Sunagakure was in shambles.
No leader.
No heir.
No money.
The entire Sand Village had fallen into disarray.
When a team loses its commander, disorganization sets in like a spreading rot. Worse still, there wasn't even a successor to step forward. Without guidance, the Sand Ninjas could only tread water and wait for a miracle. Not everyone desired the title of Kazekage, but even the most capable among them—Maki—understood his own limitations.
Becoming a Kage wasn't about winning a popularity contest. It wasn't even about being the strongest. But if one lacked sufficient power altogether, they wouldn't even know how they died.
After returning from Iwagakure, Chiyo stood at the edge of the battered village, staring into the endless waves of yellow sand that howled with the desert wind. Her heart was heavy as she brought the message she had received back from the Stone Village.
When she told the villagers of another world, no one believed her at first. They thought it was desert madness. Delusion. But after much explanation, witness testimony, and a sealed box of nutrient solution presented as evidence, the village elders reluctantly accepted the truth.
"Has everyone analyzed the ingredients of the nutrient solution?" Chiyo asked in the council room.
A Sand medical-nin stepped forward. "Yes, Master Chiyo. It's a basic nutritional supplement—rich, balanced, but no chakra-enhancing properties. It's essentially a food replacement."
"So it can't help us extract chakra?"
"No, but as war rations, it's incredibly efficient. Nutritionally complete and shelf-stable."
"In Iwagakure, this stuff is being handed out to orphans and widows," Chiyo added with a grave expression.
"That's impossible!" one elder exclaimed. "Even if it's simple, the cost of producing that solution should be far higher than basic food! Why not just hand out rice or bread?"
"Because it's practically free," Chiyo said, her tone sharp. "Iwagakure never mentioned the price, but based on what I observed, I suspect it costs them almost nothing. They handed it out quickly, without hesitation. I don't think Onoki even cares about the cost."
Silence spread through the room like a creeping chill. Gaara and Temari exchanged glances, their eyes dark with worry.
Good stuff. Free. That was a painful realization.
"If even this is just the beginning…" Chiyo's voice was low. "Iwagakure can save a fortune by cutting food costs alone. That means more funding for village development, for military strength. And if this continues… step by step… Sunagakure will be left behind."
"We're already the weakest among the Five Great Ninja Villages," she added bitterly. "Even Kirigakure, with its bloody past and failed leadership, is starting to rise again."
The room was heavy with unspoken truths until Maki stepped forward, voice firm.
"Master Chiyo… I believe the most urgent matter we face is this: Sunagakure needs a Kazekage. We are falling apart. What we need most is a leader."
"Maki, don't tell me you're nominating yourself?" a jōnin interrupted, half-joking.
"No," Maki said calmly. "I nominate Gaara, son of the Fourth Kazekage, as the Fifth Kazekage."
The room erupted. Some nodded in agreement. Others shouted in disbelief.
"Gaara? Isn't he too young? And is he really strong enough?" one middle-aged shinobi questioned.
"He's the strongest of the younger generation. Is that even a question?" Maki shot back. "Ani, can you honestly say your strength exceeds his?"
The man who spoke—Ani—turned red with anger. "Maki! Are you saying we're not even allowed to raise concerns now?"
"You can raise concerns all you want," Maki said, tone sharp. "But let's not pretend your concern isn't rooted in pride. You couldn't even beat me, let alone Gaara."
"You—!"
Before the argument could escalate, a quiet but firm voice interrupted.
"I agree."
Everyone turned. Chiyo, who had remained silent for most of the conversation, had finally spoken.
"Sunagakure is in crisis. We can't afford hesitation. I've watched Gaara since the failed invasion. His growth… his transformation… it's real. He's the best candidate among the new generation."
Chiyo's brother, Ebizō, nodded solemnly. "I support this decision."
With the support of the elders and those loyal to the Fourth Kazekage's legacy, the nomination passed—though not without resistance. The Sand Village had chosen a new leader.
Gaara stood in stunned silence, his heart trembling. He had never desired the position of Kazekage. Since childhood, he had been treated like a monster, feared and hated by his peers. Now, he was being asked to lead them.
For the first time… Gaara felt needed.
"If everyone truly believes in me… then I will give it my all."
From that moment on, Sunagakure began to change.
Gaara initiated drastic reforms. His first act as Kazekage was a diplomatic mission to Konohagakure, hoping to gain aid—even just a small advantage—for his struggling village. The Sand could no longer afford to stand still.
Elsewhere, the gears of history were shifting.
Both Kumogakure and Sunagakure, despite their grievances, resisted the temptation to invade Konoha. At this point, Konoha was thriving. Though ordinary civilians knew nothing of Uchiha Xiuyu's presence, most ninja did—and they understood what a "ninja god" meant.
Hashirama Senju. Madara Uchiha. Such figures had once shaped the world.
Now, Konoha had Uchiha Xiuyu.
With the renewed strength of the Uchiha and Uzumaki clans, the village had become a well-oiled machine—innovative, forward-thinking, unstoppable.
In the past two days, negotiations between Kirigakure and Konoha had entered a more serious phase. The Mist Village had proposed a long-term trade agreement, offering up their marine resources in exchange for freshwater goods and land resources.
To outsiders, it seemed like a minor deal. But in truth, this was a significant step. The Land of Fire had abundant freshwater fish, but marine fish were rare and expensive. Most civilians couldn't afford them. With Kirigakure's cooperation, however, such luxuries could become everyday goods.
Even more surprising, Kirigakure was willing to hand over the sword techniques of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen. Most of them were dead—and the techniques, once hoarded jealously, now seemed like wasted relics. Better to exchange them for real, tangible benefits.
The blood-mist era had come to an end.
The tyrant Yagura had stepped down.
And standing at the helm of the Mist was none other than Mei Terumi, who had united the rebels and even enlisted the help of the Uchiha to bring the revolution to fruition.
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