Night had fallen over Sunagakure. After a long day of intense negotiation, the Kage and their entourages returned to their designated residences, visibly weary. Inside the building assigned to Konohagakure's delegation, the Fourth Hokage, Minato, convened a private meeting with his closest advisors, Shikaku Nara, Chōza Akimichi, and Inoichi Yamanaka.
Though a full month remained before the summit concluded, the bold and sweeping proposal Rasa had introduced left them with no choice but to deliberate immediately.
"This Kazekage is just as bold as ever."
Shikaku said coolly, exhaling smoke into the low light of the room, his expression unreadable in the dimness.
"Yeah, I was completely stunned when he said it. I didn't even get a chance to say anything all afternoon."
Chōza added with a shake of his head.
Inoichi, having just been briefed by his longtime comrades, turned to Minato, who sat in silence, deep in thought.
"Minato, what are your thoughts?"
Minato didn't answer right away. Instead, he glanced at Shikaku.
"Shikaku, do you think the Kazekage's idea is viable?"
The question caught Shikaku off guard for a moment. He took a breath, thought it over carefully, then replied.
"Viable? Yes, absolutely. It's based on the same principles the First Hokage used when he brought the clans together and established the system of shinobi villages. It's a new framework for the entire shinobi world. But the pushback will be severe. The daimyō definitely won't approve. Even though the daimyō and shinobi villages are supposedly equal partners, the reality is that even now, long after the First Hokage's era, we in Konoha still have to bow to the daimyō. And they won't be pleased seeing the five great villages start uniting."
Minato exhaled slowly. Of course, he had considered that. But something about Rasa's proposal had struck a deep chord with him.
Inoichi leaned forward slightly and added,
"But it's a good idea. If the five great shinobi villages could communicate as openly and directly as we did today at the Five Kage Summit, a lot of future conflict could be avoided. Dialogue changes things."
Minato's eyes reflected a flicker of temptation, but Chōza noticed and stepped in cautiously.
"Take it easy, Minato. You haven't been Hokage for long. Don't be too quick to take the lead on something this massive."
Minato gave a small nod in acknowledgment.
"Then what about the proposal to limit the number of shinobi?"
The three men before him weren't just advisors; they were the central figures of three major clans. Their input carried immense weight in Konoha's political landscape.
On this matter, there was little hesitation. All three seemed to agree.
From both a personal and village-wide standpoint, it made sense. The arms race between villages had been draining and unsustainable.
After considering it further, Shikaku gave an honest response.
"It's a sound idea. The major clans won't oppose it. Their children already dominate the Genin ranks. As for civilian children, even if the competition becomes tougher, the effects won't be noticeable for another decade or so. And if the five great villages agree to it, the pressure we're all under will ease up considerably."
"I see. Then let's move in that direction for now."
"Yeah."
---
Elsewhere in Sunagakure, similar meetings were underway in the quarters of Kirigakure, Kumogakure, and Iwagakure. The mood across them was strikingly similar. Everyone recognized that the proposed Shinobi Allied Forces Council was a solid, even visionary idea. Yet none of them dared be the first to bring it up.
Each of those villages depended heavily on financial support from their respective daimyō, especially for military expenditures. To suggest something like a unified council without that backing would be tantamount to defiance.
Inside the Kazekage Tower, Baki and Seramu, two of the few who truly understood the full scope of Rasa's intentions, felt a quiet unease settle over them. Though it wasn't exactly his place as ANBU Commander, Baki couldn't remain silent and chose to test the waters.
"Kazekage-sama, about your proposal for the Shinobi Allied Forces Council… I don't think the other four Kage will agree."
Seramu, having spent more than a year living in Sunagakure and now fully familiar with the structure and priorities of a shinobi village, added her voice.
"Baki's right, Kazekage-sama. Even if they like the idea, none of them will risk being the first to openly support it."
"Mhm."
Rasa nodded without surprise.
