"Yes, Kazekage-sama!"
Saki did not understand, but he would carry it out firmly.
That was enough.
For Ninja World Weekly, Rasa needed precisely such a person.
Under the current situation, Ninja World Weekly was extremely useful to him. For gaining points, having Ninja World Weekly made things noticeably more convenient. Most of the time, it simply followed Rasa's decisions.
When Rasa no longer needed Ninja World Weekly in the future, he could hand it over to someone truly capable of managing it and maintaining its popularity.
Rasa looked out the window.
With Danzo investing so much manpower and material resources into promoting the rumor, it was impossible to say there was no impact at all.
But first, Rasa's prestige in Sunagakure was what it was.
Hiruzen Sarutobi had accumulated his reputation in Konoha over several decades.
But people always forgot the past easily.
As Minato Namikaze's reputation rose, others were bound to be affected.
Rasa's influence in Sunagakure, however, had all been built within these recent years.
On top of that, Rasa had truly pulled Sunagakure back from a state that was nearly its most desperate.
Rasa's achievements were all solid and real.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, by comparison, did not have achievements quite so brilliant.
During the First Great Ninja War, people remembered Senju Tobirama's sacrifice more clearly.
During the Second Great Ninja War, the main standouts had been the Sannin and Sakumo Hatake.
During the Third Great Ninja War, Minato Namikaze had earned the title of Yellow Flash, while the final battle that defeated Iwagakure's army had been led by Orochimaru.
Therefore, even after the rumor appeared, the overwhelming majority still supported Rasa.
Once someone raised doubts—
"Sasori of the Red Sand's disappearance really was very suspicious. Everything was clearly fine, and then he suddenly vanished."
"It was very strange."
"Senior Chiyo was still here, and he was a genius. He was highly valued. His future was bright."
"Exactly. Even if he couldn't become Kazekage in the future, he could have become the Kazekage's assistant."
At that time, someone would speak up for Rasa.
"Rasa-sama's strength had long since surpassed the Third Kazekage's. Scorpion had no way to compete with him."
"And Scorpion was also much younger. There was no competitive relationship between him and Rasa-sama."
"Killing Scorpion would bring Rasa-sama no benefit whatsoever."
"Also, Senior Chiyo was in a semi-retired state before. It was only after Rasa-sama succeeded as Kazekage that Senior Chiyo gradually came out again to work for the village."
"If Scorpion's disappearance had anything to do with Rasa-sama, Senior Chiyo would never have acted like that."
Rasa arrived before Chiyo.
At this time, Chiyo had already returned to Sunagakure.
The construction of the first Sun Disk had been completed, and Chiyo had gained considerable inspiration from it. She was eager to modify her own puppets and was currently buried in research in her courtyard.
The second Sun Disk was under construction, handled by the builders of the first.
"Kazekage-sama."
"Senior Chiyo."
"Kazekage-sama came because of that rumor?"
"That's right."
"Kazekage-sama need not take it to heart. I won't believe it. I know that child Scorpion's talent. He was very strong, perhaps even above me. But he could not threaten you, Kazekage-sama."
Chiyo said, "In terms of time and strength, Kazekage-sama, you held an absolute advantage. And you were the Third Kazekage's disciple. No matter how one looks at it, the Kazekage position would never have fallen to Scorpion."
"Killing Scorpion would bring you no benefit at all, Kazekage-sama."
But Rasa could see that Chiyo still cared.
It was simply that she did not believe the contents of the rumor.
Yet when it came to Sasori of the Red Sand's disappearance, Chiyo still cared deeply.
Rasa sat down and said,
"Not long ago, I met with Scorpion."
Chiyo's pupils suddenly constricted. Her busy hands instantly froze.
"What?"
"Where is he?"
"Why hasn't he come back?"
Rasa shook his head.
"I'm not entirely clear about the specific reason. But he casually mentioned things like not liking Sunagakure, hating war, feeling the village lacked freedom, and wanting to pursue art."
"Right. This belongs to him."
Rasa took out Sasori of the Red Sand's communication puppet.
Chiyo hurriedly accepted it.
That familiar chakra—Chiyo could feel it. This was Sasori of the Red Sand's chakra. Sasori of the Red Sand's aura.
That meant Sasori of the Red Sand truly was not dead.
He was still alive.
He simply did not want to return to the village.
"Scorpion…"
Chiyo let out a deep sigh.
Rasa then said,
"Senior Chiyo, issue an announcement. Break that rumor. Right now, even if most people in the village do not believe it, you understand the situation in the Land of Wind."
"That daimyo of the Land of Wind is no good person."
Chiyo nodded.
"Of course. By the way, Kazekage-sama, have you found out who spread this rumor?"
"Not yet. But there is a high probability it was Konoha."
Very soon, Chiyo's announcement spread.
The people of Sunagakure had not believed it much to begin with. Once Chiyo's announcement came out, even more people stopped believing it. They also realized that this was likely a conspiracy by another shinobi village.
"Even Senior Chiyo said so. How could the rumor possibly be true?"
"Could Senior Chiyo really cover for the murderer who killed her own grandson? That was her only grandson."
"This is a conspiracy. A conspiracy by another shinobi village."
…
Rasa returned to the Kazekage Building. After finishing the day's work, it was almost evening before he returned home.
After dinner, Rasa entered Pakura's room.
Tonight, it was Pakura's turn to serve him.
"My husband, Senior Chiyo wasn't affected by the rumor, was she?"
Pakura's small body leaned against him.
"No."
Rasa wrapped an arm around her, pulling the two of them a little closer, and said, "There's no need to worry. Konoha's crude rumor can't harm Sunagakure. Rest assured."
Only after Pakura fell into a deep sleep did Rasa leave the room and go to his study.
"Points: 1819."
"The strategy of adding new Ninja Kill cards isn't bad. Minato Namikaze's card is extremely practical. Many people will inevitably choose to use it, especially those who draw the Loyalist identity."
Immediately afterward, Rasa took out another card.
One-Day Ninja Experience Card: Konoha Jonin Version.
"The bounty submissions regarding the Will of Fire will take more than a week to complete."
"Before that, I can use this One-Day Ninja Experience Card first to gain points."
"Didn't someone in Konoha say that if Minato Namikaze truly shouldn't have died, someone would stand up for him?"
"In that case, I'll be that person."
"I will speak up for Minato Namikaze!"
Rasa's thoughts stirred.
"Use it."
[Use successful!]
"Name: Aoki Nii."
"Gender: Male."
"Age: 28."
The next moment, Rasa felt his body suddenly vanish. His consciousness was pulled out and began moving at an extremely high speed. Very quickly, he left Sunagakure behind.
Until he arrived in Konoha.
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