Chapter 97.2- One Thousand Hands

“You did” She said.

“And you are still here.” He commented.

“They wanted me to convince you” She said.

“My yes is my yes. My no is my no” He did not know what the shinobi took him for but he had little interest in finding out. He had one friend in their number, and Shamon was dead. If he could have sealed himself back into his kettle, he would have, Unfortunately, the kettle refused to even attempt holding him with all the power coursing through him now.

It had been a tight fit with just Shukaku contributing the bulk of the power. Now, Bunpuku on his own was as powerful as the tailed beast had been. It was best not to try. He had lost enough, and while he was not one who prided himself on physical attachments, he would mourn the kettle if it was ever destroyed.

Even more so if he was the one who did the act himself.

“I agree. But I think you and the council are misunderstanding each other”

“How so? I have no desire to rule a ninja village, like I have told you already.”

“And the council has no desire in having our village ruled by a monk, to be honest. They are not stupid, you know?” She said.

“So why do they pester me with their constant offers if they wish not for me to accept then?” He asked. He could not underhand shonobi. Why could they just not learn to say what they meant when they meant it and leave things as such.

“No, you’re getting it wrong. They want you to accept.”

Bunpuku did not cut in now. Patience was a virtue ranking above curiosity, so instead of pestering her with clarifying questions, he settled to watch and wait.

“They want you to be Kazekage, but not to rule. There’s no one else in the village even close to being as strong as you are. With the power you have, you could end fights before they even begin”

“They seek to use me as a weapon” He had heard this argument before. Even Shamon had not been able to convince him to abandon his oaths so thoroughly. Bunpuku doubted this council would succeed.

“No. More like a deterrent. They don’t want you to fight. They don’t want Suna to fight. No one wants us to fight. Even with your help, we lost so many to Konoha’s attack, that we’re in danger of ceasing to exist.”

“A pacifist as a Kage. Is such a thing even possible?”

“With how strong you are, everything is possible. They want you to make sure the other villages don’t get any ideas of coming after us while we remain weak. Also, having you as Kage means they can take the time looking for a more permanent candidate for the role instead of having to rush to fill it” She said.

“Hmmm. These are all good arguments but I still have no interest in doing such” He said.

“I feared you would say that.” She said.

“Is this now where your council would have you threaten me?” He asked, feeling amusement creep up even despite his usual detachment.