Naruto: Did i Just Get Reincarnated as Gojo?

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Evacuating citizens from another village was a diplomatic move, typically employed when relations soured or the other village's internal situation became unstable.

"Sunagakure's new Kazekage wouldn't harm Konoha's citizens or its ambassador," Gojo Kaigetsu said, shaking his head. "That would be a direct insult to Konoha."

"And besides, our trade agreement benefits Sunagakure immensely. Even if their leadership is now—less than ideal, they can't afford to jeopardize that."

A village was driven by its interests. Even a Kazekage who seized power through force had to consider—public opinion.

Why had the Thirty-Two sided with Baki? Because Kosaka Kaoru's policies threatened their income.

For example, the village's military budget. Those in charge of weapons procurement could—skim a significant portion. And the merchants, the smaller clans, they all had to—pay their respects.

But with Kosaka Kaoru in charge, the military budget would be slashed, the funds diverted to—sailboat hotels. Their influence, their status—it would all diminish.

Threatening their income was like—killing their parents.

"Ninja spirit," "loyalty"—it was all about money, about power, about influence within the Kazekage Tower.

They'd supported Baki to protect their own interests.

But—their ambitions also depended on Sunagakure's prosperity.

If they severed ties with Konoha, their income would plummet.

The puppet makers, for instance. They relied on Konoha for wood. The trade agreement had halved their material costs.

They hadn't supported Baki to—destroy their livelihoods.

They wanted a better life, more power, not—poverty.

They'd turn on Baki the moment he threatened their income.

Attacking Konoha? Perhaps—eventually. But not until Konoha's benefits were no longer—sufficient.

Until then, Baki would have to—maintain the facade, gradually reducing Suna's reliance on Konoha, minimizing the cost of a future war.

After all, war was about—redistributing resources.

"I predict—under Baki's leadership, Sunagakure will—implode. The conflict between the Kazekage Tower and the villagers will intensify. Protests demanding a return to Rasa's policies, a restoration of trade with Konoha—Baki will be forced to implement martial law, suppressing dissent. And that—will only fuel the flames of rebellion. Eventually—civil war. And then—Konoha intervenes."

Gojo Kaigetsu's—predictions left Minato speechless.

"Will—will that really happen?"

"Absolutely."

The only lesson the ninja world learned from history was that it learned nothing.

And if the ninja world didn't have such a history? Well, Gojo Kaigetsu did.

"But how will Konoha justify intervening? Even if Sunagakure's villagers and ninja desire closer ties with Konoha, they wouldn't accept our—rule, would they? Should we use the same pretext as the Kirigakure operation?"

"Sunagakure is different from Kirigakure. Kirigakure's clans are powerful, isolationist. Their caste system is deeply entrenched. They're more loyal to the elders than to the Mizukage. The Mizukage is just—a figurehead."

"But Sunagakure's clans aren't that powerful. Even Chiyo and Ebizo only hold sway when the Kazekage is—incapacitated. The Kazekage sets the village's direction. Ever since the Second Kazekage's military reforms, the Kazekage's authority has been absolute. The villagers and ninja are loyal to the Kazekage. The title isn't just about—strength. Look at how much effort Baki put into—legitimizing his coup."

Minato nodded thoughtfully. He was starting to understand.

Suddenly, his eyes widened. "You're talking about—Rasa's daughter, Temari?!"

Rasa had been a popular Kazekage. He'd led Sunagakure through war and peace, bringing prosperity to the village.

And his daughter—Temari, the "Princess of Suna." A young girl, her appearance unlike the typical—weather-beaten Suna villager. And a talented kunoichi, her reputation spreading even at her young age. Whether it was natural talent, or Rasa's influence—she had potential.

Bringing Temari back—it would be seen as a—restoration of order.

"Temari's still too young. She can't be Kazekage until she's fifteen. That's—ten years away."

"Then—Pakura."

"A Sixth Kazekage, a Seventh—I've already planned it all out," Gojo Kaigetsu said. "Pakura has the strength and the reputation. She's a hero of Suna. Leading Konoha's forces to—restore order—the villagers would welcome her."

"And then—Sunagakure will be Konoha's. My will will be her will."

"As for Temari—raised in Konoha for ten years, returning at fifteen—whose side will she truly be on?"

"We can start—building her reputation. The newly formed Otogakure—it's a perfect training ground. We'll send Temari and a few promising academy students there."

Minato's heart sank.

He remembered that day…

Baki, a Sunagakure elite Jonin, had come to Konoha, offering Pakura's life as a peace offering.

He'd wanted to—kill her. He'd even urged Gojo Kaigetsu not to be swayed by her—appearance. A kunoichi, first and foremost, was a ninja.

But Gojo Kaigetsu had stopped him. Taming an elite Jonin was far more valuable than killing one.

And now—it seemed Gojo Kaigetsu had succeeded.

He'd—taken Pakura as a—pet. She'd even joined the Avengers.

If he'd killed her, they'd have gained nothing. But a tamed Pakura, loyal to Konoha, returning to Sunagakure as the Sixth Kazekage—it was a strategic victory.

"Kaigetsu-kun—did you—plan all this—back then?"

"How far ahead—are you thinking?!" Minato was stunned. And the chakra metal mines—Sunagakure's merchants were already accustomed to trading with Konoha, using Land of Fire currency.

"Don't worry, Minato. I'm just—playing a long game." Gojo Kaigetsu smiled enigmatically, draining his teacup. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to—deliver some—unfortunate news to young Temari."

…

…

Ninja Academy.

The turmoil of the ninja world hadn't reached this peaceful haven. Sunagakure's coup had happened the previous night; the news wouldn't reach the general public for hours.

Temari, however, felt—unsettled.

She kept glancing out the window.

She'd—overdone it. Spent a bit too much. Of the hundred million ryō her father had given her, only—ninety-something million remained.

She'd spent the entire weekend dragging Izumi Uchiha to the new commercial district, declaring, "Izumi, we're rich! Buy whatever you want!"

Izumi's parents, having abandoned the ninja life for business, were—comfortably well-off. And Temari's father, Rasa, was a—gold miner.

They weren't exactly poor.

But Konoha's new commercial district, under Gojo Kaigetsu's guidance, catered to every budget.

And there were still things they couldn't usually afford.

Unlimited coffee and chocolate, for instance. Or imported seafood.

The experience, the envious glances—it was worth the price.

Temari, a true Konoha enthusiast, had indulged.

But now, back at the Academy, she was starting to—panic.

She didn't know how much the second exchange program would cost.

What if it was—exactly one hundred million?

Ask her father? He'd—kill her. Borrow from Izumi? No, that would be—humiliating. Ask—Advisor Gojo?

He seemed—approachable. And her father had mentioned—something about—a connection.

But Gojo Kaigetsu was the Academy's Principal. Borrowing money from him to pay for—Academy tuition? It seemed—odd.

"Temari~ Advisor Gojo wants to see you~" Izumi Uchiha's voice startled her.

"Advisor Gojo? Now?"

"He asked me to tell you. He's in his office."

"The Principal's office? I'll go right away."

Temari made her way to the Principal's office and knocked.

"Enter!"

Gojo Kaigetsu sat at his desk, his hands steepled, his blindfold—gleaming.

He seemed—imposing, almost—divine.

Like—a miniature Hokage Rock.

Temari quickly dismissed the thought. Being crushed by the Hokage Rock—that wouldn't be pleasant.

"Advisor Gojo, you—wanted to see me?"

"Temari—there's something—I need to tell you." He seemed—hesitant.

Temari's heart sank. This couldn't be good.

He was the Principal, she was a student. And—bad news. Had her father and Advisor Gojo had a falling out? Was she being sent back to Suna?

"I—shouldn't burden you with this, Temari. You should be focusing on your studies. But—at the ceremony, Rasa and I—we—connected. We're practically—brothers. Which makes me—your uncle."

"Before he—left, he asked me to—look after you."

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