The Weight of the Empty Hat

Upon hearing Ebizō, a small silence descended in the room.

Everyone understood that now was not the time for blaming anyone.

Though everyone in the room knew the reason for the Third Kazekage's death, they also knew Chiyo's unwavering loyalty to the village.

After all, even the Second Kazekage, Shamon, had passed on his puppet techniques knowledge and the Chikamatsu puppet collection to Chiyo before he was eventually assassinated, just like the First Kazekage, Reto.

Though Shamon called Chiyo his star student, they were almost the same age, and Chiyo wasn't precisely his student; she had simply learned his puppet techniques and knowledge.

Chiyo was trusted with the Chikamatsu puppet collection by the Second Kazekage, coupled with her dedication to Sunagakure's growth throughout the years.

No one would question her, which was why no one even took Kougan's implications against Chiyo and Ebizō seriously.

They all just believed that it was Sasori, who by his own will, attacked Satei.

Though they still would blame Chiyo for her perceived poor parenting of her grandson, Sasori.

Setsuna asked, "How many candidates do we have who are capable for the position of Fourth Kazekage?"

Sabaku answered, "Hm, to my knowledge, currently we only have two ninjas who have Kage Level strength and will definitely become stronger in the future – Satei's student, Rasa, and Pakura."

Kougan smirked at Yūta and said, "See, Yūta, Senior Setsuna didn't even consider you worthy for the position of Kazekage. And if I remember correctly, Satei wanted you to succeed him, right!"

Yūta stared at Kougan for a moment and immediately ignored his attempt at taunting him.

"Hmph!" Kougan snorted seeing unresponsive Yūta.

Sabaku said, "I know the First and Second Kazekage did well for Sunagakure. However, we shouldn't forget that it was Satei who didn't let other great nations to look down on Sunagakure..."

"Despite our military strength being weaker amoung five great nations, that all because of his strength and Magnet Release Kekkei Genkai, so I propose that we should continue this as a legacy."

Ebizō raised his brow and asked, "Are you indirectly referring to Rasa?!"

Sabaku shook his head and replied, "Well, that too. However, I truly think we should continue Magnet Release as the legacy of Sunagakure."

Setsuna nodded and said, "I agree with him. While Reto-sama and Shamon-sama didn't possess Magnet Release, they were undoubtedly very strong."

"However, Satei's incredible power and his feared Iron Sand made him known as the 'Strongest Kazekage in history,' so I think we should continue Magnet Release as our legacy."

Kougan sneered after hearing this and said, "So, you both are saying that if in the future no one in the Village has the Magnet Release Kekkei Genkai, then there should be no Kazekage to lead the Village? Do you two even think of the word consequences of such a requirement!"

Sabaku and Setsuna went completely silent for a moment.

They didn't know how to refute what Kougan said.

A strict requirement for the Kazekage's position would definitely have a lasting consequence if the village was unable to produce a ninja with the Magnet Release Kekkei Genkai in future.

They also knew the flaw in this, but they still believed that Magnet Release should be a legacy of Sunagakure.

This time, Senior Ryūga, who had been silent until now, broke the short silence and spoke, "Kougan is correct. And Kekkei Genkai alone doesn't make someone a Kage Level Shinobi."

"Even though Satei is the strongest Kazekage, we all know that Shamon-sama's puppetry techniques were even stronger than Senior Elder Chiyo's, and definitely surpass what that brat, Sasori, possessed. And Satei was killed while fighting him."

Chiyo once again fell into grief, hearing about Sasori.

Sabaku immediately retorted, "We already got the report. Satei was poisoned, and it was definitely a sneak attack. Otherwise, a brat like Sasori could never be an equal of the Third Kazekage."

Ryūga simply said, "But it still stands for the fact that Sasori is the reason Satei is dead."

Another short silence fell in the room.

After a few minutes, Setsuna said, "Magnet Release is a formidable and unique ability, and it even mirrored our Village's Tailed Beast."

Kougan laughed and said, "Heh, it's obviously going to match Ichibi's power, because Satei developed Iron Sand after observing Isago using Ichibi's power forcefully once."

Ryūga also chimed in and said, "Yes, and don't forget Pakura also developed her own Kekkei Genkai, and she was also the Anbu commander for few years after the Second Great Ninja War ended, while Rasa has less experience in leading teams than Pakura."

Sabaku then directly talk to Chiyo and said, "Elder Chiyo, I will vote for Rasa. He should succeed Satei, since he also has Magnet Release, even Gold Dust, which can also help in our economical situation in the future."

Ryūga said, "I believe Pakura would be a better candidate for the Fourth Kazekage's position."

Kougan also agreed with him and said, "Me too. Pakura is also stronger than Rasa, I believe."

Setsuna said, "Elder Chiyo, Elder Ebizō, don't forget it was Sasori who was the reason for Satei's death. We should honor Satei."

"And Senior Kougan, Rasa has been with Satei; he has learned a lot from him. You can't just predict if Pakura is stronger or Rasa."

Kougan sneered and said, "It should be common knowledge that Fire is actually a weakness of Magnet, Iron, and Gold, and Pakura's Kekkei Genkai, Scorch Release, has more than enough heat to melt any of them."

Setsuna was about to refute him, but Ebizō once again stopped their conversation from escalating.

Ebizō stated, "If it's only about honoring Satei, then it should be Yūta, not Rasa, who should succeed him."

Yūta, who had been silently listening to the conversation, immediately spoke upon hearing Ebizō.

He said, "Elder Ebizō, my strength isn't enough for the Kazekage's position. My strength at most is Elite Jōnin, but Rasa and Pakura, both with their respective Kekkei Genkai, have Kage Level strength."

Ryūga nodded to Yūta and said, "Kage Level strength is the main requirement for the Kazekage's position. But Elder Chiyo, we've said what we have to say. The last decision-making is yours, as the leader of the Sunagakure Council."

Chiyo finally spoke, "The Fourth Kazekage's position isn't something we can decide in one day. We need to discuss about it for some more time."

Ebizō frowned, "But sister, we can't be leaderless until we make a decision. We at least need someone as a face of the Village's leader, even if temporarily."

Sabaku also stated, "Correct. Satei's death not only weakens Sunagakure as a whole, but it also creates a power vacuum in the power stability of the great nations."

Ryūga nodded and said, "And that old fox, Tsuchikage Ōnoki, wouldn't let go of such an opportunity to wage war. Plus, the Land of Wind is closer to the Land of Earth. He might definitely attack us, using this opportunity."

Setsuna spoke, "If the Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki doesn't use this opportunity, then there's also the Third Raikage Ay, who is also as opportunistic as Ōnoki. In such a situation, we indeed can't be leaderless."

Chiyo glanced at each member and asked, "Then, do you want to rush this out and choose either one from Rasa or Pakura as the Fourth Kazekage?"

Yūta raised his hand and said, "If you permit, then I would like to make a suggestion."

Ebizō looked at Yūta and said, "Alright, tell us what suggestion you'd like to make."

Yūta spoke, "If it's about temporarily leadership, then we can have Elder Chiyo temporarily lead the village, not as Fourth Kazekage, but as temporary leader."

Hearing this, everyone nodded, and Ryūga said, "Yeah, that would also be okay. Elder Chiyo is also well known in the great nations. Until we decide who will be the Fourth Kazekage, that would be a better solution."

Setsuna and Sabaku also agreed, leaving only Kougan, who just sneered, "Tch."

They, in the end, made the decision for having Chiyo, as temporary face of Sunagakure, until they didn't decide on who will be Yondaime Kazekage for Village.

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