Chapter 407: Undercurrent

Inside the Kazekage Building's conference room, the tension was palpable.

A rectangular table dominated the room, flanked by high-ranking officials of Sunagakure. All eyes were fixed on a small, overturned table placed prominently at the center. Along the edge of the table, a series of intricate black lines shimmered faintly—the mark of the Flying Thunder God Technique.

Seated at the head of the table on the left side was a middle-aged woman with gray hair and a face weathered by time. Despite her age, her sharp eyes burned with intensity.

"Namikaze Minato!" she hissed, her voice cold and venomous.

It was Chiyo. Her gaze lingered on the black markings, her fury barely contained. Slowly, she looked up and surveyed the room.

"Hah," Chiyo laughed bitterly, her voice filled with scorn. "Sunagakure, a village with defenses so tight that a bird can barely fly in without being noticed, yet an enemy spy infiltrated us and left this behind?!"

Her words stung. The high-ranking officials and elite jōnin present, responsible for the village's security, bowed their heads in silence under her withering glare.

Everyone knew that Chiyo's anger stemmed not only from the insult to Sunagakure's pride but also from her personal vendetta. Namikaze Minato had been instrumental in the deaths of her daughter-in-law and her son during the previous Ninja World War.

The disappearance of the Third Kazekage had plunged the village into chaos, and with no figure of greater authority than Chiyo, even the most senior officials dared not contradict her.

"Elder Chiyo," came a calm voice, cutting through the tension.

It was Ebizō, Chiyo's younger brother, sitting across from her. Though his voice was steady, it carried weight, and even Chiyo paused to listen.

"Now is not the time to assign blame," he said. "What we must do is select someone to inherit the title of Kazekage immediately. Without leadership, the village will remain vulnerable, and our people's trust will waver."

Chiyo's anger simmered, but she knew her brother was right. She drew in a deep breath and reined in her emotions.

"In that case," she said after a moment, "there is only one suitable candidate—Rasa."

At her words, the room turned toward a young man seated fourth from the left.

Rasa, a man in his early twenties with striking red hair, sat with a calm expression. Though his age was close to that of Namikaze Minato, his demeanor exuded control and poise. Rasa's mastery of Gold Dust, a technique derived from the same principles as the Kazekage's Iron Sand, had earned him recognition as one of Sunagakure's brightest talents.

While the loss of the Third Kazekage was a devastating blow, Rasa's presence offered a glimmer of hope.

Chiyo's voice softened slightly as she continued, "Rasa has both the strength and intelligence to lead Sunagakure. He is the only choice for the Fourth Kazekage."

The room murmured in agreement. Rasa nodded, his composure unwavering, though a flicker of pride glinted in his eyes. For any shinobi, ascending to the position of Kage was the pinnacle of achievement, yet Rasa maintained his calm.

"Very well," Chiyo said with satisfaction. "After this meeting, we will formally recommend Rasa to the daimyo as the Fourth Kazekage."

Though the appointment of Rasa was critical, it was not the sole purpose of the meeting.

Ebizo cleared his throat, his tone lowering as the atmosphere grew heavier. "There is another matter we must address."

The room fell silent. All eyes turned to Chiyo, whose expression hardened once more. Her hands clenched under the table, trembling ever so slightly.

"According to the latest intelligence," Ebizo began, "the disappearance of the Third Kazekage was not solely due to external forces. It was orchestrated with the help of someone within our own village."

He paused, letting the gravity of his words sink in.

"Sasori of the Red Sand betrayed Sunagakure, aiding outsiders in the assassination of the Third Kazekage. His crimes are unparalleled in the history of our village."

The officials' faces darkened. Even though the betrayal had been suspected, hearing it confirmed was a bitter pill to swallow.

"I propose we issue an S-rank wanted notice for Sasori," Ebizo continued. "His treachery has caused irreparable harm to Sunagakure. He must be brought to justice."

Chiyo's face was unreadable, but her silence spoke volumes. Sasori, her grandson, had once been a prodigy who could have taken on the mantle of Kazekage. Now, he was a traitor.

For Chiyo, it was yet another loss in a life already filled with heartbreak. Her son, her daughter-in-law, and now the grandson she had once pinned all her hopes on—all gone.

The officials nodded solemnly. The betrayal was clear, and Sasori's punishment had to be swift and severe.

"Namikaze Minato."

The name hung in the air, heavy with unspoken implications.

The connection between Minato and the Third Kazekage's disappearance was tenuous, based solely on the space-time coordinates left behind in Sunagakure. But the evidence was damning enough to stir resentment among the village's leadership.

Still, acting against Konoha was a different matter entirely.

"Sunagakure cannot challenge Konoha directly," Ebizo said grimly. "Even with this evidence, taking action against Namikaze Minato would invite disaster."

The room buzzed with frustration. Konoha's strength had grown exponentially since the Second Ninja World War, and Sunagakure's current state left it in no position to provoke them.

At that moment, Rasa broke his silence.

"We don't need to act alone," he said, his voice calm but deliberate. "There are others who see Konoha as a threat, just as we do. If we wait, they will act first."

His words struck a chord. The ninja world had been on edge for years, with Konoha's dominance upsetting the fragile balance of power.

Rasa continued, "The other great nations will not sit idly by while Konoha grows unchecked. The time to act is coming."

The room fell silent, but understanding passed between the officials. Rasa's words were clear. Patience would be their greatest weapon.

________________________________________

Kumogakure, Raikage's Office

In the Land of Lightning, the Third Raikage stood at his desk, a thick scroll in his hands. His dark face lit up with a fierce grin.

"The Fourth Kazekage has been elected," he said to himself. "Good. The pieces are falling into place."

Turning to the shinobi in front of him, the Raikage's voice boomed with authority. "Send word to the Tsuchikage, the Mizukage, and the Kazekage. Tell them I have a matter of great importance to discuss."

"Yes, Raikage-sama!" the shinobi said, disappearing instantly.

The Raikage turned back to the window, staring out over Kumogakure. His fists clenched with anticipation, his eyes burning with determination.

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