My Journey as Fourth Kazekage

It was no wonder that she would one day become the future mother of Karin. Standing before Rasa was a young girl who bore a striking resemblance to Karin, around eighty percent alike.

She appeared to be no older than thirteen or fourteen, youthful and fragile. Her hair and pupils were both the distinct red of the Uzumaki clan. She wore what seemed like prison garb, and her exposed skin bore the marks of past torment—bite marks that marred her innocence. Her posture was tense, and the aura of fear and uncertainty that radiated from her made it clear she was on edge as she nervously met Rasa's gaze.

This sight caused Rasa to frown slightly, a wave of displeasure crossing his face. He turned to the high-ranking Kusagakure officials standing nearby and spoke with authority.

"Release her restraints!"

"Y-Yes..."

The officials, sensing the weight of Rasa's displeasure, scrambled to comply. They hastily ordered the prison guards to unlock Hana's shackles.

Clang!

The sound of the chakra-sealing handcuffs hitting the ground echoed in the air.

For a moment, Hana, who had been trembling with fear, seemed to undergo a change. Her eyes widened in disbelief, and she stared at Rasa in shock. Her lips parted, as if she was trying to speak but could find no words. This shift in her behavior did not go unnoticed. Everyone present, including Rasa, observed it carefully.

Rasa, curious but unperturbed, did not wait for an explanation. He had already obtained what he came for, and there was no need to linger in Kusagakure any longer.

A cloud of golden sand began to form beneath their feet. Hana, taken aback by the sudden movement, lost her balance and fell onto her butt. The sand, however, was soft, cushioning her fall.

Rasa, without a second glance at the Kusagakure ninjas, ignored the hidden resentment in their eyes as he dispelled the barrier sealing the village. With a slow, deliberate motion, he ascended into the sky, leaving Kusagakure behind.

In this world, those with absolute power could act without explanation or justification.

Soon, Rasa's figure was nothing more than a speck in the distance, disappearing from sight.

The Kusagakure ninjas, their faces twisted in hatred, watched the departure. But they wasted no time, quickly sending all the information they had gathered to Konoha.

---

A little while later, in a forest 10 kilometers from Kusagakure, 

Rasa did not rush back to the village. Instead, he waited quietly in the forest, allowing time to pass calmly. 

Not long after, the figure of the Black Scorpion appeared beside him, moving with remarkable speed. After glancing briefly at Hana, the orphan of the Uzumaki clan, who looked somewhat dazed, the Black Scorpion spoke. 

"Reporting to Kazekage-sama, the bait has been set." 

"Good, then let's head out as well." 

"As you command!" 

In the forest, twelve shadowy figures moved swiftly, clearing the path ahead for Rasa. 

Rasa summoned the cloud of gold dust beneath them once more, lifting them slowly into the air. He didn't rush. Even though the bait had been set, they still needed to wait for the fish to bite. 

Their journey would take them across the Land of Grass, into the Land of Fire, through the Land of Rivers, and finally back to the Land of Wind. The reason they weren't taking a more direct route through the Land of Rain was simple: the constant rainy weather there would significantly hinder Rasa's abilities, especially in the crucial moments ahead. 

This battle was too important, and Rasa wasn't about to leave any vulnerabilities open. 

Finally, he turned his attention to Hana, who stood beside him. 

Unlike the fear and unease she had shown earlier, when the shackles were still on her, Rasa now noticed that the girl regarded him with a mixture of curiosity and surprise. 

As Rasa observed her, Hana became aware of his gaze, and a slight panic flickered in her expression. This intrigued Rasa further. 

"You don't seem to be afraid of me." 

Hana, startled by the comment, hesitated for a moment. Her lips trembled slightly before she nervously spoke in a voice low enough that only the two of them could hear. 

"Chakra... Your chakra is very warm..." 

The answer took Rasa by surprise. 

