Chapter 185: Chapter 185
Moreover, the heads of various major clans were also seated within. The atmosphere here was hardly comparable to Shisui's previous one-on-one meetings with Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Fortunately, aside from these prominent figures, Shisui discovered that there were quite a few deputies like himself present as well.
However, they all stood at the periphery; none had taken a seat. Therefore, Shisui simply chose to stand with them, dispelling his initial nervousness and awkwardness.
"It seems everyone is thinking along the same lines as me," Kaito noticed the situation and couldn't help but comment with a smile after taking his seat. His playful jab quickly elicited some amicable smiles in return.
Clearly, everyone had arrived at the same conclusion, making it not an awkward situation but rather a harmonious one.
Jiraiya and Tsunade, however, found nothing amusing about it. In fact, they genuinely wondered what there was to laugh about.
But neither of them voiced their thoughts, as doing so would serve no purpose.
After all, commenting randomly on matters they didn't fully grasp would only make them appear out of touch.
"Alright, everyone. Pleasantries aside, let's proceed with today's meeting," Jiraiya finally spoke once everyone had settled down. He then slowly scanned the room before continuing.
"I believe you're all aware of the situation concerning the Sarutobi, Mitokado, and Utatane clans, as well as Asuma's decisions.
This matter has far-reaching implications, so what are your thoughts?"
"Hokage-sama, quelling a rebellion is fundamentally a righteous deed. Asuma acted independently to spare Konoha any dishonor, which is commendable.
I believe this won't negatively impact Konoha, and similarly, Asuma, who acted for the greater good even against his own kin, should not face any punishment from Konoha, should he?"
"Of course, if all else fails, let him leave Konoha as a rogue ninja. That way, everyone is better off," said Kaito.
Kaito knew Jiraiya had no malice and had implicitly consented to the course of action. However, he couldn't help but feel irked when he recalled the night of the clan annihilation years ago.
So, quite happily, he brought up what the Third Hokage had intended or might have intended to do back then, effectively throwing Jiraiya a curveball.
Not just Jiraiya—Tsunade also gave Kaito a discreet look. After all, they had both seen the reports; they knew the original treatment plan for the Uchiha and Itachi Uchiha.
Kaito was basically using that old playbook to bluff them, and frustratingly, they couldn't refute it.
"Let's forget about the rogue ninja label. We don't need to go that far. Asuma staying would be better than him leaving," Tsunade interjected before Jiraiya could say anything. Jiraiya nodded in agreement.
"Of course, we naturally follow the Hokage's wishes," said Nara Shikaku.
He didn't want Kaito to be at odds with the Hokage. He knew why Kaito said what he did; after all, the Uchiha had genuinely suffered such injustice. Moreover, Shikaku spoke up to preempt any interference from the Hyuga. The situation might not be ideal, but Kaito had already cut these clans some slack.
Who knows what further awkwardness could arise if this were to continue?
"As for Asuma, we can offer covert support, which Tsunade has already done. However, it's not enough. We'll provide additional support, such as real-time intelligence. I believe Aburame and Inuzuka will not refuse.
Also, we need to send someone from the Barrier Team. Only then can we keep this matter discreet without causing too much disturbance.
The next issue is the Daimyo, which I believe is the focus of today's meeting. It will determine the success or failure of a series of future changes."
Shikaku's change of subject was rather successful. Kaito had no intention of dwelling further on the matter, and today Hyuga Hiashi was relatively quiet.
Kaito had noticed this early on. He could guess what was likely troubling Hiashi: probably some internal family matters.
Unschooled in the woes of others, who can speak to their goodness? What was bothering Hiashi was unknown to Kaito, nor did he have any interest in knowing.
Though they were both clan heads, each clan's situation was unique. Kaito couldn't impose his own logic on the Hyuga clan.
He didn't want to do so either, as that would undermine his own clan's core competitiveness.
