It was like seeing their younger selves again, before they had known anything of power struggles—full of the energy that had them dreaming, every moment of every day, of becoming the next Kazekage.
Back then, they had been innocent. Politics had not dragged them through the mud, wanton killing had not hardened their hearts, and they had not harbored the slightest ulterior motive.
Pakura had spoken in a rush, but that haste only made her words feel more natural.
How could someone so full of spirit waste time currying favor and lobbying for support?
Some of the leaders had privately looked down on Pakura and Karura, thinking their "political skill" fell short of Rasa's. Now, they felt a pang of desolation.
How could someone devoted wholeheartedly to Sunagakure behave like a politician and focus only on bribery?
They remembered the ideals they had once held, now buried under grime.
Political maneuvering had changed them too much. They barely recognized themselves anymore.
Ordinarily, a candidate for Kazekage would use whatever means worked—recruitment, threats, persuasion—to bring most of the leaders to their side, then become the next Kazekage through their nominations.
Pakura had lost to Rasa that way once before.
But the vigor with which Pakura had gone straight to the point this time was something they had never heard of, let alone seen.
The leaders of Sunagakure, so accustomed to infighting, were left dazed. When Pakura finished speaking, their hearts gave a sudden jolt.
What Pakura had done was exactly what they had imagined doing as children.
A few leaders had meant to object, but when they opened their mouths, they found they had nothing to say.
The leaders hesitated.
Most people who rose to leadership were shrewd and calculating.
They were not easily moved.
Pakura's spirited words had touched them,