Chapter 255: Turbulent Times Gather
One month later.
A storm of yellow sand swirled across the vast desert as fierce winds howled through the cracks of broken boulders while producing eerie and wailing sounds. The desolate remains of Sunagakure appeared even more lifeless.
Just hours earlier, the destructive power of the Uchiha's Sharingan had wreaked havoc here. The chaos left behind countless casualties and destroyed numerous buildings.
Even for shinobis, spending the night in the desert was no easy task. The shinobi of Sunagakure could only put their pain aside and focus on building temporary shelters.
At the heart of the ruins lay Rasa, who is covered in blood, sitting silently with a blank expression. He lowered his head in silence.
Before him lay a small, lifeless body, a young girl wrapped in a white cloth.
Temari, Rasa's firstborn, had been the Jinchūriki of the One-Tail Shukaku after Gaara was sent to Konohagakure.
As a Kage-level shinobi, Rasa had an exceptional memory. Looking back, he realized that his daughter seldom smiled. Particularly after becoming the Jinchūriki, she never seemed truly happy.
Even someone as cold-hearted as Rasa had to admit as a father, he owed Temari too much.
But now... there was no way to make up for it.
A few hours ago, Obito had attacked. Using his Impure body, Kamui, and Rinnegan, he effortlessly broke through Sunagakure's defenses, tearing through the village.
In the end, he removed the seal on Temari, captured the One-Tail, and left. The girl lost her status as a Jinchūriki and died soon after.
"Kazekage-sama."
An elderly voice pulled Rasa out of his thoughts. He looked up, fighting to keep his grief from showing.
"What is it?"
"The casualty report has been finalized," Chiyo said with a heavy sigh. "The confirmed dead are three hundred and twenty-two shinobi, but that number may rise, as many are still missing or critically injured."
"What's the worst-case scenario?"
"The death toll could reach into the thousands."
Rasa clenched his fists. The Land of Wind was not as resource-rich as the Land of Fire, and its population was far smaller. Puppet masters were difficult to train, and even during the Third Great Shinobi War, it was rare for Sunagakure to lose hundreds of shinobi in a single battle. Now, with the One-Tail captured, the village had suffered a devastating blow.
"Damn that man…" Rasa slammed his fist into the ground. The sand cut into his skin, but the enraged Kazekage paid no mind.
After a long pause, Rasa finally spoke calmly. "What about the envoy from Konohagakure? That Itachi, is he dead?"
"No, Kazekage-sama, but you must understand Obito's attack likely had nothing to do with Konoha. You cannot blindly make enemies or misplace your anger…"
"I'm not that foolish," Rasa's voice was soft.
"Bring the envoy here. The Hokage was right; we cannot let the tailed beasts fall into the hands of Obito and Yuto. Besides…"
He trailed off, his gaze falling once more upon Temari's lifeless body. Her young face was framed by dark circles under her eyes—an agonizing reminder of her burden. 'I'm sorry, I couldn't be a father.'
---
The shinobi world was once again on the brink of a great war.
Even in a world of supernatural powers, certain realities held true. The price of food and non-renewable resources soared, and the major nations and shinobi villages frequently dispatched envoys. Even the "Water-Fire Conflict," which had raged for nearly two years, had quieted down. In the face of an unprecedented threat, both Konohagakure and Kirigakure were gathering their forces.
The Moon God Yuto, and Phantom Obito, loomed over everyone like dark clouds.
The Akatsuki and the Phantom Organization were perhaps enemies, but regardless, both organizations sought to capture the tailed beasts.
What would happen after they were captured? No one knew.
But judging by the past actions of Yuto and Obito, it was clear that both were agents of chaos. Surrendering the remaining tailed beasts without resistance was akin to suicide.
Anyone with clear vision could see that the Fourth Great Shinobi War was about to erupt.
Once again, the Land of Sea, a distant and isolated backwater far from the center of the shinobi world, had become a haven for the rich seeking refuge from the impending conflict.
"There are quite a few people here," Yuto remarked casually as he glanced out of a tavern window. After forming a few seals, he cast a barrier and turned to the red-haired young man beside him.
"Long time no see. How have you been these past few years?"
Natsume grinned. "Not bad. I've been traveling, healing people, and doing a lot of good deeds."
"You seem to enjoy your title as the 'Saint.' I've seen shrines dedicated to you in many households across the Land of Sea."
"I admit, being revered is pretty nice." Natsume paused, his expression becoming more serious. "Of course, as an Uzumaki clone, my ultimate desire and final fate is to be devoured by you, aiding you in fully awakening the pure Ōtsutsuki bloodline. You don't need to feel guilty about it."
"…You're starting to sound like Kitsu," Yuto replied with a wry smile. "You and he both reassure me, even though you're the ones who'll be consumed. It makes me feel like some two-faced manipulator…"
"Haha…" Natsume shrugged, then added regretfully, "There is one thing I'll miss: seeing you in your fully awakened form. I'd love to witness your power on the level of the Sage of Six Paths, but by then, we'll be one and the same, so it won't matter."
"Sorry, but I need that power."
"You are our Creator. A Creator does not need to apologize."
"Thank you." Yuto sighed. "I heard about Obito's attack on Sunagakure during my journey. He must've captured the One-Tail. Mei seems to be harboring second thoughts. It appears that, as in the original timeline, the five great nations—Wind, Fire, Earth, Water, and Lightning—are going to unite."
"With the Ōtsutsuki bloodline, they are nothing more than insignificant opponents."
"Never underestimate anyone. Once we've finished our tea, we'll head to the ruins of Uzushiogakure."
"Woo-hoo! Are we finally going to merge? That place is nothing but rubble, with only the coastline left. It's a perfect spot."
"Yes. Ryoma is already there. Before I left the mainland, I notified Ruri and Kitsu. We'll meet there in four days…"
---
Meanwhile.
Along the long coastline of the former Uzushiogakure.
A young man with jet-black hair sat idly on a rock, with eyes like dark ink.
He had been sitting there for a long time when a small boat appeared on the horizon.
"Big sister, shall we wait here for the main body and Natsume?" Kitsu chuckled, stroking his chin as he turned to the woman beside him.
"Sure, I'll follow your lead~" Ruri smiled brightly.
(End of Chapter)