Hearing the remarks from the two highly respected advisers, Baki finally felt the weight lift from his heart. He rose to his feet and said firmly, "I fully agree with Adviser Chiyo and Adviser Ebizo!"
"More importantly, after the Konoha Crush Plan, Gaara dealt with the Fifth Hokage on his own, sparing Sunagakure from enormous war reparations and preserving the village's strength. This time, he fought powerful enemies to protect the village. No matter how you look at it, he is the only suitable choice for the Fifth Kazekage!"
With the three most respected figures in present-day Sunagakure voicing their opinions, the final outcome was effectively settled.
Just then, the meeting room doors were pushed open, and Gaara slowly walked in. His face was still pale, but his steps were steady.
Gaara walked straight to the seat at the round table that belonged to the Kazekage and stopped. His resolute gaze swept across all the higher-ups present as he slowly said, "I want to become the Fifth Kazekage. I will make Sunagakure a better place."
There was no impassioned declaration, nor any defense of his past deeds—only one simple, direct sentence.
The meeting room fell into a brief silence.
Those who might once have leaped up in fierce opposition had either died in the recent attack or chosen silence in the face of absolute strength and harsh reality.
One Sunagakure higher-up who had originally belonged to the neutral faction looked at Chiyo and Ebizo, who had both voiced their support, then at the resolute Baki. Taking a deep breath, he declared, "I believe Lord Gaara truly is the most suitable person to lead Sunagakure forward. I support him becoming the Fifth Kazekage!"
Once there was a first, there would be a second.
"I agree."
"I second that."
"Sunagakure needs a