Chapter 247

"Lord Fourth, the casualty report is ready."

In Sunagakure, inside the Kazekage Building's meeting room surrounded by the statues of past Kazekage, the ANBU quickly delivered the casualty report. The Edo Tensei corps, unafraid of injury and able to regenerate even after being shattered, had caused significant trouble for Sunagakure.

"412 civilians killed, 78 injured, 345 shinobi killed, and 94 injured. As for damaged buildings..."

As the ANBU reported the casualties and losses, even Pakura felt a pang of sorrow. The Edo Tensei's invasion had lasted less than an hour, but if they had stayed longer, these numbers could have easily doubled.

Most importantly, Sunagakure had lost its One-Tail Jinchūriki, a vital strategic asset.

Rasa, rubbing his temples in frustration, said, "Everyone, what do you think we should do next?"

His question was met with silence. No one in the hall dared to speak.

"Hahaha."

Pakura's cold laugh broke the silence. "If the wise and decisive Kazekage had listened to me earlier, we could have at least saved the One-Tail. But no, suspicion and internal strife clouded your judgment, leading to the loss of the One-Tail."

Bang!

Rasa slammed the table in anger. The village's damage, the casualties among his shinobi, and the loss of his son and the One-Tail had already fueled his rage. Pakura's mocking words were the final straw.

"Pakura, how did you know their target was the One-Tail? Could it be you're—"

"Rasa, don't spew nonsense! You failed to assassinate me with Kirigakure, and now you're framing me again?" Pakura shouted furiously, her chakra surging in a powerful wave. The force cracked the sturdy table and floor beneath her.

Rasa, equally incensed, retorted, "Do you think I'm afraid of you?"

"Both of you, now is not the time for internal conflict. We need to handle the village's situation first," a high-ranking Sunagakure official interjected, followed by others who also tried to calm the situation. However, the hall was clearly divided into two factions, with Pakura's side having fewer members.

Some neutral shinobi, such as Chiyo and Ebizō, stood in the middle. Although they were retired, the appearance of Sasori of the Red Sand had drawn them back to assess the situation.

Pakura's strength surpassed Rasa's. Once shinobi reached adulthood, their chakra capacity typically peaked, and further improvement relied on understanding ninjutsu or other secret and forbidden techniques. Rasa's abilities had not changed significantly over the past few years, with only minor improvements in his control over Gold Dust.

Pakura, however, was different. The Sage Seal on her body continually absorbed natural energy, enhancing her physical abilities and aligning her with Yoichi's will. If the duel from over a year ago were repeated today, Rasa would likely have a 70-80% chance of being defeated, possibly killed.

The high-ranking officials of Sunagakure continued to mediate, and the tension between Rasa and Pakura slowly dissipated.

A Sunagakure official then spoke up, "Lord Fourth, the compensation will be around 110 million ryo, not including the cost of repairing buildings. Should we discuss this with the Daimyō's office?"

Hearing the compensation amount, Rasa's expression darkened. While the village had some savings from his gold-mining efforts in the desert, he suspected that Pakura's ties with Konoha had led her to stop using village funds to reimburse supplies.

Even with the two billion ryo accumulated, over half would be required just for compensation, making Rasa feel as if his flesh was being carved out.

"Fine, let's proceed. Coordinate with the Finance Department," Rasa gritted his teeth. Compensation was unavoidable; failing to provide it would scatter the village's morale.

"What about those who took the One-Tail? It seemed premeditated. Should we seek information on Uchiha Fugaku from Konoha, as he and Sasori of the Red Sand were involved?"

"No need to ask; Konoha has already sent information. Unfortunately, the enemy moved too quickly," Pakura replied, placing intelligence from the Uchiha Trading Company on the table.

"The enemy infiltrated just as Konoha's intelligence arrived. I had already intended to warn our Kazekage, but someone chose to ignore it. The group was Akatsuki, and they've revived Uchiha Madara. Their goal is to collect the nine Tailed Beasts from across the Shinobi world."

The mention of Uchiha Madara's name stunned everyone. Even Chiyo couldn't remain seated. She had lived through the era of the First Hokage and Uchiha Madara, aware of the legendary reputation of these two shinobi during the Warring States Period.

Among the five founding Kage, only Hashirama was called the "God of Shinobi," and Uchiha Madara was the only one capable of standing against him.

