Rasa

The was the previous leader of Sunagakure. He is the father of Temari, Kankurō, and Gaara, and husband of Karura. His actual name is Sasoosa.

Background
Due to the Daimyo's cutting down of Sunagakure's budget, and preferring Konohagakure's less expensive services, the Fourth Kazekage saw his own village in danger of extinction. In order to prevent that, he decided to focus on increasing the qualities of the ninja in the village. As such, he ordered Chiyo to seal the One-Tailed Shukaku within his youngest son, Gaara, so that he could become Suna's ultimate weapon, at the cost of his wife's life. He then trained Gaara in the art of ninjutsu, but assigned Yashamaru to be Gaara's caretaker.

However, as Gaara grew, and his abilities began to manifest, the Fourth realized that this had been a poor choice, and started to view Gaara as a failed experiment, and a threat to the inhabitants of Suna. In time, the Fourth began issuing orders for Gaara's assassination, none of which were ever successful. After Yashamaru's failed attempt, and Gaara began to have more control over his powers due to his new ideals of being alone, the Fourth Kazekage learned to appreciate Gaara's usefulness, and stopped issuing attempts on his son's life, in hopes of him becoming a powerful tool.

Invasion of Konoha arc
When Orochimaru approached Sunagakure with the proposition of joining forces in invading Konohagakure, the Fourth Kazekage agreed. The village had suffered a number of budget cuts by their daimyo, so the Fourth hoped a successful invasion would prompt additional funding. He planned to have Gaara unleash Shukaku from the center of Konoha during the Chūnin Exams, giving the invaders an advantage from the get-go.

The Fourth, however, would not be able to see his plans through, as Orochimaru killed him by piercing his chest with the Kusanagi Sword. He then impersonated the Kazekage until the invasion began, making it easier to control the village. After the failed invasion, Baki and some other Sand ninja found the Fourth Kazekage's and his bodyguards' corpses decomposing in a pit. Gaara, whose life was made miserable by his father, would later succeed him and become the Fifth Kazekage.

Trivia

 * The Fourth Kazekage has made a brief cameo during the Chūnin Exams in one of Gaara's flashbacks.
 * His hair color was a dull purple color in his first appearance, but it is brownish in other appearances.