The top-tier elite of Sunagakure had gathered in full. When Chiyo saw them assembled, she slowly stood up and made her way toward the central seat of authority.
Aside from a select few who were already aware of what Chiyo was about to announce, most of the jōnin present watched her with visible confusion.
"Chiyo-baasama, where is the Third Kazekage? Why hasn't he appeared yet?"
The question came from one of the attending jōnin, a loyal supporter of the Third Kazekage who had grown increasingly uneasy at the Kage's prolonged absence.
Standing beside the main seat, Chiyo did not sit down. She gave the jōnin a brief glance before speaking slowly:
"There are two matters for which I've called everyone here today."
Seeing her serious demeanor, the entire room grew solemn in anticipation.
"The first matter concerns a rumor that's been spreading through the village for months, about the prolonged disappearance of the Third Kazekage."
"I'm here to confirm this rumor for all of you."
"Our village's Third Kazekage…"
"…has indeed gone missing."
The moment Chiyo's words landed, an uproar exploded through the chamber.
"Chiyo-baasama, what? The Third Kazekage... missing? That's impossible!"
"You must be joking... right?"
The jōnin who had spoken earlier was the first to challenge her, unable to accept the announcement. But even as he protested, doubt crept into his voice—he, too, began to believe the worst.
His outburst opened the floodgates.
"When did the Kazekage disappear, Chiyo-baasama?"
"Where was he last seen?"
"Has it been confirmed that he's dead?"
Chiyo's sudden revelation was like a thunderclap over Sunagakure, a blast that sent shockwaves through every shinobi present.
The war room descended into chaos.
"Silence."
Chiyo's voice cut sharply through the noise. The room fell into a tense, eerie stillness.
The jōnin looked around at one another, their expressions a storm of confusion, disbelief, and rising anger.
"From the very first day the Kazekage went missing, we've sent covert teams across the Land of Wind to investigate. As of now, we still have no actionable intelligence."
"There is, however, one thing we can say with near certainty…"
She paused again, sweeping her gaze over every person in the room before speaking in a low, heavy tone:
"There is a greater than ninety percent chance that the Third Kazekage has been killed."
A second wave of stunned gasps and murmurs erupted across the war room.
This time, Chiyo let it wash over her. She stood motionless, waiting. Listening.
Only after several long minutes did the noise finally die down. All eyes returned to her.
"…Sigh."
With a long breath, Chiyo raised her head again.
"Now, for the second matter."
"This concerns the sudden arrival of the Third Raikage."
"According to our intelligence, he comes with hostile intent. But for the sake of the village's safety, we cannot afford to provoke a direct confrontation."
"The Raikage expects a diplomatic reception. But with our Kazekage missing, we have no one to formally greet him."
"That is why, after thorough deliberation, we have decided, Rasa will serve as acting Kazekage."
"If anyone disagrees, step forward. As long as you're confident you can stop the Third Raikage from entering our gates, we'll gladly consider you for the position of Fourth Kazekage."
Be it out of resignation or reluctant acceptance...
Half an hour later, the vote was nearly unanimous, Rasa had been chosen as the interim Kazekage.
Because moments earlier, he had declared the words that won over the room:
"I, Rasa, will not let the Third Raikage step one foot into this village, unless it's over my dead body."
Faced with a looming storm, Rasa met it with the resolve of one prepared to die.
And thus, Sunagakure stood on the cusp of a new era, the era of the Fourth Kazekage.
Ten minutes later.
At the gates of the village, Rasa finally met the Third Raikage face-to-face.
Behind the Raikage, nearly two hundred Kumogakure shinobi stood at the ready.
Tension crackled in the air as the two sides confronted one another.
...
Three days passed.
Minato and his team returned to Konohagakure.
At the same time, a single piece of intelligence swept across the entire shinobi world, shaking it to its core.
At the center of this upheaval—the disappearance of the Third Kazekage.
One of the Five Kage, a leader of the Land of Wind's hidden village—gone.
With this came a second announcement—the ascension of the Fourth Kazekage.
Word spread quickly that the Third Raikage had learned of the Kazekage's disappearance ahead of time, prompting him to launch a surprise strike on Sunagakure.
And standing in his way was the newly appointed Kazekage Rasa.
Using the Magnet Release: Gold Dust, inherited from the Third, Rasa repelled the Raikage's assault and protected the village.
Elsewhere, Veigar had just returned to the village and received the news.
And in that instant, he understood—
The Third Great Ninja War was about to begin.
At most, it would be less than a month away.
"When the sky falls, it's the tall ones who hold it up."
"And now, I'm strong enough to survive the battlefield."
Far from fear, Veigar felt eager anticipation rising in his chest.
After submitting the mission report on the Ryūmyaku in Rōran, Veigar and his team collected their rewards. Hiruzen granted Veigar a two-day leave before he was due to report to the ANBU.
After saying his farewells, Veigar returned home.
As night deepened, a figure appeared outside his window, hurling a kunai into his room. Attached to it was a message.
Moments later, Veigar, now dressed in standard Root attire, stood before Danzō.
The instant he saw him, Danzō's expression turned to rage.
"Number Seventeen. Do you remember your mission?"
Veigar, now free of the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal, and confident in his growing strength, had made up his mind, he would bide his time and strike Danzō down with one fatal blow when the moment was right.
"Yes, Lord Danzō. I have not forgotten."
Danzō stared at him for a long moment, as if trying to pierce through to his soul. At last, he issued his order, face cold and expressionless:
"You have three days. Within that time, I want to see Shōgetsu's Sharingan."
He didn't ask for reasons or excuses, only gave a deadline.
"Yes."
"In three days, I will bring you Shōgetsu's eyes."
Satisfied, Danzō waved him off in silence.
Veigar turned and disappeared into the shadows.
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