My Journey as Fourth Kazekage

Hiding behind Pakura, Michikawa immediately frowned. The reason he hadn't attacked alongside her was simple: Rasa, the Kazekage, was not present, making it inappropriate to escalate the situation into open conflict.

Michikawa didn't respond directly to Minato's question. Instead, he shot back with a question of his own.

"Oh? Konoha's ninja, are you offering Danzo to Sunagakure or preparing for war? If so, we of Sunagakure will be more than happy to oblige."

As soon as his words fell, more Sunagakure shinobi began to appear, flanking him from all sides. While these shinobi were no match for Jiraiya or Minato individually, their sheer numbers created an oppressive atmosphere, making it clear that any movement could easily spiral into an all-out confrontation.

Jiraiya, aware that he had come alone and that Konoha was unable to send reinforcements, could only laugh awkwardly. He raised his hands in a gesture of peace, signaling that he had no intention of provoking a fight.

"Hahaha..."

Jiraiya chuckled, scratching the back of his head.

"Don't misunderstand, everyone from Sunagakure. We have no intention of waging war against you. As for the disappearance of your Third Kazekage, our village is currently investigating it."

Pakura, however, was not convinced by Jiraiya's words. The fact that Konoha had intervened in their village's affairs by rescuing Gamaken, despite the village being in a tense war with Sunagakure, was a grave insult in her eyes. Moreover, Jiraiya's lecherous expression only served to fuel her disdain.

Just as Pakura began to move toward them, ready to take action, Michikawa stepped forward, raising his hand to halt her. His voice was deep and commanding as he spoke.

"Remember this, Konoha's ninja—you have one day. If there are no results by sunrise tomorrow... hmph..."

With those words, Michikawa and the Sunagakure shinobi turned and left reluctantly. As they disappeared into the distance, Minato and Jiraiya exchanged looks of suspicion. It seemed that the Fourth Kazekage of Sunagakure was indeed absent from the scene.

Despite the slight relief they felt knowing Rasa wasn't there, they didn't let their guard down. Both Konoha shinobis knew that while this encounter had not escalated into war, it was a delicate situation. Konoha could not afford another conflict at this moment, not with their resources already stretched thin.

---

On the way back to the Sunagakure encampment, Pakura, still simmering with frustration, shouted at Michikawa.

"Why didn't we attack? You just let those Konoha ninjas rescue that summoning beast!"

Michikawa remained calm, his demeanor unchanged despite Pakura's outburst.

"Don't forget the Kazekage's orders. Our mission is to buy time—war is not our ultimate goal."

Pakura's eyes narrowed in irritation, though she understood the reasoning. Still, she couldn't suppress her displeasure.

"Kazekage? Hmph, since when did you become so obedient to him?"

Michikawa's expression darkened, a hint of frustration flashing across his face.

"No matter how we feel about it, Rasa is already the village's Kazekage. That is an undeniable fact."

Pakura caught the subtle shift in Michikawa's tone. It seemed as though even he had lost hope that the Third Kazekage was still alive, something that didn't sit well with her. But instead of pushing the matter further, she sighed.

"I don't even know when Rasa will return. Tomorrow is the final deadline."

Before Michikawa could respond, an ANBU ninja appeared before them, delivering a message.

"Michikawa-sama, Pakura-sama, the Kazekage wishes to see you."

---

Sunagakure's Encampment

Inside the Kazekage's tent, the air felt different. The moment Michikawa and Pakura entered, they found Rasa seated in the Kazekage's chair, looking every bit the part of the leader they had been waiting for.

Pakura didn't waste time with pleasantries.

"When did you return?"

Rasa wasn't bothered by her bluntness; he was used to it by now.

"I just got back. I've already heard about what happened outside. You both did well."

Pakura, though grateful for the praise, was still confused.

"Why? Since you're back, why didn't you reveal yourself? You let Konoha break your seal and rescue that summoning beast."

Rasa gave her a calm smile. He simply shrugged his shoulders.

"It's simple. I saw this as an opportunity that aligns with my next plan."

Michikawa and Pakura exchanged confused glances, unsure of what Rasa was referring to. Rasa, however, didn't offer further explanation and instead asked a question that caught them both off guard.

"Pakura, Michikawa, do you trust me as your Kazekage?"

The question hung in the air like a weight. Neither of them answered immediately, their unease growing. Why was Rasa asking this now? Was he questioning their loyalty? Or worse, was he planning to strip them of their positions?

The tension in the room thickened. After a long, uncomfortable silence, Michikawa spoke slowly, meeting Rasa's gaze.

"Whether I trust you or not, you are the village's Kazekage now."

Rasa nodded and then turned his gaze to Pakura, who clenched her teeth under his unwavering stare. She, too, reluctantly spoke.

"I've said before, at least in terms of being Kazekage, I could never do what you are doing now."

Rasa nodded again as if expecting this response.

"That's enough."

He extended both hands toward them. "Give me your hands."

Michikawa and Pakura exchanged a brief, wary glance. Despite the unease they both felt, they complied. Michikawa hesitated but placed his right hand on Rasa's left. Pakura followed suit after a moment's pause, her left hand meeting Rasa's right.

After a pause, Rasa opened his eyes; his features turned serious.

"Alright, I will now grant you power—don't resist."

At his words, a surge of purple chakra poured from Rasa's body into theirs. Both Michikawa and Pakura felt the immediate pull of the energy, and though they instinctively tried to resist, they remembered Rasa's command and allowed it to flow.

As the chakra entered their bodies, their pupils contracted in shock. They could feel an overwhelming force building inside them—something unlike anything they had ever experienced before. A visible chakra cloak began to form around them, pulsating with raw power.

Rasa realized this was the true potential of the chakra he had absorbed from the meteorite in Hoshigakure. The power contained within the meteorite was something extraordinary—something that could be transferred to others.

---

"What is this?"

Inside the Kazekage's tent, the air was thick with astonishment as Pakura and Michikawa processed the overwhelming chakra coursing through their bodies. The sheer volume of energy was beyond comprehension—both of them could feel their chakra reserves swell four to five times their normal capacity. Not only was their chakra enhanced, but their physical strength was also boosted to a level they had never experienced before. Their senses were heightened, and every movement felt like it carried the weight of immense power.

Still in disbelief, they stood frozen as Rasa's voice rang out, cutting through the stunned silence.

"Don't just stand there. Control this chakra and absorb it into your bodies."

At first, they hesitated. Logically, neither of them had the ability to absorb chakra in such a manner. But when they focused on the energy flowing within them and attempted to control it, they were shocked to find it responding to their will. The purple chakra moved willingly into their bodies, and the enhancement effects seemed to fade as it was absorbed.

At that moment, their minds were filled with countless questions, and they stared at Rasa in shock, seeking an explanation.

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