Entering the Hokage's Office, Fox realized he was the last to arrive.
Tsunade and Nara Rokaku both worked in the Hokage Building, while Fox's Anbu base was located in the Forest of Death.
All four high-ranking officials were seated on the sofas.
Sarutobi Hiruzen glanced at Fox, then at Tsunade.
Four years ago, when Danzo died, Sarutobi Hiruzen thought Tsunade and Fox would join forces and pull off some major move.
But four years had passed. The two had done nothing, each quietly completing their own work.
Tsunade was a perfect Internal Affairs Advisor, managing Konoha's internal affairs methodically and in perfect order.
Fox stayed in the Anbu base and never expressed opinions on village affairs.
Fox's occasional shows of prowess were when he went to the borders to deter scheming enemies.
For the For the first three years, border conflicts were very rare.
Even Ōnoki, the Raikage, and others were quiet to a strange degree.
Starting this year, according to intelligence sent back by spies, Kumogakure had resealed the Two-Tails. The Jinchūriki was named Yugito, making Kumogakure active again.
Sarutobi Hiruzen had discussed with Nara Rokaku that Tsunade and Fox had already allied, but their goal didn't seem to be seizing greater power. They appeared relatively satisfied with Konoha's current state.
Sarutobi Hiruzen exhaled a thick puff of smoke and said, "The reason for calling this high-level meeting is to ask for your opinions on the matter of the Kazekage's disappearance. This is a major event that could change the ninja world's landscape. What are your views?"
Tsunade said, "The Third Kazekage's disappearance is shrouded in mystery. However, based on my judgment, Sunagakure's financial situation is quite dire. Their mission numbers, monthly material purchases, waste disposal volumes, etc., are all decreasing. Initially, Sunagakure searched for the Kazekage in secret. Later, unable to find him, the pressure became too great, and they could no longer afford discretion, sending out large numbers of Suna-nin to roam throughout the Land of Wind. The large-scale roaming of Suna-nin has caused much chaos, with incidents of Suna-nin harming people occurring all over the Land of Wind. The Daimyō of the Land of Wind is very displeased, making cooperation between the Land of Wind and Sunagakure increasingly difficult. From a financial and internal affairs perspective, Sunagakure's financial losses might be as high as one-fifth."
Sarutobi Hiruzen took the scroll from Tsunade and nodded repeatedly. Tsunade's personality was bold and straightforward, but she treated her work with the same meticulousness as she did her patients and wounded.
Nara Rokaku said, "Hokage-sama, based on my observations over these years, Sunagakure suffers from a lack of talent internally. There have always been three factions fighting within Sunagakure. The first faction is the Puppet Masters. When the Second Kazekage was in power, he relied primarily on Puppet Masters led by Chiyo. The second faction is the Secret Technique ninja, centered on the Third Kazekage and Rasa's Magnet Release. The third faction is the civilian ninja. During the Second Great Ninja War, Chiyo's son and daughter-in-law were killed by us, intensifying Sunagakure's internal strife. Although the Third Kazekage took Chiyo's grandson, Sasori, as a student, the Kazekage did not teach Sasori the Magnet Release secret techniques. Over the last two years, with Sasori's meteoric rise and rapid growth in strength, the conflict between the Puppet Masters and the Secret Technique faction has grown increasingly severe. Puppet Masters require too many resources. Many Suna-nin believe such massive resources shouldn't be poured into puppets. Puppet Masters haven't performed well in war, especially against top-tier powerhouses. should come first—search for the Third Kazekage while also selecting a new Kazekage to re-establish order. Internal strife within ninja villages is extremely terrifying. Ninja wield violence, which can easily escalate into bloody slaughter. Of course, if Iwagakure takes advantage of the situation, the various factions in Sunagakure might temporarily cooperate due to external pressure."
After speaking, Nara Rokaku glanced at Tsunade and Fox.
Speaking of internal village strife... These two allied during the turmoil four years ago but didn't take any radical measures, ensuring Konoha's peace.
Compared to other villages' internal strife, the intensity of Konoha's infighting was much lower.
Fox felt Nara Rokaku's gaze was a bit strange, unsure what he was thinking.
Nara Rokaku continued, "Sunagakure's strength isn't top-tier. I believe we should be more wary of Iwagakure and Kumogakure. Peace is only temporary. Kumogakure and Iwagakure have been actively preparing for war. These two villages are too strong; we must guard against them."
