Chapter 277: Better to Die Standing Than Live Kneeling!

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[End the Fifth's Tyranny, Support Princess Temari!]

[Villagers' Declaration for Suna Democracy!]

[Restore the Fourth's Rule!]

The banners displayed slogans that struck fear into Baki's heart.

Reading them, his spirit sank. His worst fears had materialized.

These remnants of the Fourth Kazekage's regime, their ambition unyielding—they would rather support a five-year-old child as Kazekage than acknowledge him, the mature and stable Fifth Kazekage?

What was so great about the weak and incompetent Fourth Kazekage that these peasants remained so loyal even after his death?

Madness!

Baki's heart soured, like he'd swallowed a lemon. His face darkened, and he waved his hand.

The Kazekage Tower's regular Shinobi force surged forward like wolves, brandishing their police batons.

———

While the regular forces dealt with the commoners, Baki personally went to handle the leaders of the rebellion.

He strode towards the central plaza of the Light District. There, a group of Light Shinobi, holding torches and wearing headbands, awaited him.

Baki approached the figure at the forefront, Kamekichi, and hissed through gritted teeth, "Kamekichi! What is the meaning of this? Rebellion? Are you trying to start a civil war in Suna?"

Kamekichi stepped forward defiantly. "Our demands are simple. Step down immediately! Welcome back Princess Temari. Release Yasuke, and all the other Shinobi loyal to Sunagakure..."

"Impossible!"

"One Suna, one Kazekage, one regime."

"Your attempts to overthrow the Kazekage Tower, using rebellion as leverage to force the current Kazekage to abdicate—will never succeed!"

"If these are your demands—prepare for the utter annihilation of the Light District!" Baki declared, his voice firm.

War with Konoha was imminent. Trying to usurp his hard-earned position now? Unthinkable!

"Then let's fight!" Kamekichi stood his ground, resolute. Behind him, the Light Shinobi stepped forward in unison.

He couldn't stand by and watch the Light District be slowly persecuted by the Kazekage Tower, ultimately facing a slow death.

The Shinobi born in Light—Yashamaru, Rasa, Yasuke...

These were some of Sunagakure's finest Shinobi. In any other village, they would be considered core assets, protected, not sacrificed as pawns.

But in Suna, they were either assassinated—or fell victim to the Kazekage Tower's internal power struggles...

Better to die standing than live kneeling!

Fifty years ago, they had joined this hidden village to create a better life for its people, not to watch the Light villagers become fuel for the times, vanishing into the dust of Shinobi history.

Baki was momentarily speechless, sensing the unwavering determination in Kamekichi's words.

If this wasn't handled carefully—

Sunagakure would truly erupt into civil war.

Without financial aid from the daimyo, after such a conflict, how far would Sunagakure's strength regress?

This civil war—couldn't happen. They couldn't afford it.

A true leader knew when to bend. Baki swallowed his pride. "I can agree to step down as Fifth Kazekage within one year. After that, whether you support Temari—it's none of my concern!"

"This—is my final offer!"

Kamekichi's expression softened slightly. He knew this was likely the best outcome they could achieve without open war against the dictatorial Kazekage.

"Immediately release Yasuke, and all the Shinobi loyal to the Fourth Kazekage!"

"—Kamekichi, watch your words! They may have followed the Fourth Kazekage, but they are suspected of his murder! They are Rogue Shinobi!"

"I can release them under my authority as Fifth Kazekage. But after their release, I require you—as the leader of the Light District—to guarantee their compliance, to ensure they follow the Kazekage Tower's commands."

"Agreed."

Baki scoffed, raising his hand again. The Shinobi forces behind him ceased their baton-swinging.

"Consider these individuals—a gesture of goodwill. Kamekichi, handle their—re-education yourself. I won't be taking them back to the Military Police Department."

———

Through negotiations between the Kazekage Tower and the Light Autonomous Committee, a "Reconciliation Pact" was signed, reaching a consensus and ending the farce.

"Hmph, let's go!" Baki collected the pact and swiftly departed with his forces.

A committee member approached Kamekichi. "Sir—Baki isn't one to yield easily. Agreeing to step down within a year—there must be some ulterior motive."

"I know Baki harbors ill intentions."

"I sense it too. Baki is secretly pouring the village's wealth into military production at any cost. He's likely planning an external war."

The committee member's face paled. "He wants to attack Konoha? That madman—Our Light Shinobi will be sent to the front lines! It's death either way! We should just rebel against Baki now!"

War was brutal.

No matter how powerful a clan or autonomous District, once drawn into war and designated as the vanguard, their strength would rapidly diminish.

The vanguard—was known for its high casualty rate.

Even the mighty Uchiha clan had suffered heavy losses in successive wars, their strength greatly reduced.

Some clans and Districts, seeking self-preservation, would even bribe village leaders before a war, hoping for safer assignments, like logistics...

While still facing the risk of encountering enemy special forces targeting supply lines, it was relatively the safest duty. The survival rate was high. Not every supply line defense mission involved encountering the Yellow Flash leading a Kannabi Bridge-style operation.

"Everything—requires legitimacy..." Kamekichi said quietly. "The Founding daimyo of the Land of Wind, to legitimize his rule, had to acknowledge the legitimacy of the previous nations within its borders."

"In the early days of the Land of Wind, the regime wasn't stable; various factions vied for power. If the first daimyo had denied the legitimacy of the previous rulers, these factions might have claimed succession, opposing the Land of Wind. Acknowledging the previous rulers—reduced resistance, creating favorable conditions for unification."

"Signing this 'Reconciliation Pact' with Baki follows the same principle!"

"Even if he ascended through assassinating the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, we must acknowledge him. Because—he is the Kage recognized by the daimyo, as well as by Elders Ebizō and Chiyo."

"With this pact, when the time comes to elect the legitimate Kazekage, the other autonomous Districts, the various factions within the village, even Baki's own appointees within the Sand Council—will be more likely to accept..."

The committee member fell silent. "If war truly breaks out, before the Sixth Kazekage is chosen, the Light Shinobi might be wiped out."

"Shinobi—die eventually. To die for a worthy cause is the best ending for us."

"News from Otogakure confirms Princess Temari won the Joint Chunin Exams. She is destined to become an exceptional Shinobi."

"Before she returns to the village, we must lay the political foundation for her to smoothly become the Sixth Kazekage! When she returns, a skilled and powerful Suna Shinobi—with this pact in hand, even if all Light Shinobi perish in battle, she can still successfully ascend!"

Kamekichi's voice grew passionate.

"That day will come..."

"Baki will stand trial, judged by the Sixth Kazekage!"

"This is the resolve of traditional Suna Shinobi!"

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