Every move Byakuya made was aimed at taking the initiative in these negotiations.
At the same time, the moment Pakura attacked, he would use the Flying Thunder God Technique to leave, without lingering for even an instant.
"Did Shimura Danzō really send you to express goodwill toward Sunagakure?" Pakura was utterly exhausted. She had barely rested, and the constant exertion had worn her down. Sweat covered her forehead, and her breathing grew increasingly labored.
Byakuya sneered. "What do you think?"
He thought to himself, Pakura had actually brought up that old bastard Danzō's name. It seemed the old bastard had already made arrangements within Konoha, deliberately leaking some information to Sunagakure's spies.
"San-Dan-Kun once sent back intelligence that, within Konoha High Command, Shimura Danzō represented the hawkish faction."
"Exactly. Why would Shimura Danzō express goodwill for no reason? He's never been benevolent. Oh, no, that's not quite right. Shimura Danzō is much like Rasa. If helping him take the Hokage Position is the price, he won't begrudge showing goodwill, even if it's fake."
Pakura listened, bewildered.
Had some other members of Konoha High Command sent him to the Land of Rivers to contact her?
"Don't understand?"
"Could the Third have sent you?"
Byakuya suddenly chuckled. "Ha, Pakura, honestly, you're far too naïve. Sooner or later, your naivety will get you killed."
She dispelled Scorch Release: Extreme Steam Killing, but retreated several meters, watching him warily.
They were far apart again. The mist formed by the steam had not dispersed, leaving their figures blurred and indistinct, like upright shadows.
Byakuya put away his Ninja Sword. "Shimura Danzō sent me to contact you because he wants to show goodwill and promote an alliance between Sunagakure and Konoha, so we can face Iwagakure of the Land of Earth together."
"Impossible! Iwagakure is already at war with Kumogakure, and the pressure on the northern border of the Land of Wind has eased considerably. Konoha isn't showing goodwill with this move; it's showing weakness. If Rasa learns about this, he'll definitely..."
As she spoke, Pakura suddenly froze.
Whether Rasa learned about it or the Sunagakure leadership heard of it, they would mobilize Sunagakure's elite shinobi to launch a surprise attack on Konoha.
Then whoever made the greatest contribution in the war would probably become the Fourth Kazekage.
Byakuya asked, "I'd like to know why Rasa still hasn't become the new Kazekage."
After considering what he was getting at, Pakura thought it over and decided to explain. The Konoha leadership surely already knew about the infighting in Sunagakure; it was no secret.
"Some of the jōnin want to nominate the highly respected Chiyo to become the Fourth Kazekage. Rasa would then become the Fifth Kazekage in the future."
"Mm, that's a fine plan. Use Chiyo, a veteran with a distinguished record, to stabilize the turmoil. In a few years, when she's older, she can hand over the Kazekage Position to Rasa in due course. Too bad Rasa can't wait a single day. He's desperate to become the Fourth Kazekage."
"That's right."
Byakuya said, "But I've heard that you, Pakura, also made great contributions while holding off attacks from the Cloud and Stone shinobi."
"I don't want to fight for power. I only want to protect Sunagakure."
"What a joke. Without power, how are you going to protect Sunagakure? By dying for it?"
"I..."
He cut off her reply and scolded her. "Naïve! Pakura, you're so naïve it's infuriating! Sunagakure is riven by infighting and beset by danger, with everyone suspecting everyone else. Even if you went deep into Konoha's heartland, you'd only be walking to your death."
Pakura said quietly, "That's exactly what worries me. The Sunagakure leadership knows all about Shimura Danzō's scheme, but they can't refuse such a tempting offer. You... you weren't sent by the Third?"
"The Third put Konoha in a position where it's surrounded by enemies. He's been a coward for ages, desperate to end the war as soon as possible. He doesn't have the nerve to make a decision like this."
"Then it was you?"
"That's right. I want you to become the Fourth Kazekage, not Rasa or Chiyo. I can persuade Shimura Danzō to support you."
"What would it cost?"
"Sunagakure would have to lose a number of elite shinobi."
"..."
Byakuya continued, "This is for Sunagakure's sake, and for yours. I won't hide that it's also for Konoha's sake. Unless a number of elite shinobi die, unless most people in Sunagakure come to fear war, people like Rasa and Chiyo will just keep cropping up."
"You know Sunagakure well."
"Compared to Chiyo, I'd rather see Rasa take power. Chiyo's son and daughter-in-law were killed by Hatake Sakumo, the White Fang of Konoha. Her hatred of Konoha must run deeper than the sea."
Pakura couldn't bear the thought. "Can you really persuade Shimura Danzō?"
"He already has leverage over you. Wouldn't he be happy to agree?"
"Right. I've become Konoha's spy."
"No. You're your own spy."
"What do you mean?"
"Sunagakure is in the desert, and its resources are extremely scarce. The Land of Rivers has decent resources, but because it's a buffer zone, Sunagakure doesn't dare make a move against it, for fear of provoking Konoha's retaliation.
"Once you become Kazekage, you can sign a military alliance with Konoha and stand together with us. Whoever attacks Konoha or Sunagakure will be at war with both.
"Konoha can loosen its control over the Land of Rivers and allow Sunagakure to take a share of its habitable land. Sunagakure could also use the military alliance as cover to move against the small countries along the northern border...
"Pakura, think about it. If you had achievements like these, would you be your own spy or Konoha's? Would it matter?"
Pakura furrowed her brows. "But those small countries..."
"Do you think those countries would live comfortably if Sunagakure weren't around? The great nations wage their wars on their territory, and it's their people who die in the greatest numbers. Becoming part of a great nation might bring them peace."
"I understand. Your plan is incredibly bold."
"No, it isn't bold at all. All you need to do is say a few good things about Danzō after you become Kazekage. For example, support him becoming Hokage."
"So some of Sunagakure's shinobi really have to die?"
Byakuya spread his hands and put the choice squarely before her. "The decision is yours, not mine. I'm a nobody right now. I've explained my plan to you, Pakura. Will you take the gamble or not?"
"What's in it for you?"
The mist had finally begun to thin.
Pakura stared at Byakuya's Shuten-dōji Mask. "Actually, you want to become Hokage, don't you?"
"I don't want to become Hokage at all. I just want to stay alive."
"Hm?"
"If this mission fails, even if you don't kill me, Danzō will."
"You could join Sunagakure."
"Then I'd be subjected to endless assassination attempts, living in fear every day."
Pakura shook her head. "My instincts tell me you're not being honest. What do you really stand to gain?"
"You. You'll be a comrade fighting at my side. You and I can say we became acquainted through a fight."
She suddenly asked, "You want to control Sunagakure from the shadows?"
"Don't make things up. I'm not that capable. I've already told you why—I have to complete this mission, or I'll be in serious trouble."
"I won't give you an answer just yet."
"Think it over. I really am racking my brains over how to help your Sunagakure develop."
Pakura walked a short distance toward him.
"I'm going back to the village to report the goodwill you've expressed to the leadership."
"Don't rush off. Could you help me with something?"
"What?"
"Help me subdue a Summoning Beast."
"..."
Before you continue