Though the Ninja World had been calm these past few days, undercurrents were quietly stirring.
Because of Uzumaki Naruto's actions, the major Ninja Villages were now facing choices that would determine their future.
As messengers returned with the information, each Kage reacted differently.
Mei Terumī openly expressed her agreement with Uzumaki Naruto's statement.
Inside the Kazekage's office.
After Baki and Temari delivered the message, Rasa's expression became extremely complicated.
He stared at the document for a long time before finally looking up and speaking calmly, "You may all leave for now. Temari, stay."
Once the others had left, Temari asked with a puzzled look, "Father, have you made a decision?"
Regarding this matter, Temari didn't want to voice her own opinion.
From Uzumaki Naruto's attitude, he looked like a major villain dreaming of ruling the entire world.
But privately, Temari knew that Naruto was someone who preferred lying down to sitting, and sitting to standing.
With his strength, Uzumaki Naruto could already obtain anything he wanted.
If there truly weren't aliens, would he really go to such lengths just to ruin his own reputation?
But aliens… that concept itself was difficult to accept.
So Temari didn't want to think too deeply or make any judgment on the matter.
Rasa took a deep breath and asked, "Temari, if Uzumaki Naruto truly intends to rule the Ninja World, do you think Sunagakure would develop better under his rule?"
Hearing this, Temari's eyes narrowed slightly.
"You mean…" she asked cautiously, "that even if Uzumaki Naruto is ambitious, it wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing for us?"
Rasa nodded. "Exactly."
For a long time, Sunagakure's living conditions had been extremely harsh.
The Land of Wind was not without oases.
However, they were all under the Daimyō's control.
Back when Sunagakure was established in exchange for the Daimyō's support, the village's location was chosen purely for strategic reasons, completely ignoring environmental concerns.
Now, after so many years, the Ninja World had stabilized.
At the same time, the Daimyō's support for Sunagakure had steadily declined.
If Sunagakure were merely a group of ninja, it wouldn't matter.
But after decades of development, it had become the foundation of countless people's lives.
Its will and beliefs originated here. It could not simply be abandoned.
And with Uzumaki Naruto's assistance, forests had even begun to grow around the village.
Through everyone's efforts, many of those trees had survived.
Sunagakure's future prospects were now extremely promising.
If Uzumaki Naruto's power continued to grow, it would naturally be even more beneficial to the village.
The real question was whether Sunagakure could maintain a favorable relationship with him.
Thinking this through, Temari said softly, "I understand what you mean."
Truthfully, Temari didn't have deep affection for her father.
If someone asked her as a child whether she preferred her father or her mother, the answer would have been obvious.
Rasa's way of doing things never allowed people to choose their own paths.
Gaara was like this.
So was Kankurō.
Did Gaara want to become a Jinchūriki?
No.
Did Kankurō genuinely love puppets?
Not necessarily. That interest may have only developed after being forced into it.
Now Temari was the same.
The only difference was that she was luckier than her brothers.
Because the mission Rasa assigned her happened to involve Uzumaki Naruto.
It was easy enough to accept.
But missions and emotions were two different things.
Rasa's actions still left Temari dissatisfied.
She simply didn't show it—because the target was Uzumaki Naruto.
With a cold expression, Temari turned and walked toward the door.
Just as she reached it, Rasa's voice stopped her.
"I'm sorry, Temari."
Rasa sat in his chair, not daring to look at his daughter's face, staring up at the empty ceiling.
As a father… he was indeed unqualified.
Similar discussions were taking place in the Tsuchikage's office.
"What?!"
Ōnoki slammed the document in his hand, his face filled with shock. "What exactly is that brat trying to do?!"
Kurotsuchi stood beside him, head lowered, remaining silent.
However, her father spoke with concern, "If Uzumaki Naruto does something like this, he's bound to face resistance. And the matter between Kurotsuchi and Uzumaki Naruto…"
Ōnoki narrowed his eyes. "Are you saying Iwagakure will suffer because of this?"
Hearing that, Kurotsuchi grew anxious.
She understood her grandfather's personality all too well.
"Grandpa, you can't go back on your word!" she said quickly. "What if I can't get married?"
Everyone knew that Kurotsuchi's fiancé was Uzumaki Naruto.
If the engagement were canceled, saying she'd never marry was exaggerated—but gossip would be unavoidable.
As the village's beauty with an excellent background, she would inevitably become the topic of rumors.
Even though she had inherited some of Ōnoki's shrewdness, Kurotsuchi was still straightforward by nature.
She couldn't stand being talked about behind her back.
Seeing her expression, Ōnoki waved his hand. "This old man isn't that impulsive."
"Let's observe the reactions of the other villages first."
Hearing this, Kurotsuchi finally felt relieved.
By now, she already knew that Mei Terumī had openly supported Uzumaki Naruto's plan.
She didn't know how Naruto had convinced Mei—but the fact remained.
As for Sunagakure, Kurotsuchi knew that Temari had a very close relationship with Uzumaki Naruto.
And Rasa's personality… well, he had always prioritized the village's development above all else.
This wasn't speculation—it was the general assessment of Rasa after years of observing him as Kazekage.
So Sunagakure wouldn't be an issue.
As for Kumogakure—
It could no longer be considered a major village.
After being nearly destroyed by Uzumaki Naruto, Kumogakure had lost its voice in the Ninja World.
If not for the Land of Lightning's Daimyō supporting it, the village would have collapsed long ago.
That left only one—
Konohagakure.
And Konoha was Uzumaki Naruto's birthplace.
He was the son of the Fourth Hokage.
Everyone knew how Naruto had been treated growing up in Konoha.
In short, Konoha owed him.
So even after causing such turmoil, Konoha would likely support him—or at worst, remain neutral.
They certainly wouldn't oppose him.
After all, from Konoha's perspective, it was best to let others take the lead.
If enough villages turned against Uzumaki Naruto later, Konoha could choose its stance then.
Any Hokage with a functioning brain would make that choice.
After completing this analysis, Kurotsuchi realized something terrifying—
Uzumaki Naruto might actually be able to unify the Ninja World peacefully.
That was absurd.
Even the legendary God of Shinobi, Senju Hashirama, couldn't accomplish something like that.
At most, he could kneel down and beg everyone to willingly sign a peace treaty.
At this moment.
Konohagakure.
Boom!
A giant toad landed beside the Hokage Tower.
Inside the office.
Tsunade slammed her desk, furious.
"Jiraiya, you bastard!"
Only after becoming Hokage did Tsunade truly understand the cost of daily expenses.
Road repairs alone were enough to drain a fortune.
"Don't be so angry~" Jiraiya leapt off the toad and into the office. "Tsunade, you're starting to act like an old man."
She used to be generous—so why was she getting stingier by the day?
Was being Hokage really that stressful?
It seemed his refusal to take the position back then had been an extremely wise decision.
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