The Land of Earth, Tsuchikage's Office.
A stout, square-faced middle-aged man wearing an Iwagakure forehead protector stood before the Tsuchikage's desk, his expression clouded with worry as he asked, "Tsuchikage-sama..."
"Is it really wise for us to directly collaborate with Akatsuki from the Land of Rain?"
"Hmph!"
"What's wrong with it? Should we collaborate with Sunagakure instead?"
"Don't forget, Sunagakure has already signed an alliance agreement with Kumogakure!"
"And do you truly believe Kumogakure would sincerely cooperate with us?"
"Rather than signing a so-called 'alliance' and constantly guarding against our so-called 'ally,' it's better to openly work with their enemies!"
"Treaties are nothing more than facades to lull the other side into complacency. True history is shaped by our own hands!"
The Third Tsuchikage floated lightly into the air, looking down at the middle-aged man before him.
"But the ninja world is already abuzz with talk about Akatsuki's intent to collect the Tailed Beasts..."
"I fear Kirigakure will soon find itself the target of widespread scrutiny!"
"Moreover, Tsuchikage-sama, we have two Jinchūriki of our own in the village. Collaborating with them is akin to inviting a wolf into our home!"
The middle-aged man, appearing to be in his thirties, furrowed his brow even deeper. After some hesitation, he finally voiced his concerns.
"Heh!"
The Third Tsuchikage chuckled softly, his tone brimming with confidence. "Do you think those people in Sunagakure are truly sincere about signing an alliance with us?"
"Ebizō himself was willing to personally travel to Iwagakure—do you know what that implies?"
As the middle-aged man looked on in confusion, the Tsuchikage continued.
"It implies that within Sunagakure, there exists someone capable of commanding his respect, someone he is willing to serve!"
"The Third Kazekage—when he attacked the Land of Earth in the past, I fought against him. Among the younger generation, his strength was exceptional, and his courage and resolve were commendable!"
"However, I believe that the true backbone of Sunagakure today is not the Third Kazekage. He would rank behind the infamous One-Tail Jinchūriki, who serves as Sunagakure's stabilizing force!"
"Without that Perfect Jinchūriki, would Sunagakure dare to negotiate simultaneously with both Kumogakure and us?"
"Young people..."
"Especially young people with great power, are always ambitious, seeking to reshape the entire ninja world!"
"Driving wolves to devour tigers..."
"The current state of the ninja world is one of wolves encircling their prey. That tiger, Konohagakure, must not fall too quickly..."
"For now, having Akatsuki shield us from the storm is the best course of action!"
The Third Tsuchikage's eyes gleamed with a peculiar light. His extensive experience had allowed him to keenly sense Sunagakure's intentions.
"However, regarding our village's Jinchūriki..."
"It's about time we strengthened our management and supervision of them."
"We can no longer allow them to wander aimlessly on the outskirts of the village..."
The Third Tsuchikage murmured to himself, his mind conjuring the image of another stubborn purple-clad figure.
Circumstances were forcing his hand...
It seemed he would have to be more lenient with that individual...
In the ever-changing ninja world, every ounce of Kage-level combat power was incredibly precious.
A few days later.
The Land of Wind, Sunagakure, Kazekage's Office.
"What?!"
"The Fourth Hokage personally traveled to the Land of Water to assist in sealing the Three-Tails, and the process went exceptionally smoothly?"
"The new generation of the 'Four Swordsmen of the Mist' has also been reassembled?"
"And according to rumors, Kirigakure is secretly gathering rare and precious materials, intending to commission the Land of Artisans to forge three new swords?"
"Does this mean that Kirigakure's strength hasn't declined, but is instead rising as an unexpected force?"
The Third Kazekage was listening to Baki's report on Kirigakure's secret activities.
"Yes, Kazekage-sama!"
"All of this information has been thoroughly verified before being included in the report."
"There were numerous Mist ninja who personally witnessed the Fourth Hokage in action at the time."
Baki replied solemnly. His head was wrapped in bandages, and two red markings adorned his cheeks. A white cloth hung from his forehead protector, covering the left side of his face, leaving only half of it visible.
At this time, Baki had been appointed by Ebizō to serve as the Kazekage's assistant, helping him handle political affairs, relay orders, and receive intelligence.
Ebizō had also appointed a young boy named Yūra, but Yūra was several years younger than Baki.
Though Yūra was exceptionally talented in both ninjutsu and governance, the Kazekage had declined to let him serve as an assistant, citing his youth as the reason. Instead, he frequently assigned Yūra to missions outside the village.
In the Kazekage's view, only through sufficient experience—witnessing the brutal realities of ninja combat, the struggles of civilians, and the conflicts between nations—could one gradually transform into a capable leader.
Otherwise, one would simply become a narrow-minded "politician" like Genpei's clan head or Elder Takahashi, prone to empty rhetoric and short-sightedness.
"The Land of Artisans?"
"Their blueprints for ninja tools are indeed unique..."
Sōmi, seated on a sofa, began reviewing the documents Baki had handed over.
Even if Kirigakure managed to fully reassemble the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist, it wouldn't pose much of a problem...
In Sōmi's eyes, the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist, even if doubled in number, wouldn't even qualify as a "trio of treasures" in his presence.
"The new Three-Tails Jinchūriki..."
"Could it be..."
Sōmi furrowed his brow as images of Kirigakure's rising talents flashed through his mind. Eventually, a blue figure lingered in his thoughts.
"Minato Namikaze personally went to perform the sealing..."
"What kind of play is this?"
"I've really underestimated Kirigakure... It seems there are capable individuals there unknown even to me..."
Sōmi muttered to himself in a low voice.
"Sōmi!"
"It seems the alliance between the Land of Fire and the Land of Water is far more solid than we had anticipated!"
The Third Kazekage turned his gaze to Sōmi, his expression grave.
"Indeed!"
"In that case, we'll need to reinforce the defenses along the coastal areas of Ryukawa District. We should establish more outposts on the offshore islands."
"Additionally, have Elder Ebizō plant more spies within Kirigakure!"
Sōmi set aside his underestimation of Kirigakure. If the new Three-Tails Jinchūriki was indeed that individual, then facing him in battle near the sea would be no joke—especially with that deadly spit of his...
"Sensei, there's no need to worry."
"Even if the other villages are developing, with Ryukawa District, Asuka District, and our secret techniques, we are fully equipped to compete with them!"
"The first batch of secret medicines from my collaboration with Orochimaru has already been delivered to the medical department. Once they've been verified, they'll be distributed."
"These secret medicines can significantly enhance the strength of our Genin and Chūnin without endangering their lives."
Sōmi spoke with confidence.
The efficiency of Orochimaru's research lab was incredibly high. Just a few days ago, he had already sent young Jūgo there.
It seemed that progress on the Cursed Seal research would soon bear fruit...
~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~
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