Daimaru assumed a suitably humble posture, recognizing the significance of presenting a valuable gift to his father-in-law, who had only a few months left to live. The weight of his request lingered in the air, and the Kazekage's expression was one of burdened authority, as if the very walls of the room carried the weight of his responsibilities.
"I understand your request. Please leave for now, and I will inform you of the result soon," the Kazekage said firmly, his voice steady but tinged with an unspoken weariness.
"Thank you, Yondaime-sama," Daimaru replied, genuine gratitude evident in his tone.
As Daimaru stepped out, Rasa sighed heavily, cracking his neck to relieve the tension that had settled in his shoulders. The Kazekage, burdened with countless responsibilities, might not recall someone like Daimaru—an otherwise inconspicuous figure. If not for the commendation letter he signed two months ago for Daimaru's death in duty, Rasa might have forgotten him entirely.
Once Daimaru departed, the resolute Kazekage summoned his right-hand man.
"Yura, can you provide details about the official genin the village is preparing?" Rasa asked, rubbing his temples in an effort to dispel the fatigue.
"Yes, Yondaime-sama." Yura, a calm and capable Jōnin, had risen to prominence in recent years, recognized for his methodical approach. His reliability earned him the Kazekage's deep trust, alongside praise from the village's elders, Chiyo and Ebizo.
The Kazekage nodded, his eyes narrowing slightly. "That's too many genin. Do you have specific information on Daimaru?"
"Yes, Yondaime-sama," Yura responded promptly, showcasing his diligent work ethic. "Daimaru has garnered some recognition among the genin..."
"Oh? Is he particularly strong?" Rasa inquired, intrigued yet wary of any potential disruptions.
Yura retrieved Daimaru's ninja registration certificate from a pile of documents on the desk. The papers crinkled softly in the stillness of the room.
"His physical fitness is commendable, his ninjutsu aptitude is exceptional, and he possesses chakra with the rare 'seal-breaking' attribute. Although his abilities are currently limited, his future potential looks promising. Notably, he exhibits extraordinary mental strength, which enhances his genjutsu aptitude."
As Rasa examined Daimaru's data card, a hint of approval crossed his features. "Impressive indeed."
"The most notable feature is his chakra's natural 'seal-breaking' attribute, which allows him to stand out among his peers. However..." Yura paused, shaking his head slightly. "We lack the experience necessary to train ninjas with such attributes effectively, so we can only allow him to explore his abilities independently. Unfortunately, this means that much of his considerable potential has not yet been realized."
Rasa let out a contemplative sigh. The Wind Country is particularly barren, and Sunagakure's resources are constrained. Without the strategic advancements made by the Second Kazekage, who focused on developing Sand Ninjutsu and Puppetry Techniques, Sunagakure might not even be counted among the five major ninja villages today.
The village lacks families with bloodline limits, and there are few specialized ninjas. Outstanding genjutsu practitioners are exceedingly rare, and their sealing techniques lag significantly behind those of Konoha. The even rarer "seal-breaking" attribute is indeed a significant loss.
"What a shame," Rasa mused, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "We find ourselves in a difficult position. While Daimaru has immense potential, we are at a loss for how to best utilize it or when it will come into play. It's akin to possessing something valuable yet lacking the knowledge to wield it properly."
"And what has his supervising Jōnin, Sunatetsu, taught him during these years?" Rasa inquired, his voice steady but edged with concern.
"A basic understanding of Sand Ninjutsu, which has yielded decent results. Additionally, according to the report from the Sand Iron Jōnin, Daimaru has developed some intriguing techniques on his own."
"Developing his own ninjutsu?" the Kazekage questioned, curiosity piquing his interest.
Yura nodded, a hint of admiration in his tone. "Yes. Alongside his mastery of Earth-based Sand Ninjutsu, his occasional use of Wind Chakra is particularly noteworthy. It seems that Daimaru possesses a strong proficiency in Wind Release techniques."
"Interesting! Is there anything else we should know?"
Yura continued, "Additionally, there are suspicions that he may have experimented with puppetry on his own..."
Daimaru's father and grandfather were both ninjas, though they were not particularly powerful or well-known figures. During the time when the Second Kazekage was developing Sand Ninjutsu and Puppetry Techniques, various ninja families were provided with puppetry techniques for experimentation. Even today, many of these families possess remnants of early puppetry techniques and sand manipulation secrets.
A large number of civilian ninjas in Sunagakure have utilized these techniques and their own explorations to develop unique forms of ninjutsu, thus enriching the village's broader training framework.
"Regarding puppetry, can we confirm the specifics?" Rasa asked, his brow furrowed in thought.
"Daimaru has never publicly demonstrated Wind Release or Puppetry techniques, so we lack exact details," Yura explained.
"What concerns me is whether he has ventured into any forbidden techniques," Rasa remarked, his tone turning serious.
Yura reassured him, "There's no evidence to suggest that. The use of ancient texts to develop forbidden techniques like human puppetry is likely beyond the capability of someone as young as Daimaru."
"Understood," Rasa replied, mulling over the information. He leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling as if searching for answers hidden among the shadows. "Is there anything else worth mentioning?"
"In terms of strength, that's the main information. However, based on Daimaru's mission experiences, it seems his luck is exceptionally poor..."
"Poor luck?" the Kazekage questioned, intrigued.
"Yes," Yura said, a smile creeping onto his face despite the gravity of their discussion. "Their team often encounters inexplicable problems. If it were any other genin teams, they would have faced annihilation numerous times, but somehow, Daimaru always manages to survive, particularly during the last mission..."
Rasa waved his hand dismissively. "I'm aware of the 'Red Sand Dust' incident. What a fitting name for such misfortune!"
"Yondaime-sama, should we consider his unfortunate luck when restructuring the genin teams?" Yura asked, his voice steady but curious.
"No, it's unnecessary. While bad luck can be a factor in dangerous situations, surviving each time is an ambiguous blessing. Luck is indeed a part of strength, but we, as Suna Ninjas, cannot rely on it."
"I understand. Thank you for your insights," Yura said, bowing respectfully.
"There is one more thing—Daimaru appears to have a particular interest in your eldest daughter, Temari."
"Is that so?" The usually composed Kazekage raised an eyebrow in surprise, a rare smile flickering across his lips. "It seems Temari has reached a certain age."
"Should we intervene?" Yura asked, a note of caution in his voice.
"No, let her be," the Kazekage decided, a thoughtful look crossing his face. "Sunagakure was originally founded by a community of outcasts in the desert. We have never favoured wealth over poverty. I, myself, became Kazekage through circumstance during a time of war, not as an heir of a noble clan."
"Only Suna Ninjas who survive to adulthood can contemplate their future. At this stage, it's premature."
"As you wish," Yura bowed and took his leave. With a clearer understanding of the Kazekage's stance, he knew how to proceed. Given the high casualty rate within Sunagakure, a simple reshuffling of teams could significantly alter the life paths of its ninjas, whether they were exceptional or mediocre.