Compared to the open strife and political turmoil in the capital, the Hidden Sand Village was relatively stable internally.
The Kazekage, as the supreme leader, had already accepted the terms.
From the moment the armistice agreement was signed, he acted according to its contents, withdrawing all troops and ceding the small vassal states that had declared independence in the agreement, only maintaining the border within the Land of Wind's homeland.
Subsequently, Ebizo began raising funds to prepare for the ransom of prisoners and the first installment of war reparations.
The cash flow within the Hidden Sand Village had almost dried up, and to pay this sum, they had to rely on the Daimyo's power.
Initially, the Daimyo was hesitant and reluctant to accept the armistice agreement, but after the nobility forced his abdication, the newly appointed Daimyo was very cooperative in this regard, giving everything that was required, only wishing for a quick end to the war.
After the first batch of prisoner ransoms was paid, the Hidden Leaf Village repatriated the Hidden Sand prisoners to the Land of Wind, allowing the Hidden Sand ninja to receive them.
They also lifted the blockade, allowing merchants from their country to bring various goods to the border to conduct business at reasonable prices and address issues such as post-war reconstruction within the country.
If the Land of Wind was temporarily unable to provide sufficient funds, the Hidden Leaf Village also allowed them to temporarily defer payment or substitute military supplies.
The former simply meant a longer repayment period, while the latter allowed them to freely exchange useless items for civilian supplies needed for reconstruction.
Because the merchants conducting business were either supported or invested in by the Hidden Leaf Village, it could be ensured that they would not be swayed by greed and affect the reconstruction efforts within the Land of Wind.
Fumori Masaki had already made arrangements; providing appropriate lenient conditions to the Land of Wind would be beneficial for the stability of the new regime, preventing ordinary citizens from accusing them of being traitors and fostering gratitude towards the Hidden Leaf Village.
Although the current situation was a result of the war with the Land of Fire, ultimately, it was caused by the perverse actions of the former Daimyo and the previous Kazekage.
The Hidden Leaf Village consciously conducted post-war public opinion campaigns, and even if there were a few stubborn and unreasonable common people, it would not affect the overall situation.
And Ebizo was indeed the former Kazekage.
After signing the armistice agreement, he relinquished the position of Kazekage and allowed his subordinates to choose the most suitable person.
In reality, he already had an idea of who would become Kazekage.
Who else could it be but Bunbuku, who had conducted diplomatic activities and brought the Hidden Sand Village to its current situation?
Previously, Bunbuku was like a non-existent person; the Hidden Sand ninja, from top to bottom, had little impression of him.
But once he emerged, he became the hero who saved the Hidden Sand Village, securing lenient conditions and various benefits for them.
His reputation among the lower ranks soared.
Meanwhile, the influential hardliners had lost all their prestige due to this defeat and were completely incapable of competing with Bunbuku.
The pacifist faction would become the mainstream within the Hidden Sand Village for a long time.
Ebizo initially found it difficult to accept such an outcome, but after a detailed discussion with Bunbuku, he chose to accept it.
He felt that this might be the best situation for the Hidden Sand Village.
If they sought other paths, who knew what troubles might arise?
The Hidden Sand Village could no longer afford turmoil.
Soon, the first batch of prisoners returned to the Hidden Sand Village with civilian supplies donated by the Hidden Leaf Village, reuniting with their families.
In the past, their families had thought they were dead, so their reunion was naturally filled with tears and inexpressible emotions.
The brought civilian supplies also alleviated the internal situation of the Hidden Sand Village.
"Teacher!" Karura was among the first batch of returning prisoners.
After meeting her younger brother, Yashamaru, she threw herself into Bunbuku's arms.
"Welcome back, child," Bunbuku said with a benevolent gaze, patting Karura's back.
At this time, in addition to the Hidden Sand ninja reuniting with their families, the civilian supplies donated by the Hidden Leaf Village were also distributed one by one.
Under the deliberate propaganda of the Hidden Leaf Village and Karura, most of the prisoners, except for a few who knew the inside story, believed that they had received these benefits because of Bunbuku.
This led other common people to believe the same, and after the distribution of supplies, many came to thank Bunbuku.
Bunbuku humbly believed that his contribution was not that significant and told others so, but everyone else thought he was being modest, and their gratitude did not diminish in the slightest.
"Ah, I really can't bear this," Bunbuku said to Karura when they were alone.
