"Two-Tails… Rinnegan…"
Sitting behind the desk, Sakazuki appeared thoughtful.
He wasn't hesitating about whether or not to order the capture of Yahiko and the others.
He was questioning whether CIPHER POL-8 truly had the capability to handle Nagato—someone capable of severely injuring the Third Tsuchikage—and Yahiko, who could Tailed Beast-transform at will.
Ever since Queen Sara of Rōran—whom they were assigned to protect—had been taken away by Konoha shinobi, Sakazuki had grown increasingly skeptical of CIPHER POL-8's effectiveness.
He did not want any accidents to occur along the way.
In the end, Sakazuki ordered them to secretly track the targets and, if possible, find ways to slow them down—buying time for a specialized unit to 'retrieve' Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan.
As for the specialists—
Sakazuki instructed Shiryu to notify Uzui Tengen to lead the shinobi of Umigakure for this mission.
Not long after—
Uzui Tengen, long since bored from inactivity, sprang into action the moment he received the order. He led a squad of Umigakure Jōnin out of Rōran's city walls.
Their figures became blurs streaking across the golden desert, tearing through the skies toward the border between the Land of Birds and the Land of Rain.
As for the heavily wounded Ōnoki—
Although swiftly shielded by Iwagakure shinobi,
He was in no condition to return to Iwagakure.
He could only rely on Kitsuchi and the others to hold off Rasa and the advancing army of Sunagakure.
According to CIPHER POL-8's analysis—
The Iwagakure forces led by Kitsuchi would not be able to hold out for long.
Sunagakure currently controlled a large number of Rōran puppets, powered directly by chakra supplied through Shukaku.
Another report detailed the state of Iwagakure that Ōnoki had been so worried about.
The Third Raikage, accompanied by his son and nearly 5,000 Kumogakure shinobi,
Had broken through layer after layer of defenses and reached the outer valley of Iwagakure.
It was only upon encountering Han, the Jinchūriki of the Five-Tails, and Roshi, the Jinchūriki of the Four-Tails who had arrived mid-battle, that their advance was halted.
"The Four-Tails…"
Sakazuki's gaze was immediately drawn to the red-furred giant ape within the footage.
As he continued watching, he noticed that the Four-Tails' abilities bore an uncanny resemblance to his own Lava-Lava Fruit.
Not just because it could produce magma—
But also because it could manipulate that magma to mimic the explosive force of a volcanic eruption.
As a Logia-type Lava Fruit user himself,
Sakazuki knew very well—
Only magma with tremendous explosive power was worthy of being called volcanic.
However, it was precisely because of this similarity that the Four-Tails held no particular value to him.
At best, it could serve as a same-type pet.
However—
By the end of the report, a frown had unknowingly crept onto Sakazuki's brow.
The document stated:
Just as the Third Raikage was locked in fierce battle with the Four-Tails and Five-Tails—
Crocodile suddenly appeared in the sky, transformed into a storm of swirling sand.
And with no warning—
The massive bodies of the Four-Tails and Five-Tails were blown apart in an instant by Crocodile's Desert Spada.
The unconscious Han and Roshi were then swept up and captured in a wave of golden sand.
He paid absolutely no regard to the Third Raikage, who stood nearby with a darkening expression.
Because given just another day, the Raikage believed he could have defeated the Four-Tails and Five-Tails himself.
Now, to have such a grand accomplishment snatched away at the last moment—how could that not infuriate him?
Especially considering the Third Raikage's notoriously short temper—
This only added fuel to the fire.
But in front of Crocodile—
The only way the Third Raikage could express his defiance was through a stoic, silent face.
Not only because of Crocodile's overwhelming power—but also because of his identity.
In the end, he could only swallow his frustration and follow Crocodile's orders to help occupy all of Iwagakure.
"That bastard."
Sakazuki's face turned completely dark.
He truly hadn't expected Crocodile to personally head to Iwagakure.
Wasn't this guy always the type to manipulate things from behind the scenes with a bunch of underhanded schemes?
Moreover—
According to CIPHER POL-8's report—
Crocodile then proceeded to the capital of the Land of Earth.
There, in full view of all officials and samurai, he turned the second feudal lord into a dried-out corpse.
This caused massive unrest throughout the Land of Earth.
In Crocodile's view—
If the World Government wished to secure the allegiance of most shinobi swiftly after conquering the shinobi world, then these feudal lords could not be allowed to remain.
Trying to deal with them after the war would only lead to endless nominal complications.
It was better to eliminate them now while the opportunity was ripe.
He believed the upper echelons of the World Government would be quite pleased with this outcome—
Even if, on the surface, they couldn't show it.
The only price to pay would be his reputation plummeting throughout the shinobi world—
And earning the suspicion and hostility of royalty and nobility from other worlds and kingdoms.
But to Crocodile, that was all utter nonsense.
"It's over."
Sakazuki shook his head helplessly.
He knew now that there was no stopping Crocodile's rise to power.
Even if Aramaki successfully subdued Konohagakure, he likely still wouldn't beat Crocodile to the position of Army General.
Unless—
Aramaki also happened to take out the daimyo of the Land of Fire... and the daimyos of the other three great nations.
Hmm. Maybe it wasn't impossible?
Sakazuki began to ponder.
He considered whether to give Aramaki a call to suggest it.
As for a justification—
Didn't the daimyo of the Land of Fire just declare war on them?
