Hey guys, here is the new chapter hope you will liked and read thru everything.
Now that Daigo is Kazekage, he must start mobilizing his ninjas to improve the village.
I have a few ideas to boost the village's economy and overall strength, but I'm sure you have even better ones I could use. Don't hesitate to share them so I can keep them in mind and put them into action if they make sense and work well.
If we hit 250 PW I post a extra chapter
2 new review I post a extra chapter
Don't forget to leave your power stones along with your comment if you have any ideas or opinions that could help me, as well as a review to continue showing your support.
Enjoy the chapter!
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The morning light in Sunagakure carried an orange hue that made everything feel warm.
Exactly four days had passed since Daigo was named the Fourth Kazekage. Those four days were filled with a village in celebration, preparing for the new changes.
However, it hadn't been as perfect as Daigo had imagined. After his kiss with Pakura, his body finally gave out.
Though he tried to act tough, the bill for using the Sixth Breath and the severe burns finally came due, forcing him into a hospital bed.
He spent two days under intensive care where he improved significantly, though the doctors warned he would need at least a week to be in perfect condition.
Now, in his private room within the Kazekage Tower, Daigo stood before the mirror. He was alone or so he thought. With deliberate care, he began to unroll the bandages covering his right arm, part of his torso, and sections of his neck and face.
The sound of fabric brushing against burned skin was the only thing breaking the silence.
As the bandages fell away, he saw the result of the chakra explosion he had triggered at point-blank range.
Although his skin was clean and healing, large scars remained permanent marks that Daigo didn't mind. They climbed from his chest, over his shoulder and neck, finally reaching his jawline.
They made him look rugged. Running his fingers over the scarred tissue, he felt a sense of pride. These marks were a map of his victory over Rasa and the price he paid for the hat that now rested on the nearby table.
However, the pain was still there a constant throb reminding him that the Sixth Breath of the Seven Heavens had left his chakra pathways in a state of extreme stress.
"If you keep removing those bandages yourself, you'll only delay the tissue regeneration," a voice said from the doorway.
Daigo didn't need to turn. The scent of flowers and a faint, warm presence told him it was Pakura. She entered, closing the door behind her, carrying a tray of fresh ointments.
Without asking permission, she began to apply a green paste over the irritated areas of his chest and the rest of his burns.
"The Council meeting is in one hour," she continued, focused on her task. "And here you are, staring at yourself in the mirror like you're modeling."
Daigo could only smile before turning to look at her. "I have to take care of this body. Besides... do you like what you see?" Daigo let out a hiss of pain when Pakura intentionally pressed down on one of his wounds.
"You deserve that. I assume you already have a plan for what you want to say at the meeting, right?" Pakura asked.
"Yes. Today I start putting new things into motion. Also, I need a favor from you, Ura-chan," Daigo said.
"Tell me. If it's in my power, I'll do it," Pakura replied, blushing slightly.
"I need to remove some of these 'fossils' from the Council and bring in younger people with new ideas and the drive to improve the village.
I don't know many of them, but I know Rasa does. I need you to go to him and have him help you identify the right candidates," Daigo explained.
"I see. Interesting. I agree with those fossils on the Council, your movements will be restricted. With minds open to new things, you can do what you want. Leave it to me."
An hour later, Daigo entered the Grand Council Room of the Kazekage Tower. The atmosphere was thick with expectation, incense smoke, and the smell of old parchment.
Chiyo and Ebizō sat at the ends of the table, flanked by the village's most important merchant leaders and the most conservative elders.
Upon seeing Daigo enter, everyone stood. He was no longer the "prodigy"; he was the supreme authority.
Daigo took his seat at the head of the table and unfurled an economic map he had been drafting during his sleepless nights in the hospital.
"Thank you all for being here. Let's begin the first meeting of my mandate," Daigo said, looking at everyone.
"First, we will speak about reality. Our economy is a disaster held together by inertia. We have four main pillars, and three of them are failing."
He pointed to the first mark: The Underground Trade.
"The tunnels are our biggest source of income, but there is a problem: we don't have enough materials that people are actually interested in. What we get from the tunnels is more about travel fees than actual commerce."
He pointed to the second: The Daimyō's Aid.
"The Feudal Lord of Wind sees us as a burden, which is why the funding he sends decreases every time. I will have a meeting with him soon to change that; I believe I can secure his total support."
"Lastly, we have unique minerals and medicinal plants that only grow in the extreme heat of our dunes. But the global economy ignores us. Why? Because transport across the desert is too expensive.
Other countries can get similar materials in the Land of Earth or Lightning. It might be slightly more expensive at the source, but it's ten times easier to transport than crossing our sand deserts. They'd rather pay double to a Konoha merchant than risk an entire caravan in our dunes."
An elder cleared his throat, adjusting his glasses. "Lord Kazekage, what you say is true, but it's a struggle we've faced for decades. What is your proposal? Increase taxes? Raid the borders?"
Daigo simply shook his head. "No. My proposal is to change the value of what we export. We won't sell the plant; we will sell the finished medicine. We won't sell the mineral; we will sell the tool. But for that, we need the most important pillar of all: Human Capital."
One of the merchants seemed interested, raising his hand. Daigo gestured for him to speak.
"Thank you, Kazekage-sama. I see a good way to improve revenue in your idea, but where will we get the labor to create all these tools, medicines, and other goods?"
"Your name is Bobby, right?" Daigo asked. Bobby nodded.
