After Bunpuku inherited the position of Kazekage, he immediately began the reconstruction and revitalization of Sunagakure.
With the abdication of the former daimyo, the relationship between Sunagakure and the Land of Wind became close once again.
Now, both sides have greatly declined in power, and it is not a time for mutual obstruction, but rather for joint progress.
Thanks to the large-scale changes in both the Land of Wind's court and the relevant personnel within Sunagakure, this cooperative relationship could proceed smoothly.
If it had been in the past, even with the defeat in this war, the relationship between the court and the ninja village might not have eased.
From this perspective, Bunpuku didn't know whether he was lucky or unlucky.
He didn't have much talent in politics, and this cooperation with the Land of Wind's court was mainly suggested by Konohagakure.
Previously, Uchiha Kagami had advised Bunpuku to cooperate closely with the Land of Wind's court, at least allowing Sunagakure to intervene.
Because in the upcoming bilateral trade cooperation, if the ninja village and the country were not harmonious, it would cause a great deal of trouble.
Whether it was genuine or not, this point had to be achieved.
Konohagakure achieved this by coercion and inducement, winning over a portion of the Land of Fire's nobility while maintaining a balance.
As for Sunagakure, due to the defeat in this war, the hawkish nobles and the hawkish faction within Sunagakure all fell from power.
Furthermore, due to the special circumstances of the Land of Wind, if both sides continued as before, it would be like lips without teeth.
Smart people would not choose to follow the previous path.
Uchiha Kagami believed that the current Sunagakure and the Land of Wind's court could absolutely achieve close ties, perhaps allowing the ninja village to become a part of the national system.
Even if either side harbored ulterior motives in the future, it might not be so easy to revert.
Taking the first step is often the most difficult.
Bunpuku was very surprised at the time.
Ninja villages and national systems are not one entity; this is a traditional situation in the ninja world and the past way of life for ninja families.
It was hard to imagine a ninja village intervening in the national system.
He also asked why Konohagakure didn't do the same.
Uchiha Kagami replied that this was due to the special circumstances of the Land of Fire, and Konohagakure could not engage in such close cooperation unless there was some major upheaval.
However, the current Sunagakure could achieve this point.
In this regard, Sunagakure might be ahead of Konohagakure.
Bunpuku considered it carefully, and after discussing it with his close associates, he decided to adopt this suggestion.
And just as Konohagakure had predicted, at this critical juncture for the Land of Wind, both the nobles and the ninja village should put aside their differences and prioritize the restoration of the nation's overall strength.
To ensure cooperation with Konohagakure, Sunagakure would become a major force, and thus, Sunagakure becoming a part of the national system seemed to become a matter of course.
In the following days, Bunpuku dedicated himself wholeheartedly to the reconstruction of Sunagakure, taking it very seriously.
After relations with the Land of Fire eased, aid supplies from Konohagakure arrived, along with some support personnel to help stabilize order, and Sunagakure gradually got back on track.
Later, after the official signing of the Southern Alliance treaty, the situation in Sunagakure finally stabilized.
Now, it was a matter of time to recover the losses caused by the war.
For this reason, Bunpuku also had to take the activities of the Southern Alliance very seriously, maintaining its status as a great nation.
Bunpuku felt that he needed to draw some experience from Konohagakure.
At the same time, he also wanted to meet the Hokage who had proposed the alliance concept and brought Konohagakure to its current state.
He was very curious.
For someone with little political experience like himself, he was sure to find good methods from that Hokage.
Coincidentally, Konohagakure also expressed a desire for foreign dignitaries to visit the village to discuss how to maintain the relationship between the alliance, ninja villages, and nations.
So, Bunpuku sent an application to visit Konohagakure, and Konohagakure accepted without hesitation.
In the past, when a Kage of one ninja village visited another, it was only during the Chunin Exams, and the main purpose was for the military exercises of the Chunin Exams.
However, this visit, aimed at discussing the future and common prosperity, was the first of its kind.
For the allied nations, Bunpuku's visit was undoubtedly a key move representing the harmony of the alliance.
The eyes of the allied nations and even other daimyos were focused on Bunpuku's visit.
Considering the apprehension of other countries towards the nascent Southern Alliance, there was no guarantee that there would be no attempts to assassinate Bunpuku.
"Teacher, you must be careful.
Although the entire ninja world has entered a state of peace, it is unlikely that assassination attempts on ninja village leaders will occur, but we cannot guarantee it," Karura said to Bunpuku.
As Bunpuku's personal disciple, Karura held a very high position in Sunagakure.
