Inside the Kazekage Building.
Ebizo proposed using war to solve the Hidden Sand Village's problems.
After Ebizo made his proposal, the entire conference room fell silent.
Everyone looked at Ebizo in astonishment, including Chiyo.
After a moment of silence, Chiyo asked gravely, "Now the entire Ninja World is just one trigger away from full-scale war. If we initiate the war, it means we are that trigger. Can we... do it?"
The other high-ranking officials shared Chiyo's concerns. Everyone knew the situation of the Hidden Sand Village; it lacked money, and its Ninja numbers and quality couldn't compare to the other Four Great Ninja Villages.
Whoever initiated the war would face the greatest pressure first.
Everyone was worried that the Hidden Sand Village couldn't withstand this pressure.
Ebizo analyzed for everyone, "If we don't start a war, searching for the missing Third Kazekage will waste a lot of our manpower and resources. If this continues, our Village's situation will worsen, and even if a new Kazekage takes office, it will be difficult to change the situation.
Instead of letting this continue, it's better to take a gamble. We can use the Third Kazekage's disappearance as a reason to start a war, uniting everyone into a single force, no longer scattered like loose sand, because everyone will unite against external threats!
And the newly appointed Kazekage will not face dissatisfaction from the villagers. Everyone's goal will be consistent, so the villagers will definitely obey the new Kazekage's orders.
As for the pressure of starting a war, we can transfer it to other Ninja Villages to alleviate our own pressure, and that will solve the problem."
Chiyo pondered for a moment before saying, "Transfer it to other Ninja Villages... Konoha and Iwagakure?"
Ebizo nodded, "That's right, Konoha and Iwagakure. Although we don't know the exact situation with Konoha and Iwagakure, it's a fact that Konoha seized the Magnet Release Bloodline Limit Ninja that was supposed to go to Iwagakure. We might be able to use this to stir up conflict between Konoha and Iwagakure, forcing them to fight each other.
Our Village has reached a very critical moment. Conventional methods can no longer solve the Village's problems; we must take drastic measures. So, do you all agree with my proposal?"
Chiyo was the first to agree. The other Advisors carefully considered Ebizo's proposal and felt that this seemed to be the only option now, so they also agreed.
One of the Advisors asked, "Then, who is the candidate for the Fourth Kazekage?"
Ebizo replied, "Currently, there is only one candidate for the Fourth Kazekage: Rasa, a clansman and trusted aide of the Third Kazekage."
Chiyo agreed, "Indeed, only Rasa is capable of assuming the Kazekage position. Others are slightly inferior compared to Rasa."
After a show of hands, Rasa was designated as the new Kazekage.
Ebizo dispatched a Ninja to summon Rasa.
Rasa arrived at the conference room and, seeing all the high-ranking officials of the Hidden Sand Village present, already guessed what was happening.
After all, so many days had passed without finding the Third Kazekage, and the Hidden Sand Village's situation was deteriorating. A new Kazekage definitely needed to be chosen to lead the Hidden Sand Village.
Rasa wasn't boasting, but in the entire Hidden Sand Village, besides him, no one else could fill this position.
This was because the Third Kazekage had also been grooming Rasa for the Kazekage position.
In his leisure time, the Third Kazekage had repeatedly mentioned the deeds of various Ninja Villages to Rasa, giving Rasa a clear understanding of the entire Ninja World's structure.
Ebizo informed Rasa of the discussion's content.
Rasa's expression was very serious after hearing it.
Although his guess was correct, that he was called to become the Kazekage, he didn't expect to start as Kazekage directly in hell.
However, upon careful thought, the situation was indeed as Ebizo described.
After all, he wasn't succeeding to the Kazekage position in order; he was succeeding after the Third Kazekage's disappearance. There would definitely be some people who wouldn't accept him, hoping to find the Third Kazekage.
To solve this problem, Ebizo's proposal was indeed the most feasible: launch a war, focus everyone's attention externally, and no longer concern themselves with the missing Third Kazekage.
This way, there would be no disobedience to his orders.
Rasa promised, "With the Third Kazekage missing and the Village in a critical situation, I cannot shirk my responsibility. After I assume the Kazekage position, I will, as per the Advisors' wishes, prepare to launch a war upon taking office."
Ebizo nodded, "Then let's immediately announce your appointment as Kazekage after the meeting. Now, we should discuss what reason to use to launch the war."
Everyone discussed for a while and came up with several plans, but couldn't agree on a single one.
At this point, Rasa proposed, "Since we want to provoke conflict between Iwagakure and Konoha, forcing them to fight, let's start with Iwagakure. Last time, Iwagakure sent a batch of military supplies, wanting to ally with our Village to attack Konoha. The Third Kazekage accepted the supplies but didn't ally with Iwagakure. Ōnoki has been sending messages to the Third Kazekage, asking him to return the supplies.
We can use this as a reason, fabricate some evidence, and declare that Iwagakure is the prime suspect in the Third Kazekage's disappearance, directly declaring war on Iwagakure.
After the war begins, we will spread rumors, saying that Konoha seized the Magnet Release Bloodline Limit Ninja that was supposed to go to Iwagakure. Because of this, Ōnoki of Iwagakure wanted to ally with the Hidden Sand Village to attack Konoha. Konoha then harbored resentment towards Iwagakure and, to retaliate against Iwagakure, attacked the Third Kazekage and framed Iwagakure.
As long as the rumors spread smoothly, we can tell Ōnoki that it was a misunderstanding, that we fell into Konoha's trap, and since the war has already begun, Ōnoki will surely understand that fighting us to the death is useless. It would be better to attack Konoha with us.
After attacking Konoha with Iwagakure, we Sunagakure Ninja will slowly withdraw, letting them continue to fight. We can then observe from the sidelines, looking for suitable opportunities to seize resources."
After discussion by Ebizo and others, Rasa's proposal was approved.
After all, the barefoot aren't afraid of the shoed. It made no sense for Ōnoki to fight them to the death. Given Ōnoki's personality, he would never do anything without benefit, but he would definitely do anything with benefit, and attacking Konoha had benefits.
Therefore, Rasa's plan had no major issues in its general direction. As long as there was a suitable reason to start the war and the general direction was controlled, some detailed issues could be gradually supplemented and corrected later.
After the meeting, Chiyo, Ebizo, and a group of high-ranking officials gathered the villagers within the Hidden Sand Village and officially announced the disappearance of the Third Kazekage, simultaneously announcing Rasa's appointment as the Fourth Kazekage and that he would thoroughly investigate the Third Kazekage's disappearance.