Actually, it's basically the same traditional approach the Sand Village has used for the past forty years.
That is, the Kazekage goes to the capital to meet with the Daimyo and engage in a give-and-take.
The outcome of the negotiations usually depends on the current situation, the relationship between the Kage and the Daimyo, and their respective personalities.
In the past, the previous Daimyo was an incompetent ruler who neglected state affairs. As long as he had enough money for his entertainment, he didn't particularly care about other matters and was very willing to delegate power.
The two times he cut funding during his lifetime were also because he planned to use the withheld money to build luxurious palace gardens.
So, during his reign, the Sand Village, aside from being a bit short on funds, didn't face much constraint.
But this newly appointed Daimyo is a bit different.
From the documents, it's clear that he wants so much money not just to fulfill his political promises made before taking office, but also to reclaim the power that had been ceded during the previous Daimyo's rule.
Furthermore, the Sand Village now seems to be trying to break free from the Daimyo's economic control, which is why he's using this as an excuse to try and suppress the Sand Village.
"Qingshui, what's your opinion?"
After Chiyo and Ebizo had spoken, the Third Kazekage looked at Qingshui, who had been silent and deep in thought.
"Lord Third, before that, I'd like to ask a question: what exactly is the relationship between a ninja village and a Daimyo?"
"The Kazekage, as the military head of the Land of Wind, leads the Sand Village in protecting the Daimyo and the territory of the Land of Wind, and is responsible for external expansion when necessary.
The Daimyo, as the political head, provides financial and reputational support to the ninja village."
"Exactly. So, why don't we tweak the suggestion Rasa just made? We don't have to clash with the Daimyo, but we can support another faction to make the Daimyo feel threatened."
The Third Kazekage's eyes lit up.
You're a cunning one!
"I just looked at the documents. Didn't it say that our new Daimyo imprisoned or killed all of his adult brothers? But what if one of his brothers was rescued by a loyal servant who hired ninja from another country, and then started a rebellion somewhere, claiming that the current Daimyo only ascended to power by killing the former Daimyo? In that scenario, Lord Third, what do you think the new Daimyo would do?"
The Third Kazekage, Chiyo, and Ebizo couldn't help but laugh.
That's a good idea.
At that point, no matter who it is, to secure the position of Daimyo, they would have to gain the support of the Sand Village.
Then, the initiative would naturally fall back into the hands of the Sand Village.
"Leave this matter to me. Some of the village's 'black ops' assets in other countries can be put to good use now," Ebizo chuckled.
"Elder Ebizo, regarding this matter, I believe the Anbu can assist you," Rasa said, a smile also gracing his face as he spoke to Ebizo, who was seated opposite him.
Ebizo's smile remained, but he turned his head towards the Third Kazekage.
The plan was proposed by my apprentice. Isn't your apprentice's eagerness to claim credit a bit unseemly?
Rasa felt a bit embarrassed, but he still put on a brave face, pretending as if nothing was amiss.
His plan had been directly rejected, while Qingshui's plan had been adopted.
If he didn't step up and do some work, wouldn't it make him seem useless?
Qingshui smiled imperceptibly.
Neither he, nor Ebizo, nor Chiyo, had any objections.
Because in this matter, Qingshui was the planner, and Rasa was willing to be the executor. More importantly, this was ultimately an unsavory affair.
Unsavory affairs alone were fine; ninja did plenty of unsavory things.
But this matter was internal...
It wasn't something that could be openly discussed, and there wouldn't even be detailed records in mission logs.
Just like Konoha's Hiruzen Sarutobi always stood in the light, even if there was something dirty to be done, it was entrusted to Danzō, his 'black ops' operative.
As for Qingshui and Rasa...
This pairing seems quite good too?
Chiyo and Ebizo, the siblings, exchanged another glance.
Rasa wasn't suitable as a leader, but he was very suitable as a tool.
The Third Kazekage remained expressionless, sighing inwardly.
Rasa, Rasa, why hasn't your mind improved at all by now?
If you really became Kazekage, how could you ever outmaneuver Qingshui?
"Then let Rasa and Ebizo handle this matter. Rasa, remember to defer to Elder Ebizo, don't leave any traces. Follow your senior, watch and learn. Elder Ebizo won't hold anything back from you." The Third Kazekage said to Rasa.
Ebizo also nodded in agreement.
That's right! I'm just teaching you how to do dirty work, of course I won't hold anything back!
Rasa, however, could barely contain his surprise.
Is he really that easy to deal with?
Qingshui gave Rasa a meaningful look, then lowered his head, lost in thought.
Actually, there were more ways to manipulate things than just these.
It wasn't as if no one in the Ninja World had ever thought about overthrowing the Daimyo's power before; there had been countless powerful officials throughout history. However, the village system established by the First Hokage had created too much separation between military and political power, and the ninja villages had a high degree of independence, which was why no one had considered doing such things in the past.
But in reality, with a single ninja village controlling almost all of a country's military power, it wasn't difficult to manipulate certain things.
From public opinion, finance, resources, local magnates, and many other aspects, there were numerous exploitable points.
The regional warlords of the late Tang Dynasty, the Donglin faction of the late Ming Dynasty, and the shogunate of Japan all pioneered many methods to weaken central finances and usurp power.
It was just that at present, he didn't have enough power to plan these things, nor did he have a thorough understanding of the specific situation with the Daimyo.
As for the Third Kazekage...
Undeniably, his abilities and methods were excellent, but Qingshui couldn't judge whether he possessed the necessary resolve for such a task.
But no matter what, it wasn't yet time to make a move. He first needed to gather sufficiently detailed intelligence before he could formulate a general strategy, deploy excellent personnel to execute it, and only then could the Daimyo system be swept into the dustbin of history.
"Alright, if there's nothing else, this old man will go and handle this matter with Rasa."
Ebizo patted his sleeves and stood up from his seat.
"Wait a moment."
The Third Kazekage stopped Ebizo and took out the scroll Qingshui had previously given him, explaining about Sasori's developed Kekkei Genkai Human Puppets.
"My good grandson truly lives up to his name!"
Chiyo beamed with joy.
"So, Elder Ebizo, I'd like to know if there are any Kekkei Genkai outside of the Five Great Ninja Villages that are relatively easy to acquire in the Ninja World right now."
"Hmm..."
Ebizo stroked his chin, deep in thought. He had almost all the intelligence gathered by the Sand Village's intelligence department recorded in his mind.
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