Chapter 178: Are You Here to Beg?

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Ruins of Loulan, Land of Wind

Shimura Danzō exhaled in relief—the Dragon Vein's seals were finally complete.

He had to admit, Namikaze Minato was a true genius.

The man's mastery of sealing techniques bordered on the divine.

Of course, Danzō's progress had been slow primarily because he lacked the Flying Thunder God Technique.

But contrary to Sasame's assumptions, his goal wasn't to unleash the Dragon Vein's energy tide.

No—he intended to use it as a battery.

The Dragon Vein contained infinite chakra, theoretically comparable to a tailed beast.

Danzō planned to siphon a portion and graft it onto himself, forcibly awakening Wood Release.

To become Hashirama Senju.

With that power, crushing Sasame would be trivial.

The alliance site's proximity to the Dragon Vein was no accident—it ensured easy chakra replenishment.

But this was a last resort.

The Dragon Vein didn't just harbor chakra; it brimmed with natural energy.

For Danzō's unstable Hashirama cells, that made it a double-edged sword.

A single misstep could trigger catastrophic backlash.

Thus, the Dragon Vein was his final insurance.

Before then, Sasame would face three hurdles:

The Shimura clan.

The Kazekage, Rasa.

And the One-Tail's Jinchūriki, Gaara.

As Danzō mused, his gaze settled on three figures in the distance—

A boy with a gourd.

A girl with a fan.

And another boy carrying a puppet.

Gaara. Temari. Kankurō.

"Lord Danzō."

Rasa materialized before him in a flicker. "I hear you've unlocked the Dragon Vein's seals?"

"I left one intact."

Danzō saw no need to lie. "A complete unsealing would draw attention from other villages."

"Prudent."

Rasa's lips curled. "And what of your 'Dragon Vein shinobi' project? Any progress?"

The so-called "Dragon Vein shinobi" involved mass-producing pseudo-jinchūriki by infusing warriors with sealed Dragon Vein chakra.

This was why Rasa had allied so deeply with Danzō.

The potential to elevate Sunagakure's strength was immense.

The only regret? Danzō refused to share the sealing techniques themselves.

So long as Suna lacked sealing masters, Rasa remained dependent.

"Naturally."

Danzō's reply brooked no doubt.

"Good."

Rasa adjusted his Kazekage hat. "Sasame's delegation arrives within the hour. The Uzumaki boy—Naruto—isn't among them."

"Then today is their funeral."

Danzō's voice dripped frost.

"Indeed."

Rasa's smile didn't reach his eyes. "Just remember your promise once you reclaim Konoha."

Aid for Sunagakure.

Power alone wasn't enough—they needed wealth.

"My word is iron. See that you don't hold back your jinchūriki."

Danzō's cane tapped the sand for emphasis. "Underestimating Sasame would be fatal."

Rasa nodded, though inwardly scoffed.

Pathetic. Terrified of a teenager?

No wonder you were cast out.

"Baki."

Rasa turned to his subordinate. "Brief Gaara's team. The signal remains the cup—when it shatters, they strike. Prioritize the Hokage, then the envoys."

"Yes, Lord Kazekage!"

Baki bowed and approached the three siblings.

Temari and Kankurō greeted him eagerly.

Gaara didn't move.

Despite Danzō's help stabilizing his seal, the years of torment hadn't ceased.

The boy remained the same volatile weapon as in the original timeline.

"Teacher, is the Hokage coming?"

Kankurō vibrated with anticipation.

Killing a Kage would etch his name into history.

"Imminently."

Baki frowned. "But you're not ready for direct combat. Stay back."

Though a prodigy inheriting Sasori's puppets, Kankurō was no match for Konoha's elite.

"Gaara will handle it."

Kankurō shot his brother a fearful glance.

He loathed the jinchūriki but trusted his destructive power.

"Exercise caution."

Baki's gaze shifted to Gaara. "You may act once the Kazekage shatters the cup."

Silence.

Then—

A suffocating kill intent erupted.

Kankurō and Temari stumbled back, faces pale.

Baki took that as confirmation.

Gaara had claimed the Hokage as his prey.

Typical.

"Take your positions."

Baki waved them off and turned to finalize the negotiation stage.

Even an ambush required decorum.

Konoha Delegation

A line of figures emerged on the horizon—thirty strong, all chūnin or above.

Representing every major clan.

"Troubling."

Hyūga Hizashi activated his Byakugan. "A barrier blocks my vision ahead. High-level."

For a seal to obstruct the Byakugan?

That demanded forbidden-tier techniques.

And forbidden arts came at a price.

Sunagakure's secrecy spoke volumes.

"No matter."

Sasame shrugged. "We're here to talk."

He knew the barrier hid the Dragon Vein.

Rasa and Danzō had prepared thoroughly.

But retreating now would shame Konoha.

Hizashi understood, though his vigilance sharpened.

"Lord Hokage."

Rasa's eyes flickered as Sasame approached.

He'd expected youth—but not this youth.

With his striking looks, Sasame seemed younger than Kankurō.

No wonder Danzō seethes.

Losing to someone decades your junior? Humiliating.

"Lord Kazekage. An honor."

Sasame studied Rasa and his entourage.

Only Baki stood out—white headband, covered left eye.

Gaara's presence eluded him without Sage Mode.

As for Rasa?

A tragic figure in the original timeline.

Honestly, all Kazekages die horribly.

He should thank me for saving him.

"Please."

Rasa gestured to the negotiation table.

Internally, he frowned.

Sasame exuded no pressure—no aura of strength.

Either he was a master of concealment…

Or painfully average.

Rasa dismissed the latter.

But such overcaution reeked of insecurity.

Amateur.

The makeshift stage hosted two chairs.

Sasame and Rasa sat opposite, flanked by Kurenai and Baki.

Their delegations stood guard below, trading glares.

Wars might've ceased since Hashirama's death, but hostility lingered.

"If talks collapse, do we fight?"

Might Guy's teeth gleamed desert-bright.

"Stop provoking them."

Hatake Kakashi's deadpan didn't waver.

"Huh? I'm just sharing my youth!"

"..."

Kakashi sighed.

"Stay alert."

Hizashi cut in. "Whatever Suna plans, the Hokage's safety comes first."

Among Konoha's envoys, their trio stood strongest—

Sharingan. Byakugan. Eight Gates.

Though Hizashi didn't grasp Guy's full potential.

Negotiation Table

After sipping tea, Rasa slid forward a document.

"Sunagakure's terms. Sign today, and our alliance begins."

Sasame scanned the first clause and laughed.

"One-fifth of Fire Country's annual aid to Suna? Who drafted this?"

"I did."

Rasa remained unruffled. "Alliances require goodwill, no?"

"Clause Two: One-fifth of Konoha's missions redirected to Suna."

Sasame set the paper down, grinning.

"Tell me, Lord Kazekage—"

"Are you here to beg?"

Rasa's cup cracked under his grip.

"You dare insult Sunagakure?!"

He stood—but didn't shatter the signal.

Not yet.

He'd wait for the Shimura's move first.

Clean kills were preferable.

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