The tailed beasts had already become synonymous with world-shaking destruction in the hearts of most ninja.
The older generation of ninjas in Suna still remembered the chaos and devastation caused before the One-Tail was sealed into a host.
Now it wasn't just the Nine-Tails or the Three-Tails. A group of colossal summoning beasts, each a terrifying weapon of war, had appeared. Even though the Suna ninjas knew the Nine-Tails was stronger than the One-Tail, they still deeply feared those summoning beasts.
But it wasn't that they had no courage to fight them! Now... now what were they supposed to do?
Above them flew a chakra giant even more massive and terrifying than the tailed beasts.
It was at least a thousand meters tall. A wooden giant stood just outside the village, seemingly able to obliterate Suna in an instant.
How could humans possibly resist such a thing?
Chiyo staggered, her vision darkening.
It was only when she saw the giant standing outside the village that she fully understood the terror Sajin must have felt when he returned from the front lines.
Pakura caught the fainting Chiyo, face grim, and spoke urgently.
"Suna still needs you. You absolutely can't fall now!"
Pulled back from the brink of fainting, Chiyo felt a wave of sorrow rise in her heart.
Need her? What did Suna need her for? To sign a surrender agreement? To agree to Konoha's terms of annexation?
"Stay strong. The Kazekage isn't here. You are now the pillar all of us Suna ninja rely on." Ebizō supported Chiyo's other arm.
His aged face was filled with bitterness and grief. He knew clearly that since the Konoha ninja had brought such terrifying forces, if they didn't achieve a satisfactory result today, it could be the day Suna perished.
"I… understand." Chiyo's gaze swept over the high-ranking members of Suna, all staring at her.
Unease, panic, fear, resentment, regret… All these emotions converged upon her.
She had overruled the selection of the Fourth Kazekage. She had taken control of Suna's current leadership. It was she who, ignoring opposition, had led the negotiations with Kiri and supported the joint offensive with Iwa against Konoha.
Everything Suna faced today… Perhaps it was all because of her! How could she have the face to faint now and push her responsibilities onto someone else?
Her clouded eyes reddened slightly as she forced herself to stand straight. Facing the diverse expressions around her, she freed herself from Pakura and Ebizō's support, walking to the forefront of the Kazekage building. Gazing into the sand-filled sky, she seemed to be speaking both to herself and to everyone.
"Reto-sama founded Suna, allowing us to survive in this land of endless sand. Shamon-sama led us to conquer the desert storms, strengthening our military and elevating us to one of the Five Great Ninja Villages…"
"We are the children of the sand, born in wind and dust! On this barren land, we have always struggled—with the heavens, with the earth, with others. Because we fight, we survive!"
"Show the pride of Suna ninja! We are born with the courage and perseverance to fight against fate!"
She stood tall, as though gathering all her courage. She suddenly turned, her eyes bloodshot, looking at everyone coldly and spoke harshly.
"Send the order to stop the alarms! All ninjas in the village, prepare for maximum battle readiness!"
"If Konoha came for peace, we are willing to build peace with them. If they seek to enslave us, they must first step over our corpses! All Suna ninjas, be ready to fight Konoha to the death at any moment!"
Perhaps it was her words that stirred them, or perhaps they had finally heard the answer they long awaited.
The high-ranking members immediately sprang into action.
The harsh alarm stopped.
The Suna ninjas, who had been panicking, began preparing for a life-or-death battle amidst the shouts and orders.
"Pakura…" Chiyo looked at Pakura beside her with a complex expression.
Pakura turned in confusion, not understanding why Chiyo was calling her now.
"You go to the Ninja Academy and take Class A's children to the deepest tunnel of the shelter. That's where most of Suna's legacy is stored. If war breaks out, lead them away. Preserve the final seed of Suna."
"Go. Everything before was my fault. I misunderstood you." Chiyo's face wore a kind and gentle smile as she lightly pushed the stunned Pakura.
Pakura leapt from the Kazekage Building and sped toward the Ninja Academy. As she glanced back, her face was full of determination and unwillingness, but inwardly she sneered coldly.
That damned old hag—at a time , she still wanted to test her?
Telling her to flee with the children if war broke out?
Did Chiyo really think she hadn't heard the true meaning behind her earlier words about "if Konoha came for peace"?
Konoha's ultimate goal had already been clearly relayed when Sajin returned from the front lines with his report.
Suna's higher-ups had discussed it countless times. Otherwise, why had they acted so quickly just now?
Right now, Suna could only present a tough front, hoping to prevent Konoha's terms from being too harsh.
She was almost certain—once the negotiations ended, it would be time for her to ascend to the position of Kazekage.
The position of Kazekage… She had long wanted it—so what now?
Why wasn't she excited anymore?
At a time , can't you just use your Mind Body Transmission Technique?
Pakura glanced toward the giant to the south of Suna. With her eyesight, she could just barely make out a tiny black dot atop the massive figure—no bigger than a grain of rice.
A familiar mental link connected.
The next moment, Kei's voice echoed in her mind.
If I don't become Kazekage, what job are you planning to give me?
Foot massages? Back rubs?
I diot! I'm not joking with you!
Seriously, you have zero sense of humor. What's wrong? Why don't you want to be Kazekage anymore?
Pakura fell silent for a moment, then finally replied with deep exhaustion and disappointment in her voice.
She was conflicted—deeply loving the village she'd grown up in, yet hating the prejudice and unfair treatment from its leadership.
The village merger couldn't happen without Chiyo's support. Even after the merger, to keep Suna's ninjas obedient and under control, Chiyo's endorsement would still be needed.
Konoha wouldn't kill Chiyo, and she… she couldn't seem to make up her mind either.
Sentimental weakness?
But if she couldn't make up her mind, then even if she became Kazekage, she'd just be a puppet Chiyo put out front.
She'd still be stuck in a whirlpool of conflict.
What was the point of that?
Just do your Kazekage thing well. Chiyo has already made her decision. She… hmm, probably counts as a Suna elder with true backbone…
Kei's voice, laced with emotion, reached her mind.
Pakura wasn't stupid.
She froze only for an instant before immediately realizing the meaning behind Kei's words. She stopped abruptly and turned to look at the top of the Kazekage building.
There, Chiyo still stood, overlooking the battlefield within Suna.
Even from so far away, she could still feel the love and tenderness radiating from the old woman's figure…