The Avengers of the Uzumaki Family

Gaara's potential can also reach the Kage level.

Maki saw all of this.

He just wanted to be Sunagakure's 'patcher' for a while, as long as he could ensure that Sunagakure would not have any problems in the next few years and could recover its strength little by little until Gaara was fully grown.

Maki then decided to shirk his responsibilities.

The shadow is in this position.

Although we consider all aspects of overall qualities, personal strength is ultimately the most important factor. Was Danzo's failure to become Hokage really due to his hesitation in that decision to cover the rear?

Do not!

This is clearly just Danzo's own conjecture.

In fact.

That was just Tobirama's final test of Hiruzen Sarutobi.

After all, from any perspective, Hiruzen Sarutobi was the most outstanding young man of his generation, and also the strongest in terms of individual strength. At the time when Tobirama chose to cover the retreat, Hiruzen Sarutobi already possessed power that was at least infinitely close to the Kage level. (Hiruzen Sarutobi was quite outstanding in his youth. The title of "Ninja Hero" was not self-proclaimed, but recognized by the ninja world, which is enough to prove Hiruzen Sarutobi's outstanding performance in his youth, and even before his prime.)

This is the most important reason why Tobirama chose him as his successor.

The same is true for Sunagakure today.

The only one who can inherit the title of Kage is Gaara.

It can be said that during the period after the war, and for a long time to come, Maki devoted all his energy and time, apart from handling the internal and external affairs of the village, to training Gaara, and even intentionally arranged a series of tasks with special significance for Gaara.

The purpose was to hone Gaara's skills while increasing his prestige and popularity in the village. Of course, this was also based on the premise that Gaara's personality had undergone a significant positive change. Otherwise, given Gaara's previous attitude, no matter how much Maki thought highly of Gaara, he would never have been able to groom him as the next Kazekage.

"Hmm, very good. This mission was completed very well. Let's keep at this pace. The next mission requires us to communicate with the Daimyo. We will need to wait for the Daimyo's orders. You can rest for the next few days."

In the first year of the Hidden Light Village, the 62nd year of the Leaf Village, May 5th, in the Land of Wind, in the Hidden Sand Village, in the Kazekage Building, which also stands tall in the heart of the ninja village.

Maki sat upright in the main seat reserved for the Wind Shadow.

Looking at Gaara, Temari, and two other young Sand Ninja dressed in Sunagakure vests and uniforms below, he said with a smile.

Let's not even mention Temari.

As of now, this applies to all missions Gaara is carrying out.

Maki either arranges for Temari or Kankuro to accompany Gaara; one of the two siblings must go with him.

The rest involves selecting the best young Sand Ninja from the ninja villages to participate.

Cultivating their relationship with Gaara is also a very important part.

It is clear that this strategy is effective. Although it is unclear whether Gaara's personality changed drastically due to the shock of being captured by Konoha, the Gaara who became more willing to communicate with people and whose temperament stabilized is the Gaara who best aligns with the greater good and interests of Sunagakure.

Just like the previous Jinchuriki of their ninja village, that Lord Bunboku.

That would be the most perfect Jinchūriki.

"Yes, Mr. Machi."

Gaara remained calm and nodded slightly.

As the son of the fourth generation.

He was still a member of the Maki Squad.

It even had Machi's personal permission.

Gaara can directly address Maki as "teacher," just as Naruto addresses Jiraiya and Tsunade; there's no need to consider their special status.

This is the advantage of lineage.

"Well, let's go."

Maki waved his hand.

"Yes."

Gaara then left with Temari and two other young Sand Ninja.

"Are you really ready to make Meara the next Kazekage, Maki?"

After Gaara and the others had completely gone far away.

In the far left corner of the office, Chiyo, who had been resting with her eyes closed the whole time, slowly opened them and looked directly at Maki in the main seat, asking softly.

"Yes, Lady Chiyo, I've always felt that Gaara is the most suitable, no, the only suitable candidate in our village. The title of Kage cannot be tarnished. My strength and magnanimity are actually not worthy of this position. Gaara meets the standards in terms of his current strength, future potential, and bloodline. It won't take too long. I have a feeling that in five or six years at most, Gaara will become a qualified Kage. At that time, I will retire directly and do my best to help Gaara ascend to the position of Kazekage. I think you would agree with that, right?"

Maki took a deep breath, turned around, met Chiyo's extremely cloudy eyes, and nodded emphatically.

The rise of a shadow.

It requires support from all sides.

One's own strength is merely the most basic and fundamental condition.

