Chapter 112: Irresistible Conditions
Nonota was surprisingly hospitable despite dealing with a "dead" legend, a deserter, and a kunoichi who gave him chills for some reason. According to him, the moment Maki decided to leave, the pressure and comparison regarding her Cloth Binding Technique diminished so much that she could finally demonstrate her ability without expectations causing constant mistakes, earning her a new reputation.
She wasn't the best or anything, but now she had her own merit, and this gave her the confidence to move forward with a new determination.
She even found a girlfriend! Maki's desertion was simply a blessing for him.
So, when he heard that the three of them were here as representatives of Seimeigakure for a "diplomatic visit" to discuss business that could affect their villages, he collaborated very warmly. Now the three kunoichis were sitting in the Kazekage's building, waiting for the arrival of the other party while having bowls of seedless raisins in front of them.
"That was..." Pakura was speechless.
"Too easy?" Anko finished her sentence as they exchanged glances.
Frankly, they expected to have to break some bones before reaching the negotiation table.
Maki, on the other hand, had her arms crossed and her head down. She felt aggrieved, but since everything went in her favor, she couldn't express dissatisfaction. Now they were in the territory of the other party, and any reason they could give to negotiate was not acceptable.
Fortunately, they didn't try to use psychological games to make them wait for a long time, and only a few minutes were needed for the arrival of all parties.
Ebizo and Chiyo, the current "leaders" in the absence of the Kazekage, handling the village council.
Temari, the future Kazekage (ignoring her brilliant and tired future).
And Baki, the jonin acting as the team leader for Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro. He recently joined the village council due to the circumstances.
Yes, the same Baki who murdered Hayate Gekko in Konoha.
"It's good to see you again, Elder Ebizo," Pakura greeted politely.
"In that case, it was you, right?" Ebizo didn't even allow Pakura to greet her sister or the others.
Naturally, he was referring to the gold-buying meeting that happened in the past.
Now, he could understand how he was aware of her secret!
"Of course, how else would I know 'that'?" Pakura responded with a smile.
"Hmm?" Chiyo felt something wrong in the air, as if she were missing some important detail, and looked at her brother suspiciously. "What is he talking about?"
"N-Nothing, it's nothing," Ebizo realized just in time that he had almost accidentally revealed his secret reservation. "I didn't expect you to return to the village at this time of need; it's touching to see that..."
"I'm not returning to Sunagakure," Pakura raised her hand to stop Ebizo's words right there, which were clearly meant to shift the balance of the situation in the room. "While what I came to talk about could immensely benefit YOUR village, I will remain in Seimeigakure for the rest of my life," she declared with unwavering firmness in her voice. "What I have there is impossible to find here."
This was in a way a rebuke for letting her die back then, and the two elders knew it, just as they knew that they had just tried to use moral ground to gauge her stance and see if they could increase whatever they could get from this sudden meeting.
"Umm," Temari took advantage of the silent confrontation of gazes to raise her hand with a completely puzzled attitude. "I can understand the elders being in the meeting, but why was I called?"
Whatever it was that she was going to talk about, she was sure it was above her position.
"That, you will have to answer," Baki said. "You were included at their request."
"We came with one idea," Anko didn't beat around the bush and pointed at Temari from her seat. "To support Temari for the position of Kazekage."
"Nani?!" The four Sand ninjas were stunned by the scandalous declaration.
(I'm sorry, I just imagined them jumping out of their seats with that scream while making a funny face, and I couldn't help it haha.)
"Pakura?" Chiyo looked at Pakura to confirm that they didn't mishear.
Whether Maki or Pakura, both grew up in this place, and they should be clear that interfering in the Kage election of a village is no laughing matter. Many times, this ended up working against the supported candidate.
"Indeed, this was my idea as well as my husband's," Pakura admitted.
Although the original idea was Pakura's, Enel brought the devil fruit only for her, so she had no qualms about sharing the credit with the man she loved.
