A Sage's Pursuit of Power

"Aoba-dono, we all understand one thing clearly: Konoha's reforms were achieved under your leadership. Everyone else merely carried out your vision. That's why we need your help."

Mei Terumi didn't yet have the commanding presence of the Mizukage she would later become, but her natural charm as a mature woman was already beginning to show.

Her loyalty to Kirigakure was unwavering. Even now, in such dire straits, she was doing everything she could to save her village, even going so far as to approach Aoba for assistance.

"Then why don't you tell me. What do you, or rather, what do your people want?"

Aoba's straightforwardness made Mei pause. They indeed wanted Konoha's help, but rebuilding Kirigakure would take far more than mere words.

Moreover, what they needed wasn't just material resources. In truth, what Kirigakure needed most at this moment was political and military protection.

The recent war had left Iwagakure relatively unscathed, with only minor losses. Kumogakure, however, had suffered significant damage. Not only losing their advance forces but also the whereabouts of their Eight-Tails Jinchūriki remained unknown. Kumogakure was now negotiating with Konoha, hoping to recover the Eight-Tails, but the matter was still deadlocked.

As for Konoha, the biggest winner of the war, they were in no rush. They now stood unchallenged atop the ninja world. Kirigakure, however, was in a dismal state.

By Mei Terumi's estimation, Kirigakure was now weaker than even the likes of Kusagakure.

Years of the Blood Mist era, followed by civil war, the death of the Mizukage, and the loss of their Tailed Beast had drained the village of its most valuable resources. Kirigakure had now been reduced to a second-rate, or even a third-rate village.

In such circumstances, rebuilding was easier said than done. Would the small villages Kirigakure had oppressed and exploited over the years simply let them rise again?

Would Kumogakure, still nursing fresh wounds, sit idly by? What about Iwagakure, always eager to seize opportunities for gain?

Kirigakure might have fallen, but the ninja techniques, forbidden jutsu, and other resources stored in the village were still there. These were like a slab of meat, releasing a tantalizing aroma to all those around.

Mei Terumi couldn't even begin to imagine what would happen if things continued this way. The likely outcome was that Kirigakure would become the next Land of Whirlpools.

"We need Konoha's protection to rebuild Kirigakure. In return, we are willing to sign a military alliance treaty, similar to the one Suna has with Konoha."

Translated, this essentially meant: "We're willing to be your subordinates, but you have to protect us."

"Heh, interesting. Mei Terumi, take a look at this."

Aoba handed a document to Mei, who froze the moment she read it.

"..."

The document was an official communique from Kirigakure, formally requesting to reestablish diplomatic relations with Konoha.

Clearly, even among the remnants of Kirigakure, there were sharp minds who understood their precarious situation. They realized that clinging tightly to the strongest force in the ninja world was their only chance for survival. However, this made Mei's earlier proposal seem somewhat absurd.

After all, her words were unsupported, while the Kirigakure leadership had sent official documents.

"You see, I'm a bit confused now. Who exactly represents Kirigakure, you or them?" Aoba asked with a teasing tone, leaving Mei in near despair.

But then, she realized something. Aoba hadn't outright rejected her, which meant there was still a chance. However, it was clear that he wanted more.

"Aoba Kamikawa, what do you want?"

This time, it was Mei who asked the question.

"Heh, that depends on what you can offer, Mei Terumi. Before all this happened, did you ever think Kirigakure would fall to this point? Or that the ninja world would become what it is today?"

Aoba didn't give her time to respond. After posing his questions, he turned and left, leaving a deeply contemplative Mei behind.

Mei Terumi wasn't unintelligent, she wouldn't have risen to Mizukage in the original timeline otherwise. After some thought, she began to understand Aoba's intentions.

"What's that guy even trying to say? Is he helping us or not?" one of her followers asked, exasperated.

Most of them couldn't decipher Aoba's meaning, but Mei Terumi had already started piecing it together. Unfortunately, she didn't like the conclusion she was coming to.

....

Hokage's Office

Aoba was sharing drinks with Tsunade. She had been in high spirits lately and often roped Aoba into drinking sessions.

With Shizune now romantically entangled with Kakashi and no longer around to restrain her, Tsunade had become even more uninhibited.

"Wow, I thought you'd just devour those Kirigakure folks whole, skin and all. I didn't expect you to be so patient, that's not like you," Tsunade quipped, eyeing Aoba with suspicion. Given his track record, she had every reason to suspect he might have certain intentions toward Mei Terumi.

"Don't think of me so crudely. I genuinely admire people who are willing to risk everything to save their homeland. That's why I'm giving them time to think carefully," Aoba replied.

"Heh, your version of 'time to think' is just making them face the harsh truth themselves, isn't it? Isn't that even crueler?"

"But it makes them more likely to accept it. The fall of Kirigakure is inevitable. In fact, it's not just Kirigakure, every shinobi village outside of Konoha will eventually face inevitable decline and even disappearance."

That was Aoba's ultimate vision.

He had no intention of eradicating the shinobi profession, but he did plan to dismantle the shinobi village system. It was a necessary step to unify the ninja world's power.

This process would be long and fraught with wars and bloodshed. But with his schemes and efforts, it had already become an unstoppable trend in history.

"So what you're saying is, as long as I remain Hokage, I'll eventually become the first Hokage to unify the Five Great Nations?" Tsunade leaned over, straddling Aoba's lap, and whispered in his ear, bottle in hand.

"According to my plans, yes."

"Is that so? Then I'm curious, why are you unwilling to become Hokage yourself? Right now, if you wanted to, no one could stop you from taking the position."

"There's no special reason. It just seems like a hassle."

"Really? I thought you just liked playing games with the Hokage. I've heard that women with certain... unique statuses make men more excited. Could that be the reason?"

Tsunade, having had a bit too much to drink, was being as blunt as ever. Aoba, unbothered, silenced her with a kiss.

"Wait, there's news from the diplomatic department. Onoki is almost here, he wants to meet with us personally."

"Let him wait," Aoba replied impatiently before pushing Tsunade onto the floor.

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Currently on Chapter 242 - Aoba's Plan for Sasuke's Rinnegan