"A very good question. My plan is to hire anyone who wants to work. We will pay a salary not as high as a ninja's, but enough to live stably. This will help many civilians who currently have no significant income."
Ebizō nodded from his seat but raised his hand to speak. "Kazekage-sama, I understand the idea, but the reason this hasn't been tried before is because we don't have enough money to sustain those salaries. We barely survive while paying our shinobi."
At these words, other advisors and merchants began to chime in until Daigo coughed, regaining everyone's attention.
"That is true. But there are people here who have more than enough money to pay these workers. Bobby, Ony, Koji, Erek, Astor... I was recently looking at the village records and noticed that you all make quite a lot of money, yet you only give a tiny percentage back to the village. Why is that?"
The five men felt the eyes of the room on them and could only swallowed hard before speaking.
"Kazekage-sama, when I arrived in Sunagakure with my business ideas, that was the contract I made with the Third. That is why only 5% of my profits go to the village," Bobby said.
The others gave similar excuses. The room realized that if these percentages were raised from 5% or 10% to 40% or 50%, the village would be wealthy not crazy but enough to change things.
"I see. However, those contracts will change when this meeting ends. Make sure to schedule an appointment at my office. Don't be scared it's something that will benefit you as well," Daigo said, causing the mentioned men to nod, looking slightly more relaxed.
Daigo stood up and walked around the room before introducing the second topic.
"Before coming here I've been thinking about what makes Konoha and the other village great, and after a long time I get it it's their Medical Division. I believe Chiyo can explain this better than anyone."
Chiyo nodded. "That is correct, Kazekage-sama. During my most active years in the war, my poisons would have caused irreparable damage to Konoha or any other village if it weren't for their medical division.
Many of my poisons were easily countered with antidotes, diminishing my power on the battlefield."
"Exactly. That is why, as of today, we decree the creation of the Sunagakure Medical Research and Development Department.
My goal is that every ninja squad that leaves these walls, without exception, includes at least one trained medical ninja."
The room erupted in murmurs. Chiyo arched an eyebrow.
"Do you know how much it costs to train a medic, Kazekage? And more importantly, we don't have someone with Tsunade's knowledge to lead this."
"I know. I've already thought of that," Daigo replied calmly.
"I have my elephant summons. My friend Iron taught me medical jutsu. I will speak with him to see if he can help us with this project. So yes, we do have someone who can train the next generation of Suna medics."
With Daigo's plan and his proof of feasibility, the others agreed especially Chiyo, who accepted the task of leading a portion of the project.
The meeting was set to continue, but the door burst open. An ANBU wearing a jackal mask entered and knelt before Daigo, whispering three short sentences.
Daigo's face tensed. For a split second, the air in the room vibrated with pink static.
"The meeting is over for today," Daigo declared. "Chiyo, Ebizō, handle the formalizing of the medical budget. We will see the economic details tomorrow."
Before anyone could respond, Daigo disappeared in a Shunshin of crystal sparks.
He reappeared in the intensive care hallway of the hospital. Sasori and Pakura were already there.
"Is it true?" Daigo asked, catching his breath.
Pakura nodded. "He woke up twenty minutes ago. The doctors say it's a miracle, but he'll have to stay here for a long time."
Daigo nodding his head entered the room.
The smell of disinfectant was overwhelming. In the bed sat Baki. His body was thinner, but he still looked like a shinobi. However, his eyes were different. The sharp determination Baki once had was replaced by a fog of confusion.
"Baki?" Daigo called softly.
The man in the bed turned his head mechanically. He looked at Daigo, his eyes lingering on the Kazekage hat at Daigo's waist and the scars on his face.
"Who... who are you?" Baki asked, his voice sounding like sand blowing in the wind.
"Where am I? Why are you calling me that?"
Daigo froze. He had expected physical side effects, but total memory loss was a blow he hadn't prepared for.
"I'm Daigo," he replied, keeping his voice steady. "Your teammate. Your friend. You are in Sunagakure, your home."
Baki frowned. "Suna... Daigo... I don't remember anything. I feel like I should know you, but my mind is a blank."
Daigo looking for answer look at the doctors who shook their heads, indicating that the brain trauma from the failed mission had been too severe.
Daigo clenched his fists, but looking at Baki, his heart softened. It didn't matter if he was a ninja again or not. His friend was alive.
"Don't worry about it for now, Baki," Daigo said with a sad but comforting smile. "It doesn't matter that you don't remember today. I am the Kazekage now, and I promise you won't lack for anything. The village will take care of your medical expenses, your rehab, and your safety. You are safe here."
Baki nodded with a shyness that didn't fit the warrior he used to be, and soon exhaustion took him back into a deep sleep.
Daigo walked out to the balcony with Pakura and Sasori.
"It's a bittersweet victory, isn't it?" Pakura said, taking Daigo's hand in support.
"It is," he admitted, watching the sun set.
"I wouldn't give him up for lost, Daigo. You're forgetting we have a Yamanaka in our hands," Sasori said, making both of them look at him with hope.
"You think he can help?" Daigo asked.
"Right now, no. But I think what he has is a mental block from the battle. Give me some time, and I think I can bring Baki back," Sasori said.
"Alright... just don't turn him into a puppet," Daigo joked with a small smile.
Pakura and Sasori both shook their heads at Daigo's poorly timed humor, but the tension had finally broken.
End of Chapter