"If that's really the case, then we can't accept this technology."
"Why not?"
Gaara asked in confusion, "If they can unify the Land of Fire, we can unify the Land of Wind.
Shukaku's reputation as the Guardian Beast of the Nation has spread throughout the Land of Wind over all these years. We can definitely unify it faster than they can.
By the time Konoha unifies the Land of Fire, it will be time for us to complete our unification too. There's no need to give up such a good opportunity just to stop Konoha."
"Sunagakure doesn't have the people!"
Baki sighed. "We don't even have enough people to govern the village. Do you think we have enough to govern the entire Land of Wind?"
"Hold examinations to select talented people! With so many people in the entire shinobi world, why worry about finding people capable of governing a country?
Don't keep your eyes fixed on your own little patch of land. Look at the entire shinobi world."
Baki's eyes lit up. At that moment, he felt that Gaara had grown up and was better suited to being Kazekage than he was.
"Gaara, you're fifteen now, aren't you?"
"Yes! I just had my birthday!"
"You'll go to these negotiations. Once you come back, you'll take over as Kazekage."
"So soon?"
Baki slowly shook his head. "It's already taken long enough! Granny Chiyo, Lord Ebizo, and the Fourth Kazekage discussed your succession with the village's jonin and reached an agreement before the Fourth died."
"What do you mean? Are you saying Father knew he was going to die before it happened?"
"Yes!"
Baki spoke gravely. "The Kazekage foresaw his death when you were one year old, so he spent all these years watching to see whether you had the makings of