By the time Bunbuku arrived at Ebizo's current residence, the former Kazekage, Ebizo, was leaning against the wall as usual.
Even with medical ninjutsu to alleviate the symptoms, the effects of losing sensation in nearly half his body were still severe.
Fortunately, Ebizo could still think.
"I already heard the cheers from outside," Ebizo said before Bunbuku could speak.
He let out a bitter laugh and added, "It seems I really did some terrible things all these years; hardly anyone misses me."
Bunbuku saw the somewhat desolate expression on Ebizo's face and didn't know what to say.
During his tenure as Kazekage, Ebizo's methods were far from benevolent.
Bunbuku himself had experienced Ebizo's cold tactics, but he understood Ebizo's position and harbored no thoughts of revenge.
"Did Konoha Hidden Village say how they would deal with me?" Ebizo asked with a faint smile, seeing Bunbuku's silent expression, and then changed the subject.
"Yes," Bunbuku replied.
"They said your actions were not just an internal matter for Sunagakure, but for the entire ninja world.
You will be tried after the war ends and imprisoned in a jail established by a neutral country."
"A neutral country? Which one? The Land of Rivers, the Land of Rain, or the Land of Grass?" Ebizo asked.
"That's not entirely clear yet," Bunbuku shook his head.
"From what they implied, it might be the Land of Grass."
"That's pretty much what I expected. Good, if I have to retire somewhere, the environment in the Land of Grass isn't bad; it's certainly better than the Land of Rain," Ebizo said, a relieved expression on his face.
"Are you willing to accept such a result?" Bunbuku asked.
"What's there not to accept? Since I intend to bear all responsibility, it doesn't matter where I go.
In fact, leaving Sunagakure means I won't have to face other people's disdain," Ebizo said, shrugging with some difficulty.
Because Ebizo was now bearing the blame for the war's failure, initiating the war, and oppressing the villagers, if he were to live in seclusion as in the original timeline, his life might not be so peaceful.
Leaving Sunagakure would prevent others from seeking him out.
The only thing Ebizo was worried about was his older sister getting implicated.
During the period when the Kazekage siblings ruled Sunagakure, some of the more ruthless decisions were proposed by Chiyo.
Chiyo could not be spared; she would also have to bear responsibility alongside Ebizo.
Unlike Ebizo, who had no children, Chiyo had children and a grandson.
Having a war criminal mother, Ryu and Chizuru, and their son, might face strange looks from some people.
Of course, because Ryu and Chizuru had decent relationships with other Sunagakure ninja in their daily lives, they could, to some extent, distance themselves from their mother.
Even if there were an impact, it should be limited to a certain extent.
If Chiyo were to leave with Ebizo, this impact should be further reduced, and if Bunbuku could help, that would certainly be even better.
Facing Ebizo's request, Bunbuku nodded in agreement.
Since Ryu and Chizuru had good relationships with others, it meant they were not as cold as their mother in their daily lives, which left room for maneuver.
Seeing Bunbuku agree, Ebizo breathed a sigh of relief.
His and his sister's ninja careers were over.
His only concern was their descendants; he had none, only his sister Chiyo.
As long as Ryu's family was taken care of, he and his sister could rest assured, even if they were imprisoned.
"How is the reconstruction work in Sunagakure progressing?" Ebizo asked.
"Very well."
"Along with the returning prisoners, Konoha Hidden Village also sent supplies, which helped many struggling families.
And with the return of these prisoners, the reconstruction work will be even easier," Bunbuku said.
Ebizo nodded slightly.
After the Battle of the Land of Rivers, Sunagakure's military strength was only about five hundred.
If all the prisoners gathered by Konoha Hidden Village were released, the number would reach about a thousand, nearly one-third of their peak military strength.
This would make reconstruction work much more convenient.
"Bunbuku, I can't say yet what the outcome of the path you've chosen will be, but as a former Kazekage, I also wish to offer you some advice," Ebizo said solemnly to Bunbuku.
"Please do," Bunbuku replied.
He had no experience in managing a village, and even different paths surely had things that could be learned.
