Chapter – 337 An ongoing test in Sunagakure

Led by the patrol team of Sunagakure, Kuroto and Shisui entered into Sunagakure through the narrow cleft between the two cliff faces.

As one of the five great Shinobi villages, Sunagakure is naturally not small in size. Being surrounded by the Desert on all sides, Sunagakure lies in a fortified valley behind cliffs of rock, with only a single passage in and out of the village, making it a very hard target of invasion by foreign enemies.

Inside the village, the houses are made up of clay or stucco which help them keep a cool internal temperature, there are some small and large oasis nearby that makes survival in this scorching hot desert possible.

Walking through the village, Kuroto's first impression of the village was a depressive atmosphere.

Although the desert's geographical location does give Sunagakure a natural deterrent against invasion, there are also many negative effects. The main cons of the desert environment are obviously the lack of a proper crop and habitable environment. As a result, Sunagakure is very poor when compared to the other Shinobi Villages, especially when compared to Konoha.

Because of the unsuitable natural environment, Land of wind is one of the poorest countries among the elemental nations, even with it being the country with the most land area.

Because of its weak economy, Sunagakure's strength is also the weakest among the five great shinobi villages.

Although the average strength of its shinobi is higher when compared to some other villages, however, because of the lack of resources, the number of Shinobi Sunagakure can cultivate is limited. Leaving the Kazekage no choice but to adopt the elite route.

In fact, there are also rumors that the Daimyo of Land of Wind has limited economic support to Sunagakure. Which has further increased Sunagakure's troubles.

In fact, there are speculations that even after its decades of turmoil and civil war, the strength of the current Kirigakure is still higher than the current Sunagakure.

This fact is also clearly evident from the distribution ratio of the nine Bijuu.

Kumogakure, Iwagakure, and Kirigakure, each has two Bijuu, meanwhile, Konohagakure, Sunagakure, and Takigakure have one Bijuu each. The reason why Konoha has only one Bijuu is courtesy of the Shodaime Hokage's foolishness.

Regardless, Konoha still has Kyuubi, the strongest of the nine Bijuu, but the focus here is Sunagakure, which is a great shinobi village yet it has only one Bijuu.

Even at the time of distribution of Bijuu, the then Kazekage demanded part of arable land from Konoha and thirty percent of Bijuu purchase prices from the rest of the four great nations, clearly accentuating the poor condition of Sunagakure.

So overall, Sunagakure is pretty poor, and this fact is still visible.

Under the leadership of the captain of the patrol unit, Kuroto and Shisui made an immediate request to meet the Kazekage-dono.

The captain of the patrol unit obviously agreed and asked Kuroto and Shisui to wait at the guesthouse while Kazekage-sama is informed of the news of the arrival of two Konoha Shinobi.

Sitting in the room of the guest house, Shisui whispered lightly, "Kuroto-san, Sunagakure's situation doesn't seem good, I would say that it is even more terrible than the last time we visited here."

Kuroto nodded and said, "It seems that the rumors about Daimyo cutting funds are true…"

Shisui nodded, of course, he is also aware of this information, "But doing so is sort of foolish on Wind Daimyo's part."

Anyone with discerning eyes can see that Sunagakure is getting weaker by the years. And if Daimyo also decreases the support, then Sunagakure will become nothing more than a lamb to be slaughtered and distributed among four sides, each one fighting for the biggest piece of the treat.

Kuroto said, "Daimyo probably thinks that because Sunagakure is in alliance with Konoha, so other nations will not dare to declare open war against the Land of Wind. Without the pressure of external threat, Daimyo will obviously save what he can here and use those funds on other matters"

Shisui sighed, "However, this is short-sighted behavior."

Kuroto nodded, "Hmm, it is indeed short-sighted behavior." – After a pause, Kuroto continued, "But this is because of the Land of Wind's basic problem."

One of the main reasons why Sunagakure is still intact is because of the current Kazekage's Kekkei Genkai. Yondaime Kazekage's Magnet Release is based on Gold Dust, which is essentially gold… so with the help of his Magnet Release, Kazekage Rasa contributes to the village finances.

Kuroto also once thought of this approach but it resulted in a major failure. The nature of Magnet Release is not a standard one, with different variations appearing with different users. Because of this, Sandaime Kazekage uses Iron Sand, while Yondaime Kazekage uses Gold Sand.

Similar to how Uchiha Sasuke's Blaze Release is based on Amaterasu, while Uchiha Tsukihi's Blaze Release is based on Amenooshihomimi.

