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Chapter 158 - Chapter: 156

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Seven full years of uninterrupted development and absolute structural reforms had transformed Sunagakure into a powerhouse that defied the logic of the shinobi world. What in the past was an arid and impoverished wasteland, condemned to misery by the Feudal Lord's budget cuts and the violence of the desert, today stood as the most imposing, modern, and impenetrable metropolis of the elemental nations.

Under the immense dome of reinforced glass designed by Daigo and Sunagakure, the village breathed a golden peace. The constant temperature, the fluid trade, and the abundance of resources had rewritten Suna's history. However, behind that facade of economic prosperity, the true pillar holding Sunagakure together was its renewed, terrifying, and highly efficient military and industrial machine.

At the top of the Kazekage's tower, Daigo contemplated the village skyline through the windows of his office. He wore his Kazekage robes, well accustomed to them by now, but in a refined design with fresh new shades of dark green and white. At 28 years old, his posture conveyed the absolute serenity of a leader who had changed the destiny of an entire nation, though his pink eye and his glass eye seemed to hold a far greater maturity than before.

His facial features had hardened, and it could be said he was in his prime, his wild ash-gray hair falling over his back as usual alongside the patch over his right eye.

The office door opened without making the slightest sound. Three figures of immense power within the village structure entered the room, taking their seats in front of the Kazekage's desk.

On the left sat Rasa. At 35 years old, he wore the dark uniform of the elite division, covered by a high-waisted gray cloak. In his role as Anbu Commander, his work focused purely on internal security and espionage. Rasa had become the most loyal shadow of Daigo and Sunagakure, using his detection abilities and magnetic control to eradicate any threat before it could touch the village.

On the right was Sasori. The legendary puppet master now held the position of Chief Advisor to Daigo and Supreme Leader of Suna's Puppet Corps at 26 years old. He wore a red silk robe over traditional garments. Sasori not only advised the Kazekage on strategy and technology, but had also revolutionized the puppet corps, transforming it into an army of precision mechanical artillery.

Finally, beside them stood the imposing figure of Kisame Hoshigaki. The former Swordsman of the Mist wore Suna combat gear adapted to his massive build, with the village forehead protector proudly engraved on his brow.

At 28 years old, Kisame led the most feared military unit in the village: the 7 Espadas of the sand, the name Daigo had given to the reformed elite execution unit. Brandishing Samehada on his back, Kisame was the bastion of brute strength and unconditional loyalty who would set out on the toughest missions to defend the village.

"Good to see the three of you again, though we have work to do. Security reports," Daigo indicated, turning around to face them directly and crossing his arms.

"Likewise, Daigo. Well, I'll start. The northern and western borders are completely covered," Rasa declared in a firm voice. "My Anbu unit neutralized three Iwa spy groups over the past month. None managed to get within ten kilometers of the outer dome. With the help of the Museifu and Dokuhebi clan members and their dragons, they were captured. So it's very likely no spy has entered."

"Perfect, though there will surely be spies already disguised as civilians in the village due to the population increase in recent years. Make sure to reward both clans for their work, Rasa," Daigo nodded.

"Sasori, what about your side?" Daigo asked.

"As for internal military infrastructure, the puppet division has completed the integration of the new power cores I designed," Sasori said in his usual serious tone. "We've deployed five hundred automated units along the perimeter walls. They have a microsecond response time to any breach. In my opinion, the village's defensive capacity has reached its strongest point without the need for ninjas on the dome 24/7."

Daigo looked at Sasori and nodded. The craftsman's analytical mind was one of the most valuable political tools he possessed, and he had never disappointed him.

"Perfect on your end, Sasori. Now, Kisame, how are the 7 Espada of the sand doing?" the Kazekage asked, turning his gaze toward the shark-man.

Kisame let out a sigh before speaking.

"The 7 Espada of the sand are awaiting your orders, Daigo-san!" Kisame responded enthusiastically. "My boys are ready and we've finished everything asked of us. Whenever you have something new, just let me know and we'll handle it fast. This era is way too peaceful."

"That's precisely the point I wanted to address with you today," Daigo said, walking to the map wall and unrolling an official scroll stamped with the Kazekage's wax seal onto his desk. "In recent years, the outside world has begun to label Sunagakure as a stronger village. Although in reality, I feel that both the new generation and the old have grown soft from the new comforts we have."

Rasa narrowed his eyes with curiosity, while Sasori nodded at his words and Kisame did the same.

"I think the same on this matter; it's even gotten a bit harder for me to source test subjects for my human puppets," Sasori said.

"That's why I came up with an idea," Daigo continued, resting his palms on the table. "I'm going to draft and send out the official summons today to host the upcoming International Chunin Exams right here, in the heart of Sunagakure. We will invite all Five Great Nations, including their Kages and their best rookies."