"What's there to be embarrassed about, Teacher? The Hidden Leaf Village is willing to offer such conditions because they believe you are trustworthy; this in itself is a merit," Karura said earnestly.
"Alas, no matter what, the Hidden Leaf Village's goodwill is largely responsible for this matter.
Although they also have their own motives, I shouldn't take all the credit for this achievement, but it seems I can't speak out now," Bunbuku said with a bitter smile.
Because for Bunbuku to make the Hidden Sand Village better, he had to become the Kazekage, and to become the Kazekage, the support of the common people was crucial.
This was the only advantageous weapon for Bunbuku, who had no power base in the Hidden Sand Village, to gain status.
Although, as Karura said, achieving a goal based on someone else's influence is itself a kind of merit and might not have a big impact, to be safe, it's best not to reveal the true reason for this matter.
If people knew the Hidden Leaf Village was behind it, they might think Bunbuku was a puppet.
Compared to Bunbuku, Karura had lived in the Hidden Sand Village for a long time and had her own views on the internal situation.
Bunbuku, previously just a monk, felt uneasy about hiding this matter, but Karura understood the implications and prevented Bunbuku from revealing it, also advising him not to dwell on it.
"Teacher, we must work hard now to ensure you become Kazekage," Karura said.
"I've spoken with everyone else in the prisoner-of-war camp, and they will all support you, Teacher.
You must also work hard!"
Bunbuku nodded slightly.
Since he had decided to help the Hidden Sand Village get through this period and have a bright future, he could not shrink back because of political issues.
Even if it made his conscience uneasy, he had to continue.
His ultimate goal was for the good of the village.
Ebizo also did not obstruct the selection of the Kazekage.
With the almost unanimous opinion of the Hidden Sand Village, from top to bottom, and the support of the pacifist faction within the high-ranking officials, no one else had any competitiveness.
Bunbuku was quickly confirmed as the candidate for the Fourth Kazekage and received the approval of the new Daimyo.
"Fellow villagers, I, an old monk, have always opposed acts of aggression against other countries.
However, the previous Kazekage did not understand and acted unilaterally, which led to the current situation.
As a member of the Land of Wind, I should dedicate myself to the country, but I truly cannot accept wrong actions.
The outcome of this war has also shown everyone that even if I had participated, I could not have changed the losing outcome.
Fortunately, because of my stance, the Hidden Leaf Village has a little confidence in the Hidden Sand Village and is willing to give us a chance to reform," Bunbuku said to the Hidden Sand ninja attending the inauguration ceremony for the Fourth Kazekage.
Bunbuku himself was not good at this kind of leadership speech; it was written personally by Ebizo.
Ebizo knew that his reputation was completely ruined, and a little more damage wouldn't matter, so he took all the blame upon himself to establish Bunbuku's personal reputation.
Since he had agreed to let Bunbuku become the future leader, he also had to do his best to maintain the stability of the new leadership.
"Through this war, I fully understand the importance of peace for the Land of Wind.
I have already negotiated with the Hidden Leaf Village, and from now on, the Land of Wind and Fire will develop together on the basis of peaceful cooperation, using peaceful means to lift the Land of Wind out of poverty, gain wealth, and achieve a superior life.
This may be very difficult, but I will dedicate all my efforts to the country, together with everyone present, to ensure the Hidden Sand Village has a bright future!"
All the Hidden Sand ninja applauded, happy for the inauguration of a Kazekage with a different stance than in the past.
After the ceremony, Bunbuku, with the help of others, dealt with some urgent matters and then went to a room to see Ebizo.
Ebizo was now a former leader and a sinner.
He had taken on the responsibilities of the other hardliners, and according to the armistice agreement, he was to be dealt with by the Hidden Leaf Village.
Before that, Ebizo still had some words to say to Bunbuku.
Since Bunbuku had chosen such a path, he couldn't say much.
It was just that their chosen paths were different, but their concern for the Hidden Sand Village was consistent—he had never doubted this, which was also why he ultimately chose to support Bunbuku's ascension under the prevailing circumstances—it was simply that Ebizo's path had failed, and the outcome of Bunbuku's path was still uncertain.
However, as a former Kazekage and someone who also loved the Hidden Sand Village, Ebizo, before bearing his sins, also wanted to offer Bunbuku some feasible advice to help him navigate that path.