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  Evacuating citizens from another vilge lomatic move, typically employed wheions soured or the other vilge's internal situation became unstable.

  "Sunagakure's new Kazekage wouldn't harm Konoha's citizens or its ambassadojo Kaigetsu said, shaking his head. "That would be a diresult to Konoha."

  "And besides, our trade agreement bes Sunagakure immensely. Even if their leadership is now—less than ideal, they 't afford to jeopardize that."

  A vilge was driven by its is. Even a Kazekage who seized power through force had to sider—public opinion.

  Why had the Thirty-Two sided with Baki? Because Kosaka Kaoru's policies threateheir ine.

  For example, the vilge's military budget. Those in charge of ons procurement could—skim a signifit portion. And the merts, the smaller s, they all had to—pay their respects.

  But with Kosaka Kaoru in charge, the military budget would be sshed, the funds diverted to—sailboat hotels. Their influeheir status—it would all diminish.

  Threatening their ine was like—killing their parents.

  "Ninja spirit," "loyalty"—it was all about money, about power, about influehin the Kazekage Tower.

  They'd supported Baki to protect their own is.

  But—their ambitions also depended on Sunagakure's prosperity.

  If they severed ties with Konoha, their ine would plummet.

  The puppet makers, for instahey relied on Konoha for wood. The trade agreement had halved their material costs.

  They hadn't supported Baki to—destroy their livelihoods.

  They wanted a better life, more power, not—poverty.

  They'd turn on Baki the momehreateheir ine.

  Attag Konoha? Perhaps—eventually. But not until Konoha's bes were no longer—suffit.

  Until then, Baki would have to—maintain the facade, gradually redug Suna's relian Konoha, minimizing the cost of a future war.

  After all, war was about—redistributing resources.

  "I predider Baki's leadership, Sunagakure will—implode. The flict between the Kazekage Tower and the vilgers will intensify. Protests demanding a return to Rasa's policies, a restoration of trade with Konoha—Baki will be forced to implement martial w, suppressing dissent. And that—will only fuel the fmes of rebellioually—civil war. And then—Konoha intervenes."

  Gojo Kaigetsu's—predis left Minato speechless.

  "Will—will that really happen?"

  "Absolutely."

  The only lesson the ninja world learned from history was that it learned nothing.

  And if the ninja world didn't have such a history? Well, Gojo Kaigetsu did.

  "But how will Konoha justify intervening? Even if Sunagakure's vilgers and ninja desire closer ties with Konoha, they wouldn't accept our—rule, would they? Should we use the same pretext as the Kirigakure operation?"

  "Sunagakure is different from Kirigakure. Kirigakure's s are powerful, isotionist. Their caste system is deeply entrehey're more loyal to the elders than to the Mizukage. The Mizukage is just—a figurehead."

  "But Sunagakure's s aren't that powerful. Even Chiyo and Ebizo only hold sway when the Kazekage is—incapacitated. The Kazekage sets the vilge's dire. Ever sihe Sed Kazekage's military reforms, the Kazekage's authority has been absolute. The vilgers and ninja are loyal to the Kazekage. The title isn't just about—strength. Look at how much effort Baki put into—legitimizing his coup."

  Minato houghtfully. He was starting to uand.

  Suddenly, his eyes widened. "You're talking about—Rasa's daughter, Temari?!"

  Rasa had been a popur Kazekage. He'd led Sunagakure through eace, bringing prosperity to the vilge.

  And his daughter—Temari, the "Princess of Suna." A young girl, her appearanlike the typical—weather-beaten Suna vilger. And a talented kunoichi, her reputation spreading even at her young age. Whether it was natural talent, or Rasa's influence—she had potential.

  Bringing Temari back—it would be seen as a—restoration of order.

  "Temari's still too young. She 't be Kazekage until she's fifteen. That's—ten years away."

  "Then—Pakura."

  "A Sixth Kazekage, a Seventh—I've already p all out," Gojo Kaigetsu said. "Pakura has the strength and the reputation. She's a hero of Suna. Leading Konoha's forces to—restore order—the vilgers would wele her."