Rasa raised an eyebrow, immediately evaluating the tactical implications.

"That will bring hundreds of foreign shinobi, observers, and potential saboteurs straight inside our walls, Daigo," Rasa warned in his role as Anbu leader. "The security workload will be massive."

"I know, Rasa, and that's why you'll be in charge of the invisible perimeter," Daigo answered with conviction. "I want the other villages to see Sunagakure's wealth and technology with their own eyes. I want them to witness the precision of Sasori's puppets and feel the fear of crossing path with Sunagakure's 7 Espadas. But above all, I want them to see our new generation in action. We'll show them that peace hasn't made us weak; it's made us invincible. Let's see if that motivates them to sharpen up a bit."

"A brilliant and bold political maneuver," Sasori remarked, adjusting the sleeves of his robe. "You'll force the other nations to measure their strength against ours on our own turf. I don't dislike the idea."

"Count on the 7 Espadas of the sand to keep any ninja who tries to get clever during the exam in line!" Kisame exclaimed with his characteristic shark-like grin.

"Draft the diplomatic invitations, Sasori," Daigo ordered. "Rasa, double Anbu patrols along the desert access routes. Kisame, get the 7 Espadas ready to show themselves at the main gates when the delegations arrive. I want them to feel the weight of Suna from the very second they step onto the sand."

The three leaders bowed their heads in deep respect and, in a flash of movement, vanished from the office to execute the Kazekage's orders.

As evening fell, the artificial lights of the glass dome began to dim gradually, simulating a warm, starry sunset over the village's rectangular rooftops. Daigo left the central tower and walked at a relaxed pace toward his family's official residence, enjoying the cool breeze circulating through the clean avenues.

In the spacious wooden entryway, Pakura was coming out of the kitchen wearing an elegant dark red lounge robe. At 32 years old, the beautiful kunoichi maintained an impeccable figure and a motherly composure, but her eyes shone with unconditional love upon seeing her husband return home.

"You're just in time for dinner, Dai," Pakura said, stepping close to kiss him softly on the lips and helping him off with his official cloak. "The kids just got back from their assignments, and the table is almost set."

"It's been a long day of meetings," Daigo sighed, wrapping an arm around his wife's waist and savoring the embrace. "But there's nothing better than coming back here."

Moving into the large dining room, Daigo looked on with deep paternal pride at the growth of his children. Seven years had transformed the little kids of the house into young shinobi with distinct visual identities and strong presences.

Kimimaro, now 14 years old, stood by the window, meticulously cleaning a small dagger made of crystal that Daigo had given him. The young Kaguya had grown into a tall, lean boy with flawless posture. His snow-white hair, which he used to wear short, now reached down his back, partially tied in a small rear ponytail that let two strands frame his serene face.

He wore a sleeveless pearl-gray combat tunic cinched at the waist by a traditional black sash, leaving his toned arms bare, marked by years of taijutsu training and the mastery of his bloodline. His presence conveyed the confidence and elegance of someone deeply trained in taijutsu.

Seated at the main table were the twins, Sunae and Daiku, who were now 12 years old and on the verge of taking the decisive leap in their ninja careers.

Sunae had completely abandoned her childhood clothes. The girl wore a modern, dynamic tactical outfit designed by her mother: a fitted cream-colored high-collar top with black leather shoulder guards, fitted combat pants, and ninja sandals. Her hair, orange and green like Pakura's, fell in a long side braid that reached almost to her waist, decorated with small crystal beads at the ends. Her fists were wrapped in heavy-duty protective bandages—a clear nod to her dedication to hand-to-hand combat. Her face retained that cheerful, mischievous look, but her features had refined with Pakura's elegance.

Beside her, Daiku displayed a completely different and unique style. The boy wore a short, dark brown long-sleeved jacket over a white crew-neck T-shirt, along with loose pants reinforced with pouches for ninja tools. His hair was a style identical to Daigo's—messy with bangs falling over his forehead—in a two-tone blend of ash gray and orange. What stood out most were his accessories: a katana strapped to his back and a high-collared neck guard that gave him a confident, reserved air.

"Dad!" Sunae shouted immediately upon seeing him enter, jumping up with a radiant smile. "I heard the rumors from the guards at the entrance! Is it true? Are you really holding the Chunin Exams here in our village?"

Daigo smiled faintly and walked toward the table, taking his seat at the head while Pakura began serving large bowls of hot stew and rice.

"It seems the news traveled a bit too fast," Daigo replied with amusement, looking at his daughter. "Yes, Sunae. It's completely official. I signed the decree today. The Five Great Nations and the smaller ones will come to Sunagakure if they accept."

