Pakura hesitated. After a moment of silence, she sighed deeply.
"With such boldness, Kusagakure's rise is probably already unstoppable.
Leader of Kusagakure, do you know? Ever since I was brought here, I've been thinking.
I've been wondering why the Third died like that. If his final letter was real, then why would Rasa, as Kazekage, deliberately target me?
And if that letter was fake... then did he have something to do with the Third's death? It's not as though Rasa has never colluded with another village before."
A mocking smile curled her lips.
"So?"
"In that case, there's only one answer. I'll join Kusagakure."
Pakura spoke emphatically, towering fury in her eyes. "I'll make Rasa pay!"
"But although I'm joining you, Rasa is my only enemy. I won't help you attack the other shinobi of Sunagakure. That place is my home, after all.
I grew up there and became a shinobi there. I hate Rasa, but I don't hate that village."
She continued, sorrow at the corners of her eyes.
Lu You shook his head lightly.
"That's naive.
Sunagakure went to war for the various resources the Land of Wind currently lacks.
What we intend to do is reorganize how resources are distributed across this continent. Whether it's the Five Great Nations, the Land of Rain, or the Land of Grass, each region will make up for the others' shortcomings, creating a peaceful, orderly, prosperous world.
If Sunagakure stands in the way of that path, then we'll crush it as we advance."
Pakura abruptly raised her head, as though confirming what he had said. "You want to unite this continent?"
"If that's the way to do it, then naturally, yes."
Pakura couldn't help laughing, looking exceptionally beautiful.
"You think you can accomplish what even the First Hokage, the God of