"Why, among all people, would you decide to support Temari?" Chiyo didn't seem very convinced, but she knew Pakura's character. "And what will you gain from this?"
Temari looked at Chiyo without words.
Doesn't she have an opinion on the matter?
Pakura presented her points to support Temari, causing Chiyo and Ebizo to exchange thoughtful looks while Baki remained silent. His presence here was to, well, generate presence and have the support of opinions.
The other side had three people, and they were four counting him, so they won.
The conclusion of the two elders was that the offer was genuine, but this only confused them more. But the fact that Seimeigakure did not act against them during the attack on Konoha and maintained their neutrality made them pay more attention.
"Of course, there are conditions for receiving support," Pakura continued once the fish bit the hook. "We expect that once Temari takes office, friendly relations will be established between Sunagakure and Seimeigakure; trade will open between the villages, and she promises to pay full attention to a subsequent matter of great importance that I won't mention until everything happens."
"I understand your logic in wanting to put Temari as Kazekage; she's a good girl," Ebizo nodded.
All of Sunagakure knew the character of the Sand Princess, and imagining her in charge... it simply couldn't be worse than her father. Also, due to the laws of the village, any of Rasa's three children actually had numerous possibilities of being promoted.
And her loyalty to the village was unquestionable; her sister made sure to spend enough time with Rasa's children to impress that deeply.
"But it will take months before the village is in a position to properly select the next Kazekage," Baki commented, thinking about the painful compensation they had to give to Konoha.
And it was a Konoha traitor who played them!
"Maki," Pakura called.
"Yes, sensei."
The four turned their heads to look at Maki and opened their eyes wide to see her reach into her chest, causing ripples in her body, to extract a scroll that she placed on the table.
But no one paid attention to the scroll and continued to stare at Maki.
Why didn't they have information that she could do that?
Was it a new Kekkei Genkai?
No, Baki remembered the three furious elemental giants in Konoha's coliseum, and he realized that there had to be something more they didn't know. The same conclusion came to the other two elders because, with their experience, they could clearly see that what was in front of them was not a mud clone or anything like that.
Chiyo didn't even hesitate to open the scroll, skipping the process of checking for traps in it. If the reports of what Pakura could do now were true, then a small trap on the scroll was unlikely since she could end everyone in this room in her way.
Ebizo leaned in to read the scroll with his sister, Temari also leaned in silently while Baki remained lost in thought.
Does the Daimyo guarantee to direct all missions back to the village?
Will the budget for the village recover to at least this figure?
Cheaper food?
A new secret trade route?
Loan to buy cargo ships?
"Are you sure you don't want to come back and become Kazekage?" Chiyo couldn't help but ask Pakura.
The deal was too good, and it seemed so easy to get!
And all they ask for in return are these things with barely any value?
Metals, rare minerals, and herbs...
"In fact, we can raise the conditions if you are willing to pay the price," Anko added, who had remained silent since declaring the purpose of her visit.
"And what conditions and price would those be?" Chiyo frowned, knowing that so far it seemed like everything was too beneficial for them.
Anko remained silent and looked at Baki.
"Baki, wait outside and make sure there are no mice," Ebizo ordered as he understood the signal.
Baki nodded and left without protesting. What was being discussed behind these walls was just too weird for him. Closing the door, the old Chiyo made a hand seal, and the room was completely isolated from the outside.
"We can add the creation of a small forested area, which under your care, would gradually, over the years, take away land from the desert," Anko explained once only the important people remained in the room. "We can also strengthen Temari so that she reaches the rank of special jonin or even jonin in a short time."
"At what price?" Ebizo and Chiyo's gazes gained solemnity as they understood the potential of these conditions.
Just being able to have a suitable forested patch of land could give them hopes of terraforming their territory. The only reason they have barely achieved results within the village and near the greenhouse is that the plants outside fail to survive long enough to take root and do their work.
And if they manage to increase Temari's strength along with these conditions, with her own power, they would kill anyone who dared to object to her appointment.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone