Naruto: The Hyuga Mastermind

Chapter 160: Sunagakure's Generational Crisis

In the center of the room stood a rectangular conference table made of fine wood, its polished surface reflecting the soft glow of the overhead lights.

Around the table sat several elders, all advanced in age.

At the head of the table sat an elder with snow-white hair, resembling frost on a mountaintop in winter.

He surveyed the room, noting the almost uniform age of the attendees, and sighed heavily. "Let's skip the formalities. Everyone, share your thoughts."

"What's there to say? Elder Ebizō, you've already sold out Sunagakure. Do we really need to offer opinions now?"

A bald elder scoffed, his words cutting and unreserved. "I'm sure you've already secured your spot as the daimyo's favorite by now."

Everyone present had previously opposed the abolition of the one-nation-one-village system, so there was no need to hold back.

"I understand your dissatisfaction with my dealings with the daimyo," Ebizō said with a resigned sigh. "But this decision wasn't mine alone. It was made after consulting my sister."

"W-What? Elder Chiyo supports this decision?"

The elders' expressions shifted dramatically at this revelation. Ebizō nodded gravely. "Yes, my sister sent me a letter from Konoha, advising that we step back for now. Do you really think continued resistance benefits Sunagakure in any way?"

"…"

Silence filled the room. Everyone present understood the dire straits Sunagakure was in.

The Fourth Kazekage had died under mysterious circumstances, leaving the village leaderless.

Each faction had its own agenda—some sought to merge Sunagakure into the Land of Wind entirely, others clung to the old system, and a few rogue shinobi had outright defected.

This was the most perilous moment in Sunagakure's history.

To make matters worse, there wasn't a single viable candidate to take up the mantle of Fifth Kazekage.

Ebizō sighed. "I've been retired for years, and my influence doesn't compare to my sister's. Few among the younger generation even know who I am, let alone respect me enough to follow my lead.

"My sister, meanwhile, has been retained in Konoha under the pretext of her role as ambassador. The daimyo has similarly refused to allow her return under the guise of maintaining diplomatic relations. As for the younger generation… you all know their situation."

If one word could describe Sunagakure's current state, it would be: depleted.

There was no one with enough strength or authority to take charge.

Even setting aside other requirements for the position of Kazekage, there wasn't a single ninja capable of commanding the respect of the entire village.

The most promising candidate was likely Baki, an upper-rank jōnin… but he was far from qualified to lead.

The village's generational crisis had reached its breaking point.

"We have no young talent to rely on. Rasa's triplets, who were meant to inherit the role of One-Tails' jinchūriki, haven't even been born yet. And among those of suitable age, not one can shoulder this responsibility. How pitiful… How did Sunagakure fall so low?"

"Many talented shinobi were lost in our efforts to find a suitable host for Shukaku. Even a few magnetic release users were among the casualties…"

Sunagakure's current predicament was largely due to its failed attempts to integrate Shukaku as a military asset. Countless excellent shinobi had perished trying to become its jinchūriki.

Hearing the lament of his peers, a bald elder sighed deeply. "Ebizō is right. We don't even have the capacity to stabilize Sunagakure, let alone oppose the daimyo."

At this moment, Elder Chiyo was undoubtedly the most qualified person to lead the village. However, with Konoha refusing to release her, even her defiance of the daimyo's orders wouldn't change the situation.

It was a natural reaction from the Land of Fire. After all, they had played a role in the death of the Fourth Kazekage, and their opportunism was to be expected.

"If only we hadn't turned a blind eye to Pakura's plight… perhaps things would have been different," the bald elder muttered, a tinge of regret in his voice. "She was in her prime. With more time, she could have surpassed Rasa."

His words echoed in the silent chamber, heavy with remorse and reflection.

The other elders fell into a contemplative silence, their minds swirling with memories and regrets.

Only Ebizō furrowed his brows, suspecting that Pakura's death might not have been as simple as it seemed. Yet he chose not to voice these thoughts, instead saying, "What's done is done. Let's focus on the present."

Just as the elders nodded in agreement, a shinobi burst into the chamber, dropping to one knee. "Elder Ebizō, the tea kettle sealing Shukaku has been stolen!"

Without a suitable jinchūriki, Shukaku had been sealed in a tea kettle.

"What did you say?"

Ebizō shot to his feet, his face darkening.

Before he could inquire further, a deafening roar shook the ground.

"HAHAHA! I'M FREE AT LAST!"

Hearing this familiar voice, Ebizō sighed inwardly.

Shukaku had been unleashed.

…

The release of Shukaku, Sunagakure's most prized weapon of war, shattered the fragile peace of the village.

The unsealing was accompanied by a thunderous roar as Shukaku's massive form emerged from a swirling cloud of sand.

The ground trembled beneath its weight.

Dark clouds rapidly gathered in the sky above, casting the village into an ominous gloom. The air filled with an overwhelming, oppressive chakra.

Shukaku exuded an aura of violence and destruction. Its sandy tail swept through the village, instantly reducing a cluster of houses to rubble. The resulting winds blew terrified residents into chaos, their panicked screams echoing far and wide.

"Help me!"

"No! My child!"

"HAHAHA! SUNAGAKURE, FEEL THE WRATH OF LORD SHUKAKU!"

As Shukaku rampaged through the village, its roars merged with the cries of despair, creating a scene of utter devastation.

Villagers scattered in terror, desperately seeking shelter from the chaos. Sand and debris filled the air, obscuring the streets in a haze of confusion.

Sunagakure's ninja quickly mobilized, attempting to regain control. But against Shukaku, they were woefully outmatched. Those who tried to confront it vanished in an instant.

The situation remained dire until the village's Anbu and upper-rank jōnin arrived.

"All jōnin, focus on containing Shukaku! Everyone else, evacuate the civilians! Move quickly!"

As more upper-rank jōnin joined the fray, the extent of Shukaku's destruction was gradually limited.

But without the Fourth Kazekage's gold dust to suppress the beast, Sunagakure found itself locked in a bitter struggle, lacking the power to deliver a decisive blow.

…

From the shadows, a spiraling vortex appeared.

Stepping out from it was none other than Uchiha Obito.

Obito had been in Sunagakure for some time.

With the current upheaval in the shinobi world and powerhouses emerging one after another, Obito had chosen this moment to act.

His target was Shukaku.

A mere tailed beast was something he could easily subdue and take away.

However, just as he prepared to execute his plan, two unexpected complications arose…

(End of Chapter)

To read an advance 200+ chapters

Support me at [email protected]/NahinS77

Change @ to a

Or go to that website and search