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The Kazekage's building was silent.
It wasn't an empty silence, but a heavy one, loaded with intent. The kind of silence that only existed when the decisions about to be made were irreversible.
The torches in the meeting room cast long shadows on the stone walls, making the symbols of Sunagakure seem to watch those present with severe judgment.
In the center of the room, a wide table was covered with spread-out maps of the Land of Wind and neighboring nations. Small marks, tiny flags, and handwritten notes indicated recent movements, altered trade routes, and areas where ninja activity had suspiciously increased.
The Kazekage stood with his hands resting on the table. His expression was serious, with no trace of fatigue, though the dark circles under his eyes betrayed sleepless nights. Around him were several veteran jōnin and village advisors. In the back stood Pakura, who was surprised to be called to this kind of meeting.
She didn't speak or try to. She knew that among elders, it was better to stay quiet and learn before acting foolishly. She was happy with herself for being invited to learn about the village.
And if Pakura was right, this meeting should be about the scroll she brought from her mission—the one she stole from the Konoha and Kumo ninjas.
The Kazekage broke the silence.
"Well, let's begin the meeting about the recent information."
"What information are we talking about, Kazekage-sama?" Ebizo asked from beside Chiyo.
"The information I'm referring to was obtained by Pakura during her recent mission. That's why she's in the room right now," the Kazekage said.
At these words, all eyes in the room turned to Pakura, who showed no frightened emotion—just nodded to everyone.
The Kazekage cleared his throat, making everyone focus their full attention back on him.
"This information mentions the new bases Konoha is building on all the borders of the major villages. Now with this in our hands, we can prepare—and if possible, deal a major blow to Konoha."
One of the jōnin, a man with dark hair and a face weathered by the desert, nodded slowly.
"We've confirmed at least three clashes between Konoha and ninjas from Iwa and Kumo in several of our ninjas' missions—so they're more active than normal."
The Kazekage nodded at what was said.
"And that's the most dangerous part right now. Suna isn't ready for a large-scale war. Thanks to the Kazekage and his meeting with the Wind Daimyo, we can earn more money from missions," Chiyo said, giving her point.
Another advisor shared Chiyo's viewpoint, making everyone think.
The Kazekage directed his gaze to the scroll.
"You're right. Sunagakure couldn't withstand it. Though behind this information, we can figure out what Kumo was doing in the Land of Fire."
Several eyes narrowed.
"Stealing a kekkei genkai from Konoha?" one asked.
"Exactly. It's no secret that Kumo is one of the villages most obsessed with Konoha's bloodlines. They've been trying to get one since the beginning," another ninja said.
Chiyo nodded.
"Always the same. When Kumo moves like this, it's because they want to start something."
The room fell silent again.
Pakura observed everything without intervening. Her face remained expressionless, but inside, her mind worked quickly, searching for a solution to the problem. This wasn't just an informational meeting; it was a turning point. If Sunagakure made a wrong decision now, there would be no margin for error later—and they would seize the advantage they had gained.
The Kazekage broke the silence again.
"If Kumo and Konoha are moving like this, then Iwa won't take long to do the same—even Kiri if it's too obvious," he said firmly.
"The four great villages are testing the waters. None wants to be the first to declare war, but all are preparing for when it happens."
One of the advisors frowned.
"And us? Our position is the most delicate. We're the village with the fewest resources, least population, and least stable allies. Konoha won't attack us unless we strike first."
"That's precisely why we must think differently," the Kazekage responded without hesitation.
"We can't compete in numbers, weapon production, or ninja reserves like Konoha. If we enter a war as we are now, we'll end up worse than before—no longer a power as we are currently; we'd be like the Rain Village."
"Then let's use the time we have as an advantage," Ebizo added. "Something that makes the other villages think twice before attacking us directly."
Glances crossed.
One of the veteran jōnin spoke cautiously.
"Are you suggesting a new jinchūriki or some strategy?" the ninja asked.
The Kazekage nodded slowly.
"I've been thinking about it, and though Bunpuku holds it—avoiding dealing with it—a weapon like the jinchūriki would give us the advantage we need," the Kazekage said.
The murmur was immediate.
"Kazekage-sama, that sounds great, but who would be the candidates to host Shukaku?"
