The Fourth Raikage – A.
Not long ago, after the Third Raikage recognized his son's exceptional strength and leadership potential, he stepped down and officially passed the mantle of Raikage to him, in line with the customs of Kumogakure. After choosing a suitable partner to act as his younger brother and right hand, the Third retired, leaving the Fourth Raikage to lead the village.
To solidify his son's reputation and ensure his authority was accepted by the shinobi of the village, the Third Raikage had made one more decision before stepping back: launch a war against Sunagakure, taking advantage of the power vacuum left by the disappearance of the Third Kazekage.
War...
It had always been the stage where heroes were made.
So if not now—when?!
At that moment, A stood with a deep frown etched across his face, staring at the map sprawled across the table. Sure, his rise to the title had been endorsed by his father, but his own ability had earned him the right to wear the Raikage's mantle. If he hadn't been strong enough, not even the Third Raikage's influence could've secured the village's support.
"Yo, yo! Check it out!"
A headache instantly bloomed behind his temples. He turned toward the source of the noise—his "younger brother," the one hand-picked by the Third, and agreed upon by A himself. The same guy who had, since childhood, proven to be utterly tone-deaf and completely lacking in musical talent… yet insisted on rapping every chance he got.
"Bee, can you quiet down for five seconds?" A groaned, rubbing his forehead. "Or at least take your noise somewhere else. I'm trying to think."
Though A had never thought of himself as someone who needed protecting, and even felt responsible for keeping Bee safe as an elder brother should, Bee didn't share that view.
As per Kumogakure tradition, the Raikage's "Brother" wasn't just a title—it was a role. The "Brother" was both right-hand and shield, someone who supported the Raikage and guarded him at all times.
And Bee? He took that job seriously.
"I guess I'd better get used to this noise sooner or later," A muttered, casting a resigned glance at Bee, who was now spinning into a spontaneous freestyle performance, complete with exaggerated hand gestures.
"Or maybe you could actually help me plan what Kumogakure should do next."
"Yo, yo, yo, big bro wants my brain—
But Bee's no strategist, that's insane!
I don't know tactics, I'm not that slick,
So check the map, man—take your pick!"
"…"
I swear I'm going to punch this idiot.
A's brow twitched as he glared at his rapping brother.
"Bee. Shut up."
"Yo yo! Big bro wants me silent—
Bee's behavior ain't defiant—"
"SHUT. UP."
"…Alright~"
Finally cowed by the sight of his brother's rising temper, Bee stopped dancing and leaned over to look at the map—a mostly yellow spread of dunes and wastelands.
After all, the Land of Wind was made up mostly of desert, with only a few pockets of arable land sustaining its population. There wasn't much on the map worth staring at.
Still easy to get lost in, though.
"Big bro, you're too tense," Bee said with a grin. "How about a song to help you relax?"
"Out."
Are you trying to make me more stressed?!
A was about to throw Bee out personally when a knock interrupted them.
"Raikage-sama! Urgent report!"
A Kumogakure shinobi hurried in and knelt before the desk.
"What is it?" A asked, his frown returning.
"We've received intel from our scouts. The Suna forces… for some reason…"
"For some reason what?"
"They're… playing with sand."
"...What??"
Earlier, at the Suna front—
After Lord Rasa declared that the entire army would begin digging for gold dust, the Suna shinobi had no choice but to follow orders. Every morning at the crack of dawn, groups of injured and recovering shinobi were herded out into the desert to mine.
"This is the gold dust Lord Rasa refined with his jutsu," a Suna shinobi said sternly, dumping a large load of glimmering sand in front of a confused-looking group. "Your task is to extract the pure gold from it. Understand that Lord Rasa is doing this for the village's future—so take it seriously!"
"But… what about the war?" one of the shinobi asked hesitantly. "Aren't we still fighting Kumo?"
"Pfft." The overseer snorted, unimpressed. "With your condition? You'd be useless in combat anyway. You're better off digging. The village's broke—we need that gold to get by."
"…"
Well… that's not wrong.
The shinobi looked down at the bandages wrapping their right hand… then glanced at the ones on their left leg… and at their comrade, who was practically mummified.
They really couldn't fight right now.
But… was digging for gold really the best use of their time?
"What's the problem now?" the squad leader barked. "You think the hospital's a free hotel? You want to lie around while the rest of us starve? Get to work!"
Just like Lord Rasa said—this was all for the sake of Suna.
"So quit whining and do your damn job. Fulfill your daily quota!"
"Yes, understood!" the group shouted in unison, though with wavering conviction.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the camp—
"Rasa-nii-san, this really isn't right," Yashamaru muttered, looking uneasy as he watched his brother gather another pile of gold dust using chakra.
"We're still at war, aren't we?"
"We are," Rasa said, surprised. "What's your point?"
He wasn't sending anyone battle-ready to mine. So what was the problem?
"It's just…" Yashamaru looked around awkwardly, glancing at the sick and wounded shinobi hauling sacks of sand. "They're all still injured…"
"Injured, sure," Rasa said, crossing his arms. "But they're still shinobi, aren't they? Or do you think wounded ninja don't have to contribute to the village anymore?"
His voice softened slightly, but stayed firm.
"Kid, this kind of thinking is dangerous. When the First Kazekage founded our village, he begged, borrowed, and bargained for land to give us a future. If every sick/injured shinobi just laid around waiting to recover, how would we ever grow stronger?"
Yashamaru's face turned red with shame. He lowered his head.
"Look, I know it's tough. But this is for the good of the village. Sacrifice and hard work are part of our legacy. You really think you get a pass because you're a little banged up?"
"I'm not—I didn't—I'm not that kind of person!" Yashamaru stammered, stiffening. "It's just that… you're going to be the Fourth Kazekage! And you're out here mining like some—"
"What about it?" Rasa raised an eyebrow. "You think the Kazekage's too good to get his hands dirty? That kind of attitude is exactly the problem. Honestly… your mindset needs some serious work."
"???"
"Here's what you're going to do," Rasa said, pointing. "Go lead a team and start refining some gold. Show the others what it means to work hard for Suna. You could use the lesson."
Can't I just mine in peace without being judged?