Chapter 27

AThe oppressive heat of Sunagakure bore down on the village, the sun's merciless rays reflecting off the sandstone buildings. But within the Kazekage's office, a different kind of heat was brewing - one born of tension, suspicion, and barely contained rage.

Chiba, son of the legendary Chiyo, stood before the Third Kazekage, his body rigid with barely suppressed emotion. The news of the army's disappearance had spread through the village like wildfire, leaving confusion and fear in its wake.

"An earthquake?" Chiba's voice was low, dangerous. "You expect us to believe that our entire force, including my mother, was wiped out by a random act of nature?"

The Third Kazekage, his face an impassive mask, met Chiba's gaze steadily. "That is what our intelligence suggests. The terrain in that area is unstable, and-"

"Unstable?" Chiba interrupted, his composure finally cracking. "My mother has traversed that land countless times! She knew every inch of it. And you're telling me she couldn't avoid a simple earthquake?"

The Kazekage's eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of annoyance crossing his features. "Mind your tone, Chiba. Your grief does not give you the right to question village intelligence."

Chiba took a deep breath, trying to rein in his emotions. "Forgive me, Lord Kazekage. But surely you can understand my skepticism. First, my uncle dies under mysterious circumstances in Amegakure, and now this?"

The Kazekage stood, moving to the window that overlooked the village. For a moment, silence reigned in the office, broken only by the distant sounds of village life carrying on, oblivious to the tension within these walls.

"I understand your pain, Chiba." the Kazekage said finally, his voice softer than before. "Chiyo was not just your mother; she was a pillar of this village, a shinobi of unparalleled skill. Her loss... our loss... is immeasurable."

Chiba felt a lump form in his throat. Hearing the Kazekage speak of his mother in the past tense made it all feel so terribly real.

"Then why won't you allow us to hold a funeral?" Chiba asked, his voice hoarse. "To honor her memory, to give the village a chance to mourn?"

The Kazekage turned back to face him, his expression unreadable. "Because, Chiba, we have nobody to bury. No concrete proof of her death. In our world, hope is a precious commodity. I will not rob our people of that hope by declaring Chiyo dead without irrefutable evidence."

Chiba's fists clenched at his sides. "And what of closure? What of allowing her family, her friends, to grieve properly?"

"Grieve in private if you must." the Kazekage replied, his tone hardening. "But publicly, we must maintain the possibility of her return. The morale of the village-"

"Morale?" Chiba exploded, his tenuous control finally snapping. "You speak of morale while sending our shinobi, our children, to die in foreign lands? While covering up the truth about my uncle's death? What kind of leader-"

His words were cut off abruptly as he felt something wrap around his body, constricting his movements. Looking down, he saw tendrils of black sand encasing him, emanating from the Kazekage's outstretched hand.

"That is quite enough, Chiba." the Kazekage's voice was cold, all pretense of sympathy gone. "Your grief has clearly clouded your judgment. I have been patient, but I will not tolerate accusations of conspiracy or challenges to my leadership."

Chiba struggled against the iron sand, but it was futile. The Kazekage's control was absolute.

"You're making a mistake." Chiba gasped out. "The village deserves to know the truth! My brother and his family deserve to know the truth!!"

The Kazekage's eyes narrowed dangerously. "And what truth would that be, Chiba? The truth that your mother led an unsanctioned invasion of Amegakure, driven by personal vengeance? The truth that her actions may have plunged us into a war we're not prepared for?"

Chiba's eyes widened in shock. "What!?! You gave your permission and appointed her for that!! My mother would never..."

"Your mother was a great shinobi." the Kazekage continued, his voice low and intense, "but she was also human. Grief and anger clouded her judgment, just as they're clouding yours now."

The iron sand tightened around Chiba, forcing the air from his lungs. Black spots danced at the edges of his vision as he struggled to breathe.

"I had hoped you would understand the delicacy of our situation." the Kazekage said, almost regretfully. "But it seems you need time to... reflect on your loyalties."