As the intelligence was passed around and its contents absorbed, many were at a loss for what to do. Some in Sunagakure, unfamiliar with Madara's power, believed he couldn't be stronger than an entire village.

Chiyo quickly silenced such foolish remarks. Madara's power aside, today's Edo Tensei had already caused enough trouble for Sunagakure. Moreover, Akatsuki surely had other powerful members.

"We should seek aid from Konoha. It's our only option now," Chiyo suggested. Her words found support among many; Sunagakure was too weak at the moment, and relying on Konoha was the best choice.

As for the Daimyō's office, anyone still hoping for aid from them was a fool. The earlier suggestion of requesting aid from the Daimyō's office was merely procedural.

"Konoha won't help us unconditionally. Instead of begging them, why not merge with Konoha? This way, Sunagakure's civilians and shinobi can live comfortably without worrying about basic necessities…"

Bang!

"Pakura, do you know what you're saying?" Chiyo's angry shout interrupted Pakura. Rasa and others, including Rasa, were shocked and incredulous. Rasa immediately followed up, "Pakura, so you've indeed colluded with Konoha and betrayed Sunagakure!"

"Idiots! Take a look at what Sunagakure and the Land of Wind have become! The ones betraying Sunagakure are you so-called 'Sunagakure leaders'!" Pakura retorted coldly, standing up and turning to leave.

She had spoken her mind in a moment of frustration but did not regret it. After she left, five more Sunagakure shinobi stood up and followed her.

During her nearly two-year association with Yoichi, Pakura had worked to gather support and followers. While not half, at least 40% of the village's shinobi were aligned with her.

Thus, even Rasa hesitated to have the ANBU apprehend her, fearing that doing so might plunge Sunagakure into greater chaos.

Pakura, unconcerned with the consequences, instructed the shinobi who followed her out of the Kazekage Building, "Enyamamaru, tell Hisaburō, Ryūji, and Masato to meet me."

"Yes, Lady Pakura."

...

At Mount Myōboku, Jiraiya, suddenly reverse-summoned, protested, "Gamabunta , I was in the middle of discussing something important! Why'd you summon me?"

"How should I know? Master Fukasaku asked for you, and it seems the Great Elder is looking for you," Gamabunta replied, blowing a puff of smoke. "By the way, Jiraiya, the Shinobi world has been pretty quiet lately."

"Well, the wars are over, and there haven't been any particularly dangerous missions. I promise to summon you if something comes up," Jiraiya said as he waved goodbye and headed deeper into Mount Myōboku, familiar with the way to Fukasaku's place.

He knocked on the door of a toad-shaped house, and Fukasaku opened it, leaping onto Jiraiya's shoulder. "You're here, little Jiraiya. Come with me to see the Great Elder."

"Master Fukasaku, what does the Great Elder want with me?"

"I'm not sure, but the Great Elder seemed pretty anxious to see you. This might be the first time, actually."

As they conversed, they soon arrived at the Great Toad Sage's dwelling. However, the Great Toad Sage was napping when they arrived, prompting Fukasaku to call out loudly, "Great Elder! Great Elder! Little Jiraiya is here!"

After a few calls, just as Fukasaku was about to resort to other means, the Great Toad Sage finally woke up.

"Hmm... Fukasaku? What's going on?" The Great Toad Sage asked groggily.

Used to the Great Toad Sage's confusion, Fukasaku reminded him, "Great Elder, you asked me to call little Jiraiya here. Now that he's here, tell him what you need."

"Little Jiraiya…" The Great Toad Sage fell silent, prompting Jiraiya and Fukasaku to brace for more confusion. They had encountered this situation many times before.

But this time, the Great Toad Sage spoke clearly, "That's right, I do have something important to discuss with you, little Jiraiya. By the way, have you found the Child of Prophecy?"

"Not yet, Great Toad Sage. I haven't had much time to roam the Shinobi world lately," Jiraiya replied, scratching his head. Recently, Konoha had tightened its regulations, requiring all missions to be completed within a month. Unfinished missions had to be reported back to the village, leaving Jiraiya feeling restricted.

"If you haven't found him, then so be it. You probably won't find the Child of Prophecy in the future either," the Great Toad Sage said, shifting the conversation to Hagoromo. He sensed that something had happened to Asura's chakra.