Sarutobi Hiruzen asked, "Fox, what is your view?"
Fox said, "According to spy intelligence, Iwagakure is attempting to contact the Daimyō of the Land of Wind. The Land of Bears is located southwest of the Land of Earth and northwest of the Land of Wind, serving as a vassal state to the Land of Earth. Ōnoki intends to use the Land of Bears as a springboard to enter the Land of Wind and occupy the mission markets of several major cities in the northwest. Kirigakure is also very interested in the Land of Wind's Shapo Port. Several ninja villages want to snatch a piece of the fat from Sunagakure's mouth. I believe Konoha need not enter the fray for now. First, observe. Let the other villages expend their own strength first. Then decide who to fight, how to fight, and the scale of the fight."
Sarutobi Hiruzen and Nara Rokaku repeatedly. In the last Great Ninja War, Konoha suffered heavy losses. Now, Konoha couldn't even fill all its advisor positions.
Sarutobi Hiruzen said, "Fox, you are right. We don't need to enter the fray too early. You lead the Anbu to the Land of Wind, focusing on gathering intelligence and investigating the movements of the various villages. As Rokaku said, we must investigate Sunagakure's movements, but we cannot fail to guard against the other villages."
Fox nodded and said, "Alright, I will depart for the Land of Wind immediately."
Half an hour later, Fox left Konoha Village with the Leaf Monkey Squad.
Simultaneously, at the entrance canyon of Sunagakure, Rasa and Chiyo were seeing off a group leaving the village.
After the Kazekage's disappearance, Sunagakure was jointly managed by Rasa and Chiyo.
"Pakura, your abilities are suited for dealing with Water Release ninja," Rasa said. "This time, you lead the team to reinforce Shapo Port. Your primary mission is to eliminate the Kiri-nin infiltrating the Valley of the Wind. Your secondary mission is to capture Kiri-nin and interrogate them to see if they know anything about the Kazekage-sama's whereabouts."
Chiyo, standing beside him, said, "Rasa, don't lose your composure. The Kazekage-sama couldn't possibly have gone to the Land of Water or Kirigakure. That's absurd. Pakura, don't waste time on the Kiri-nin. Defeating them is enough. Resolve the Shapo Port matter quickly. The pressure from Iwagakure in the northwest is the top priority."
Rasa frowned. Chiyo was a disciple of the Second Kazekage and an advisor to the Third. Her status was high, and she was a hindrance. If only Chiyo would retire—retire along with her brother, the other advisor, Ebizō—then Rasa could truly display his abilities.
Pakura glanced at these two high-ranking officials and finally said, "I also believe the Kazekage-sama couldn't have gone to the Land of Water. If not for Shapo Port, we wouldn't have any connection with the Land of Water or Kirigakure. However, I will also carry out Lord Rasa's arrangements. I will capture Kiri-nin and interrogate them for information."
Rasa sensed Pakura's perfunctory tone but said nothing more.
The entire Land of Wind had been turned upside down, yet they still couldn't find his teacher, the Third Kazekage. Rasa just wanted to eliminate the possibility of his teacher going to the Land of Water, but neither Chiyo nor Pakura took it seriously.
"I want to see your interrogation records," Rasa said, then turned and left.
After Rasa left, Chiyo instructed, "Pakura, you are a Scorch Release genius, the village's future hope. This mission to defend Shapo Port is crucial. If you can complete it perfectly, I will help you join the high command."
"High command?" Pakura quickly refused, "I've never thought about joining the high command. I'm content as long as I can protect the Land of Wind and Sunagakure."
Chiyo insisted, "There's no need for modesty. Sunagakure's talent pool is withering. Your strength qualifies you for the village's high command. Scorch Release Pakura is one of the few Jonin the village has nurtured in recent years. Konoha's Fox isn't old either, and he's been the Anbu Commander for years, hasn't he?"
Pakura thought to herself, How can I be compared to such a powerhouse?
Hearing Advisor Chiyo praise her strength, Pakura asked, "Lord Chiyo, any news of Sasori?"
Chiyo's face immediately filled with worry.
"Sasori said he went to find puppet materials. But he's been gone for over a month now and still hasn't returned. I don't know where he is."
***
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(End of Chapter)