"Since you intend to cooperate with Konoha Hidden Village on the basis of peace, you must talk more with Konoha Hidden Village's leader and learn from what benefits their village," Ebizo said.
"And don't learn rigidly; you must adapt it to Sunagakure's situation.
Not everything is universally applicable.
The Land of Fire is rich in resources, but does the Land of Wind have such conditions?
Even if the general direction can be consistent, there will certainly be differences in the details."
Bunbuku nodded.
Both Karura and Uchiha Kagami had mentioned this.
Both hoped that Sunagakure could emulate Konoha Hidden Village's system, but with the unique characteristics of the Land of Wind.
If one were to describe it in a word, it would be: a Konoha system with Land of Wind characteristics.
"Also, cooperation requires maintaining a relatively equal status between both sides.
Right now, it's due to Konoha Hidden Village's benevolence, but the situation might change in the future.
Of course, I'm not saying Konoha Hidden Village will oppress us, but I'm worried that the Land of Wind, a great nation, might fall to the same level as other small countries," Ebizo said, then coughed heavily.
"Kazekage-sama!" Bunbuku quickly exclaimed.
"It's nothing, I just spoke too quickly," Ebizo waved his hand, indicating he was fine.
"Continuing from before, even if we maintain peace, the Land of Wind must pay attention to its own development, and Sunagakure cannot stagnate.
Even if we don't pursue hegemony, we must maintain our current status and influence.
No matter what, strength is the most important thing; you must not forget that."
"I understand, you can rest assured; I wouldn't go so far as to sell out the village," Bunbuku nodded.
"I believe your assurance; I have never doubted that.
You were able to stick to your principles even under my threats and inducements.
You would never betray the village.
While I resented your lack of cooperation, your patriotism and love for the village have been proven," Ebizo said.
"If only our paths could have been aligned," Bunbuku's voice carried a hint of regret.
"There's nothing to be done about it.
I can only wish your path success.
I truly hope I was wrong now, so at least Sunagakure can maintain its influence as one of the Five Great Ninja Villages in the future, and not become Konoha Hidden Village's dog," Ebizo said.
"Returning to what I said earlier, I think some of what Konoha Hidden Village said makes sense.
If the Land of Wind cannot expand its territory, maintaining a certain number of ninja might indeed be a better approach.
Given that, I think Sunagakure's focus in the future should be on puppets."
"Puppets?"
"Yes, after seeing Konoha Hidden Village's new ninja tools, I think our village's puppets are the closest thing to them.
If we can mass-produce various types and quantities of puppet technology, it might be better for Sunagakure.
The Land of Wind lacks crops and water, but it certainly doesn't lack the metal necessary for making puppets!" Ebizo said.
"Since the number of ninja is limited, we can only take this path.
Konoha Hidden Village hasn't restricted the creation of puppets, and we don't have to make military puppets.
What about puppets for civilian use?
I heard that among the merchant guilds supported by Konoha Hidden Village, there are things made by ninja that are very popular among the common people in the Land of Fire."
"That makes sense, I'll seriously consider it," Bunbuku thought for a moment and said.
"I will discuss with others how to maintain contact with Konoha Hidden Village in the future."
"Speaking of which, I have to say, Bunbuku, you really aren't suited to be a leader.
Don't think I'm being harsh, but you truly don't understand much, and even your students are better at it than you," Ebizo said.
Bunbuku recalled how Karura had spoken to him earlier and nodded thoughtfully.
His students were indeed smarter and had more potential, possibly becoming beneficial high-ranking officials for Sunagakure in the future.
"I have an idea now: you can request that some Sunagakure ninja go to Konoha Hidden Village for training, and they can also send people here to learn from us.
This should be a negotiable condition.
Konoha Hidden Village's strength will give us greater advantages, and it will certainly help in establishing a Konoha model with Land of Wind characteristics in the future," Ebizo said.
Ebizo's eyes lit up slightly.
It had to be said, Ebizo's suggestion was truly a good idea.
Going to Konoha Hidden Village to learn had never been considered.
Allowing their own people to learn in Konoha Hidden Village, on the condition that the other party could also learn in Sunagakure, was feasible.
