Akihiko and his team had anticipated that the Land of Wind's Daimyo would hesitate over the deal, but they were caught off guard by how quickly he agreed. Akihiko had expected a lengthy deliberation, yet within just two days, the Land of Wind's Daimyo consented to the arrangement. Perhaps the vastness of the Land of Wind's territory made him indifferent to the borderland desert that Sand Village wanted to 'borrow.' After all, it wasn't an oasis or anything of real value. The Daimyo likely saw little worth in that barren area.
Then again, it's also possible that this particular Daimyō wasn't the most astute leader. This was the same leader who had abandoned his own shinobi village, cut off its funding, and handed missions to an enemy nation's village. Given his track record, it's not surprising he showed little concern for a barren patch of desert.
The word from returning shinobi indicated that the Daimyō was indeed furious about Grass Village recruiting his former shinobi. However, with Danzo's scheme having drained nearly five billion ryō from their coffers in a matter of days, the Land of Wind's treasury was severely strained. The Daimyō could only voice his frustration without the means to launch a campaign against the other great villages. After all, it was himself who had ordered the disbandment of their shinobi village, making complaints now seem futile.
What he likely didn't foresee was how poorly the situation would unfold. Not only did the Land of Wind suffered significant financial losses, but the village they once controlled had transformed into a mercenary force. Where they used to command Sand Village with a simple order, now they had to pay for its services—and even then, the shinobi themselves could choose whether to accept the contracts.
It wouldn't be surprising if there were many unspoken grievances within the Land of Wind. Akihiko, however, wasn't particularly concerned. With so many enemies already, adding a weakened Land of Wind to the list didn't seem like a big deal.
As news of Sand Village's reconstruction and its surprising alignment with Grass Village spread through the shinobi world, the shockwaves were felt everywhere. The idea that Sand Village, one of the original Five Great Nations, had left the Land of Wind to join forces with the up-and-coming Grass Village left many in disbelief.
The question on everyone's mind was simple: how did Grass Village, despite its rapid growth and its alliance with the Land of Rain, manage to lure a village of Sand's caliber? What had once been a relatively minor player in the shinobi world was now harboring one of its former giants.
Speculation ran wild. Was Grass Village using some unknown leverage? Or had Sand Village, disillusioned by the Land of Wind's neglect, sought refuge in a place where it could retain some semblance of power and identity?
Even more concerning to the other villages was the potential for internal conflict. With Grass Village and Sand Village now sharing the same territory, there was a looming question: could these two co-exist peacefully, or would tensions arise, leading to a civil war that could destabilize the entire region?
Despite these concerns, the fact remained that the Grass-Rain Alliance had become a formidable power. With three shinobi villages under its control, including one of the prestigious original Five Great Nations, the alliance was now being regarded as a top-tier force in the shinobi world.
Whispers began to circulate that if these three villages truly united, they could potentially eclipse Konoha, not just in terms of individual strength but also in resources, strategic positioning, and influence. The Land of Wind's loss of Sand Village had already shifted the balance of power, with many now referring to the Grass-Rain Alliance as the Fifth Great Nation.
And at the helm of this emerging power was Akihiko, who now found himself in a position where he was now 'qualified' for the title of 'Kage', though the title didn't quite resonate with him as it did with others.
Akihiko remained unfazed by the buzz surrounding the recent developments. His focus now was on returning to Grass Village, having overseen the stabilization of Sand Village. With Pakura and Gaara accompanying him, it was time to head back. He had been away for several days, and while the situation in Rain Village seemed under control with Hanzo in charge, Akihiko knew his presence was needed back home.
Sand Village's reconstruction would soon be underway, and Akihiko planned to send a team from Grass Village to assist. The Grass construction team had built quite a reputation for efficiency and quality over the years, and he was confident that, with their expertise, Sand Village would be rebuilt swiftly and effectively. The recent influx of funds—thanks to the unexpected turns of events—meant that the financial resources for the reconstruction were already secured.