She was also Bunpuku's capable assistant, helping him solve problems.
Although she wasn't very old, she felt herself rapidly maturing during these days.
"I understand," Bunpuku nodded slightly.
"According to the route decided within the village, we will take the route through the Land of Rain and enter the Land of Fire.
Mr. Hanzo, the leader of Amegakure, will personally protect my safety and escort me to the border of the Land of Fire."
Within the framework of the Southern Alliance, the Land of Wind, the Land of Rain, the Land of Fire, and the surrounding Land of Rivers and Land of Grass, could be said to be one entity, all considered their own territory.
It would be almost impossible for assassins from other countries to infiltrate.
The Land of Grass being weak was one thing, but Hanzo of the Land of Rain had proven his abilities in the Second Great Ninja War.
In the unfamiliar territory of the Land of Rain, Hanzo could absolutely protect Bunpuku's safety.
With Hanzo's strength, plus Bunpuku's power as a Jinchuriki, if an assassination were truly attempted, it would probably require a Kage of another village to come personally, and even then, success might not be guaranteed.
And upon entering the Land of Fire, Konohagakure would certainly protect Bunpuku's safety.
As the leader of a friendly ninja village, they would not allow him to come alone.
"I hope this visit can bring our village a path to the future," Bunpuku said softly.
"I think you should consult with the Third Hokage-sama thoroughly, Teacher," Karura said.
"He is the most special leader I have ever seen."
"Oh, what's so special?" Bunpuku asked curiously.
"I can't quite put my finger on it," Karura frowned slightly, looking a bit troubled.
"Although I've heard about the deeds of other past Kage, no matter what achievements or battle records they had, I feel that they were all fundamentally the same kind of people.
But this Third Hokage is different."
Bunpuku nodded slightly and said, "I have a similar feeling.
This Hokage of Konohagakure is different from any ninja I know, so I've always hoped to see him with my own eyes and find out what kind of person he truly is.
From his current actions, I can tell that he is a person of extraordinary magnanimity."
"Indeed," Karura said.
"His policy towards prisoners, his attitude towards other countries, cooperation for mutual benefit—every single one of these things is beyond my imagination… Even with Chiyo and the former Kazekage, this Hokage-sama didn't intend to eliminate them, but instead sent them to a prison established in the Land of Grass, saying that they should work hard there and contribute to world peace in other ways."
"Yes, I never expected it," Bunpuku said, recalling the expressions on Chiyo and Ebizo's faces when they were sent to the Land of Grass.
Bunpuku's expression was also somewhat complex.
"Sigh, let them spend their twilight years well in the Land of Grass.
After all, they were predecessors of Sunagakure, and even if they made some mistakes, they also had great merits."
"Alright, let's not talk about them anymore," Karura said.
"Teacher, please prepare well and choose your escorts for the journey.
It might be quite tiring."
"Hmm, That's right, you should go back and rest.
You must be tired these past few days, too," Bunpuku nodded and then said to Karura.
"I'm not tired.
It's good if I can help you, Teacher," Karura smiled.
"You need to pay attention to rest.
You're still young."
"I'm not young anymore.
After this war, I feel like my heart has grown old," Karura shook her head helplessly.
"Alright, since you say so, Teacher, I'll go back and rest.
Teacher, you should also pay attention to rest.
I may be young, but you are also getting on in years."
"Yes, yes," Bunpuku chuckled, letting Karura leave.
Then he looked at the documents awaiting his review, let out a soft sigh, and slowly began to read them.
Bunpuku was currently learning rapidly, striving to manage the entire ninja village well.
Currently, the village's management relied mainly on his supporters and other experienced ninjas from Sunagakure, including some who had belonged to the former hawkish faction.
Because Chiyo and Ebizo took full responsibility, they remained, and although Bunpuku played a part, they still had some complaints about him.
Their help was still needed now, but it couldn't be relied upon indefinitely.
To prevent Sunagakure from reverting to its old ways, their influence had to be eliminated.
And the way to eliminate that influence was to cultivate people who could inherit the current path.
During this period, Bunpuku, as the Kazekage, absolutely could not be a figurehead.
Time passed slowly, and the day of the visit drew closer.
Sunagakure's new high-ranking officials finalized the Kazekage's travel plan and how the village would be managed during his absence.
After reviewing it, Bunpuku made the final decision and informed Amegakure and Konohagakure, asking them to cooperate with the visit.
At the appointed time, Bunpuku, accompanied by his escorts, including Karura, set off towards the Land of Rain.
They would pass through there to enter the Land of Fire.