The Sixth A's expression was grim.
He had initially been very excited when he became the Sixth Raikage, but after fully understanding Kumogakure's current situation, the smile had completely vanished from his face.
There was no other way!
Anyone would find themselves in a bad mood if they realized they had inherited such a mess—a Ninja village on the verge of total collapse at any moment.
Especially at the thought that he might become the last Raikage, and that Kumogakure might meet its end under his leadership, he felt a sudden urge to just throw in the towel and quit.
Damn it.
Why was he so unlucky?
On the other hand.
It wasn't just the Sixth A who looked grim; everyone present had a dark expression.
Nonsense!
They all knew the situation at home.
As the absolute top brass of Kumogakure, they were naturally well aware of the village's current state. Could it even be described simply as 'miserable'?
One could even say that since Kumogakure's founding, even its weakest moments in the past were more than a hundred times better than the present.
But there was no choice!
Since things had already rotted to this point, they had to consider their way out besides just accepting it.
What should they do?
Join the Alliance, or Konoha?
The meeting room was dead silent at first, but a moment later, it erupted into a complete uproar.
"I believe we should join Konoha!"
"I object! If we join the Alliance, Kumogakure still exists. If we join Konoha, the name of Kumogakure will be gone!"
"This world is one where the strong prey on the weak. Even if we join the Alliance, there's no guarantee the other Three Great Shinobi Villages won't move against us."
"If we're going to sell out Kumogakure anyway, why not sell it for a good price?"
"I support joining Konoha because Konoha is the strongest."
"Although Konoha has some ambitious designs, they are simply too powerful right now. Especially if Kumogakure joins them, I don't think the other Three Great Shinobi Villages can last much longer."
"I also support joining Konoha. If we join early, our treatment will be of the highest tier—at least better than the other three villages."
"I object!"
"If the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold, everyone! In my opinion, the other three villages won't annex us, if only for their own self-preservation."
"Object! Do you dare guarantee that? What right do you have to guarantee anything?"
"I also object to joining the Alliance. Even with Kumogakure, who can guarantee that an alliance of the Four Great Shinobi Villages could handle the current Konoha?"
"I support joining Konoha!"
"Don't forget that although the Ninja World is in chaos right now, Konoha has never been hit by that chaos. Even the Akatsuki Organization can't do anything to Konoha."
"We've all fought the Akatsuki. You should understand that the fact that even the Akatsuki fears them is enough proof of how strong Konoha is."
"Object!"
"Support!"
"..."
The entire meeting room instantly turned into a scene of chaotic shouting.
Everyone had their own reasons, but no one could convince anyone else.
As for the Sixth A sitting at the head of the table, he practically ignored the vegetable-market-like scene before him, even unable to suppress a yawn.
How to choose?
To be honest, in his heart of hearts, he was actually leaning toward joining Konoha.
The reason was simple!
While he was loath to give up the prestige of being the Kumogakure Raikage, he also needed to consider the future survival of the Yotsuki Clan once it was certain that Kumogakure's situation was beyond salvation.
After all, compared to Kumogakure Village, the survival of the clan was more important!
Of course.
He didn't show his inclination for the time being, instead watching the argument in the meeting room with a calm face.
After a long time, he slapped the table.
"Enough, stop arguing!"
"It seems we're not going to reach a consensus today, so let's follow the rule of the majority and have a show of hands."
"Those who choose to join Konoha, raise your hands!"
The Sixth A's tone was calm, directly settling the matter.
Following his words, the spies from Konoha were the first to raise their hands, which also influenced some of the genuine Kumogakure Ninjas.
Immediately after.
Seeing that the vote had exceeded half, the opposition also raised their hands without hesitation.
Yes!
Regardless of how they had all opposed joining Konoha just now, once they saw the majority had voted for it, they still chose to raise their hands.
The reason was simple!
Since the majority vote had already confirmed they were joining Konoha, if they didn't raise their hands now, they would surely be subtly targeted once they entered Konoha.
No one would do something so stupid.
After all, they had their own clansmen, families, and friends behind them...
Even if not for themselves, they had to do it!
Finally.
In the meeting room that had been in an uproar, everyone raised their hands in unison.
Seeing this, the Sixth A couldn't help but let out a helpless sigh.
Clearly, he understood that everyone had lost hope in Kumogakure; even their own people felt that Kumogakure could not survive this.
Was it frustrating?
It was!
After all, the Yotsuki Clan's status in Kumogakure was very special, much like the Senju Clan in Konoha, the Sarutobi Clan later on, and the Uchiha Clan now.
If there were even the slightest possibility, he would absolutely never be willing to join Konoha.
However, similarly.
After feeling that there was no hope left, he ultimately took the stance that best suited the clan's survival.
Taking a deep breath, the Sixth A raised his hand.
"Good, passed unanimously!"
"Since that's the case, there's no need to argue further. We have reached a final resolution—joining Konoha!"
"Of course."
"At this stage, it must be kept secret. Otherwise, once it leaks, I fear we will face obstruction or even a joint assassination from Iwagakure, Hidden Mist, and Sunagakure!"
"Those three villages would rather kill us than let us join Konoha."
"Next, four things."
"First: Send a secret diplomatic mission to Konoha to negotiate our joining and secure as many benefits as possible for us."
"Second: The Jōnin Squad Leader will lead the various departments to secretly conduct a census and initial deployment, preparing the people of Kumogakure in batches to be ready to withdraw into Konoha in scattered groups as soon as the negotiations are finished."
"The order of withdrawal will be Ninja Clans, Ninja families, and then ordinary Civilians."
"Third: The Anbu will lead the organization of all Ninjas to prepare for protecting the withdrawal of the people."
"Fourth: The Jōnin Class will send another diplomatic mission to temporarily stabilize Sunagakure, Hidden Mist, and Iwagakure, providing cover for our actions and stalling for as much time as possible."
"That's about it. Everyone, hurry up."
"But everything must be done in secret, otherwise Kumogakure is finished if it leaks."
"That's all for now. The meeting is adjourned!"
After speaking.
The Sixth A didn't waste any more words and immediately left the meeting room first.
He didn't go to the Raikage's office, but headed straight for the Yotsuki Clan.
Nonsense!
Since they had decided to join Konoha, his role as the Sixth Raikage was already meaningless.
What was more important now was to return to the clan, inform the clan elders, and make early preparations for joining Konoha.