With a gesture, the iron sand completely enveloped Chiba. The last thing he saw before darkness claimed him was the Kazekage's impassive face, watching him without a hint of emotion.

~

When Chiba regained consciousness, he found himself in a dimly lit cell. The oppressive heat of Suna had given way to a damp chill that seemed to seep into his very bones.

As his eyes adjusted to the gloom, he became aware of a presence outside his cell. A figure stepped into view - Sasori, his young nephew, Chiyo's grandson.

"Uncle Chiba." Sasori's voice was soft, almost emotionless. "Are you alright?"

Chiba struggled to sit up, his body aching from the Kazekage's iron sand jutsu. "Sasori? What are you doing here? How did you get in?"

A small, humorless smile played on Sasori's lips. "I have my ways, Uncle. The guards found it... difficult... to refuse me."

There was something in Sasori's tone that sent a chill down Chiba's spine. The boy had always been precocious, his talent with puppetry rivaling even Chiyo's. But now, in the wake of his grandmother's disappearance, there was an edge to him that hadn't been there before.

"Sasori, listen to me." Chiba said urgently. "Something isn't right. Your grandmother, my mother - I don't believe for a second that she was killed in an earthquake. And your great-uncle Ebizo's death... there's more going on here than we're being told. Find your Mother and Father once they get back from the battlefield and inform them."

Sasori tilted his head slightly, his eyes unblinking. "I know, Uncle. I've suspected as much for some time now."

Chiba blinked in surprise. "You have? But then why-"

"Why haven't I said anything?" Sasori finished for him. "Because, Uncle, in this world, knowledge is power. And power... power is everything."

The way Sasori spoke, with a coldness that sent another chill through Chiba. What had happened to the bright, curious boy he once knew?

"Sasori." Chiba said carefully, "What are you planning?"

Sasori's smile widened slightly, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Planning? I'm not planning anything, Uncle. I'm simply... adapting. This world took Grandmother from me. I'm merely ensuring that I'm never that vulnerable again."

Before Chiba could respond, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed down the corridor. Sasori stepped back into the shadows.

"I have to go now, Uncle." he said softly. "But don't worry. I'll find out what really happened to Grandmother. And when I do..."

He left the sentence unfinished, disappearing into the darkness just as a guard rounded the corner.

As Chiba lay back on his hard cot, his mind raced with the implications of what had just transpired. His mother missing, possibly dead. Himself imprisoned for daring to question the official narrative. And Sasori... what dark path was his nephew walking? 

'Hopefully Ebiza and Saiken can help him. They should return from the frontlines soon.' Chiba hoped to himself, as it was all that he could do.

The future of Sunagakure, it seemed, balanced on a knife's edge. And Chiba couldn't shake the feeling that this was just... wrong? As if a mistake had happened in the world.

Outside the prison, life in Sunagakure continued. The loss of their army was a blow, certainly, but the people of the Sand were resilient. They had weathered hardships before, and they would do so again, only able to hold a mass funerals for those lost.

But beneath the surface, questions existed. Whispers in dark corners, doubts that gnawed at the edges of loyalty. An earthquake, they were told. A tragic accident. But how many truly believed it in a world of ninjas, where deception was an art form?

In his office, the Third Kazekage stood at the window, gazing out over his village. The weight of leadership had never felt heavier. He had made his choice - to protect the village's stability at all costs, even if it meant suppressing the truth.

'What did you face in your final moments, Chiyo?'

[Author's Corner:

I probably do a Double or Triple Release today, since it is officially Finals Season and my full focus will be going towards that. So stay tuned throughout the day.

The first Person to answer this question correctly (In my perception) will get a free gifted membership to one of my P@treon tiers.

What is the official ranking of the Hokage in terms of Leadership capabilities.

Factor in War Potential, Village Strength, and any other factors you see fit.

Winners will be announced Tuesday.]

Read Chapters Ahead on P@treon.com/KillerDJ2023