"As of today, Ryoji Morimoto is temporarily stripped of his position as head of the Navy. He will retain the rank of Jonin and is ordered to reflect on his actions in seclusion at home."
Shiraishi's punishment of Ryoji Morimoto was issued swiftly, sending shockwaves through the ranks of Sunagakure. However, most understood the Kazekage's fury.
This time, Morimoto had been far too arrogant.
Not only had he publicly attacked a Marine Admiral candidate personally recommended by the Kazekage, but he had also disregarded standing prohibitions by recklessly attempting to trigger the final two gates of the Eight Gates of Breath.
Such an act could have resulted in a catastrophe within the village walls. Stripping him of his post was, in many eyes, a relatively lenient resolution.
As the Fifth Kazekage and the strongest leader in Suna's history, Shiraishi's prestige was unparalleled. While such a move against a high-ranking official might cause a backlash under a weaker "Kage," the Marine Department accepted the order without a whisper of resistance.
In the face of the strongest man in the current shinobi world, power was the ultimate deterrent.
"Ryoji Morimoto was the founder and primary architect of the Marine Department.
Now that you've removed him as Fleet Admiral, the Navy won't dare rebel, but the internal ranks will be paralyzed by fear. Do you have a plan to address the fallout?"
Years of retirement had left Ebizo looking quite frail. He squinted at the chessboard before him; though he rarely interfered in current affairs, he found himself concerned by this particular upheaval.
"I've already selected the second Fleet Admiral. I've been far too indulgent with them over the years."
"Indulgent is an understatement," Ebizo chuckled. "The Marine Department has been your most favored branch. Other departments have complained about your partiality more than once or twice."
Shiraishi gave a sheepish smile. He had built the Marine Department specifically to curb the influence of traditional local factions—it was a move designed to facilitate the eventual restructuring of the Land of Wind and the Hidden Sand.
The Navy was a blade he had forged himself, but Ryoji Morimoto had proven himself no longer fit to hold the hilt.
The core of the Navy consisted of commoners and ninjas from the newly integrated islands of the Land of Wind.
Shiraishi had to maintain absolute control over this demographic. If Morimoto was slipping from his grasp, a suitable replacement was mandatory.
"While Morimoto's influence in the Navy is vast, there is another who is qualified to take the lead."
Ebizo took a sip of tea and looked up. "Are you referring to Nagase Bizen?"
After the death of Hoshino Mai, Nagase Bizen had become disheartened and retreated to teach at the Ninja Academy.
However, prior to that, he had been a pillar of naval construction in the Land of Rivers region. In terms of seniority and prestige among the veteran naval officers, he was second only to Morimoto.
"He is the most suitable candidate for now," Shiraishi confirmed.
The fact that Shiraishi could strip a man like Morimoto of his rank so decisively served as a reminder that the Kazekage remained the absolute master of Sunagakure.
Sensing a shift in the power vacuum, other high-ranking officials began to stir. Arakawa Arashi, another of the village's "Big Three," recommended several ANBU commanders for the post, but Shiraishi rejected them all.
"Uzumaki-sensei."
Outside the mission hall of the Jonin Commander's office, Arakawa Kashi waited after handing in his mission report.
He didn't leave with his teammates, but instead lingered specifically for Uzumaki Tomoki.
Tomoki was surprised to see him. "What is it, Kashi?"
"That... I want to apply for the Marine Department."
Tomoki's eyebrows shot up. "The Navy is in a state of flux right now. Are you sure you want to join them at a time like this?"
It was difficult for him to understand why his student would want to dive into the Navy just as Morimoto had fallen.
The young Arakawa Kashi smiled shyly. "I've completed many missions under your guidance, Sensei. But compared to what I hear about the Navy, the missions on the mainland are... a bit too mild."
Kashi was a Genin who held himself to rigorous standards. Simple delivery or protection missions had long since exhausted his patience.
He craved the Naval assignments because they were rumored to be fraught with actual combat and life-or-death struggles.
Moreover, Kashi had heard a rumor: Tomoki himself was soon to be promoted to an Admiral position alongside the mysterious "Mr. Ace." If his teacher was moving up, Kashi wanted to move with him.
"Sand manipulation doesn't fare well at sea," Tomoki pointed out.
Kashi's smile widened. "If Sand Style is hard to use at sea, then I'll simply master a different path of training."
Tomoki laughed."For someone of Kashi's noble background to choose the grueling life of the Navy was bound to cause a stir within the clan".
"Uncle will understand," Kashi replied. If he didn't, he wouldn't have leaked the information to Kashi in the first place. Under the Fifth Kazekage, Sunagakure was entering a new era; even the three Sand lineages had to adapt.
"What did you come here for?"
In the Kazekage's office, Ryoji Morimoto stood before Shiraishi, his face wrapped in bandages and his complexion pale. After treatment from the Medical Corps, his physical injuries had largely healed.
Facing Shiraishi's cold tone, Morimoto stepped forward, his head bowed in trepidation. "I cannot abandon the Navy in my heart. This incident... it was indeed caused by my arrogance."
Shiraishi stared at him in silence for a long time before speaking. "You've even begun learning the Snake Ninjutsu from the Ryuchi Cave lineage.
You don't seem arrogant to me at all—on the contrary, you seem very clear on what you want and what you don't."
Aside from the Eight Gates of Breath, Morimoto carried the distinct aura of Snake Ninjutsu. Whether it came from Orochimaru or the White Snake Princess, this was the true reason Shiraishi had struck him down.
As the Shadow of the village and the de facto ruler of the Land of Wind, Shiraishi would never allow an uncontrollable variable to fester.
Practicing Snake Ninjutsu in secret was a small thing in itself, but it revealed that Morimoto had been cooperating with outside powers behind Shiraishi's back. That was the ultimate taboo.
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