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Every move Byakuya made was calculated to gain the upper hand in this negotiation.
At the same time, if Pakura attacked, he would immediately use the Flying Thunder God Jutsu to leave. He wouldn't hesitate for a split second.
"Did Danzo Shimura send you here to genuinely express goodwill to the Sand?" Pakura was exhausted. She hadn't rested properly in days, constantly draining her stamina. Sweat beaded on her forehead, and her breathing was growing heavier.
Byakuya sneered and countered, "What do you think?"
Inwardly, he thought: Pakura actually mentioned Danzo's name. It seems that old goat has already laid the groundwork within the Leaf, deliberately leaking some information to Sand spies.
"Sansan Kaoru sent back intelligence. Within the Leaf high command, Danzo Shimura represents the militant faction."
"Correct. Why would Danzo Shimura express goodwill for no reason? He never has goodwill. Oh, wait, that's inaccurate. Danzo Shimura is much like Rasa. As long as it helps him ascend to the position of Hokage, he won't be stingy with his goodwill—even if that goodwill is fake."
Pakura was confused.
Was he sent to the Land of Rivers to contact her by other Leaf higher-ups?
"Do you not understand?"
"Did the Third Hokage send you?"
Byakuya laughed abruptly. "Ha! Pakura, honestly, you are too naive. Your naivety will kill you sooner or later."
She dispelled her Scorch Style: Steam Murder but retreated several meters, watching him warily.
The distance between them, combined with the lingering steam, made their figures blurry and indistinct, like upright shadows.
Byakuya sheathed his sword. "Danzo Shimura ordered me to contact you with the purpose of extending goodwill to promote an alliance between the Sand and Leaf, to jointly deal with the Rock Village of the Land of Earth."
"Impossible! The Rock is already at war with the Cloud. The pressure on the Land of Wind's northern border has dropped significantly. This move by the Leaf isn't expressing goodwill; it's showing weakness. If Rasa finds out, he will absolutely..."
As she spoke, Pakura suddenly froze.
Whether Rasa found out or the Sand high command heard about it, they would mobilize elite Sand ninja to launch a surprise attack on the Leaf.
In that scenario, whoever achieved great merit in this war would likely become the Fourth Kazekage.
Byakuya asked, "I'm very curious. Why hasn't Rasa become the new Kazekage yet?"
Pondering his intentions, Pakura thought it over and decided to explain. The internal strife of the Sand was surely known to the Leaf high command anyway; it wasn't a secret.
"Some Jonin want to nominate the highly respected Lady Chiyo as the Fourth Kazekage, with Rasa as the future Fifth."
"Hmm, a very sound idea. Use the battle-hardened Chiyo to stabilize the turbulent situation. In a few years, when Chiyo gets too old, she can smoothly hand over the title to Rasa. A pity Rasa can't wait even a day. He's desperate to become the Fourth Kazekage."
"Yes."
Byakuya continued, "But I heard, Pakura, that you also rendered great service in resisting the Cloud and Rock invasions."
"I don't want to fight for power. I just want to protect the Sand Village."
"What a joke. Without power, how will you protect the Sand Village? By dying for it?"
"I..."
He cut off her rebuttal, scolding her. "Naive! Pakura, your naivety isn't even funny! The Sand Village is rife with internal conflict, surrounded by danger, and everyone suspects everyone else. Even if you penetrate deep into the Leaf's territory, it's suicide."
Pakura whispered, "That is exactly what I'm worried about. The Sand high command knows Danzo's scheme, but they can't refuse the temptation. You... you weren't ordered by the Third Hokage?"
"The Third Hokage is responsible for the Leaf being surrounded by enemies on all sides. He's as timid as a mouse, desperate to end the war quickly. Where would he find the boldness to make such a decision?"
"Then it's you?"
"Correct. It's me. I want you to become the Fourth Kazekage, Pakura. Not Rasa, and not Chiyo. I can convince Danzo Shimura to support you."
"What is the price?"
"A group of elite Sand ninja must die."
"..."
Byakuya continued, "This is for the sake of the Sand Village, and for your sake. I won't lie to you; it's also for the sake of the Leaf. Without sacrificing a group of elite ninja—without making the majority of the Sand fear war—people like Rasa and Chiyo will emerge one after another."
"You understand the Sand Village very well."
"Compared to Chiyo, I'd rather Rasa take power. Chiyo's son and daughter-in-law died at the hands of the Leaf's White Fang, Sakumo Hatake. Her hatred for the Leaf is likely deeper than the ocean."
Pakura hesitated, her heart conflicted. "Can you really convince Danzo Shimura?"
"You'll have leverage over him. Would he refuse?"
"Yes... I would become a spy for the Leaf."
"No. You would be a spy for yourself."
"What do you mean?"
"The Sand Village is located in a desert with extremely scarce resources. The Land of Rivers has good resources, but because it's a buffer zone, the Sand doesn't dare touch it for fear of provoking Leaf retaliation.
After you become Kazekage, sign a military alliance with the Leaf. Advance and retreat together. Whoever attacks the Leaf or the Sand declares war on both simultaneously.
The Leaf can loosen its control over the Land of Rivers, allowing the Sand to partition some habitable land. Additionally, relying on this military alliance, the Sand could move against the small nations on the northern border...
Imagine, Pakura. When you possess such achievements, are you a spy for yourself or for the Leaf? Does it matter?"
Pakura frowned. "But those small nations..."
"You don't think those small nations live comfortably without the Sand, do you? Great nations wage war on their soil, and the ones who die most are their people. Being absorbed by a great nation might actually bring them peace."
"I understand. Your plan is exceptionally bold."
"No, not bold at all. You just need to say some nice things about Danzo after you become Kazekage. For example, support him becoming Hokage."
"So, must a portion of Sand ninja die?"
Byakuya spread his hands, laying his cards on the table. "The decision lies with you, not me. Right now, my words carry little weight. I've explained the plan to you, Pakura. Do you bet, or do you fold?"
"What benefit is there for you?"
The mist finally thinned a little.
Pakura stared at Byakuya's Shuten-doji mask. "Actually, you want to become Hokage, don't you?"
"I don't want to be Hokage at all. I just want to live well."
"Hmm?"
"If this mission fails, even if I don't die by your hand, I'll die by Danzo's."
"You could join the Sand Village."
"Then I would face endless assassination attempts and live in fear every day."
Pakura shook her head. "Intuition tells me you aren't telling the whole truth. What exactly is your gain?"
"You. You will be a comrade I fight alongside. Consider us friends made through fighting."
She suddenly asked, "You want to manipulate the Sand Village from the shadows?"
"Don't guess blindly. I don't have that kind of capability. I've told you my reasons. I have to complete this mission, or things will get very troublesome."
"I won't agree to you for now."
"Think it over. I really racked my brains for the development of your Sand Village."
Pakura walked a bit closer to him.
"I will return to the village now and report the goodwill you expressed to the high command."
"Don't rush. Can you do me a favor?"
"What?"
"Help me subdue a summoning beast."
"..."