"That's amazing!" the girl cheered, throwing an enthusiastic punch into the air. "We finally get to face ninjas from other villages! I was getting sick of fighting just target dummies and Daiku. I'm going to show the rookies from the other villages that I'm the strongest in Sunagakure and the future Kazekage!"

"Don't get ahead of yourself, Sunae," Daiku interrupted in a mature, calm voice, pouring himself a glass of fresh water as he looked at his twin sister. "Dad has told us a thousand times that arrogance doesn't help. The other villages have ancient clans and geniuses. Besides, you're forgetting that the next Kazekage will be me."

"Shut up, Daiku! Don't even think you're taking my title just because you're better with Shakuton! Chomei and I will beat you!" Sunae retorted, making a childish pout at her brother.

"I have enough heat to burn Chomei. If Dad defeated it in the past, I can too, Sunae," Daiku answered with a smug, confident grin, making a small sphere of heat float over his palm for a second before letting it dissipate.

"You both have valid points," Kimimaro chimed in with his soft yet firm voice, taking his seat at the table beside the twins and sheathing his dagger behind his belt. "Confidence is necessary to stay composed on the battlefield, Sunae. Daiku isn't just relying on confidence simply because he has things that help him be strong. In any case, our duty as Sunagakure's new generation is to win every one of our matches without leaving any doubt about our superiority."

Daigo and Pakura exchanged a look of pure satisfaction hearing Kimimaro act as the anchor of maturity for the twins. The young Kaguya had become an exemplary older brother and a warrior of absolute loyalty.

"Kimimaro is entirely right," Pakura said, sitting next to Daigo and looking at her three children with a serious but warm expression. "The Chunin Exams aren't a game for kids or a display of vanity. When the foreign delegations arrive, they'll be looking for any excuse to criticize our village or find flaws in our security. The three of you, along with the others, will be the public face of Sunagakure in the arena."

"We know, Mom," Daiku nodded, dropping his playful stance and adopting a tone of utter seriousness. "We won't let you down."

"That's the attitude I want to see," Daigo said, raising his glass for a family toast. "We've worked for years to build this city, to ensure you grow up in a safe home, far from the misery of the past. Now it's time to show the Kages and the entire shinobi world that Sunagakure is the strongest village."

"To Sunagakure!" Sunae cheered, clinking her glass against her father's with boundless enthusiasm.

"To family," Kimimaro added with a genuine smile he rarely showed to outsiders.

Dinner went on with laughter, stories of Pakura's work, tactical debates between Daiku and Kimimaro about combining Shakuton with hand-to-hand combat, and Sunae's exaggerated claims about how she planned to blow the audience away in the finals. The warmth of the hearth and the harmony at the table stood in perfect contrast to the cold, rigid political machinery operating outside the walls of the house.

Later that night, after the kids had retired to their rooms to rest, Daigo stood for a moment on the residence balcony, watching the silvery light reflect off the immense glass dome.

Pakura stepped up from behind, wrapping her arms around her husband's torso and resting her chin on his shoulder.

"What are you thinking about, Daigo?" she asked in a soft night breeze whisper.

"About how fast they grew up," Daigo admitted softly, covering Pakura's hands with his own. "Seeing Kimimaro turned into such a grounded warrior, and the other two brats ready to take on ninja responsibilities... it makes me realize time doesn't stand still. In a few weeks, the Hokages, the Tsuchikage, and the Raikage will be walking our streets. The political schemes are going to explode."

"Let them come if they dare," Pakura answered in a dangerous, confident tone, tightening her hold on her husband. "Rasa has the Anbu watching every shadow, Sasori has turned our defenses into a deadly art, Kisame has the 7 Espadas ready for trouble, and our kids are set to crush the tournament. You've built a fortress, Daigo. Nothing the other Kages try can break what we've accomplished here."

Daigo smiled, turning in her arms to look at the woman who had walked beside him through all those years of struggle.

"You're right," the Kazekage agreed, looking up toward the dome protecting his home. "Let them come to Suna. We're more than ready to face anyone."

The following morning, at first light, dozens of high-speed messenger birds equipped with rapid-transit seals launched from Sunagakure's central tower, flying through the automated hatches of the glass dome and scattering into the air toward the four cardinal directions of the ninja world.

The diplomatic letters, signed by Daigo in official red wax, carried a single directive that would instantly disrupt the fragile international balance of power: the formal invitation and open challenge to participate in the first International Chunin Exams held in the glorious, prosperous Utopia of Sunagakure.

The pieces of global geopolitics were officially set in motion, and the era of Great Sunagakure had just opened its gates to the world.

End of Chapter

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