Stalemate!

"What happened to the Daimyo...?"

After a long silence, Baki spoke up at a very inappropriate moment. He wanted to break the deadlock, but the atmosphere was simply too suffocating for him.

"Hmph!!!" Grandma Chiyo, seated at the head of the table, snorted coldly. "Other than that one from the Land of Fire, who else could make the Daimyo this angry? I believe everyone heard the Daimyo's words clearly."

The meeting room remained silent. No one was an idiot; naturally, they knew the Daimyo was pushing for war!!! Not only did he want war, he wanted Sunagakure to win as well.

But no one wanted to be the first to step forward. If they lost, they would be the ones facing disaster. Grandma Chiyo held a high position; even if Sunagakure was defeated in the end, no one would dare blame her. The others, however, were different.

At a time like this, who would willingly step forward?

"Has Rasa made his preparations?"

Grandma Chiyo naturally knew what these people were worried about. In truth, even she was under immense pressure. That nonsense about pressure creating motivation was complete bullshit. Could pressure possibly give you the motivation to declare war on Konoha?

Wasn't that just absurd?

Could Sunagakure defeat Konoha?

That was a huge question mark. Many people did not think so, because Konoha's strength had been plain for all to see ever since the village was founded.

"I am ready to face everything. Here, I, Rasa, thank Grandma Chiyo and everyone else for your faith and support. No matter what happens, I, Rasa, will advance and retreat alongside Sunagakure!! I will never take even half a step back!!!"

Rasa had been chosen as the candidate for the next Kazekage. As long as the right opportunity arose, he could take office.