"That's to be expected. I only raised the idea as bait."
Rasa said, his tone calm and controlled.
"None of them will dare speak of it beyond those walls. Once the seed of suspicion is sown, it's nearly impossible to uproot. None of them wants to give their daimyō a reason to grow uneasy."
"Then, Kazekage-sama, what are you truly aiming for?"
Baki asked. He could tell there was more behind Rasa's maneuver.
"My thoughts are simple. Even if the other four great nations and their shinobi villages refuse to participate, Sunagakure must proceed on its own. Don't forget, beyond the five great nations, the shinobi world is still filled with small countries. If we can unite them under us, then even if we are forced to confront the other great nations one day, we'll have nothing to fear."
Both Baki and Seramu were stunned. Neither had expected Rasa's ambitions to extend so far.
"In fact, we've already made a strong start. The Land of Demons has established solid cooperation with us. Once the summit concludes, Daikoku, Ishitomo, and Rakuseki will return there to help build their own shinobi village. And as for Amegakure, Nagato is maturing rapidly. It's only a matter of time before the Land of Rain falls into our hands. Among the remaining small nations, aside from Kusagakure, Takigakure, and the Land of Iron, most lack the strength to resist our reach."
"!!!"
What had once seemed like a grand illusion now felt almost within reach. Rasa's analysis laid out a realistic path to a larger shinobi alliance, one not centered around the five great nations.
"Then, Kazekage-sama, what exactly are your instructions?"
Baki asked, his voice firm with renewed purpose.
"The second section of the River of Flowing Sand, which connects to the Land of Demons, will begin construction right after the summit ends. Once it's complete, the transformation in the Land of Demons will become impossible to ignore for the other small nations. That alone will take at least six months. Meanwhile, Sunagakure will need a full year to make all the necessary preparations. But the ANBU should begin moving immediately."
"???"
Baki blinked, unsure of what exactly Rasa had in mind. But the Kazekage wasted no time in giving direct orders.
"Baki, starting tomorrow, during the upcoming ninja qualification trials, I want you to observe carefully. From all the children participating, select a few, quietly. These will be the seeds of our future covert operations. Don't prioritize talent. With the Sage Curse Mark we now have in Sunagakure, even those with no natural aptitude for ninjutsu can be forged into formidable shinobi. What I need are children who blend into the background, ones with resilience, discretion, and intelligence. Understand?"
"Hai!"
Baki gave a small laugh. Of course he understood.
"From now on, in addition to their standard Academy curriculum, these selected children will be secretly trained and molded into future ANBU operatives. Once they graduate, they'll be sent out to infiltrate the small nations."
At this point, even without Rasa stating it outright, Baki saw the entire blueprint unfolding in his mind.
"I understand, Kazekage-sama. I won't disappoint you."
"Good."
Rasa then turned to Seramu.
"Seramu, pass down the order. From this day on, the Desert Flower Shinobi Trials will officially replace the Chūnin Exams as our village's main promotion system. Based on each participant's overall performance, we'll assign them either Genin or Chūnin ranks. These trials will be held once every three years. That way, each generation will have at least two opportunities to qualify as shinobi. Beginning with the second round of Desert Flower Trials, automatic promotion to Genin after graduating from the Academy will end. From then on, only those who pass the Desert Flower Shinobi Trials will be recognized as shinobi of Sunagakure."
Seramu nodded, understanding the full weight of Rasa's intent. With Sunagakure's population steadily rising, if they didn't start controlling the number of Genin now, it wouldn't be long before their total shinobi count surpassed that of the other four great villages.
"What about those who fail both attempts at the trials?"
"Failing twice would mean they're unsuited to become shinobi. But that doesn't mean they're useless. There are many other essential roles in the village where their talents can be put to good use."
"I understand."
"Mhm. That's all I needed to say. The first Desert Flower Shinobi Trials begin tomorrow. Oversee it carefully. I don't want any mistakes."