He recalled that Karin, from the future, was known for her exceptional sensory abilities, including the Mind's Eye of the Kagura, which allowed her to sense chakra. But that was just chakra, wasn't it? It seemed this girl, Hana, an orphan of the Uzumaki clan, could even sense the sage energy within his body. 

Rasa raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. 

"You can sense the power inside me?" 

Hana nodded cautiously but then raised her voice slightly, speaking with more confidence. 

"Yes... It's unlike any chakra I've ever sensed... It's... as warm as the sun..." 

"As warm as the sun?" 

Rasa's expression shifted slightly as he processed her words. The idea of his chakra being compared to the sun was... unexpected. 

Yet, he didn't press her further on the matter. Instead, he reached into his belongings and pulled out some food and water, placing them in front of Hana. 

"Your body is too weak. Eat something to replenish your strength. We'll have another battle soon." 

Hana's eyes widened in surprise, but without a second thought, she grabbed the food and water, hastily consuming it in large bites, much like another Uzumaki from the future might have done.

Rasa had initially wanted to tell her to eat more slowly, to comfort her in some way, but after a brief moment of contemplation, he chose not to say anything further. It wasn't that he didn't care—it was simply that he understood the girl's circumstances. He wasn't one for unnecessary words, especially not now.

Time passed slowly, the air around them quiet and still. The world around them moved at its own pace, while Rasa and Hana remained suspended in their moment. 

Around two hours later, the familiar figure of Black Scorpion appeared again, his presence sharp and commanding. 

"Kazekage-sama, the intel from the ANBU reports that Danzo from Konoha, along with thirty Konoha Jonin, is attempting to intercept us halfway." 

Hana, who had just regained some of her strength, froze at the mention of the "thirty Jonin." Although she still didn't fully understand the significance, the term was enough to make her stomach churn with fear. It brought back memories—the destruction of her homeland, the fall of the Uzumaki clan. 

Rasa, however, remained composed, his voice smooth as he responded. 

"Thirty Jonin level ninjas, huh? Quite a bold move... Let's proceed as planned. Let's see who is the mantis and who is the cicada." 

"As you command, Kazekage-sama!" 

Hana remained silent, staring wide-eyed at the unfolding situation. She didn't fully grasp the plan or its significance, but an overwhelming sense of unease began to settle in her chest. 

Then, Rasa's voice broke through the silence again. 

"You must have figured it out by now. I am Rasa, the Fourth Kazekage of Sunagakure. The reason I'm here personally is to take you back to Sunagakure. Sunagakure needs the power of the Uzumaki clan." 

Hana's eyes dimmed as his words sunk in. She had long known that her greatest worth was tied to the Uzumaki bloodline that ran through her veins. It wasn't the first time she had been used for that very reason. 

"So, will you join Sunagakure?" Rasa asked, his voice unbothered. 

Hana, lost in her painful memories, spoke softly but with a sorrowful undertone. 

"Sunagakure... Kusagakure... To me, there's no difference..." 

She hugged her knees tightly, curling up into herself as if to shut out the world. 

Rasa watched the girl for a moment, sensing the deep sadness that lingered in her heart. After a brief pause, he spoke in a low voice, his words carrying a rare sincerity. 

"I don't like making empty promises, but there's one thing I can assure you, in the name of the Kazekage. In my village, no one will ever think of hurting you." 

Hana's red eyes flickered, a mixture of both hope and uncertainty flashing within them. 

Rasa didn't press her further, sensing her emotional conflict. 

"Focus on recovering your strength for now. We have another battle ahead. But don't worry... Everything is proceeding as planned." 

He paused, his gaze narrowing slightly as he considered the situation. 

He had no intention of sending Hana back to Sunagakure alone. He didn't fully trust his subordinates' abilities to protect her or to handle the incoming confrontation with Danzo. If he was going to use himself as bait, he needed Hana by his side. Only then would he have a chance to ensure the plan unfolded the way he intended.