"You're right, I really don't have much talent in this area.
The only reason I can serve as Kazekage is because of everyone's trust."
Realizing this, Bunbuku felt that he truly wasn't a very talented leader; at best, he was a mediocre one, and that was only by listening to Karura's advice and closely discussing cooperation with other high-ranking officials.
"If there's a suitable candidate in the future, I hope you can yield to them.
The requirement is that they have the same goals as you and are more skilled at being a leader.
You should be satisfied with that, right?" Ebizo said.
"I understand.
Coincidentally, I'm not young anymore, and I can't serve as Kazekage for very long.
I will look for such a suitable candidate," Bunbuku replied.
"Mm.
That's all I have to say, Bunbuku.
No matter what, I wish that the new leadership you establish can truly give Sunagakure a beautiful future.
Otherwise, both I and you will be sinners of Sunagakure, failing the expectations of all the past Kazekage who established Sunagakure and everyone," Ebizo said.
At this moment, Bunbuku truly felt the pressure that came with being a leader.
He seemed to have gained some understanding of Ebizo's actions back then.
#
After the official signing of the armistice agreement with Sunagakure, only the Anbu, who were secretly guiding the political situation in the Land of Wind, remained active.
The Konoha ninja forces in the Land of Rivers and the Land of Rain had ceased hostilities.
Now, the only remaining enemy on the western front was the Land of Earth, still active within the Land of Grass.
Uchiha Kagami handed over command of the area to Inuzuka Shigeru to handle the remaining matters, while he himself led an elite team north, passing through the Land of Rain, towards the Land of Grass.
He had received a letter from Fumori Masaki, and now, he only needed to push the enemy in the Land of Grass campaign to quickly bring about a ceasefire with the Land of Earth.
Once the Land of Wind and the Land of Earth ceased hostilities, the remaining Land of Water would be nothing to fear; they could be driven back to their island at any time.
The outcome of the Ninja World War, with the Fire and Lightning Alliance victorious, could be said to be decided.
Now that the Land of Wind had paid a considerable price, joining the Ninja World Alliance envisioned by Fumori Masaki was inevitable.
As for the Land of Earth and the Land of Water, because they were more troublesome, the goal was to weaken them as much as possible.
In their private letters, Fumori Masaki indicated that he did not believe the Ninja World Alliance could be established immediately.
The best outcome would be for the Land of Wind, the Land of Fire, and many small countries to join, but the Land of Lightning might imitate it in a similar fashion.
After forming an alliance with the Third Raikage, Fumori Masaki concluded that the future would inevitably be a bipolar struggle between the Konoha-led alliance and the Kumogakure-led alliance.
Whoever emerged victorious would be the leader of the Ninja World Alliance, and how this struggle would manifest in the future was something Konoha Hidden Village needed to consider.
Of course, the most important thing at present was to get the Land of Earth to withdraw from the war sooner.
Onoki must already be considering it, he simply wanted a dignified outcome.
However, Konoha and Kumogakure, aiming to weaken him, would never agree.
Now, the goal was to strike the opponent as much as possible before they proactively proposed a ceasefire.
After Uchiha Kagami arrived in the Land of Grass, he rendezvoused with the Konoha ninja forces there.
Subsequently, Uchiha Kagami went to see Fumori Masaki.
This was their first meeting since the war began.
"You've worked hard, Kagami," Fumori Masaki's first words upon seeing Uchiha Kagami were these, then he looked at Uchiha Kagami's empty sleeve, "You've truly suffered."
Uchiha Kagami glanced at his missing arm and smiled, saying, "It's fine; I'm used to it now.
I've adapted to fighting with one hand for hand signs."
"But there will definitely be an impact.
I will find a way to reattach this arm for you," Fumori Masaki said.
"How would you reattach it? My previous arm had already necrotized due to severe poisoning.
What can you do?" Uchiha Kagami asked, somewhat surprised.
"We can just cultivate a new arm.
The Medical Department also has relevant research, and they have made some achievements in medical ninjutsu for active cells," Fumori Masaki said.
"Cultivating a suitable arm based on your body cells is not a very troublesome matter for the Medical Department."