  "And then—Sunagakure will be Konoha's. My will will be her will."

  "As for Temari—raised in Konoha for ten years, returning at fifteen—whose side will she truly be on?"

  "We start—building her reputation. The newly formed Otogakure—it's a perfect training ground. We'll send Temari and a few promising academy students there."

  Minato's heart sank.

  He remembered that day…

  Baki, a Sunagakure elite Jonin, had e to Konoha, Pakura’s life as a peace .

  He'd wao—kill her. He'd even urged Gojo Kaigetsu not to be swayed by her—appearance. A kunoichi, first and foremost, was a ninja.

  But Gojo Kaigetsu had stopped him. Taming ae Jonin was far more valuable than killing one.

  And now—it seemed Gojo Kaigetsu had succeeded.

  He'd—taken Pakura as a—pet. She'd even joihe Avengers.

  If he'd killed her, they'd have gained nothing. But a tamed Pakura, loyal to Konoha, returning to Sunagakure as the Sixth Kazekage—it was a strategic victory.

  "Kaigetsu-kun—did you—pn all this—back then?"

  "How far ahead—are you thinking?!" Minato was stunned. And the chakra metal mines—Sunagakure's merts were already aced to trading with Konoha, using Land of Fire currency.

  "Don't worry, Minato. I'm just—pying a long game." Gojo Kaigetsu smiled enigmatically, draining his teacup. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to—deliver some—unfortunate o young Temari."

  …

  …

  Ninja Academy.

  The turmoil of the ninja world hadn't reached this peaceful haven. Sunagakure's coup had happehe previous night; the news wouldn't reach the general public for hours.

  Temari, however, felt—uled.

  She kept gng out the window.

  She'd—overdo. Spent a bit too much. Of the hundred million ryō her father had given her, only—y-something million remained.

  She'd spent the entire weekend dragging Izumi Uchiha to the new ercial district, deg, "Izumi, we're rich! Buy whatever you want!"

  Izumi's parents, having abahe ninja life for business, were—fortably well-off. And Temari's father, Rasa, was a—gold miner.

  They werely poor.

  But Konoha's new ercial district, under Gojo Kaigetsu's guidance, catered to every budget.

  And there were still things they couldn't usually afford.

  Unlimited coffee and chocote, for instanported seafood.

  The experiehe envious g was worth the price.

  Temari, a true Konoha enthusiast, had indulged.

  But now, back at the Academy, she was starting to—panic.

  She didn't know how much the sed exge program would cost.

  What if it was—exactly one hundred million?

  Ask her father? He'd—kill her. Borrow from Izumi? No, that would be—humiliating. Ask—Advisojo?

  He seemed—approachable. And her father had mentioned—something about—a e.

  But Gojo Kaigetsu was the Academy's Principal. Borrowing money from him to pay for—Academy tuition? It seemed—odd.

  "Temari~ Advisojo wants to see you~" Izumi Uchiha's voice startled her.

  "Advisojo? Now?"

  "He asked me to tell you. He's in his office."

  "The Principal's office? I'll ght away."

  Temari made her way to the Principal's offid knocked.

  "Enter!"

  Gojo Kaigetsu sat at his desk, his hands steepled, his blindfold—gleaming.

  He seemed—imposing, almost—divine.

  Like—a miniature Hokage Rock.

  Temari quickly dismissed the thought. Being crushed by the Hokage Rock—that wouldn't be pleasant.

  "Advisojo, you—wao see me?"

  "Temari—there's something—I o tell you." He seemed—hesitant.

  Temari's heart sank. This couldn't be good.

  He was the Principal, she was a student. And—bad news. Had her father and Advisojo had a falling out? Was she bei back to Suna?

  "I—shouldn't burden you with this, Temari. You should be fog on your studies. But—at the ceremony, Rasa and I—we—ected. We're practically—brothers. Which makes me—your uncle."

  "Before he—left, he asked me to—look after you."

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