Chapter 618: Competing for the Kazekage?
Chapter 618: Competing for the Kazekage?
"The reason for today's gathering is clear to all of us, so feel free to speak your minds!"
Hai Ryozen first glanced at the bandaged Chiyoki by his side and then began the meeting.
Even Chiyoki had sustained significant injuries, and if it weren't for the Anbu's desperate rescue, she might not have made it back.
Don't assume that Konoha has always been on the receiving end in the Great Shinobi War; don't underestimate their strength.
They've been on the defensive because each time a Heavenly God descends, they deliver a crushing blow. But if it were a one-on-one fight, just watch how they finish off their opponents.
Especially with the advent of the airship and bombing tactics, they can directly make up for their numerical disadvantage.
Controlling airships and throwing explosive tags doesn't require ninja skills; anyone can do it, but it consumes more money and resources.
Konoha's wealth and resources are the strongest among the Five Great Ninja Villages.
Even the Cloud Village, which allocates all its resources to military power, can only come close to Konoha in this regard.
It is precisely because of the advantage of airships and explosive tag bombardment that Konoha has achieved a remarkable victory against the odds.
The reason the airships don't dare to engage alone is that they would have come to bomb Sunagakure long ago.
"I think we should negotiate with the Third Hokage as soon as possible!"
An elder spoke up.
Regarding negotiations with Konoha, no one felt humiliated. Once is a lesson, twice is a habit, and it's not the first time anyway.
Note that this elder mentioned negotiating with the 'Third Hokage' and no one else.
The reason is simple: who else is easier to talk to?
During the last Great Shinobi War, the Cloud and Stone Villages caused massive casualties among Konoha ninjas, but they only nominally conceded, with almost no actual loss of interests.
After a few examples, they naturally understood whom to negotiate with.
"No, the Third Hokage is preparing to step down, and Konoha is in the process of electing the Fifth Hokage!"
Hai Ryozen shook his head, rejecting the elder's suggestion.
Yes, they can't negotiate with them now, and even before the Fifth Hokage takes office, there's no chance of negotiations.
"What?"
"Is the other party doing this on purpose?"
"Is there a problem?"
...
The elders and Jonin instantly understood this point.
Konoha is doing this on purpose! They chose this specific time to attack, leaving them unable to use even the prepared escape routes.
"Regardless, we will fight to the death to protect our village and will never allow the Konoha ninjas to run rampant!"
A Jonin with a determined expression spoke up.
Yes, they would not hesitate to sacrifice themselves to protect the village and their families.
"Ye Cang, do you have any suggestions?"
Hai Ryozen suddenly called her out.
As the village's decision-maker and intellectual leader, he wouldn't act like that elite Jonin, only knowing how to fight to the death.
Protecting the village is the priority, and sacrificing some things to achieve this is not impossible.
"I think we should elect the Kazekage first and then have the Kazekage lead us against the Konoha ninjas. I believe the Kazekage will win!"
This was no longer a hint but a clear statement.
By becoming the Kazekage, she could lead the Sunagakure ninjas to victory.
If she had said this before the battle with the Konoha ninjas, all the Sunagakure ninjas would have objected.
Now, except for those who were stubborn in their youth, everyone else fell silent.
"I think it's also time to elect the Fifth Kazekage!"
Chiyoki suddenly spoke up.
Her words stunned everyone in the meeting room.
Until today, she had no intention of becoming the Kazekage.
But after just a few days, her attitude changed so quickly; it seemed too sudden.
Her status in Sunagakure needs no introduction, and once she spoke up, no one could stop her unless everyone else objected.
So, the meeting immediately shifted from resisting the Konoha ninjas to electing the Fifth Kazekage.
Due to the urgency, there was no need for a lengthy process; they could proceed with the election right away.
Ninjas are not bureaucrats; they act swiftly.
"I nominate Gaara to become the Kazekage!"
Maki suddenly spoke up.
