Rasa's mind snapped into focus. He gave the sand soldiers a single mental command.
The soldiers raised their spears and charged, thrusting hard and fast.
Rasa drew a kunai, took aim, and let it fly.
"Wind Style: Shuriken!"
Wind chakra wrapped the blade, boosting its speed, range, and cutting power.
Thud!
One bandit's head flew clean off his shoulders.
Another was sliced in half at the waist, guts spilling across the sand.
"Lord Kazekage, spare me! I have value! Real value! I'm from the Grass Village!"
Rasa's eyes narrowed to slits.
"Talk."
The last bandit dropped to his knees, words tumbling out in a panic. "Lord Kazekage, Grass Village sent me! They told me to pose as a bandit, slip into the Land of Wind, spy on Sunagakure, and rob every caravan I could find. All the loot goes straight back to Grass Village. That's the deal!"
Rasa's gaze turned cold.
Grass Village had always been bold. When Sunagakure was weak, they'd come scavenging like vultures. A tiny ninja village that didn't know its own weight. Now that Sunagakure had crushed the Mist, they were still pulling the same petty bullshit.
Rasa almost respected the audacity. Almost. Mostly he just thought they were brain-dead.
"Still," he thought, "Sunagakure isn't ready for another full-scale war. The shinobi are burned out—bodies and minds. The war's already dragged on too long. And the Sun Disk project needs every resource we've got. A big fight would derail everything."
Plenty of people in the village still didn't understand why he was sinking so much into the Sun Disk. But with his reputation at its peak, nobody dared argue. Once it was finished, they'd understand.
"A massive war is off the table right now. But crushing a pissant village like Grass Village? That's nothing. And they've got a few things I actually want."
The Dragon Tongue Rebirth technique. A rare bloodline secret that let you trade your own life to bring someone back from the dead. Similar to Chiyo's own life-transfer jutsu.
Plus the Uzumaki members Grass Village was hoarding—Karin and her mother. Those two were special even among Uzumaki. Called "blood packs." Get hurt, bite them, and wounds closed fast. Better than most medical ninjutsu. Grass Village was wasting them on trash. In Sunagakure, Rasa would protect them like the treasures they were. Save them for when it truly mattered.
Their durability had already been proven—they'd lasted this long under that abuse. That made them high-value targets.
He was also curious about Grass Village's Fire Style sealing technique. It locked down an enemy's chakra and burned them alive from the inside if they strayed too far from the caster.
And the Box of Ultimate Bliss. A legendary Six Paths ninja tool said to grant any wish.
"I've got the proof right here. Attacking Grass Village is completely justified. Nobody can call me out on it."
Rasa looked down at the kneeling bandit.
"What's your name?"
"Grass Willow."
"Fine, Grass Willow. I'll let you live. But you're going to be my star witness. You're going to tell the entire ninja world exactly how Grass Village sent you to invade Sunagakure."
"No problem, Lord Kazekage! I'll say whatever you need!"
Grass Willow nodded so hard his head nearly came off. Compared to staying alive, Grass Village meant nothing. He'd never been popular there anyway.
Rasa nodded once.
A rope of gold dust snapped tight around Grass Willow like a mummy.
Another clump of gold dust formed under Rasa's feet and lifted him skyward.
Yatagarasu swooped in. Rasa landed lightly on its broad back.
The gold dust rope dragged Grass Willow behind like a trussed-up package.
Yatagarasu spread its massive wings and shot toward the Land of Fire.
At the same time, a fleet of massive ships docked at the port, decks packed with cargo and guarded by grim-faced Mist shinobi. These were the reparations Kirigakure owed Sunagakure. Lose even one crate and the consequences would be catastrophic.
Elder Genshi and Kisame Hoshigaki stood on the lead ship's deck as cold sea wind whipped around them.
Genshi let out a long, heavy sigh.
Even though he'd been willing to sacrifice himself for the village, now that the moment had actually arrived, he still felt resistance. He didn't want to die. There was still so much left to do—strengthen the economy, train real talent, especially Mei Terumi. He had high hopes for her. With his guidance, she could become a Mizukage who surpassed both the Third and Yagura.
Then Kirigakure would rise again.
"Sunagakure… do they really hate me that much?"
"Because we once demanded the same from them, I understand why they're doing this. But killing an old man like me? What's the point? And Kisame too."
Genshi glanced sideways at the tall, shark-like boy beside him.
After Rasa had used Hoshigaki Goki's body to make that move, Genshi knew Kisame's loyalties had shifted.
"I'm sure Kisame was one of the names Rasa specifically demanded."
"Is Sunagakure just impressed by his potential? Or does the Hoshigaki clan have some secret?"
A Mist shinobi hurried over, voice tight.
"Elder Genshi, it's time to disembark."
Genshi snapped back to the present.
"Kisame. Let's go."
"Yes, Elder Genshi."
Moments later.
On a wide, empty stretch of ground, Sunagakure forces and their captives faced off against Mist forces and the reparations cargo. The historic handover was about to begin.
War reparations.