Chapter 150: Fugaku, Rasa, and Date 2
Fugaku's brow furrowed deeply as the words reached him. Was this the same situation as Uchiha Fugaku from the anime, now caught in a situation he couldn't think of a way out of?
He had faltered in quelling the rebellion within his own ranks, forced to join forces with those he once commanded.
"Do you not hesitate to sacrifice a large number of ninjas?" Fugaku questioned, a tinge of disbelief in his voice.
"Our war is only meant to enrich the land! Everyone in the Land of Wind—the ninjas, the leaders—they all want this war, and this war is unavoidable," Rasa declared, his hands clasped with a solemnity that betrayed the weight of his responsibilities as the Kazekage.
The tension in the air lingered as Fugaku grappled with the unexpected turn of events. Despite the vast difference in their strength at this moment, Rasa stood unwavering.
He did not fear him. Why? Because he was the Kazekage, a title that resonated with authority and conviction.
Fugaku found himself momentarily at a loss for words, the animosity between the ninjas of the two nations simmering beneath the surface for far too long, now bubbling to the forefront of this critical moment in their intertwined destinies.
The inevitability of this war, fueled by the will of the people, hung heavily in the air. In the past, when the other two nations maintained their calm, the unrest could be tempered under Rasa's diplomatic truce. However, with both neighboring countries now mobilizing their forces, the fragile peace was shattered.
The prospect of preventing their involvement seemed bleak. These nations were resolute in their decision to deploy troops, unwilling to relent unless a significant portion of their ninja forces were decimated. Even contemplating the assassination of the Daimyo would, at best, offer a temporary reprieve.
In contemplative silence, Fugaku pondered the predicament. Eventually, he rose from his chair, drawing in a deep breath before fixing his gaze upon Rasa, seated in authority.
Fugaku thought for a while. After some time, Fugaku rose from his chair, took a deep breath, and looked at Rasa on the high seat. He said, "Then you should tell your people to hold on for a few days, and I will go back and find a way!"
"Do you truly believe you can halt this war single-handedly?" Rasa inquired, a hint of surprise coloring his words. He then said with unwavering conviction, "Impossible. Despite your formidable strength, you are not the Hokage, let alone the Daimyo of the Fire Country."
Rasa emphasized the undeniable reality that strength alone did not confer the authority needed to alter the course of nations. Fugaku, the Uchiha clan leader, faced the same limitations as any other individual in this complex political landscape where the people's will held sway.
In response, Fugaku offered a confident smile, challenging the preconceived notions. "How do you know if you don't try?"
"Uchiha Fugaku?" Rasa sighed, acknowledging the unexpected proposition. "Fine... I can use my position as Kazekage to grant you seven days, but that's the maximum I can do."
"Thank you!" Fugaku expressed gratitude for the brief window of opportunity.
Rasa, grappling with the weight of his decisions, admitted, "I have no choice. I know I can't win, but I can't stop it either. This is the last favor I can do for them as the Kazekage."
Fugaku understood the dire circumstances as he unexpectedly arrived at a critical juncture.
Rasa knew that even unleashing his 20,000 Sand Shinobi might only lead to mutual defeat, considering the formidable power displayed by the opposing force. The presence of Orochimaru and the ino-shika-cho trio further complicated matters.
Expressing sympathy, Fugaku announced his departure, promising to share any updates. He made a peculiar request: "Please grant a pass for the Sand Shinobi."
Rasa, momentarily shocked, questioned, "What?"
"What?"
Fugaku's response, accompanied by a subtle smile, revealed a surprising twist: "I don't want to kill anyone!"
In that moment, Rasa grappled with the realization that Uchiha Fugaku's actions might challenge loyalties and redefine alliances in ways he had never anticipated, stirring the currents of uncertainty in the impending conflict.
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In the heart of the Konoha camp, Tsunade emerged from her tent, savoring the crisp night air beneath the canopy of trees. Her gaze wandered upward, captivated by the brilliance of the star-studded sky.
Not far away, amidst the silent night, she spotted a familiar figure—a bustling, green-clad individual.
"Nono?" she murmured, her interest piqued, especially considering her knowledge of the woman's connection with Uchiha Fugaku.
The clock had already struck midnight, and the majority of the camp lay shrouded in restful quiet, save for the diligent ninja on guard duty or patrolling the perimeter.
To Tsunade's surprise, the green-clad figure wasn't engaged in the typical activities of a night watch. Instead, she was immersed in the act of cooking.
Tsunade recognized the telltale signs of someone well-versed in the culinary arts. Her cooking skills were undoubtedly exceptional.
Frowning slightly, Tsunade observed as the green-clad figure finished making her something. Once done, she proceeded to walk purposefully in the direction of the Land of Wind border. This unexpected behavior raised Tsunade's suspicions.
"What is she up to?" Tsunade pondered, her thoughts steeped in both puzzlement and suspicion. The decision to follow the nono was instinctive.
Navigating stealthily through the camp, Tsunade observed that Nono had taken an extended detour, skillfully avoiding the Konoha guards on patrol.
As Nono continued towards the Land of Wind border, Tsunade's eyebrows furrowed deeper. A troubling thought surfaced: "Could it be that she wants to communicate with the enemy?"
Despite Nono's reputation as the "wandering witch" and possessing top-notch espionage skills, Tsunade, one of the legendary Sannin, remained vigilant, her watchful eye not easily evaded.
Nono, carrying the prepared food, arrived at a substantial tree, her gaze fixed on the direction of the Land of Wind border. Tsunade, concealed behind another tree, utilized its thick trunk as cover. The tension in the night air thickened as suspicions lingered.
Nono contemplated the risks—a journey to the Wind Country base and back—and the potential encounters with adversaries along the way. Instead, she opted to wait at the designated spot.
The reminiscence of Fugaku's confident smile provided a sense of reassurance. Perhaps he possessed some undisclosed strategies, Nono wondered.
As Tsunade patiently waited, nearly two hours passed. She was on the verge of succumbing to sleep when a familiar figure, hands casually in pockets, strolled back into view.
"Uchiha Fugaku? He is…" Tsunade exclaimed in surprise, her astonishment evident. The revelation that Fugaku was dating Nono left her momentarily taken aback. The lingering question remained: why did he return from the Land of Wind?
Fugaku, upon spotting Nono waiting for him beneath the big tree, felt a twinge of surprise. Sheepishly scratching his head, he recalled his earlier words before leaving: "I'm really sorry for making you wait. I spent a lot of time scouting around their base."
Nono, seemingly unfazed by Fugaku's tardiness, offered a rice ball, nonchalantly saying, "It's fine. Here, eat this. I made a rice ball, but it might be a bit cold."
Unaware that Fugaku had actually visited the Suna camp base, engaging in conversations and camaraderie with some of the Sand Ninjas, Nono assumed he had fabricated an excuse for his delay. Little did she know about the intricacies of Fugaku's clandestine activities.
Ninjas, often strangers to each other, mingled in such scenarios. Fugaku, equipped with a disguise borrowed from Rasa as well as the Kazekage's pass and password, moved freely within the enemy camp.
Rasa, resigned to the likelihood of defeat, took a calculated gamble on Fugaku. Recognizing that secretive discussions indicated an alternative agenda, he chose cooperation over confrontation, hoping for potential benefits.
Unbeknownst to Rasa, his decision inadvertently secured his future position as the Kazekage. However, the intricacies of this political maneuvering were stories for another time.
In the present moment, Fugaku, feeling hungry, devoured the rice ball. Between bites, he commented, "Rasa... He really doesn't know how to treat guests. I traveled thousands of miles to see him, and he didn't even offer me a cup of tea."
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