Without Asura's chakra, no one could quell the malice and hatred within the Nine-Tails, and the Child of Prophecy, who would unify the Nine-Tails, would not exist. The Great Toad Sage had never imagined his prophecy could be wrong.

"There's another matter I need your help with, little Jiraiya."

"What is it, Great Toad Sage?" Jiraiya asked eagerly.

"At a critical moment, you will need to step forward to save the Shinobi world." As the Great Toad Sage spoke, he took a box from beneath his seat and handed it to Jiraiya.

Opening the box, Jiraiya found a pill and a talisman inside. He asked, "Great Toad Sage, what are these?"

"The Sage Pill can be taken now. When the time comes for you to step forward, its effects will manifest. As for the Sage Talisman, keep it with you, and its purpose will become clear when the time comes," the Great Toad Sage explained.

"Should I take it now…?" Jiraiya looked at the dark pill, hesitating but, trusting in Mount Myōboku, swallowed it whole.

After waiting a while, Jiraiya felt no different, as if he had just eaten a piece of sushi.

"Great Toad Sage, this Sage Pill…" Jiraiya began.

"Don't worry, you'll understand when the time comes. Take the Sage Talisman with you, and you'll know what to do," the Great Toad Sage interrupted.

"I understand, Great Toad Sage. Is there anything else?" Jiraiya asked.

"No, little Jiraiya, you may leave now," the Great Toad Sage paused before adding, "Thank you for your efforts, little Jiraiya."

"Haha, it's no problem! I'm the white-haired sage, after all!" Jiraiya laughed heartily before bidding farewell to the Great Toad Sage and Fukasaku. This time, Fukasaku didn't see him out, knowing Jiraiya was familiar with the way.

After Jiraiya left, Fukasaku asked the Great Toad Sage, "Great Elder, what exactly is this Sage Pill?"

Fukasaku knew about the Sage Talisman, which contained strong healing powers and could even bring someone back to life.

However, it wasn't something Mount Myōboku could produce. Centuries ago, Fukasaku had asked the Great Toad Sage about the talisman, who had said they were limited in number and couldn't be casually given to summoners.

"The Sage Pill and the Sage Talisman come from the same source, but the Sage Pill is even rarer. This is the only one Mount Myōboku has," the Great Toad Sage revealed.

"What does the Sage Pill do?" Fukasaku asked.

"You'll understand in time, Fukasaku. It poses no harm to Mount Myōboku or the Shinobi world," the Great Toad Sage replied, signaling the end of the conversation. Fukasaku, though concerned, left quietly.

Among all the summoners, Jiraiya was the one Fukasaku favored most, which was why he and Shima would assist him in battle, even though Jiraiya's Sage Mode was incomplete. If it were any other summoner, failing to master Sage Jutsu would result in being turned into a stone statue.

'Sorry, little Jiraiya,' Fukasaku thought, ultimately deciding to stand by Mount Myōboku. The Great Toad Sage's arrangements had never been wrong. If he hadn't explained it, there must have been a reason.

...

On the outskirts of Konoha, two figures approached slowly—a man and a woman, identified as Nagato and Konan, wanted by Konoha.

Konan's chakra was nearly depleted, but she still struggled to support Nagato as they moved toward Konoha. Nagato was barely alive, and Konan didn't know what had happened to him, but his red hair had begun to turn white, and his breathing was weakening. If this continued, Nagato would surely die, and only Konoha might be able to save him.

Neither Iwa nor Kumo would offer help. If they learned that Nagato's Rinnegan had been taken, they would likely dissect him to extract information.

Given their identities, entering Konoha meant almost certain death. But with nowhere else to go, Konan was willing to gamble, hoping Konoha would save them.

"Who goes there?"

A patrol team spotted Nagato and Konan. As they approached, they realized the two were in a weakened state.

"Who are you? Why have you come to Konoha?"

The patrol captain began to question them, but as he observed their clothing, he realized they resembled the wanted criminals Konoha was searching for.

Konan spoke first, "We are from the Akatsuki organization. I wish to meet with the Hokage. We have important information—information that only Nagato knows."

Konan lied, hoping Konoha's desire for intelligence would prompt them to save Nagato.

(End of Chapter)