"Naruto: Ice God"Chapter 146: Rasa's Intentions
From the slug's mouth, Feng Bai learned that half a year had already passed since he entered Shikkotsu Forest.
Half a year?
He had unknowingly spent half a year inside the slug's body?
Seeing Feng Bai's shocked expression, the slug wiggled its small antennae somewhat hesitantly: "It should be about half a year, according to human time. But I haven't been to the ninja world in a long time, so the timing should be roughly correct."
"A-anyway, little Feng Bai, you should focus on your training first!"
Inside the slug's body, Feng Bai had already adapted to natural energy. What he needed to do now was actively absorb this energy for his own use, then activate Sage Mode.
Under the slug's urging, Feng Bai had no choice but to calm his mind, dispelling the shock brought by the passage of time and concentrating on sensing the natural energy.
But—
"Guu~"
His stomach's rumbling broke the current tranquility. Feng Bai blushed, looking somewhat embarrassedly at the slug: "Um, Lady Slug, is there anything to eat here?"
"You really are hopeless."
The slug shook its head and turned to look at its massive main body.
"Pop, pop, pop."
Accompanied by several sounds, the slug split off a few small slugs from its main body, which bounced over to Feng Bai.
The small slug that had been communicating with Feng Bai somehow produced an apron from nowhere and tied it around itself, looking seriously at Feng Bai.
Heaven knows how Feng Bai could see "seriousness" on a slug's face, but he swore he genuinely did.
"So, little Feng Bai, what flavor of me would you like to eat?"
"Sorry, I'm not hungry anymore!!!"
...
Konoha Village.
Sakumo, who had become the Fourth Hokage, sat in his office with deeply furrowed brows.
Across from him, the retired Hiruzen Sarutobi wore civilian clothes and was leisurely sipping tea.
"Kumogakure still refuses to negotiate with us..."
What could make Sakumo show such an ugly expression was naturally the intelligence report in his hands.
"It looks like this Fourth Raikage is just like his father—a complete warmonger."
Hiruzen set down his teacup and evaluated the Fourth Raikage based on the available intelligence.
"Fortunately, they haven't deployed large-scale forces to attack, which gives us time to recover and develop. But..." Sakumo responded to Hiruzen, his tone carrying some worry.
"But?" Hiruzen looked at him curiously.
"I always feel things aren't that simple." Years of frontline combat instincts reminded Sakumo that this Fourth Raikage wasn't as straightforward as the intelligence suggested.
Kumogakure must be brewing some new conspiracy.
But he couldn't make deployment decisions based solely on intuition.
Now that he had become Hokage, he had to be responsible for the entire village and could no longer move his forces based on experience and instinct like he did on the front lines.
"Don't worry. If needed, these old bones of mine can still move."
Seeing Sakumo's concerns, Hiruzen offered words of comfort.
Now that he was no longer Hokage, he was completely free to operate on the front lines.
It had been a long time since this old body had seen combat.
"You're the Hokage now, Sakumo. Act according to what you think is right—don't worry about my opinions."
Hiruzen's words gave Sakumo some confidence and helped him formulate certain plans.
...
Between villages, there are no eternal enemies or eternal friends—only eternal interests.
Even though his own father had once led forces that nearly destroyed Sunagakure's stronghold, the Fourth Raikage, unable to break through Konoha, still turned his attention to them.
He wanted to join forces with Sunagakure to launch a surprise attack on Konoha.
Of course, this was also because the Fourth Raikage had no other choice.
Iwagakure wouldn't act without seeing concrete benefits. After facing Konoha's determined resistance, Ōnoki quickly completed negotiations with Konoha Village, knowing he couldn't gain substantial benefits.
The news that Kirigakure's elite Seven Ninja Swordsmen had been completely wiped out had already spread throughout the ninja world via Konoha. They had now completely retreated to their islands, relying on occasional small squads sent to the Land of Fire to harass Konoha Village.
Looking at it this way, Kumogakure's only potential ally was Sunagakure.
Rasa, who had just inherited the position of Fourth Kazekage, was quite tempted by the olive branch offered by the Fourth Raikage.
Due to the Land of Wind's nobles not trusting Sunagakure, the entire village's military budget was pitifully low, forcing them to adopt an elite force policy similar to Kirigakure's model.
However, unlike Kirigakure's more humane approach, Sunagakure didn't create anything like the so-called Bloody Mist, but instead highly valued ninja with Kekkei Genkai.
Regarding military funding, starting from the Third Kazekage's era, Sunagakure had begun secret mining operations behind the Daimyō's back, somewhat alleviating the predicament caused by insufficient military funds.
This was also why the Third Kazekage had been so ambitious about launching a war of revenge against Konoha.
At this time, although Sunagakure had been roughed up by Kumogakure, their core strength hadn't suffered major losses.
This gave Rasa the idea of regaining the Daimyō's favor through a war.
Illegal mining was always a hidden danger—if the Daimyō investigated—
Well, it didn't seem like a big deal. At worst, they'd just cut more military funding.
"This is a good opportunity. It's time to let the ninja world recognize Sunagakure's combat strength again." Chiyo, who was determined to take revenge on Konoha, was very enthusiastic.
"But first we need to resolve our friction with Kirigakure." A high-ranking official voiced Rasa's current concern.
The friction with Kirigakure was tying up Sunagakure's already limited forces, preventing them from concentrating all their power for a decisive strike against Konoha.
Though they didn't understand why Kirigakure would create friction with Sunagakure from such a great distance, it was indeed an undeniable fact.
The advisors began their discussion, and Chiyo also frowned, cursing Kirigakure for being a hindrance.
"Actually..."
Seeing the atmosphere was properly set, Rasa cleared his throat and produced a scroll: "I've already sent people to contact Kirigakure. They've agreed to end the friction with us."
Chiyo and Ebizō raised their eyebrows, looking at this young Kazekage with stunned expressions.
When did this guy—
As Sunagakure's undisputed power holders, they had been completely unaware of this matter.
Ebizō quickly recovered, understanding in his heart that this young Kazekage before them had truly come into his own.
"In that case—"
An advisor was about to speak but was immediately stopped by Rasa.
"Kirigakure made one demand—"
Surveying his surroundings, Rasa observed everyone's expressions.
"Hand over Pakura to them."
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