Specifically regarding Sunagakure, Maki's confidence in Gaara still requires the approval of Chiyo and Ebizo. The two's current status in Sunagakure is similar to that of Genji in Kirigakure. Maki was able to quickly stabilize the morale of Sunagakure because of the support of Chiyo and Ebizo.

He was a ninja from the same era as the Third Kazekage.

To put it bluntly, he's a veteran of three dynasties!

Back then, Chiyo's puppetry skills shocked the entire ninja world. Saying that Chiyo had Kage-level strength was indeed an exaggeration, but relying on her status as a top puppeteer, Chiyo at her peak was definitely the most powerful near-Kage level existence, the kind of ninja who could fight against Kage-level opponents.

The prestige and qualifications accumulated from all aspects.

This is why the Kazekage transition in Sunagakure is now impossible without the support of Chiyo and Ebizo.

Gaara's identity is ultimately a bit special.

In the history of the original Five Great Nations, there is only one example of a Jinchūriki becoming a Kage, but he was the type who rose to power first and then became a Jinchūriki. It is not so common. Not to mention that Kirigakure has always been a singularity among the original Five Great Nations.

Not to mention the dough.

The Hidden Light Village was built entirely by the villagers themselves.

Therefore, Gaara faces many obstacles if he wants to become the Kazekage.

But Maki firmly believed that Chiyo would recognize his judgment. Just like two years ago, when the Fourth Hokage died unexpectedly in battle and his own ninja village was defeated, Chiyo stood up and pushed him to take over, but later she did not fight for any real power.

Maki believed that such a highly respected senior from the ninja village would make the most correct judgment and would not be limited by so-called worldly views.

Gaara's succession as the Sixth Kazekage was the key to the resurgence of Sunagakure, at least that's what Maki believed.

"Hehe, you're still the same as before, Maki. Indeed, Gaara is the most outstanding one among the next generation of our Sunagakure. It's possible for him to become the Kazekage, but there are many issues involved. Maki, you should be mentally prepared."

Chiyo first smiled lightly, then looked at Maki with a solemn expression and said.

Since her son and daughter-in-law died in battle, and her only grandson defected, Chiyo's heart was already half dead. The remaining half was just the obsession left behind as a Sand Ninja, an old senior who had fought for the village for decades.

That is, they want to see Sunagakure return to its former glory.

At the very least, we should try to be on the same level as other ninja villages.

Chiyo was not an idealist, nor did she indulge in fantasies. Therefore, she knew that achieving this would be extremely difficult. The problems of Sunagakure could not be solved overnight. The fact that Sunagakure had not won a single war over the decades not only explained many issues but also proved its weakness and failure.

We need to break this situation.

Their Sunagakure village is about to undergo a decisive change.

Gaara's ascension to the position of Kazekage was the most crucial step.

But this step is also extremely difficult. Don't be fooled by the fact that Sunagakure may seem to have nothing. The smaller the village, the more complex the internal struggles. "A small temple has many demons, and shallow waters have many turtles"—that's the idea.

"Yes, Lady Chiyo, I have long been prepared. Gaara will surely become Kazekage one day in the future, and I firmly believe that Gaara can lead our Sunagakure out of its predicament!"

Machi straightened his body and spoke loudly with a very firm expression.

"Well then, I look forward to that day."

Chiyo spoke softly in a very gentle tone.

"Just you wait and see!"

If I absolutely have to say something.

Chiyo and Maki's judgment was absolutely correct.

As a ninja village that had been in decline for nearly thirty years, Gaara was indeed their only hope for resurgence. It is difficult for a person to lead a country or a ninja village unless they reach the level of Hashirama Senju or Madara Uchiha.

However, an outstanding leader can still lead a force to show a vigorous upward trend.

Gaara from the original work is a good example of this.

Of course, it was also thanks to that 'Naruto Uzumaki'.

Despite the differences in Gaara's experiences in this life, judging from his personal performance and future prospects, Sunagakure still needs to rely on him.

If the future development of the ninja world follows the same pattern as the past ninja wars, Sunagakure may still have a chance to rise again.

Change little by little.

Gaara grows stronger little by little.

He will become the backbone and pillar of Sunagakure!

Exceptional personal talent.

With Shukaku as a backup, and the other tail of the beast, there's still a strong foundation.

There's absolutely no problem with Gaara becoming a powerful Kage-level being.

however.

Menma's arrival and all his actions disrupted this situation.

The ninja world will no longer be as silent as before.

Menma will use his actions to realize his ambitions, regardless of success or failure. The future that Maki and Chiyo envisioned is almost impossible to achieve.

It was after more than three months of reflection and preparation.

Mianma has already made the corresponding preparations.

He was about to take that most important first step into the starry sky.

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 404 A Special Lunar Landing Passage