As Gaara's teacher and the Jonin leader, he was qualified to make this recommendation.
Perhaps this was the reason why Gaara, who had just participated in the Chunin Exams a few days ago as a teenager, was invited to this meeting.
Due to being verbally attacked by Prince Minato earlier and the beating Ye Cang gave to the One-Tailed Guardian, Gaara is now well-behaved.
Even if he's asleep, the Guardian won't dare to appear and cause trouble.
With his violent temperament gone and his exceptional strength, Gaara truly has the qualifications to compete for the Kazekage position.
The key lies in his identity!
Rokuda's son, the Fourth Kazekage.
This identity gives him a significant advantage, allowing him to inherit his father's political legacy.
For instance, the factions and powers that supported Rokuda will naturally support Gaara.
After all, if Ye Cang becomes the Kazekage, their interests will suffer, and they might even face misfortune.
But if Gaara becomes the Kazekage, everything will be guaranteed, and they will choose him without hesitation.
"I support Gaara!"
"As the son of the Fourth Kazekage, he indeed has the qualifications to become the Kazekage!"
"With the strength of a Jinchuriki, he will undoubtedly lead us to repel the Konoha army after becoming the Kazekage!"
...
One by one, the elders and Jonin cast their votes for Gaara.
This is the reason why Gaara was able to rise to power in the original storyline.
A teenager becoming a Kage was unprecedented, but it was due to the selfishness of the Suna's upper echelons that this situation arose.
Watching these people prioritize their positions and interests over the truth, Gaara found the reason why Suna had been unable to develop.
Nobles!
These people were all connected to the Land of Wind's nobility.
The reason why the nobility's influence was so exaggerated was that they controlled all the fundamental resources. If you didn't rely on them, survival would be a challenge in the barren desert of the Land of Wind, let alone development.
It was only through cooperation with the Heavenly Castle that the blockade was gradually broken.
However, this also made the nobility extremely wary of the Suna ninjas, leading to various troubles and suppression.
Eventually, they even forced the creation of the Konoha Destruction Plan.
It can be said that when it comes to being unreasonable, the nobility has always been so.
In this vote to elevate Gaara, the nobility naturally had a 'trump card' in hand.
They could negotiate with the Land of Fire's Daimyo.
By paying a certain price, they could pressure the Land of Fire to force Konoha's withdrawal.
Although this would make the Konoha ninjas extremely dissatisfied, the Daimyo and the nobility have always treated ninjas as mere 'tools', and they wouldn't consider their feelings.
Despite the intense rivalry among the Great Shinobi Villages, the nobility maintains excellent relations, which is why the Land of Wind's Daimyo assigns tasks to Konoha because he doesn't care about Suna.
Maki and those who chose to support Gaara naturally received this assurance, which is why they voted for him.
"Haha, entrusting the village's safety to those rotten and incompetent nobles, you might as well directly become their dogs!"
Ye Cang's cold laughter interrupted the voting, surprising everyone.
Fortunately, she had already 'convinced' Chiyoki before the meeting, or else there would be no chance for the Kazekage position.
Originally, she thought no one in the Sunagakure could compete with her for the Kazekage position.
Unexpectedly, these people would rather support a young boy than let her, a stronger candidate, rise to power.
Since they felt this way, she decided not to hold back and directly flipped the table.
"Ye Cang, what do you mean by that?"
Maki stepped forward, his face tense.
Although he also thought that Ye Cang would be a good choice for Kazekage, he couldn't agree due to her connection with the Heavenly Castle. He feared that she might be influenced by them, and his family was also deeply tied to the Fourth Kazekage, so he had to oppose her despite her having saved his life.
Ye Cang didn't hold back.
"You support Gaara as Kazekage to keep being dogs to those nobles?"
"These people are the reason the village is in this state!"
"Do you want the village to remain like this forever?"
...
She had completely exposed their true intentions.
(End of Chapter)
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