Even if that declaration was aimed at Crocodile and Sunagakure—
However, in the end, Sakazuki decided—
He would first consult with the Five Elders.
After all, the daimyo of a shinobi world nation held a uniquely sensitive position.
It wouldn't be appropriate for him, as an Army Headquarters General, to directly order their execution.
"Execute the shinobi world's daimyos?"
"Then who will govern the shinobi world after conquest on behalf of the World Government?"
"The daimyo of the Land of Fire is not to be touched. That is final."
[Clack!]
The Den-Den Mushi shut its eyes.
Sakazuki's expression turned stormy.
At last, he closed his own eyes with a long, weary sigh.
There was nothing more he could do.
What he didn't know—
Was that his phone call had just sparked a new round of debate within the sphere of power.
"If you ask me, I don't see why they can't be touched," Nusjuro said calmly, reclining against a green sofa.
"Didn't Lord Imu mention dispatching elite Celestial Dragons, graduates of the Holy Dragon Academy, to govern the conquered otherworlds?"
"With the shinobi world's daimyos gone, it would be much easier for them to take over."
Sitting beside him, Warcury shook his head in disagreement.
"Lord Imu's 'Planetary Governor Program' isn't meant for these elite Celestial Dragons to handle the actual governance of otherworlds,"
"Their role is to oversee the development of each world's nations, while managing resource distribution for the World Government."
"So we still need a local governing representative to form the official government. That way, the local population will more readily accept World Government rule."
Nusjuro fell silent after hearing that—a tacit sign of concession.
"So you've decided to make the daimyo of the Land of Fire the representative leader of the shinobi world?"
Saturn grinned.
"Yes. Based on every factor, the daimyo of the Land of Fire is the most suitable candidate."
Warcury nodded.
"Fair enough."
But just then—
A high-definition holographic projection suddenly emerged in mid-air above the central tea table.
Stussy, dressed in a sleek black professional outfit—
"Honored members of the Five Elders."
She stepped forward, gave a graceful bow, and then looked up with a gentle smile on her elegant face.
"I am here to deliver Lord Imu's latest instructions."
Upon hearing this, the Five Elders all stood up—
Their hands respectfully folded in front of them, assuming a posture of full attentiveness.
"First, Lord Imu has decided that Queen Sara of Rōran shall serve as the official representative of the World Government in the shinobi world. Upon completion of the conquest, her application for alliance will be formally accepted—thus, Rōran will become the central hub of the shinobi world."
The Five Elders showed little reaction.
To them, it didn't matter who represented the shinobi world—so long as someone filled that role.
"Second, the position of the third Army Headquarters General shall be granted to the current Army Headquarters Lieutenant General—Crocodile, who holds the title of 'General Candidate.' He will assume the role after the conquest of the shinobi world is complete."
At these words, the Five Elders exchanged glances.
They were surprised that Lord Imu had personally intervened in this matter.
But Stussy offered no further explanation.
Instead, she composed herself and they all respectfully responded in unison: "We shall obey Lord Imu's divine will."
A moment later, Stussy's holographic projection vanished.
The Five Elders relaxed and returned to their seats on the sofa.
"We'll need to notify Sakazuki immediately to ensure the safety of Queen Sara," Nusjuro remarked as he glanced sideways at Ju Peter.
After all, it was Peter's CIPHER POL division that had lost track of Queen Sara.
Peter's expression darkened, but he said nothing in response.
"Yes, and we must also inform Sakazuki that the World Government has officially designated Queen Sara as the shinobi world's territorial representative. He should understand what that means."
Warcury added calmly.
"And once Aramaki has finished securing Konohagakure, have him return."
As the one overseeing military operations, Nusjuro had no objections.
He simply added casually, "He can be awarded the title of 'General Candidate' as a reward."
In his view, if Aramaki truly had what it took—
He could challenge Crocodile in the next 'Battle of the Top'.
Meanwhile, back in Rōran of the shinobi world—
Sakazuki, who was already in a foul mood,
Noticed that the Den-Den Mushi he had just put away began ringing again.
After answering it, his expression first brightened—then darkened once more.
The confirmation of Queen Sara as the shinobi world's representative—
This meant the daimyos were no longer important. He could now freely instruct Aramaki to proceed as he saw fit.
But the order to have Aramaki return to Starfish World after taking Konohagakure—
To receive the title of 'General Candidate' and the accompanying decorations—what was the meaning of that?
They had already decided who the third Army General was going to be, hadn't they?
"Hmph!"
Anger surged in Sakazuki's chest. He nearly slammed a fist onto the desk—
But in the end, he restrained himself.
All his frustration was reduced to a heavy, cold snort.
"There were other options… and they chose a damn pirate!"
Still, Sakazuki quickly calmed himself.
Since it was already decided, he had no choice but to accept it.
In truth, even he hadn't noticed—
That his disgust for pirate-born officers had lessened over the years of interworld warfare.
Had this happened before—
Forget the desk. His fury would've been enough to set the entire tower ablaze.
Expressionless, Sakazuki picked up the final report on his desk and began reading.
Before long, his full attention was locked on it.
It concerned the battle between Kuzan and Senju Hashirama.
However, the details only covered events leading up to Kuzan's activation of Ice Age.
What followed was merely a description of the Ice Age scene from a great distance—along with observations on its impact on the shinobi world's climate.
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