Naruto: Did i Just Get Reincarnated as Gojo?

Chapter 163: Gojo Kaigetsu: The Principal-The Uncle-The Plotter

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Evacuating citizens from another village was a diplomatic move, typically employed when relations soured or the other village's internal situation became unstable.

"Sunagakure's new Kazekage wouldn't harm Konoha's citizens or its ambassador," Gojo Kaigetsu said, shaking his head. "That would be a direct insult to Konoha."

"And besides, our trade agreement benefits Sunagakure immensely. Even if their leadership is now—less than ideal, they can't afford to jeopardize that."

A village was driven by its interests. Even a Kazekage who seized power through force had to consider—public opinion.

Why had the Thirty-Two sided with Baki? Because Kosaka Kaoru's policies threatened their income.

For example, the village's military budget. Those in charge of weapons procurement could—skim a significant portion. And the merchants, the smaller clans, they all had to—pay their respects.

But with Kosaka Kaoru in charge, the military budget would be slashed, the funds diverted to—sailboat hotels. Their influence, their status—it would all diminish.

Threatening their income was like—killing their parents.

"Ninja spirit," "loyalty"—it was all about money, about power, about influence within the Kazekage Tower.

They'd supported Baki to protect their own interests.

But—their ambitions also depended on Sunagakure's prosperity.

If they severed ties with Konoha, their income would plummet.

The puppet makers, for instance. They relied on Konoha for wood. The trade agreement had halved their material costs.

They hadn't supported Baki to—destroy their livelihoods.

They wanted a better life, more power, not—poverty.

They'd turn on Baki the moment he threatened their income.

Attacking Konoha? Perhaps—eventually. But not until Konoha's benefits were no longer—sufficient.

Until then, Baki would have to—maintain the facade, gradually reducing Suna's reliance on Konoha, minimizing the cost of a future war.

After all, war was about—redistributing resources.

"I predict—under Baki's leadership, Sunagakure will—implode. The conflict between the Kazekage Tower and the villagers will intensify. Protests demanding a return to Rasa's policies, a restoration of trade with Konoha—Baki will be forced to implement martial law, suppressing dissent. And that—will only fuel the flames of rebellion. Eventually—civil war. And then—Konoha intervenes."

Gojo Kaigetsu's—predictions left Minato speechless.

"Will—will that really happen?"

"Absolutely."

The only lesson the ninja world learned from history was that it learned nothing.

And if the ninja world didn't have such a history? Well, Gojo Kaigetsu did.

"But how will Konoha justify intervening? Even if Sunagakure's villagers and ninja desire closer ties with Konoha, they wouldn't accept our—rule, would they? Should we use the same pretext as the Kirigakure operation?"

"Sunagakure is different from Kirigakure. Kirigakure's clans are powerful, isolationist. Their caste system is deeply entrenched. They're more loyal to the elders than to the Mizukage. The Mizukage is just—a figurehead."