Reflecting on everything, Akihiko couldn't help but acknowledge that Grass Village had gained a significant asset. The Land of Grass had essentially acquired a shinobi village, practically for free.
…
"Leader Akihiko, these are the documents that need your immediate attention," Mikoto said, placing the neatly organized files on Akihiko's desk.
Akihiko gave her a nod of appreciation. "Thank you for your hard work," he replied.
He looked up at Mikoto, who wore a warm smile. Dressed in a sleek secretary's uniform that highlighted her mature and elegant figure, she seemed to have fully embraced her new role. During his absence, Mikoto had clearly settled into her position with ease.
Akihiko smiled with satisfaction and then turned his focus to the pile of work before him. The day after his return, when he had planned to take a short break, Mikoto had promptly reminded him that he needed to get back to work. His sudden departure for Sand Village had left a significant backlog, and as his new secretary, Mikoto had become the point of contact for many who needed to reach him.
At first, the workload had been a lot for her to manage, but she had adapted well. Now, she was effectively guiding him back to his duties.
The tasks before Akihiko were straightforward, mostly routine matters requiring just his signature and approval. Yet, the nature of his return had been anything but ordinary. He hadn't just come back with orphans or widows; he had brought an entire shinobi village—Sand Village itself—under his control. The shockwaves of this development had reverberated throughout Grass Village.
Sand Village, once one of the five great shinobi villages, now belonged to Grass Village. This transformation was nothing short of astounding, and it was no surprise that the entire shinobi world had taken notice. The magnitude of the change meant that precautions were necessary to manage any potential issues and to strategize for the future of the three allied shinobi villages. It was only natural for there to be a mix of unease and excitement among the people.
The news of the Grass-Rain Alliance's ascension to one of the five great nations had filled both countries with pride. The Grass Village, especially, was abuzz with anticipation and excitement. Hanzo of the Salamander had even planned a grand celebration for the entire Land of Rain. Especially, The older villagers, who had witnessed the village's rise and transformation, were particularly enthusiastic, their excitement was palpable as they looked forward to the future.
"Elder Yoshinori suggested that we should celebrate this milestone properly. After all, Grass Village is no longer a small village, and now, Leader Akihiko is one of the Five Kage," Mikoto said, flipping through her notebook.
With her long black hair, professional attire, and mature figure, Mikoto projected an air of competence that belied her role as a mother of two. Akihiko considered that perhaps a pair of glasses would complete the look even better.
Noticing Akihiko's gaze, Mikoto felt a slight blush rising to her cheeks. This was her first time handling such an important role, and she was a bit nervous. But given the faith everyone had in her, and the support she and her family—particularly Sasuke and the Uchiha clan—had received, she was determined to give her best.
"So, many people agree with Elder Yoshinori," she continued. As she observed Akihiko deep in thought, a wave of emotion washed over her. Her eyes shone with admiration as she reflected on the rapid rise of Grass Village. It was almost unbelievable to think that a small nation could evolve into one of the five great shinobi villages and even absorb Sand Village. The transformation was nothing short of extraordinary.
At that moment, Akihiko snapped out of his thoughts, looked up at Mikoto, and smiled. "I understand. I'll hold a meeting later to gather everyone's input."
After organizing the upcoming tasks and stretching comfortably, he inquired, "By the way, how is the Uchiha clan doing?"
Mikoto's face softened as she answered, her voice warm. "Thanks to your help, the clan has started to rebuild their lives."
"That's good to hear," Akihiko said, nodding. He then thought to himself, Today is Gaara's first day of school. I wonder how he and the other kids will get along?
Curious, he asked, "And what about Sasuke and Naruto?"
Mikoto's expression shifted to one of amusement as she replied, "Sasuke and Naruto... well, they recently got into another group fight. This time, they lost, so they've been quite down these past few days."
A playful glint sparkled in Mikoto's eyes as she continued, "Naruto even told me in secret that he's planning to get his revenge, but he made me promise not to tell you, Uncle Akihiko~"