Looking at Kikyo Castle, the Sunagakure's forces halted.
Then, everyone looked towards Rasa at the front.
At that moment, two figures stepped forward… Chiyo and Ebizo.
Strangely, both Chiyo and Ebizo had hesitant expressions on their faces!
Rasa was very puzzled.
"What's wrong?" Rasa looked at Chiyo in confusion. "Wasn't the plan to attack immediately upon arrival? It's almost time for Konoha's shift change and information exchange with the forward sentries. We don't have much time!"
"I know!" Chiyo explained hoarsely and seriously. "It's just that I suddenly had a bad premonition, so I came specifically to ask you, Kazekage-sama!"
"A bad premonition?!" Hearing Chiyo's words, Rasa found it utterly absurd.
'Are you joking, ma'am? This is a military operation, a serious one!'
'And you come with a 'bad premonition,' halting the entire team? Are you kidding me?'
'As expected, women are women… indecisive!'
Rasa felt some disdain in his heart.
To be honest, this so-called 'Flower of the Ninja World' Chiyo was clearly past her prime.
If Chiyo and Ebizo hadn't been the direct supporters who pushed him into his position, Rasa would have already lost his temper.
But precisely because they were his direct supporters, Rasa could only manage a relatively amiable smile.
"Elder Chiyo, please speak."
"Alright, I'll speak then." Chiyo nodded, clearly unaware of the multitude of thoughts racing through Rasa's mind in that single second.
Or perhaps, the premonition she just felt was genuinely very disturbing!
After all, the last time she had such a feeling was... the last time... when her son and daughter-in-law died!
Looking at Rasa, Chiyo spoke gravely: "Kazekage-sama, killing those sentries just now was a minor matter."
"But if we proceed now, it truly means declaring war without warning!"
"Konoha is still Konoha, even in its weakened state. But has our Sunagakure truly prepared for a full-scale war?"
Chiyo's voice was filled with worry: "After fighting for so many years, shouldn't we know this by now?"
"When a war starts is up to us to decide, but when it ends... that has nothing to do with Sunagakure!"
"…"
Hearing Chiyo's words, Rasa frowned deeply. He hadn't expected Chiyo to hesitate at such a critical moment!
But remembering again that Chiyo and Ebizo were his direct supporters, Rasa restrained himself once more!
Rasa looked at Ebizo, hoping the [Desert Fox] could offer some explanation: "And Elder Ebizo's opinion?"
Ebizo wasn't as completely dominated by the premonition as Chiyo. He stated his reason, also addressing Chiyo's concern.
"My sister means to say she has a bad feeling in her heart, as if this battle today shouldn't be fought."
"The last time such a bad feeling appeared was when Toya and Hasu died, so she is very hesitant."
"As for me... I don't really pay much attention to such feelings. But my sister does raise a valid point!"
Ebizo looked gravely at Rasa: "No matter how weak Konoha is now, it is still Konoha. And in Sunagakure's history, we have never defeated Konoha!"
Here, Ebizo raised a hand to stop Rasa's potential rebuttal.
"I know you're eager, but don't be, not yet. Let me finish!" Ebizo continued. "Therefore, starting this war now, truly, truly, truly, could very well be the final one!"
"Our Kazekage of Sunagakure, by proceeding now, are you truly prepared to face everything, to fight a war that will end it all?"
Ebizo's voice was drawn out, filled with a mysterious resonance.
Hearing Ebizo's words, Rasa, against all odds, calmed down.
He seriously contemplated Ebizo's question: "Am I prepared?"
"I think... it's not about whether I'm prepared or not!" Rasa looked at Ebizo with youthful vigor. "Elder Ebizo, I know what you're hesitant about."
"However, I am the Fourth Kazekage. I am young. I have the time and energy to shoulder everything!"
Rasa said earnestly: "So, Elder Ebizo, please believe in me, and leave everything to me!"
"Good!" Looking at this determined Rasa, Ebizo revealed a satisfied smile.
Then, he tugged on Chiyo, who still wanted to say something, and they went aside for a quiet discussion.
When the two returned, Chiyo's eyes were filled with a relentless killing intent.
They both nodded at Rasa.
Subsequently, the Sunagakure's forces charged once more towards the massive Kikyo Castle.
Halfway there, Rasa pulled out a scroll and unfurled it.
Simultaneously, the other Sunagakure's Ninjas did the same, producing scrolls!
The next second!
Bang!
Dozens of scroll seals were released!
Almost simultaneously, as if a river of stars were pouring down, a massive amount of gold dust instantly filled the entire wilderness, transforming the shrubland into a desert of golden sand!
Standing on the golden desert, Rasa's Chakra surged, and he formed hand seals!
"Magnet Release: Strongest Spear!"