He could certainly help out to repay some favors or exchange interests, but he wasn't so generous as to casually help others boost their core competitiveness.
"Exactly, the matter of the Daimyo is key," Kaito lightly tapped on the table. His gaze was already set on Jiraiya and Tsunade, and then he spoke in a somber tone.
"Hokage-sama, Lady Tsunade, are you aware of the incident involving the Shikaku's jonin in the capital of the Land of Fire?"
"We're aware of it through Asuma's report. The situation at the Daimyo's end is indeed complicated," Jiraiya said, while Tsunade nodded slightly, also aware of the matter.
"In that case, you both should be aware of our reform plans for Konoha," Kaito revealed a faint smile at this point. Knowing the situation with the Daimyo made things easier and saved him a lot of effort.
"Whether it's the welfare for ninja at all levels, reforms in ninja education, or subsidies for war-disabled ninjas—these all require a substantial amount of funding, and the Daimyo holds the purse strings. I dare ask you both, if the Daimyo were to harbor some ill intentions, especially when such characters have appeared around him, isn't this an extremely bad sign for us? It even forces us into making choices.
Therefore, we can't just sit idly. We're not the Hidden Sand Village; while fulfilling our duties, we must also enjoy our rights. To avoid appearing too aggressive, we can start with preliminary probes; then we can take action."
Here, Kaito paused ever so slightly, before adding, "Isn't the Hokage also concerned about the negative impact arising from Asuma's situation? This matter is easily manageable, by shifting the focus and impact. Doesn't the Daimyo offer us that foundation?"
Kaito was unaware that his plan and Danzo's were in such serendipitous alignment.
Shifting the focus isn't exactly a new trick in the shinobi world; for instance, the outbreak of the Third War was partly to divert attention.
As for how Rasa ascended, it was because the Third Kazekage disappeared, offering this ambitious individual the opportunity.
But can this guy really get the support of everyone upon taking the stage? That's undoubtedly a rhetorical question because the answer is an unequivocal no.
The internal factions of the Hidden Sand Village are diverse, and even in the era of Rasa, such factional divisions were extremely severe. Otherwise, there wouldn't be the situation where Rasa saved the whole village, yet hardly anyone in the village cared to retrieve him.
So, Kaito has always believed that Rasa ignited the Third War to forcibly consolidate the internal factions of the Hidden Sand, and to give the village better room for development.
Although the outcome was that the Hidden Sand lost many elite ninjas, and successive defeats made the Daimyo unwilling to allocate funds, for Rasa this was still a 'victorious' move. He successfully shifted the internal conflicts of the village.
Not only did he turn the pessimistic and angry emotions within the village into hatred for Konoha, but he also consolidated the power within the Hidden Sand, becoming the true, de facto Kazekage.
One has to say that this is the tragedy of the Hidden Sand Village, even the tragedy of the Land of Wind, but it is certainly not Rasa's personal tragedy.
Of course, perhaps this is Kaito speculating about Rasa with the greatest malice.
Kaito himself has no good feelings for this man. Not to mention, this son of a gun ignited the Third War, forcing Kaito into the war as well.
If not for his good fortune of being born a few years later, he might have really experienced the full package of war, perhaps even dying on the battlefield already.
Furthermore, Rasa's treatment of himself is quite ruthless; sparing neither parent nor child, this guy has no such scruples at all.
"Moreover, I've read many reports, and the evaluation of this guy is not good either, especially in terms of ability. He simply does not deserve to stand alongside the other Kages; even Chiyo's evaluation is far higher than his," Kaito said.
Kaito's idea of shifting the focus was passed without any surprises; after all, some things were already set. He simply offered a more rational, legal, and compliant veneer, while also allowing them to suppress the impact of one matter with another. Why wouldn't they go for it?
And there was nothing to fret over regarding who would execute it. The seven major clans each brought their own clan members to the meeting; the message was already abundantly clear.
Perhaps the only point up for discussion was who would serve as the team leader this time.
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