My Journey as Fourth Kazekage

Deep within the forest.

On a massive tree branch in a secluded area, a figure emerged from the ground as if the earth itself had given birth to it. Pale white from head to toe, its head bore a distinctive spiral-like design, resembling a mask.

In a voice both childish and curious, it muttered, "Why… why is Danzo here?"

This figure was none other than White Zetsu, a subordinate of Uchiha Madara, tasked with keeping a close watch on Danzo.

For months, White Zetsu had been monitoring Danzo from the shadows under Madara's command. Yet, perhaps sensing that he was being watched, Danzo had been exceptionally cautious. There was no visible trace of Hashirama's cells or the Sharingan during this period, making it difficult to confirm any suspicions.

However, White Zetsu's keen sensory abilities had already detected something unusual. The elder of Konoha was concealing something on his right arm. A powerful seal had been placed upon it—one even White Zetsu could not fully perceive.

As he contemplated this, movements in the forest drew his attention.

Hidden Konoha ninjas were on the move.

A total of twenty-five shinobi split into three squads, making their way toward the Land of Fire's border. They scaled a towering hundred-meter cliff before vanishing into the dense forest.

White Zetsu's eyes gleamed with interest.

"Oh… so a mission is underway?"

Expanding his sensory perception, he instinctively reached out to assess the situation—only to recoil in shock.

"Eh… I've been discovered—!"

At the border of the Land of Fire.

Within the depths of the forest, an overwhelming surge of Sage Mode energy radiated from Rasa.

The ground beneath the shinobi trembled before transforming into yellow sand. The grains gathered and shaped themselves into enormous tanuki-like figures clad in black armor. One wielded a sword, while the other bore a massive shield, their forms reminiscent of the mighty Shukaku itself.

This was an advanced technique created by Rasa: [Dragon Vein · Shukaku's Avatar · Splitting Technique].

[Sage Art: Shukaku's Avatar · Tanuki Warrior]

By merging the abilities of Sage Art, Magnet Release, and Sand Control techniques, Rasa had refined the method, replacing the original limitations of his Bloodline Limit.

With reduced chakra consumption and the immense energy boost from Sage Mode, he further reinforced these creatures with a layer of sand-iron armor, enhancing both their durability and agility.

What were once mere puppets with the strength of Chunin had now ascended to Special Jonin-level power.

The presence of these tanuki warriors sent waves of unease through the gathered shinobi. Even the Jonin, hidden behind their masks, couldn't fully suppress their astonishment.

"This… this power…!"

Rasa's piercing gaze swept over them.

"Now… do you have confidence in handling those Konoha ninjas?"

A spark of fervor ignited within the twelve Jonin. Overwhelmed by the sheer strength before them, they dropped to one knee in unwavering loyalty.

"Leave it to us, Kazekage-sama!"

Though they hadn't counted the exact number of tanuki warriors, one fact was clear—they now held the advantage over Konoha's forces.

With a Kazekage this formidable, how could they not feel a surge of pride and excitement?

At that moment, Hana, who had been monitoring the situation from a distance, quietly murmured,

"The Konoha ninjas are approaching."

Rasa's lips curled into a faint smile as he nodded.

"Mm, I'll leave it to you."

As soon as his words fell, the ninety tanuki warriors surged forward. Their massive bodies shook the earth with each step, charging ahead like an unstoppable tidal wave toward the incoming Konoha shinobi.

The twelve covert operatives remained behind, acting as backup.

Meanwhile, Rasa lifted himself into the air, standing atop a floating cloud of golden sand. From above, he could oversee the battlefield, ensuring precise control over his warriors.

Although he had imbued the tanuki puppets with a semblance of life through Sage Mode's inorganic reincarnation abilities, they still lacked true intelligence. Like traditional puppets, they required a guiding hand to maneuver them.

Thankfully, with the fusion of Magnet Release and Sand Control, Rasa didn't need to rely on cumbersome chakra threads like ordinary puppet users. His control was swift, seamless—effortless.

Just as he and Hana ascended, a sudden, sharp gasp escaped Hana's lips.

Her body stiffened. Her pupils dilated in shock. A wave of dread washed over her face, turning her complexion pale.

Rasa immediately noticed. His sharp instincts flared, and he demanded,

"What's wrong?!"

Hana, her fingers trembling, pointed toward a specific direction in the forest.

"Over there… there's an incredibly strange chakra presence…!"

!!!

Rasa's expression darkened. His gaze followed her pointing finger, but before he could fully focus—

"It's… it's gone…"

Hana's voice was barely a whisper, yet the weight of her words pressed heavily on the atmosphere.

Rasa's eyes narrowed. A vanishing chakra signature at such a crucial moment… If someone was watching, he needed to confirm who it was.

"What kind of chakra was it?"

Hana, still shaken, took a deep breath, trying to recall the sensation.

"It was evil… cold… I've never felt anything like it before… It was as if—" she hesitated, her voice quivering, "as if it was trying to pull my soul away."

Rasa's expression darkened further.

"Evil and cold…?"

The description alone wasn't enough to pinpoint the intruder. But the sinister aura she described… it was familiar. Too familiar.

Then, as if a thought had suddenly struck her, Hana hurriedly added,

"Besides being evil and cold, I also sensed an immense life force… Oh! And I think… I think the owner of this chakra had sensory abilities too!"

At that moment, the fragmented clues in Rasa's mind snapped into place.

Among all the enemies he knew—shinobi who possessed overwhelming vitality, heightened sensory perception, and extraordinary speed—there was only one that fit the description.

White Zetsu.

Madara's informant.

'Why is White Zetsu here? Is he monitoring me… or Danzo?'

Rasa pondered, his mind racing.

Even more concerning than White Zetsu was the possibility that Black Zetsu was lurking nearby as well. If that was the case, things could take a far more dangerous turn.

But right now, there wasn't much he could do.

After a brief moment of contemplation, Rasa turned to Hana.

"From now on, keep tracking that chakra. If it appears again, inform me immediately."

"H-hai!"

Though still nervous, Hana nodded with determination.

---

At the same time...

Down below, on the forest floor, the tanuki warriors and the Suna shinobi finally collided with the advancing Konoha forces.

"What are these monsters?!"

The Konoha ninjas had heard the heavy, earth-shaking footsteps long before reaching the top of the cliff. The ominous rumbling from deep within the forest had been a warning in itself. Yet, as seasoned Jonin, bound by duty and Danzo's direct orders, they had no choice but to press forward.

Among them, two Uchiha clan members were strategically placed in separate squads. Though they harbored deep resentment toward Danzo, the battlefield left them no room for defiance.

Their Sharingan eyes flickered ominously as they scanned the incoming threat. Massive tanuki-like creatures emerged from the shadows of the trees.

Three to four times the height of an average man, these colossal figures were entirely composed of sand. Their black iron armor gleamed under the faint light filtering through the canopy, and in their hands, they wielded immense swords and shields. The sheer pressure they exuded was suffocating.

A deep unease settled among the Konoha shinobi. Instinctively, the Jonin leading the squads signaled for a halt, their minds racing for a strategy.

But before they could act, the tanuki warriors had already locked onto them.

Rasa, hovering in the sky above, gave a simple command.

"Attack."

Boom.

One of the tanuki warriors surged forward with a speed that defied its massive frame. In a single leap, it closed the distance, its enormous sword raised high above its head.

A thunderous roar echoed through the forest as it swung its blade down with devastating force, aimed directly at the Konoha shinobi.