003 Reborn as the Third Kazekage

"Arashi, the Kazekage has returned. The village has ordered you to come back immediately!" Pakura said anxiously.

"Pack up and get ready. We're heading back to the village. It's our turn to go to the battlefield," Arashi replied as he adjusted his battle gear.

The Second Kazekage had indeed returned—but lying on a stretcher.

The war in the Land of Rain had been unpredictable from the start. Just as Sunagakure and Amegakure were locked in a fierce struggle, Konoha intervened. However, instead of seasoned commanders like Danzo Shimura or Torifu Akimichi leading the charge, the offensive was spearheaded by the younger generation: Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade. Surprisingly, their target wasn't Sunagakure, the aggressor, but rather Amegakure, the invaded party.

Faced with mounting pressure, Hanzō of the Salamander ceded large swathes of territory to Sunagakure and turned his forces against Konoha instead. On the battlefield, Hanzō unleashed his salamander, Ibuse, to spread deadly poison, incapacitating countless Konoha shinobi. In the end, only Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade remained standing. Impressed by their resilience, Hanzō bestowed upon them the title of "Konoha's Legendary Sannin."

Though Konoha achieved a costly victory, its top ranks remained intact, whereas Amegakure shifted its allegiance entirely to Konoha. Sunagakure, weakened from extended campaigns and lacking supplies, was left to fend off Konoha's reinforcements in the Land of Rain.

It wasn't entirely the Second Kazekage's fault for misjudging the situation. The humid, rainy terrain of the Land of Rain was wholly unsuitable for Sunagakure's desert-trained forces. Despite the reduced pressure, Sunagakure opted not to pursue a decisive blow, instead hoping to play the opportunistic third party. However, they underestimated the new generation of Konoha shinobi, who were so powerful they forced Hanzō, the "Demi-God," to capitulate entirely.

By the time Danzo Shimura and his reinforcements arrived, the Second Kazekage had no choice but to engage in a grueling battle.

With the protracted stalemate exhausting Sunagakure's resources, even Chiyo's poisons were nullified by Tsunade's medical expertise. Frustrated, Chiyo found herself at an impasse. The Second Kazekage attempted to turn the tide with his immense personal strength, only to face equally formidable foes in Danzo. The battle ended in a draw, but Sunagakure suffered massive losses among its elite jonin and was forced onto the defensive.

Inevitably, prolonged defense led to cracks. Sensing an opportunity, Danzo concentrated his forces for an all-out assault, shattering Sunagakure's lines. The Second Kazekage stayed behind to cover the retreat, falling right into Danzo's trap. Surrounded by Konoha's elite jonin, he fought valiantly but succumbed to their numbers. Before exhausting his chakra, he managed to take Kagami Uchiha down with him. However, a sneak attack by Danzo's Wind Release: Vacuum Sphere left him gravely injured.

As the Kazekage teetered on the brink of death, Chiyo arrived, unleashing her ultimate technique—the White Secret Technique: Ten Puppet Collection of Chikamatsu. At the cost of her arm, she managed to rescue the critically wounded Kazekage.

Unfortunately, Chiyo hadn't yet developed her reincarnation technique. By the time they reached the camp, the Kazekage was barely clinging to life. His final words before falling unconscious were,

"Find... Arashi."

When Arashi stepped into the Kazekage's hall, he was met with a grim sight. The council, led by Ebizō, was in session, though nearly half the seats were now empty, the occupants lost to the war.

The Second Kazekage's face was ashen, his lips bloodless. It was clear he was holding on solely to meet Arashi. When their eyes met, a faint light flickered in the Kazekage's gaze.

"Arashi… it seems… you were right. I was too impatient," he murmured weakly.

"Kazekage-sama, please don't push yourself—"

"No! I must speak!" The Kazekage's eyes snapped open, his last reserves of energy flaring.

