A Konoha shinobi, dressed like an ordinary merchant, stood across from Yakushi Kabuto in the quiet corner of Sunagakure. His chakra flow felt solid—definitely jonin level, maybe higher. Rasa watched from the shadows, eyes narrowing.
Kabuto played his part perfectly. Calm, loyal, the picture of a stressed double agent who still answered to the Leaf. The Konoha man had no clue Kabuto had already flipped.
This kid's got real talent, Rasa thought. Spying for Root, then Orochimaru, now me. No wonder he survived every war and came out on top.
A single Byakugan eye floated nearby, wrapped in gold dust. At the same time, a thin wire of sand-gold stretched across the ground like a hidden microphone, feeding every word straight into Rasa's ear.
"Kabuto, how much of the mission did you finish?" the Konoha shinobi asked, voice low and sharp.
"Sir, Sunagakure is locked down tight. I haven't been able to pull anything useful yet."
"Nothing at all?"
Kabuto lowered his head. "I'm sorry."
The Konoha man's eyes flashed with disgust. "Useless. But fine. The village knows how tight security is here. I'll let it slide this time. New orders."
He leaned in. "Investigate the Devil Fruits. We need every detail—where they came from, how many Rasa has, what they actually do."
Kabuto nodded. "I'll look into the Sun Disk, Rasa's true strength, and the Devil Fruits. I'll get results."
The Konoha shinobi's face hardened. "Not 'try.' Do it. Or there will be consequences. Danzo-sama's patience isn't endless."
Kabuto's stomach dropped, but he kept his face blank. "Understood."
The man stood and walked away.
He didn't get far.
The ground suddenly sank beneath his feet. Thick gold sand erupted upward, wrapping his legs like living chains. A violent jolt of electricity surged through the metal-infused sand.
His body locked up instantly. He couldn't even scream before the sand dragged him underground.
Rasa stepped out of the shadows and faced Kabuto.
Kabuto reported everything exactly as it happened—no lies, no hesitation. The story matched what Rasa had already overheard. Trust ticked up another notch.
"Lord Kazekage… can I ask one favor?" Kabuto clenched his fists. "If you help me get Yakushi Nono out of Konoha, I'll follow every order you give. Anything. Even if it kills me."
Rasa studied him. "Yakushi Nono? Danzo's still using her as leverage against you?"
Kabuto nodded, eyes burning.
"She's probably safe for now," Rasa said. "Danzo only threatens her because he thinks he still controls you. As long as you stay useful and quiet, she stays breathing. But if you want her to walk away from the Leaf on her own… she has to see the truth for herself. The real Konoha. Not the fairy tale they sell."
Kabuto stayed silent for a long moment, then bowed deep. "I understand."
Rasa gave a short nod. "Good. Keep doing the job I gave you. You've proven yourself today. Sunagakure rewards loyalty. We don't play the same games the Leaf does."
"Yes, Lord Kazekage."
Rasa returned to the Kazekage Tower. The fifth rumor was burning itself out. Points sat at 275—close enough to a thousand that he didn't need to push harder. The rumor team, the Minato card in Ninja Kill, and the Will of Fire debate in the Weekly were carrying the rest.
Time to plan number six.
He stood at the window, staring toward the Land of Fire.
"Konoha's still the biggest target. The Uchiha are busy at sea. The Hyuga are spineless. So it has to be Hiruzen or Danzo."
He smiled coldly.
"But Danzo's name doesn't carry enough weight. Hiruzen's already painted as the power-hungry bastard who killed Minato. Perfect setup for the next one."
Rasa remembered the old story.
Sakumo Hatake. The White Fang. Kakashi's father.
Kakashi was already the golden boy of Konoha's younger generation. Even after losing to Ryo in the tournament, plenty of people swore the puppets gave Ryo an unfair edge. Kakashi was the real future star.
Rasa's eyes gleamed.
"I'll spread the rumor that the village elders—and Hiruzen—forced Sakumo into suicide because his legend was growing too fast. Too dangerous. Too popular. They couldn't let the White Fang become the next big thing."
He turned from the window.
"It'll tie straight into the Minato rumor. Same pattern. Same monster wearing the Hokage hat. The whole world will eat it up."
Rasa checked the system panel one last time.
Name: Rasa
Title: Fourth Kazekage
Ninjutsu: Flowing Sand Shift, Sand Soldier Emergence…
Kekkei Genkai: Magnet Release: Gold Dust, Byakugan
Remaining Activation Points: 0
Current Points: 275
He closed the panel.
"Once the fifth rumor finishes… we drop the sixth."