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Since seizing power, Baki had been forced to rely on Suna's two elder advisors to solidify his position as Fifth Kazekage.
But he knew that these two, Chiyo and Ebizo, had never fully accepted him. As long as they lived, his rule would be—unstable. If they were still around when Temari ca of age—who knew what kind of trouble they might stir up regarding the succession?
He couldn't kill them—their status was too high, and killing them would alienate their supporters. He couldn't imprison them—too many ninja were connected to them, regarding Chiyo and Ebizo as spiritual leaders.
They were too deeply entrenched.
So, if he couldn't kill them or imprison them, he had to—remove them.
One Sunagakure, one Kazekage, one ideology, one authority! Baki couldn't tolerate two revered figures overshadowing his rule.
And sending Chiyo and Ebizo to Konoha for a political marriage had additional benefits. First, with them gone, he could finally take control of the intelligence network Ebizo had developed abroad.
Second, he could use this as propaganda, portraying it as a national disgrace! This would further justify a future war against Konoha—a war to "restore Suna's honor."
And as for actually "restoring" that honor by retrieving them?
No Kage would ever tolerate the continued existence of their predecessors within the village—except, perhaps, Minato Namikaze.
Konoha's demands—they were almost too good to be true.
Baki found it hard to fathom why Konoha would willingly take on the burden of Rōran, along with two—elderly liabilities.
Perhaps—they were more concerned with their—reputation than anything else.
Well, if they wanted a good reputation, Suna would give them one!
Baki cleared his throat, setting the tone for this—absurd political marriage.
"This—requires further deliberation. However, I will—discuss this with them."
"For Sunagakure's benefit, no one can be above sacrifice. Not them, and not even myself, as Kazekage."
"Therefore, I hope, Elder Gojo, that you will urge Temari to return. Konoha is not her ho. Sunagakure is! Even though she is only five, she should return and fulfill her filial duties in a dignified manner, as a Sunagakure kunoichi."
"The people of Sunagakure are also eager for her return."
"I will convey your ssage, Kazekage-sama."
A win-win situation!
"Let's draft the agreent," Gojo Kaigetsu said. "We'll ensure the Ryūmyaku is unsealed. However, if any—unforeseen circumstances arise, causing the Ryūmyaku to be destroyed, Konoha will not be held responsible. And Sunagakure will still have to fulfill its end of the bargain."
"The—marriage can wait. But the people of Rōran must be relocated to Konoha. All of them."
Baki carefully inquired, "Of course. But what exactly do you an by—unforeseen circumstances, Elder Gojo?"
"For example, the seal might have—weakened over ti, causing the chakra within the Ryūmyaku to—beco unstable. Upon unsealing, it might—explode, destroying the Ryūmyaku."
"We will not be held responsible for such an event."
"...You worry too much, Elder Gojo," Baki said with a chuckle, masking his contempt.
'Just an ordinary Chunin, after all. He doesn't understand the Ryūmyaku's power.'
The Ryūmyaku contained enough chakra to rival a Tailed Beast's. And this chakra was gentle, pure, and easily harnessed. It had sustained the Land of Wind for generations, long before the era of ninja villages.
To think that a simple seal could cause it to—self-destruct.
Ridiculous. If the Ryūmyaku was so fragile, Baki would offer his own mother's corpse for the political marriage instead.
"No, you are too careless. Let's sign the agreent."
Two copies were drafted and presented to the leaders. After confirming the details, they signed their nas, and the agreent was made public.
Now, anyone who wanted to maintain their reputation in the ninja world would have to abide by this contract.
The Kazekage and the acting Hokage shook hands, each believing they'd co out on top.
"A pleasure doing business with you."
The handshake ended, and Gojo Kaigetsu said, "Let's depart imdiately to apprehend The Missing-nin."
"So soon?" Baki was surprised. "I've prepared a banquet for you. And shouldn't we wait for the Uzumaki?"
"No need to delay." Gojo Kaigetsu patted his ninja tool pouch. "The Uzumaki have already sealed the 'Unsealing Scroll' within this. We just need to release it at the Ryūmyaku."
'He ca prepared.'
Baki narrowed his eyes. "Very well. Since you're so eager, Elder Gojo, I won't delay you. I'll have the food prepared for your return. After we capture The Missing-nin and unseal the Ryūmyaku, we'll celebrate!"
Led by Baki, the group quickly left the village, heading towards Rōran.
—
—
Thump.
A pair of ninja sandals landed firmly on the ground.
"Sunagakure—I'm back."
Sasori took a deep breath, the wind whipping sand against his face—an—unpleasant sensation.
But as a puppet, he felt nothing.
Following Black Zetsu's instructions, he avoided Suna's patrols and headed towards the prison where Bunpuku was held.
Of course, he encountered so resistance.
Two guards, fulfilling their—minimal—roles, spotted him. "Who's there?!" they shouted.
Sasori didn't bother responding. He summoned the Third Kazekage puppet, using its Iron Sand to silently eliminate the guards.
They were dutiful, if—incompetent. They'd failed to use any jutsu but had at least managed to send a warning signal.
After his ascension, Baki, having experienced the One-Tail's power firsthand, had increased security around Bunpuku, fearing that soone might try to use the Tailed Beast against him.
He'd even moved the prison holding Bunpuku, Yasuke, and others to a remote location, far from the village.
There, twenty-four-hour patrols were conducted, with five Jonin, one elite Jonin, and dozens of Chunin and Genin guarding the One-Tail Jinchuriki.
Upon detecting the intrusion, the guards quickly spread out.
The Elite Jonin, narrowed his eyes when he saw the intruder. "You—Akasuna no Sasori! And that puppet—the Third Kazekage?!"
"What have you done?!"
"Since you know who I am, to avoid any unnecessary conflict, please step aside. My target is only the One-Tail Jinchuriki. I have no interest in your lives."
"Don't even think about it! Do you think you can just waltz in here and take the Jinchuriki?"
"Go inform the Kazekage-sama and request imdiate reinforcents! The rest of you, with ! Formation!"
One of the Jonin quickly sped off, while the remaining ninja surrounded Sasori.
"Wind Release: Great Wind Net!"
Suna Elite Jonin ford hand seals, slamming his palm against his abdon, and exhaled a massive, chakra-infused wind blast. It was fast, wide-ranging, and quickly enveloped Sasori, leaving him no room to escape.
The other ninja also ford seals, enhancing the wind with their own chakra, creating a massive, inescapable net.
If it hit, the net would shred its target to pieces, instantly incapacitating them.
But...
This wasn't ant to kill Sasori.
Sasori's expression remained unchanged. "Your jutsu—they're slow, and weak. Is this—all you've got?"
He didn't even bother to dodge. He controlled the Third Kazekage puppet, using its Magnet Release: Iron Sand Wall to block the wind attacks.
Then, he pulled out another summoning scroll, releasing the chakra-armored One Hundred Puppets.
The guards' eyes widened in disbelief as they were suddenly outnumbered.
Iron sand rose from the earth, blotting out the sun.
Boom...
Boom...
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