How could Ye Cang not understand the meaning behind Aoki's actions?If you want to talk, just talk—why choose to do it outside the office building on the ground floor?And why shout so loudly, as if afraid no one would hear or see?
Still, Aoki's cunning had its uses.Whether Li Fan agreed to this so-called "exchange" or not, Aoki had already achieved the outcome he wanted.
Ye Cang glanced at the swelling crowd of onlookers and fixed Aoki Jōnin with a glare so sharp it could have cut steel.If looks could kill, Aoki would already be dead several times over.
She wasn't deeply involved in politics, but Chiyo's earlier remarks had been so clear that even she understood the implication.Li Fan was her best friend—and also the strongest of their generation.On top of that, his calm, decisive arguments in the meeting had been flawless.Naturally, Ye Cang supported him for the title of Kazekage [Wind Shadow].
Pulling back her murderous gaze, she leaned close to Li Fan's ear with a natural intimacy, her breath carrying a sweet orchid scent."He's unhappy with what Elder Chiyo said to you just now in the meeting," she whispered."Don't worry. As your best friend, I'm on your side."
Li Fan studied Ye Cang's striking face.Even at this distance, not a blemish or pore was visible—and she wore no makeup.Her bare-faced beauty easily outshone the countless retouched online photos Li Fan had worked on in his previous life.
After a few seconds of close observation, his heartbeat quickened and stray thoughts intruded.Cursing himself inwardly, he turned his head toward Aoki Jōnin, whose eyes blazed with fighting spirit.
Ye Cang's words had made things clear—Aoki thought Li Fan lacked the strength to be Kazekage and had his own ambitions.Too wary to challenge Chiyo directly, Aoki had staged this little drama instead.
Li Fan remembered how, in the original history, Rasa didn't become Fourth Kazekage immediately after the Third's disappearance.It was only during the Third Ninja World War—after several brilliant victories—that Rasa was accepted and chosen.
It seemed there was no avoiding this fight.If Li Fan couldn't defeat a veteran like Aoki, then even Chiyo's endorsement might not be enough to convince the village.
Just like Gaara.When he became Fifth Kazekage, assassination attempts plagued him for years, and many shinobi watched him with suspicion.Only Maki's faction truly supported him, and it took until the most vocal opponent, Jōnin Fushigi, committed suicide for things to settle down.
Li Fan knew his own popularity far exceeded Gaara's in those early days.But the first challenger had to be subdued—firmly.
These thoughts flashed through his mind before he gave Aoki Jōnin a slow nod.Aoki's face lit up with open satisfaction. Just as he opened his mouth, Li Fan cut in:"Tomorrow morning. Village gate."
Then, turning to Ye Cang with an apologetic smile:"Sorry, I can't make it to dinner at your place tonight. Maybe tomorrow night."
Ye Cang's lips curved into a smile, and she shook her head gently."It's fine."
She knew he was preparing for tomorrow's battle.Aoki had been a Jōnin for over twenty years and was one of Sunagakure's most renowned fighters.
During the Second Ninja World War, newly promoted Aoki had killed more than a dozen Hidden Cloud [Kumogakure] ANBU at once with his superb puppet techniques.Over the course of that long war, he slew more than twenty enemy Jōnin—some already on the verge of fame. His record was dazzling.
Even Ye Cang herself wouldn't expect to last more than fifty exchanges against such a veteran.And though she knew Li Fan was stronger than she was, his limits were clear.
If he came to her house for dinner tonight, how would he have the time and focus to prepare?Food could wait a day or two.
Li Fan's own reasoning was simple: the top priority was to stabilise the village and crush any obstacles to becoming Kazekage.Social visits—and even meals—could wait.
He also had a more self-serving thought.Ye Cang's current "favorability" toward him was only in the twenties; even if he dined with her now, nothing would change.If that number doubled tomorrow, however… the situation might be different.
Aoki Jōnin, faced with such a reasonable arrangement, could only nod."Fine. Be there on time tomorrow!"
He turned and left without looking back, his blood quickening at the thought of becoming Kazekage.
For years, the mighty Third Kazekage had overshadowed him. Aoki had expected to live in that shadow forever—until the Third vanished, presumed dead.With only the Chiyo siblings left among the true elders, the path seemed open.
There were two or three others in the village with strength comparable to his, but if they fought to the death, Aoki believed he'd be the last one standing.
All he needed was to defeat Li Fan—the strongest of the younger generation—and his path to the Fourth Kazekage's seat would be clear.The image made him grin.
Yes, the Kazekage's position was risky: the poorest of the Five Great Villages, Sunagakure's leader was economically bound by the Wind Daimyo and politically constrained by the elders.The first three Kazekage hadn't met good ends.
But being Kazekage was still far better than remaining a Jōnin.Dangerous? Of course—but so was being a Jōnin.
Li Fan watched Aoki's back disappear and shook his head.In the original history, this man didn't appear at all—most likely he'd died during the Third Ninja World War, leaving no mark in the records.
Turning back to the growing crowd, Li Fan bid Ye Cang farewell and headed home.
With only 370 skill points, top-tier combat items were out of reach.But Aoki was at least a high-level Jōnin—probably stronger than Maki would be a dozen years later.
Li Fan wasn't too worried.He had the system, and embarrassing as it was to say, that was part of his strength.
Once home, he would convert all his skill points into favorability items, boosting others' goodwill toward him.With two days until the fight, he could amass several thousand more skill points—enough to trade for valuable upgrades.
They wouldn't be on the level of Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan or Rinnegan, but the system's redemption page had billions of options, and he'd only seen the first hundred.
In the heart of Sunagakure, in an unremarkable room, Chiyo sat with her usual impassive expression."Let them spar. Aoki's always had his eyes on the Kazekage's seat, and now he finally has his chance."
Her brother Ebizō gave a dry chuckle."Hmph. Aoki loves his little tricks—that's why, despite his talent, he's never advanced further in strength."
The cloudy depths of his eyes held no real amusement.The siblings had already declared Li Fan's status in the earlier meeting, and no one had objected.Aoki's challenge afterwards was a direct test of their authority.
A soft, feminine voice broke in:"My lords, shall I warn Aoki Jōnin?"
The speaker wore a black windbreaker and a rabbit mask.Even concealed, her figure was clearly well-shaped. Her black half-heels left the backs of her snow-white feet exposed, smooth and without a trace of veins.Her ankles were delicately rounded, as pale as fresh snow.Apart from these glimpses, only the skin of her neck showed—white, supple, but faintly lined, marking her as an experienced puppeteer.
She was the same masked woman who had been watching from the upper corner of the office earlier.
Chiyo considered, then shook her head."No. Aoki's challenge is reasonable, and Li Fan accepted.If we interfere, the discontent will remain."
Ebizō agreed."If Li Fan had refused, we'd have had grounds to shield him—but he accepted on the spot."
He shook his head slightly, almost regretfully.A village leader didn't need to be the absolute strongest, but they did need to rank among the very top in power—at least in the first tier, ideally the top five or six.