"Well, we could look at the latest ninjas who've been making waves. It seems we're lucky with the new generation," Ebizo said.
"That sounds good. We'll look for someone perfect to be the jinchūriki. Let's continue with more ideas."
Everyone fell silent again, thinking of ideas, until Pakura's voice from the back rang out—though not loud, enough to draw attention.
"Why not invest more resources in Suna's new generation? Though I've been on many missions, I've heard about them, and there are quite a few competent ones—even geniuses, I believe," Pakura said.
At this, everyone thought again.
"I support that idea. Look, right now, most of us here are people who soon won't be able to continue our service and will have to leave it to the young ones."
Everyone looked at each other, noticing for the first time that 90% of the ninjas were over 35 years old.
"The Second Ninja War was lost for many because we sent unprepared children, but it was also won by those who learned quickly... and survived. I see it as quite good," Ebizo said, supporting his sister.
"The idea sounds good, but the question is: who?" another ninja asked.
The Kazekage didn't respond immediately. Instead, he took several reports and placed them on the table.
"We have clear records of potentials we can't ignore—and ones I've already been keeping an eye on to monitor their progress," the Third Kazekage said.
He pointed to the first.
"Pakura."
Glances turned to her again.
"Early promotion, high-risk missions, control of an extremely lethal kekkei genkai. At just 13 years old, she's already one of Suna's most prodigious," the Kazekage said.
Pakura didn't react, but inside, she felt the weight of those words and the happiness that her Kazekage considered her.
"Sasori, grandson of Chiyo-sama. His puppet talent surpasses even some veteran jōnin. If given freedom and resources... he'll be a force no village will want to face—he could even lead our puppet unit, which is currently in Chiyo-sama's hands."
Chiyo nodded slowly, with pride and concern mixed.
"There are several more, but the one I've monitored the most and who's shown the most talent—despite being a genin currently," the Kazekage said, taking another report.
Pakura knew who he was talking about even before he named him.
"Daigo."
Some frowned.
"The civilian?" "The genin without a clan?"
"The very same," the Kazekage responded. "No lineage, no heritage, and yet he's shown more potential than all those from shinobi families. His current level is chūnin, and I was thinking of promoting him before this meeting."
"That makes sense now, as you say, Kazekage-sama. His growth is abnormal," one of the jōnin added.
"Not just that—he has one of the most strategic minds I've seen, even with a battle IQ far above my grandson."
The Kazekage nodded.
"As I said before, these aren't the only ones, but they're clear examples. Suna's new generation has something we didn't: hunger to not be the same as before."
"Hunger to change the future," Ebizo murmured.
The Kazekage took a deep breath.
"I like the idea. We'll give them specialized training. Harder but controlled missions. Early access to information, jutsu, real war tactics. No more soft training just because they're genin."
"That's risky," one warned.
"More risky is not being ready for the war approaching in the coming years," he responded without hesitation.
Chiyo gently tapped the table, drawing attention.
"If we're going to do this, we must do it right—no sending them as cannon fodder. They must learn to survive, not just to kill."
"I agree. I want this generation to be our foundation. Not just soldiers, but future leaders," another advisor said.
Pakura felt a knot in her chest.
She had lived her life on the battlefield. She had always thought her role was to fight, not think about the future. But now she understood something bigger.
Creating something new...
Daigo's words echoed in her mind.
One of the jōnin nodded slowly.
"Then we must start now. From this moment, Sunagakure's priority will be strengthening its new generation," the Kazekage said with a voice of command and respect.
The decision was made.
The meeting began to dissolve little by little. Low-voiced conversations, initial plans, names noted.
Pakura remained silent until the end.
When everyone started leaving, the Kazekage spoke without looking at her directly.
"Pakura."
She stopped.
"I want you to observe. I know you get along with Daigo, so motivate him to keep improving. We need strong ninjas to continue helping Suna," the Kazekage said.
Pakura bowed her head.
"I will, Kazekage-sama."
She left the building, and the hot desert air enveloped her immediately.
As she walked, a clear idea formed in her mind.
If this generation is the key... then I must make sure to fulfill my role even more.
Far from there, in a training ground covered in cracked sand, Daigo opened his eyes after meditating.
He had no idea of everything that had happened. He just kept training as he always did—because no one else but him wanted to change Suna's future.
End of Chapter 14