Persuading the Leadership, Releasing the Tailed Beast

The atmosphere in the Kazekage's office was so heavy it seemed ready to drip with water.

The Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, sat upright at the head of the table, his expression calm as his fingertips unconsciously tapped against the desktop, producing dull knocks. Every sound struck at the hearts of those present. Elder Chiyo and Ebizo sat on opposite sides. The former had her eyes lowered as though asleep, yet the slight tension at the corners of her mouth betrayed her unrest. The latter clasped his hands inside his sleeves, his sharp gaze sweeping over every high-ranking member present.

Advisory elders, unit commanders, clan representatives... Nearly all of Sunagakure's core decision-makers were gathered here. Their gazes were all focused on the young man standing in the center of the office.

Shaye was only eighteen, yet he was already the head of the Sunagakure Research and Development Department, the village's undisputed pinnacle of combat power, and the creator of the East Sea Bay Oasis miracle. At that moment, he was calmly presenting a proposal that sounded no different from madness to most of them.

"...This was Master Bunpuku's wish. He spent his life alongside Shukaku, enduring loneliness and misunderstanding while safeguarding the village's balance. Now that his lifespan is nearing its end, he does not wish to prolong his life by any means. He only wishes to depart peacefully and return Shukaku to the desert, restoring its freedom." Shaye's voice was clear and steady, without the slightest ripple, as if he were describing the most ordinary matter in the world.

The moment he finished speaking, the meeting room erupted.

"Absurd!" An elderly advisory elder slammed his palm against the table and sprang to his feet. "One-Tail Shukaku is the village's ultimate weapon, our strategic deterrent! How can we simply release it because