Qingshui was Chiyo's disciple. While his exceptional qualities weren't yet clear, this identity alone was enough to catch Rasa's attention.
Out of respect for Chiyo, Rasa had to give Qingshui some face.
Karura was a young woman skilled at setting a pleasant mood, and Chiyo also intended for Qingshui to build more connections among the younger generation in Sand Hidden. So, even though there was no alcohol and the food was simple, the atmosphere at the table was quite good.
After some polite exchanges, Chiyo put down her chopsticks and asked Rasa:
"I remember you were assisting the Third Generation on the Land of Fire front lines before, weren't you? How did you end up here?"
"It's quite a coincidence, actually," Karura chimed in.
"Recently, Konoha's White Fang was ambushed and injured by the Third Generation and Jonin Ishido on the border while rescuing a Konoha squad, which weakened him. So the Third Generation intensified their offensive, forcing Hatake Sakumo to fight despite his injuries."
At the mention of White Fang, Chiyo's eyes immediately changed.
"And then? What happened to White Fang?"
"He was more seriously injured. Last month, Rasa learned the Third Generation's Magnet Release. He kept it a secret and diligently practiced it. Finally, he and I ambushed Hatake Sakumo while he was fiercely fighting the Third Generation. Unfortunately, we didn't manage to kill him."
"Hmph, it is a bit of a shame. But if he had died just like that, I wouldn't have been satisfied. I have to take that guy's life myself." Chiyo said, huffing.
"Teacher, don't be angry. You won't need to lift a finger. When I become as strong as you, I'll chop off White Fang's head for you and Sasori to use as a urinal." Qingshui said, shaking his head and joking around.
"Good, now that's my good disciple." Chiyo's face softened into a smile, and she patted Qingshui's head.
"Then Rasa and I will leave White Fang's head to little brother Qingshui!" Karura also stood up and patted Qingshui's head.
Qingshui: ...
"Ahem." Rasa cleared his throat and continued the conversation:
"With White Fang injured, Konoha has no strong individuals in their army who can stand against Teacher Third Generation. The entire Land of Rivers has now been occupied by us. Konoha's forces can only retreat to the Land of Rivers, using the terrain to slow our advance. Teacher Third Generation believes the situation on the Land of Rain battlefield is more complex and dangerous, so he sent Karura and me here to help."
So that's how it was.
Given this, Sand Hidden's current situation was quite promising.
The Third Kazekage was making great progress on the eastern front, and here in the Land of Rain, Chiyo, with the assistance of Rasa and Karura, had also established a firm foothold and begun to contend with Konoha's Rain Hidden.
He just didn't know the exact strength of Rasa and Karura.
In the original timeline, although Rasa became the Fourth Kazekage, his strength was likely among the weaker Kage, and he was ambushed and killed by Orochimaru and his group.
The current Rasa was only seventeen or eighteen years old. Although he had already become a Jonin and mastered Magnet Release, his strength was clearly not yet at its peak.
The morning's battle with Orochimaru didn't last long. Although Orochimaru retreated under the combined assault of Rasa, Karura, and a group of Jonin, he wasn't seriously injured and easily protected his subordinates as they withdrew.
After Rasa and Karura left, Qingshui turned to Chiyo with a question.
"I can't judge it precisely, but I can roughly determine a range," Chiyo said, manipulating a Puppet with one hand to clear the dishes, as she spoke to Qingshui.
"Rasa and Karura are still some distance from Kage-level right now, but in three to five years, they should be close. As for whether they can develop further after that, it depends on their own destiny."
"As for now, their Ninjutsu complement each other, and they are lovers of one mind. Their cooperation is seamless. While they certainly can't defeat Orochimaru when working together, Orochimaru also definitely can't take them down."
This meant that together, they could barely be considered a Kage-level strong individual.
After Chiyo finished speaking, she turned to observe Qingshui.
"What, are you asking me about this because you're interested in your sister Karura, or because you see Rasa as a rival for the Kazekage position in the future?"
Chiyo remembered asking Qingshui what his ambition was once.
Qingshui's answer was to become the Kazekage.
"Well, the Third Generation is still in his prime, and it'll be many years before a Fourth Generation is chosen. All that time might be enough for me to grow," Qingshui said, scratching his head.
In the original timeline, the Third Kazekage was assassinated by Sasori with poison on the eve of the Third Ninja World War.
This was the fuse that ignited the Third War. Because of the Third Kazekage's disappearance, Sand Village was left without a leader. Rasa, as the Third Kazekage's disciple, had inherited Magnet Release, making him a legitimate successor. Furthermore, his ability to control gold dust could subsidize the village's finances, and with his equally strong wife Karura as support, he ascended to the Kazekage position.
That wasn't many years from now, actually. If events truly unfolded that way, he might not even have enough time to develop and would struggle to compete with Rasa.
However, the current Sasori probably wouldn't do such a thing. Given the Third Kazekage's age, he could easily serve for another decade. He completely had the ability to contend with Rasa for the Kazekage position in the future.
"It's too early for you to be thinking about all this," Chiyo said, chuckling.
"You, first become a Jonin before you're fifteen. If you truly have the ability in the future, Ebizo and I won't hesitate to support you."
Fifteen was the threshold for measuring genius. Most Kage-level strong individuals in the Ninja World possessed Jonin-level combat ability before the age of fifteen.
"Haha, then I'll thank Teacher Chiyo in advance."
"If you want to thank me, then help this old woman wash the dishes first."
…
…
DC Universe.
Late night.
Thick dark clouds covered Gotham, not a single star visible. Only the Bat-Signal, projected into the sky from the top of the Gotham Police Department, deterred the city's crime.
But some people weren't afraid of Batman.
Old Industrial Zone.
A group of men in suits swiftly unloaded sacks full of cash from the back seats of cars.
The back seats and trunks were all filled with sacks of cash; there were three cars in total.
"Have someone count it. Twenty-two million dollars, stolen from Gotham National Bank yesterday."
Two-Face stood before Qingshui, gesturing behind him.
Qingshui glanced at the Accountant beside him.
The Accountant immediately understood, leading some of his subordinates forward to count the money.
Their hands wouldn't cramp from counting money, because these subordinates were very professional and were already using money counting machines.
However, even with counting machines, it would still take some time to count this much money.
"I've already paid the deposit. Where is he?"
Harvey Dent seemed a little impatient as he asked.
"Of course, he's here."
Qingshui clapped his hands, and immediately two subordinates brought over a person wearing a black hood.
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