"Jonin Arashi, you possess exceptional foresight, unparalleled skills, and unwavering integrity. After my death, you shall become the Kazekage. Does anyone have objections?" His voice carried authority despite its frailty as he swept his gaze across the room.

The council members raised their hands in unanimous agreement.

"Good… good… good." The Kazekage uttered three faint chuckles before drawing his final breath in the Kazekage Hall.

The assembled shinobi bowed deeply, first to honor the deceased and then to acknowledge Arashi as the new leader.

"Kazekage-sama, how should we arrange the funeral and succession ceremony?" Elder Ebizō asked.

"Elder Ebizō, please have the Second Kazekage's body preserved in cold storage for now. Prepare the operations room. All jonin are to convene for a strategy meeting in ten minutes. The funeral and succession can wait until I return," Arashi commanded.

"Are you planning to continue the fight?" Ebizō asked, surprised. Arashi had always opposed the war.

"We have no choice, Elder," Arashi replied, tightening his wrist guard.

"Only by winning can we negotiate."

...

The war room buzzed with tension.

"Currently, Chiyo-sama is holding the line with the remnants of our forces. Danzō's vanguard has already crossed into the Land of Wind and is a day away from reaching Chiyo-sama," Jōnin reported, pointing to the map.

"What about other Konoha movements?" Arashi asked.

"According to intelligence, Konoha has dispatched a force to attack our western flank from the Land of Rivers."

"When was this reported?"

"Three days ago."

"And who's leading them?"

"Konoha's White Fang—Hatake Sakumo."

The room erupted in murmurs. The name of Konoha's White Fang struck fear into even seasoned warriors.

Arashi studied the map in silence, his mind racing. Konoha's move was a brutal strike at Sunagakure's vulnerable heart. With their main forces tied up on the northern front, Sunagakure's western defenses were nearly nonexistent.

Suddenly, Arashi pointed at a location on the map.

"The Ishi Fortress in the west—how many shinobi are stationed there? Who's in charge?"

"About fifty shinobi, led by Jōnin Akasuna Kaiki and his wife."

Arashi grimaced. "Elder Ebizō, what's the status of the funds and supplies from the Daimyō?"

"The Daimyō has released 15 million ryō, and we've secured enough provisions for three months. However, only half of the ninja tools we ordered have arrived. If we don't settle the bill by year's end, they'll cut us off," Ebizō replied grimly.

"Damn it," Arashi muttered, rubbing his temples.

He calculated quickly. The northern front was battered but still intact. With reinforcements and proper supplies, it could hold against Danzō. But the real threat was Hatake Sakumo. Arashi knew he'd have to face the White Fang himself.

"Orders!"

The room fell silent as everyone stood at attention.

"Elder Ebizō, send all available resources—money, supplies, and ninja tools—to Chiyo-sama's frontlines."

"Yes!"

"Jōnin Rasa, organize and reassign all jōnin in the village, excluding the Abyss Prison staff. You have two days to complete the reorganization and prepare to reinforce the Ishi Fortress."

"Yes!"

"Jōnin Yekura, prepare a two-day supply of soldier pills for me."

"What?!" The room was stunned.

"I'll head to the Ishi Fortress immediately. Based on the intelligence, Hatake Sakumo will reach it by tomorrow noon. The Akasuna couple can't hold out alone. If I hurry, I can make it in time," Arashi explained.

"But Kazekage-sama, traveling alone is too dangerous! Let me lead a team instead," Rasa protested.

"Can you get there faster than I can?" Arashi asked, smirking as he ruffled Rasa's hair.

"Besides, the jōnin here are mostly from the Anbu, the academy, or administrative departments. They're not ready for battle yet. We need to reorganize them into a cohesive unit before sending them to war."

"I understand, Kazekage-sama. I won't fail you," Rasa said, kneeling.

"Good. I'll be off now." Arashi grabbed the canteen and soldier pills Yekura handed him.

"See you in three days. If not, I'll go down in history as the shortest-reigning Kazekage," he said with a wry smile, disappearing into the desert.