Tsunade coughed violently.
The concepts proposed by Akihara Kagura were truly outrageous.
All the Hokages present firmly opposed this proposal, because the Hokage was the ultimate dream for the Konoha ninjas, and the positions of Mizukage and Kazekage held no appeal for Konoha.
Once Tsunade took over as Mizukage and Kazekage, the Konoha ninjas would gradually realize the Hokage would not be just a dream, but a position also serving as Kazekage and Mizukage.
This would be a fatal blow to Konoha's future development.
"If the Hokage becomes a political position rather than the goal of the village's ninjas, the ninjas will lose trust in the Hokage. The Hokage's existence is the origin of Konoha... Konoha absolutely cannot allow the Hokage's position to carry other labels!"
Moreover...
The ninjas of The Hidden Sand Village and The Hidden Mist Village would not approve either!
Honestly speaking.
Comparatively...
It would be better to just kill the ninjas from both villages!
"Wait a moment..."
Tsunade squinted her eyes as if she remembered something: "Although we don't have such an intention, Kagura's ideas can make them more acceptable when signing the agreements..."
Tsunade had a bit of political acumen.
Akihara Kagura's outrageous ideas were too extreme, yet they allowed other ideas to be accepted; at least everyone was willing to accept another more moderate condition.
When signing the agreement, Chiyo and Terumi Mei were quite angry and dissatisfied, but they could only choose to accept helplessly, their eyes filled with unrepressable hatred and rage.
However...
One sentence from Tsunade relaxed their moods.
Tsunade observed their anger and discontent, persuading and comforting them: "Actually, when our higher-ups were discussing how to deal with The Hidden Sand Village and The Hidden Mist Village, Kagura suggested that I should concurrently serve as the Fifth Kazekage of The Hidden Sand Village and the Fifth Mizukage of The Hidden Mist Village..."
"!!!"
A chill ran through Chiyo and Terumi Mei's hearts.
Tsunade watched their nervous expressions and continued with a seemingly solemn demeanor: "But I believe that the Kazekage is the dream of The Hidden Sand ninjas, and the Mizukage is the dream of The Hidden Mist ninjas. To respect the future of the ninjas from these villages, I did not agree with Kagura but instead revised his proposal to this: Konoha will appoint the positions of Kazekage and Mizukage..."
"We are incredibly grateful…"
Chiyo and Terumi Mei breathed a sigh of relief.
"Interesting…"
Akihara Kagura crossed his arms, his left hand gently tapping his right arm.
This new supervisor had actually learned to make him the scapegoat, and Tsunade really thought he and the Root were helping to shoulder the blame!
Akihara Kagura's gaze was slightly cold, staring at Chiyo and Terumi Mei: "I will not change this idea; even if Lady Tsunade currently disagrees with it, in the future the Hokage will inevitably hold the positions of Kazekage and Mizukage!"
"!!!"
Chiyo and Terumi Mei's faces changed simultaneously.
Because Akihara Kagura was a powerful, authoritative, and influential Hokage assistant; absolutely one of Konoha's rising power figures. His words could not be taken as a joke by them…
"Kagura!"
Tsunade hurriedly stopped Akihara Kagura, saying in a deep voice: "We've already discussed this matter, you should not make the decision, I am the Hokage!"
This guy...
Isn't he being too forceful!
If this continues, once The Hidden Sand Village and The Hidden Mist Village regain their strength, they will remain antagonistic towards Konoha, and hatred will continue to spread!
"You will regret it, Lady Tsunade."
Akihara Kagura turned and left the meeting room, seeming a bit indignant as he shut the door with a loud bang, leaving those present slightly uneasy.
"I will persuade him to abandon this notion…"
Tsunade sighed, continuing to reassure the future allies: "I hope you can submit your candidates for the Fifth Kazekage and Fifth Mizukage soon after you return…"
"Understood…"
Chiyo and Terumi Mei still harbored some unease.
On the other side.
Akihara Kagura arrived at the Konoha Prison.
The prison held captives from The Hidden Sand Village and The Hidden Mist Village who had stirred up riots in Konoha; both the One-Tailed Jinchuriki Gaara and the Seven-Swords Ninja from The Hidden Mist Village were among them.
The Hozuki brothers, Suigetsu and Mangetsu, were directly brought back to the Root Base by Akihara Kagura; the Konoha ninjas responsible for guarding them dared not intervene.
Inside the Root Base.
Akihara Kagura observed the severely ill Hozuki Mangetsu with great interest.
"What do you want to do, you bastard!"
Hozuki Suigetsu quickly moved to protect his brother, fearing Akihara Kagura would harm him, knowing his brother currently lacked the power to resist.
Indeed.
He never had it before either.
"Suigetsu, step aside."
Hozuki Mangetsu instructed his brother to stand back.
"Lord Kagura, is there something you wish for me to do?"
Hozuki Mangetsu harbored no unease because he understood his situation, the disease continuously ravaging his body, his life already ticking down to the end.
"Take this young one out first."
Akihara Kagura first had Hozuki Suigetsu taken out, leaving only Hozuki Mangetsu alone.
"You're dying."
Akihara Kagura looked at Hozuki Mangetsu and calmly asked: "I could give you an opportunity, though I could ensure your brother's survival..."
"What do I need to do!"
Hozuki Mangetsu showed a mouth full of shark teeth, yet he appeared filled with vigor.
In any case...
He had a terminal illness and was nearing death!
If he could exchange his life for Suigetsu's survival, it would be a worthwhile trade!
"I've heard you have quite a talent for summoning jutsu…"
Akihara Kagura raised his finger and softly said: "When you die, I can use a jutsu to bind your soul to your body; in the future, I will turn you into a human puppet, with your soul inside the puppet as well…"