Therefore, Sandaime Kazekage's puppet was unable to collect Gold Dust effectively, as effectively as Kazekage Rasa.

To be honest, Kuroto really hoped that Sandaime Kazekage can master to control Gold Dust, as this is the most profitable Kekkei Genkai. Can instantly make you rich. But alas, it doesn't seem to be possible.

…

Kazekage Office.

After dropping Hyuga Kuroto and Uchiha Shisui at the guest house, the captain of the patrol guard came to Kazekage Office, to inform Kazekage-sama of the arrival of two Konoha Shinobi.

"Kazekage-sama, Uchiha Shisui, and Hyuga Kuroto of Konoha have arrived with the message from Konoha's Hokage regarding the joint Chunin Exams." – said the captain of the patrol while he kneeled before Kazekage.

But it seemed as if Kazekage Rasa was busy in some thoughts, he didn't pay any particular attention to the words of the captain and just waved his hands, signaling him to leave.

The captain nodded and left the Kazekage Office.

With the message delivered, his job here was done and he had to return to his post.

After a while, one of the elders of Suna, named Chiyo came to the Kazekage Office. Realizing the deep look on Kazekage Rasa's face, Chiyo asked, "Have you decided?"

Brought out of his thoughts by Chiyo's words, Rasa gazed at the village, then nodded, "Tonight is the day… if he can pass the test, he will live… otherwise, I have no other choice than killing him as the way he is, he is a threat to the village…"

Chiyo sighed softly, then asked, "Who are you going to entrust with this task?"

Kazekage Rasa did not turn back and said indifferently, "Yashamaru!"

Chiyo was surprised, "What ?! Do you intend to appoint Yashamaru with this task? He is Karura's Otouto, moreover, will he really be able to do something so cruel to the child?"

Kazekage Rasa said, "He is the only one who can do it… After all, Yashamaru is the one who can do it… after all, he is the caretaker of that child! For the sake of the village, this test must be conducted."

Listening to these words, Chiyo can only shake her helplessly. She then left the office and gave Rasa the silence he needed. After all, hardening the decision to kill your own child is not an easy matter.

…

On the same night, Guest House where Kuroto and Shisui are staying.

Both of them are waiting for the summons from the Kazekage since morning, however, the Sun has already set, and the sky has darkened but there is still no response from the Kazekage.

Even the Shinobis around have no idea what's keeping the Kazekage occupied.

After taking a sip of green tea, Shisui asked, "Kuroto-san, is it possible that Kazekage is not in the village currently?"

Kuroto lifted his from the book his reading, then replied, "It's possible." It stands to reason that Kuroto and Shisui are here with Hokage-sama's personal message for the Kazekage. So, in a way, they are here representing the Hokage, yet Kazekage has not responded, this is obviously strange. The only possibility that might be keeping him away could be his current absence from the village, otherwise, why would he allow two shinobi from another shinobi village to stay inside his village for so long for no reas-….?

Kuroto's words came to a sudden halt, as he looked towards the window with a frowned expression.

Shisui also put down the teacup, and immediately stood up while asking, "Do you sense that Kuroto-san? Such powerful Chakra fluctuations…!"

Kuroto nodded, and he also stood up, "Mm-hmm, I would be strange to not feel this chakra… it reminds me of a Bijuu… and why is it coming towards us…?"

…

Kazekage Office.

With sudden sounds of flashing, an Anbu appeared in Kazekage Office, he knelt and reported to Kazekage Rasa, "Kazekage-sama, Yashamaru is dead."

However, the Kazekage, who had one of his hands over his left eye did not show any reaction even after hearing the news of Yashamaru's death. Not even a trace of flicker in his right eye.

In fact, there was no need for the Anbu shinobi to report. Kazekage with his 'Third Eye Jutsu' had already witnessed the suicide of Yashamaru. And knew the direction in which that monster is going, and ordered, "Evacuate residentials of the third section…"

The Anbu hurriedly asked, "And what about the two Konoha shinobi staying in the Guest House of Section-3?"

Kazekage's frown deepened, and it was only now he remembers something about two Konoha Shinobi coming to the village with Hokage's message regarding the Joint Chunin Exams, realizing the emergency of the situation, Kazekage hurriedly said, "Guide them to the second section… Oh no, it seems to be late… I have to go to the third section as soon as possible otherwise both the Konoha Shinobi will most likely die at the hands of that monster!"

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