the supply. The cost of these services rivaled an S-rank mission reward, but… it wasn't something they could afford to skimp on.

Typically, the Mission Assignment Department handled these kinds of logistics without needing the Kazekage's signature. It was a routine necessity, and Rasa didn't usually pay it much mind.

As for relying on Kana alone to fill the village's daily water needs and supplement the gold refining operations—there was simply no way she could keep up. The output was far too little to match the demand. If this continued, it would become a serious problem.

So, based on the advice of several senior shinobi, Rasa reluctantly agreed to hire Kirigakure once more—even during wartime—to assist with water replenishment.

Even now, during the war, the mission economy hadn't completely stopped. Though the vetting process had become stricter and missions were generally restricted to safe, domestic operations, the system still functioned.

So even though Sunagakure was technically still at war with Kirigakure, this wasn't a big issue—so long as they posted enough guards to watch the hired Mist-nin. It was just a matter of whether Kirigakure would accept the contract.

Despite all their talk of "bonds" and "friendship," for a shinobi, completing the mission always came first.

And truthfully… the war between Sunagakure and Kirigakure was already near its breaking point. Both sides were exhausted, just waiting for an excuse to back down. If either side surrendered, the war might end.

This mission? It could be the perfect opportunity to test Kirigakure's willingness to make peace.

And as expected…

Kirigakure accepted.

After all, their Mist-nin had always handled water replenishment in the past, and they were likely accustomed to it; there was nothing unusual about it.

The Third Mizukage had conditions: Sunagakure must publicly declare defeat, compensate Kirigakure for its wartime losses, and—to preserve the "friendship" between the two villages—execute the Sunagakure shinobi who had killed Kirigakure's frontline commander.

What the hell kind of demand was that?!

With the Senju clan down to a single heir and the Uzumaki Clan wiped out, there were only a few who could perform large-scale Water Release in desert terrain—and aside from the Mist-nin sent on these contracts, no other village had shinobi capable of that. Maybe Konoha had some talented Water Release users in hiding, but Sunagakure had always preferred to "cooperate" with Kirigakure on this.

Still, it was obvious—Kirigakure must've taken severe losses on the frontlines. These ridiculous demands were clearly an opportunistic attempt to exploit Sunagakure's weakened state.

Rasa sighed as he glanced at Elder Ebizō, who had stayed behind after the meeting, wearing an expression full of hesitation.

He shook his head and said firmly, "There's nothing to discuss, Elder Ebizō. Sunagakure will never sacrifice one of its own shinobi."

"But if sacrificing one could bring peace and restore our water supply—perhaps even more…" Ebizō hesitated, then sighed, "I believe Kirigakure's terms might still be negotiable. After all… making sacrifices for the sake of Sunagakure is a duty we all share."

"…"

That's almost something Konoha's darker side would say.

No wonder, in later years, Ebizō and Chiyo would spend most of their time fishing in seclusion, rarely appearing in public. Maybe it wasn't just grief for lost grandchildren—it might also have been sheer embarrassment. They had no face left to show the village.

After returning to the village, Chiyo had passed on all her responsibilities and secluded herself in a wooden hut she'd built in the hills behind the village. Perhaps she, too, felt guilt over the many lives lost under her leadership.

She hadn't shown herself for some time now.

Rasa let out another sigh, his expression growing more serious.

"Sunagakure will never sacrifice a shinobi without cause. That's non-negotiable."

"Then… what about the water?" Ebizō asked softly. His expression flickered between reluctant approval and disappointment. After a long pause, he murmured, "Without Mist's help, we'll need to relocate the village every so often just to survive."

The oasis that the First Kazekage had chosen… might've been sufficient back then. But now, between the village's daily water consumption and the demands of the gold refinement operations, it was barely enough.

"If the Kazekage-sama—"

"No need to say more. This is a matter of principle," Rasa cut in. He lowered his gaze to the map on his desk, brow furrowed. "For now… we'll have to rely on Kana a bit longer."

Then, narrowing his eyes, he glanced toward a certain border on the map, a country near Sunagakure's territory.

"We can't keep relying on others for water forever."

"…"

Ebizō studied the confident smile on Rasa's face, his own expression darkening briefly—then softening.

"I won't bother you any further, Kazekage-sama."

He didn't know what Rasa had in mind… but he trusted him.

Surely the Kazekage wouldn't let Sunagakure vanish into the desert sands.

With that thought easing his mind, a smile tugged at the old man's lips.

"Actually, I came today just to see if there was anything else I could help with, but also… to request your permission to retire, Lord Kazekage."

"…"

Rasa looked up, slightly surprised. But when he saw the genuine relief on Ebizō's face, he fell silent for a moment—then smiled and nodded.

"You've done more than enough for Sunagakure."

"It was always for the good of the village."

Hearing Rasa approve his retirement, Ebizō beamed, bowing low.

"If there's nothing else, Kazekage-sama, I'll take my leave. My sister must be getting lonely fishing by herself."

With Rasa's nod of approval, he turned and left.

Rasa watched his figure retreat down the hallway, smiling faintly.

This… might be for the best.

Just then—

"Chiyo-sama's definitely gotten old," Momu muttered beside him, his voice full of emotion. "The older generation of Sunagakure is retiring… and the younger ones are still coming into their own."

But… not a single child in the Academy had shown extraordinary potential.

Sunagakure, somewhere along the way, had suffered a true generational break. Sure, plenty would grow into capable jōnin—but no one had yet shown talent on par with Pakura or the Kazekage himself.

Then Momu's thoughts turned to the child of Lord Rasa and Lady Karura. A smile broke across his face.

The Kazekage's child… will definitely have extraordinary talent!

He leaned in close, waggling his brows at Rasa, grinning in the most irritating way possible.

"…What's with that face?" Rasa asked, narrowing his eyes. "You look like you want me to hit you."

"I heard Lady Karura's about to give birth?"

"Yeah. So?"

"You planning a naming feast? My wife's pregnant too! If it's a boy, I'm hoping he can grow up to be your daughter's right-hand man one day!" Momu laughed giddily, eyes nearly closed from grinning. "And if it's a girl…" He sighed. "Honestly, I'm hoping for a boy. I've already picked the name—Kazemaru! I just know he'll grow up to be strong—like me! A true right-hand man to the Kazekage's family!"

But the moment he said that—

Wait. What did he just say his son's name would be?!

Rasa fell silent. Then, with zero hesitation, he raised a foot and kicked Momu clean out of the office.

"OUT! And keep your brat away from my daughter!"

PS: Read Advance Chapters at https://www.patreon.com/c/ReadJin