Chapter 467

The Third Kazekage rarely smiled, but when he did, it often carried a tinge of sarcasm. This time, his smile was aimed at Yagura, the newly appointed Fourth Mizukage, for his naivety and overconfidence.

"Yagura thought the Cloud Village wouldn't escalate the war. He underestimated the ruthlessness of the Third Raikage. That old man doesn't back down easily. Yagura believed that destroying most of the ships would end the conflict, but the Third Raikage doesn't stop until his anger is satisfied."

Yagura's thinking was logical under normal circumstances. Wars should cease when both sides lose the means to continue. However, he failed to account for the personalities of Onoki and the Third Raikage—both prone to impulsiveness. One was stubborn, the other domineering. Neither could let go of their grudges easily.

Shinki chuckled. "Even if these small-scale island skirmishes don't cause much real damage, the psychological impact is enormous. In short, it's not about the destruction—it's about the humiliation."

The Cloud Village's ninja teams had been launching frequent raids on islands in the Land of Water, causing minimal casualties or destruction but leaving Yagura's reputation in tatters. These attacks made Yagura, newly elevated to his position, look incompetent.

The Third Kazekage clenched his fists as he recalled similar raids by the Mist Village on the coastal ports of the Wind Country. The Mist ninja operated like pirates, striking quickly and retreating before a response could be mounted. These attacks left the ports in chaos and the Sand Village unable to retaliate effectively due to their lack of maritime military power.

The Daimyo of the Wind Country had often berated the Kazekage over these invasions, but his complaints were hollow. Despite his protests, he refused to allocate sufficient funds for a proper defense. The Third Kazekage was left powerless to prevent such attacks without compromising other critical areas of the Wind Country's defense.

"How could I station ninjas at every coastal port? The military expenses alone would be astronomical," the Kazekage muttered, frustration evident.

The meal stretched over two hours. As the evening wore on, the Kazekage dismissed Sasori, who had grown visibly bored. Though Sasori had initially observed Shinki with curiosity, the political discussions had left him feeling like an outsider. Once Sasori had left, the Kazekage turned to Shinki with a more serious expression.

Shinki took a sip of the red wine served—a unique specialty of the Wind Country. Despite the region's poverty, its oases provided excellent conditions for growing grapes, producing wines that were difficult to rival elsewhere. Unfortunately, the small-scale production made it hard to build a sustainable industry.

After savoring the drink, Shinki leaned back and said, "That boy, Sasori, harbors deep hatred in his heart."

The Third Kazekage sighed, his expression growing heavy. "I know. His parents died during the war. He blames White Fang, Hatake Sakumo, for their deaths. Both Chiyo and I have tried to help him work through his grief, but it hasn't been easy."

Shinki shook his head. "His hatred isn't directed at White Fang alone. It's also aimed at you."

The Kazekage froze, his unease palpable. "At me?"

"Yes—and no," Shinki replied cryptically, pausing to gather his thoughts.

The Kazekage frowned. Sasori had grown up under his watch. If the boy harbored grievances about his parents, the Kazekage could accept that. After all, he had led the war that cost them their lives. But malice?

"My eyes allow me to see things others can't," Shinki explained, gesturing toward his face. "Sasori's heart is steeped in darkness. Initially, I thought his malice was directed at me—I killed many Sand Village shinobi during the war, after all. But his resentment is overwhelmingly aimed at you."

The Kazekage sat in stunned silence. "Why would he hate me to that extent?"

"The loss of his parents, coupled with the emotional neglect he's faced, has twisted his perspective. He likely sees you as the one who made the decisions that led to their deaths," Shinki said. "This unresolved hatred will only grow if left unchecked."

The Kazekage exhaled deeply, his mind racing. Sasori was not only a genius but also someone he and Chiyo had sought to nurture. Yet, if what Shinki said was true, Sasori's bitterness could lead him down a dangerous path.

"Hatred like this doesn't fade easily," Shinki added. "And if left unchecked, it can spiral out of control. I'm telling you this because I believe you're an excellent leader and a valuable ally. If something were to happen to you, the consequences for Sand Village—and the alliance with Konoha—would be severe."

The Kazekage's eyes darkened at the implication. "You think Sasori might..."

"Turn against you? Yes," Shinki said bluntly. "If nothing is done, his malice could fester to the point of no return. You've seen what he's capable of—imagine if that talent were turned on you or the village."

The Kazekage fell silent. He understood the weight of Shinki's warning. Sasori wasn't just any child—he was a prodigy whose skills could tip the scales of power, for better or worse.

Shinki continued, "If you address this now, there's hope. But if you ignore it, Sand Village might face consequences far worse than you can imagine."

The Kazekage nodded gravely. Shinki's words were harsh but undeniably true. The stability of Sand Village—and its alliance with Konoha—depended on resolving this threat before it escalated.

As Shinki sipped his wine, he couldn't help but think of Rasa, the man who would become Kazekage if the Third Kazekage were to fall. The thought of Rasa's disastrous leadership in the original timeline sent a chill through him.

For the sake of Konoha and the fragile peace, the Third Kazekage needed to survive—and Sasori's path had to be corrected before it was too late.