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While he'd been ready to accept reasonable taxes that might—inconvenience the villagers, this second suggestion struck a nerve.
Anything that could improve Sunagakure's chances, he'd support.
"So, what other brilliant ideas do you have?"
The Thirty-Two, mostly combat-oriented Shinobi, weren't exactly skilled administrators. They exchanged glances. Finally, one spoke.
"We could implent a Building Maintenance Fee."
"A Building Maintenance Fee?" This unfamiliar term made Baki pause. "Explain."
"The average lifespan of a Sunagakure house is—fifty years. But due to various factors—erosion, substandard materials, faulty construction many beco unsafe within twenty, even ten years. We can standardize inspections, based on age and type. Identify and address safety hazards. This—requires funding."
"To echo Konoha's concern for the villagers' well-being, we need a Building Maintenance Fee to—ensure their safety."
"So...?" Baki frowned. "Most houses in Sunagakure are self-built, aren't they?"
"Exactly! That's why we need the Kazekage Tower's guidance, to oversee the repairs."
"And the money?"
"From the villagers, of course. But a large, one-ti fee could be—problematic. We can fra it as a subsidy. The Kazekage Tower is covering most of the costs. They're only paying a small—maintenance fee."
"And we can establish a village-owned construction company. No more self-built houses. The Building Maintenance Fee will be included in the purchase price."
"What if repairs are actually needed?"
"Shinobi can use jutsu. That doesn't cost money."
"What if the villagers refuse to pay and hire independent contractors?"
"We'll make it illegal. We're doing this for their own good. What if those—unscrupulous contractors cut corners and the houses collapse? The Kazekage Tower would be blad."
Baki was pleased.
Who said warriors couldn't govern?
The Thirty-Two were proving to be quite resourceful.
The problems plaguing the Kazekage Tower were solved.
Increase taxes, introduce new ones, raise prices, implent tolls — the military budget would swell.
Though this might push the villagers' expenses past the 3,300 ryō limit—it didn't matter.
For Sunagakure's future, for its dominance, they had to—make sacrifices.
And Baki had a solution.
Every male child, regardless of aptitude, would be enrolled in the Shinobi Academy.
He'd tell them: Sunagakure is the greatest village! Everywhere else is a barren wasteland.
Perspective was everything. Once they understood how harsh the outside world was, they wouldn't complain about Sunagakure's hardships.
And as the villagers'—expectations lowered, the Kazekage Tower's inco would increase.
This was a long-term strategy.
Baki was prepared. He'd be Sunagakure's—shadowy Kazekage.
"Enough about—taxes. What about—Konoha's request for a—counter-terrorism plan?"
Kumogakure and Kirigakure were—another matter. Konoha still held considerable sway over Sunagakure.
Baki was ambitious, but he knew—he had to appease Konoha.
He had to earn their trust and convince them that Sunagakure was—on their side. Until he was strong enough to—challenge them.
The Hokage had sent a letter, demanding a concrete plan.
This was troubleso. Bandits, Missing-nin, they hadn't affected his rule. They were even useful.
But he had to—play the ga.
"We've identified several underground exchanges within the Land of Wind. We can—eliminate them," one elder suggested.
"That's—not enough." Baki shook his head. He'd learned from the—Kusagakure incident. Konoha wouldn't be easily fooled.
He had to be more convincing.
Sasori of the Red Sand, Sunagakure's most wanted missing-nin, was currently—an ally.
He couldn't betray him.
And Yasuke and Kosaka Kaoru—they were—imprisoned.
"Is there—a suitable target? Soone whose capture—wouldn't be too difficult, soone—impressive enough for—a public display?"
"There is." An elder pointed to a na on the Missing-nin List. "A Jonin Puppet Master!"
"Who's that?" Baki frowned.
"He defected—fourteen years ago, during the Second Shinobi World War. He took—several secret jutsu and the—Puppet Brigade. The Anbu have been pursuing him ever since."
"We've located his hideout."
"Where?"
"Rōran." A city on Sunagakure's western border, once closely tied to the Land of Wind, like Konoha and Uzushiogakure.
However, under the Second Kazekage, Sunagakure had shifted its focus to military expansion. They'd set their sights on Rōran's—dragon vein, hoping to harness its power for their new—weaponized puppets.
Rōran, fearing Sunagakure's ambitions, had sent emissaries to Uzushiogakure, seeking protection.
The Uzumaki, masters of sealing jutsu, had sealed the dragon vein, thwarting the Second Kazekage's plans.
Enraged, the Kazekage had ordered an attack on Rōran. But the city's ruler had close ties to the Land of Wind's Daimyo. The attack was—postponed.
The people of Rōran, however, weren't taking any chances. They'd erected a massive wall, sealing themselves off from the outside world.
Those who'd once prospered by trading dragon vein resources were now trapped, their wealth—useless.
They waited, hoping for Uzushiogakure's intervention.
Years passed. They remained isolated.
And now the Land of Wind's Daimyo, captivated by Rōran's—female leadership, had—grown impatient. Perhaps today, perhaps tomorrow, he'd order Sunagakure to—attack.
"Rōran? He's hiding there?"
Rōran was a one-way trip. Once inside, escaping Sunagakure's blockade was impossible.
"A Jonin-level missing-nin, pursued for ten years—a suitable offering for Konoha. We'll invite Advisor Gojo to—participate in the—apprehension operation. And we'll send this letter to Temari."
Baki knew—he had to make a grand gesture.
He couldn't just—abandon Rasa's daughter.
He had to—maintain appearances!!!
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