Turning Swords into Plowshares? Helping You Subdue a Summoning Beast Again?

Byakuya's every move was calculated to seize the initiative in these negotiations.

At the same time, whenever Pakura attacked, he would immediately use the Flying Thunder God Technique to vanish, never lingering for even a fraction of a second.

"Did Shimura Danzō really send you to express goodwill to Sunagakure?" Pakura's body was exhausted to the limit; she had not rested properly, and the constant drain on her stamina left her drenched in sweat, her breathing growing increasingly ragged.

Byakuya retorted with a mocking laugh, "What do you think?"

He thought to himself, Pakura actually mentioned that old bastard Danzō's name. It seems the old man has already laid his plans within Konoha, deliberately leaking bits of information to Sunagakure spies.

"San-Dan-Kun once sent back intelligence that within the Konoha high command, Shimura Danzō represents the militant faction."

"Not bad. Why would Shimura Danzō express goodwill for no reason? He has never possessed goodwill—oh, wait, that's not accurate. Shimura Danzō is much like Rasa; as long as it helps him ascend to the position of Hokage, he would never be stingy with his goodwill, even if that goodwill is fake."

Pakura listened, feeling dazed.

Was he sent to the Land of Rivers to contact her by other members of the Konoha high command?

"Don't understand?"

"Could it be that the Third Hokage sent you?"

Byakuya let out a sudden, sharp laugh, "Ha, Pakura, truly, you are too naive. You will be killed by your own naivety sooner or later."

She retracted her Scorch Release: Extreme Steam Killing but retreated several meters, watching him with vigilance.

The distance between them was great, and the mist formed by the water vapor had not dissipated, making their figures appear blurred and indistinct, like upright shadows.

Byakuya sheathed his Ninja Sword: "The purpose of Shimura Danzō ordering me to contact you is to extend goodwill and promote an alliance between Sunagakure and Konoha to deal with Iwagakure of the Land of Earth together."

"Impossible! Iwagakure has already gone to war with Kumogakure, and the pressure on the northern border of the Land of Wind has eased significantly. This move by Konoha is not an expression of goodwill, but a sign of weakness. If Rasa knew of this, he would absolutely..."

As she spoke, Pakura suddenly froze.

Whether it was Rasa or the high command of Sunagakure who heard of this, they would mobilize the elite ninja of Sunagakure to launch a sneak attack on Konoha.

In that case, whoever achieved great merit in this war would likely become the Fourth Kazekage.

Byakuya asked, "I am very curious, why has Rasa been so slow to become the new Kazekage?"

Pondering his intentions, Pakura weighed her options and decided to state the reason; after all, the internal strife of Sunagakure was certainly known to Konoha's high command—it was no secret.

"Some Jonin want to nominate the highly respected Elder Chiyo to be the Fourth Kazekage, with Rasa being the future Fifth Kazekage."

"Hmm, a very good idea. Use the battle-hardened Chiyo to stabilize the turbulent situation, and in a few years, when Chiyo is older, hand over the position of Kazekage to Rasa in a logical transition. It's a pity, though, that Rasa cannot wait even a single day; he is desperate to become the Fourth Kazekage."

"Yes."

Byakuya said, "But I have heard that you, Pakura, have also achieved great merit in resisting the attacks of the Cloud Ninja and Iwagakure Ninja."

"I do not wish to fight for power; I only want to protect Sunagakure."

"What a joke. Without power, how can you protect Sunagakure? By dying for it?"

"I..."

He interrupted Pakura's rebuttal and scolded, "Naive! Pakura, your naivety is beyond laughable! Sunagakure is rife with internal strife and hidden dangers, where everyone suspects one another. Even if you penetrate deep into the heart of Konoha, it is merely seeking your own death."

Pakura said in a low voice, "That is exactly what I am worried about. The high command of Sunagakure knows Shimura Danzō's schemes, but they cannot refuse such a temptation. You—you are not acting under the orders of the Third Hokage?"

"The Third Hokage has caused Konoha to be surrounded on all sides and has long since become timid as a mouse, wishing only to end the war quickly. How could he have the courage to make such a decision?"

"It was you?"

"Correct, it was me. I want you, Pakura, to be the Fourth Kazekage, not Rasa, and not Chiyo. I can persuade Shimura Danzō to support you."

"What is the price?"

"A batch of Sunagakure's elite ninja must die."

"..."

Byakuya continued, "This is for the sake of Sunagakure, and it is for your sake. I will not hide it from you: it is also for the sake of Konoha. If a batch of elite ninja does not die, if the majority of Sunagakure is not made to fear war, people like Rasa and Chiyo will only continue to emerge one after another."

"You understand Sunagakure very well."

"Compared to Chiyo, I would rather see Rasa take power. Chiyo's son and daughter-in-law died at the hands of the White Fang of Konoha, Hatake Sakumo. Her hatred for Konoha is likely deeper than the sea."

Pakura felt a pang of hesitation: "Can you truly persuade Shimura Danzō?"

"You already have leverage over him; do you think he won't agree readily?"

"That's right, I have become a spy for Konoha."

"No, you have become your own spy."

"What does that mean?"

"Sunagakure is located in the desert, and its resources are extremely barren. The resources of the Land of Rivers are quite good, but because it is a buffer zone, Sunagakure dares not strike at it, fearing Konoha's retaliation.

Once you become Kazekage, you will sign a military alliance with Konoha to advance and retreat together. Whether someone attacks Konoha or Sunagakure, it will be considered a declaration of war against both sides.

Konoha can loosen its control over the Land of Rivers and allow Sunagakure to partition some of the land suitable for survival. Furthermore, Sunagakure can rely on this military alliance to take action against the small countries on the northern border...

Pakura, imagine this: when you possess such achievements, are you your own spy, or Konoha's spy? Does it matter?"

Pakura frowned and asked, "But those small countries..."

"You don't think those small countries live very comfortably without Sunagakure, do you? It is precisely they who suffer the most casualties when the great powers use their lands as a tug-of-war. Being annexed by a great power might actually bring them peace."

"I understand; your plan is exceptionally bold."

"No, it is not bold at all. It only requires you to speak a few good words for Danzo after you become Kazekage—for instance, supporting his bid to become Hokage."

"So, must some ninjas from Sunagakure die?"

Byakuya spread his hands, laying his cards on the table: "The decision lies with you, not me. My voice carries little weight these days, and I have already laid the plan out for you. Pakura, will you gamble, or will you not?"

"What is in it for you?"

The mist finally thinned a little.

Pakura stared at Byakuya's Shuten-dōji Mask. "In reality, it is you who wants to become Hokage, isn't it?"

"I have no desire to become Hokage whatsoever; I only wish to live a good life."

"Hmm?"

"If this mission fails, I will die at the hands of Danzo if I do not die at yours."

"You could join Sunagakure."

"Then I would face an endless stream of assassination attempts, living every day in fear and trepidation."

Pakura shook her head. "My intuition tells me you aren't telling the truth. What benefit could you possibly gain from this?!"

"You, of course. You will be a comrade-in-arms; we can say we became friends through our fight."

She suddenly said, "Are you trying to hide in the shadows and manipulate Sunagakure?"

"Don't guess blindly; I don't have that kind of ability. I have told you the reason: I must complete this mission, otherwise, things will become very troublesome."

"I will not agree to your terms for now."

"Give it some more thought. I am truly racking my brains for the development of your Sunagakure."

Pakura walked a short distance toward him.

"I will return to the village now and report the goodwill you have expressed to the higher-ups."

"Don't be in such a rush. Could you do me a favor?"

"What is it?"

"Help me subdue a Summoning Beast."

"..."