People... they need to look ahead.
After changing the sad fates of Ringo Ameyuri, Hatake Sakumo, and others, Sarutobi Ryo felt even more excited about what was to come.
He wasn't stuck in the memories of his past life anymore. Now, Sarutobi Ryo was making a whole new future for himself!
So, I can think differently about the Third Kazekage too, and plan for both our villages.
Even if he couldn't change the leaders in Konoha right away, and even if Sunagakure still wanted more land, things could still change.
If Konoha and Sunagakure worked together, they could stand up against Iwagakure.
The next big war, the Third Shinobi World War, would be different for both of them.
"Yes, that's a good idea."
The Third Kazekage nodded, not looking down on Sarutobi Ryo just because he was young.
After all, the future of the Ninja World belonged to the younger generation.
"You've traveled far and must be tired. Why don't you rest? I'll talk about the details with the Elders of Sunagakure later..."
Now that he knew what Konoha wanted, the Third Kazekage politely ended the meeting.
He needed to talk things over with Sunagakure's Elder Council before making any decisions.
That made sense.
But the problem was with those "Elders."
Everyone knew Utatane Koharu, Mitokado Homura, and Danzo made things difficult in Konoha.
Sunagakure wasn't much better.
In the original story, Sunagakure had over ten Elders.
That was more than a dozen troublemakers!
There was no way Sunagakure could be perfect with so many of them around.
Why else would Sunagakure's leaders have killed Pakura in the original story? It was because they were afraid she would become Kazekage after the Third Kazekage died.
It seemed like trouble was everywhere.
Konoha's leaders were selfish and only cared about themselves.
Sunagakure had problems too.
The Third Kazekage could keep them in line while he was in charge.
But when he was gone, all the problems would explode.
"..."
Sarutobi Ryo nodded and stood up to leave.
The Third Kazekage watched them go.
Then, he turned to Pakura. He waved his hand, and the metal door slammed shut, using his Magnet Release Chakra.
"Pakura, how much do you trust Konoha's words?"
As Sunagakure's hero and his best ninja, the Third Kazekage trusted Pakura completely.
He trusted her even more than Rasa.
Even though Rasa was his student, the Third Kazekage liked Pakura better.
The Clans connected to the Elders had too much power.
To fix Sunagakure, they had to get rid of the old system completely.
If things went like in the original story, Konoha's diplomats would only argue for Konoha's benefit.
But Sarutobi Ryo was thinking about a win-win situation.
Like a butterfly flapping its wings, he was starting to change things...
Even influencing the Third Kazekage's thoughts.
"Honorable Kazekage..."
Pakura almost said she didn't trust Konoha.
But after watching Sarutobi Ryo for days, she could see something different.
Even though the Hokage's son didn't have much power now, she heard he was a student of Konoha White Fang.
And Konoha White Fang wanted to become the Fourth Hokage...
Sarutobi Ryo had mentioned this when he talked with Pakura on the road.
"Konoha White Fang wants to be the Fourth Hokage? He's definitely strong enough."
The Third Kazekage knew Konoha White Fang was talented.
Many experts had died fighting him, but Konoha White Fang was still alive.
"In that case, Sarutobi Ryo will become important in the future..."
He might even become the Fifth Hokage.
If that was true, Sunagakure should consider working with them.
"Pakura, what do you think is Sunagakure's biggest problem right now?"
The Third Kazekage asked.
Food? Money? Water?
None of those...
"It's the Elders. They're too greedy, and the Clans they represent are taking over Sunagakure's interests..."
Pakura, who came from a poor background, saw this clearly.
Rasa was different.
He might see it too, but Rasa was part of the nobility himself.
He would work with the Elders and pretend not to notice.
If he really cared about Sunagakure...
Then Rasa shouldn't be the next Kazekage.
"Well said..."
The Third Kazekage turned to look out the window.
Sarutobi Ryo and the others were walking down the street, being led by Sunagakure ninja to their rooms.
"Konoha is changing, moving towards a new future... Sunagakure should change too..."
The Third Kazekage was already imagining what Konoha would be like with Hatake Sakumo as the Fourth Hokage.
He could see that the real decision-maker was Konoha White Fang's student... Sarutobi Hiruzen's son, Sarutobi Ryo.
"He's completely different from his father..."
The Third Kazekage, who had met Sarutobi Hiruzen many times, was sure of it.
How can a great dragon stay in a small pond?
One day, Sarutobi Ryo will fly into the sky.
So, how can I find an opportunity?
The Third Kazekage stood in his office, thinking hard.
He kept thinking until night.
----
Creak...
The door opened.
In the dark hallway, the Third Kazekage looked around.
Soon, he sensed something in the air.
"Who?!"
He shouted, his face looking fierce.
As the leader of Sunagakure and its strongest ninja, he wasn't afraid of anyone.
"Honorable Kazekage..." A figure appeared from the shadows.
"It's you?"
The Third Kazekage frowned.
Aburame Torune was better known as Danzo's right-hand man.
"Do you want to tell me something?" the Third Kazekage asked loudly.
"Yes, I do."
Aburame Torune nodded.
He felt a lot of pressure from the Third Kazekage, like facing a dangerous lion.
He could die at any moment.
"Honorable Kazekage, do you know that your end is near?"
Aburame Torune's words made the Third Kazekage angry.
Shua...
A quiet sound rang out, and something dark rushed towards Aburame Torune.
It was Iron Sand!
The Third Kazekage was famous for his Magnet Release Kekkei Genkai, which allowed him to control Iron Sand!
"The people who want to hurt you aren't from Konoha, but the ninja in your own village!"
When Aburame Torune said that, the Third Kazekage stopped his attack.
He hadn't really wanted to kill him, just scare him.
"Speak."
The Third Kazekage commanded.
Aburame Torune adjusted his sunglasses and started to explain.
*
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[T/N:
Latest Chapter translated on Patreon - Chapter Access up to Ch 206 (Vol 2 Ch 148)
Final Total Power Stone Collection : 73 PS
Goal : Reach +50 Total PS = +2 Bonus Chapters next day! 🚀
Here are the novels I'm currently translating:
-> Naruto Paradise: An Evil Uchiha's Rise
-> One Piece: I'm Destined to Be the Son-in-Law King!
-> Young Master, Please Become Hokage!
Want to support my work and get early access to chapters? Check out my Patreon! 👇
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]