Chapter 14: Meeting

Hizuchi looked at everyone and read its content.

….

The daimyo just informed them at the last minute that he invited Rasa to the meeting as well. He said in the letter that it is time for him to exercise his authority and show Rasa to not mess with him, which was a pretty bold move on his part. They don't know if it's just confidence or stupidity.

After that, they continued their journey. They can't really do anything at this point, it's already done.

–Daimyo's palace–

Everyone arrived and they were told by the receptionist to go to the highest floor where the meeting will be held.

…

There is a long rectangular table in the middle of the room surrounded by chairs. On the most luxurious chair on the end of the table, the daimyo was sitting with intimidating looking guards behind him. While on the left long side of the table, one chair is occupied without any guard behind him.

The person seating is none other than Rasa who's elbows are propped on the table and hands are interlock, while eyes are closed. Showing nothing but calmness.

This sent chills down the council members' spine. But they know they have nothing to worry about, Gaara is with them after all.

"Welcome, everyone. Please, you may take your seat." - (Daimyo)

"The pleasure is ours, Daimyo-sama." - (Hizuchi) said as everyone bowed to the daimyo and took their seats except for Gaara who stayed behind Hizuchi.

"Now, let's begin." - (Daimyo) said with seriousness in his voice.

The atmosphere turned into awkward silence.

"If you may, Daimyo-sama." - (Member 1) said to which the daimyo nodded.

"We want to coerce a resignation to our current Kazekage… As you know, more and more people in our village are beginning to show discontent and dislike towards our current leadership. It's only a matter of time before it creates chaos and possibly starts a civil war. If that happens, it will be a huge blow to our country's economy and military strength, leaving us wide open for invasion.

Take the Land of Water for example. Ever since the civil war sparked in Kirigakure a few years ago, their country's economy dropped rapidly. It was only thanks to their geographic advantage, their perfect jinjuriki - the 4th Mizukage, and the other countries being busy recovering from the previous war that they were able to avoid invasions." - (Member 1)

"Hmm, that is true… I assume that you all agreed with this?" - (Daimyo) asked the council members to which they all nodded.

"I see… But, do you have any proof that the majority of your people agreed as well?" - (Daimyo)

"Yes. We conducted a survey on the whole village, albeit secretly. Here…" - (Hizuchi) said and handed a sealing scroll that contained documents full of names, checks, fingerprints and other text.

The daimyo took it and gave it to one of his guards, who is also his assistant, to check the credibility of its content. After receiving the scroll, the guard left the room and called another guard to replace him.

"Do you have a valid reason for doing this secretly?" - (Daimyo) asked Hizuchi.

"Yes. I'm sure you already received the news that our village is under martial law. Ever since then, many people have gone missing. We did an investigation and we found that most of the missing were the ones who joined the recent protest." - (Hizuchi)

"A protest?" - (Daimyo)

"Yes, Daimyo-sama. This is because our Kazekage… still wants to start a war. He also didn't disclose the news that you signed another peace treaty." - (Hizuchi) said while glancing at Rasa's direction for a short moment to see his reaction. Rasa just stayed still, not showing any emotions while his eyes were still closed.

"We suspect that the missing incidents have something to do with the Kazekage… This is our evidence. It contains the names of the people who joined the protest and the names of those who are currently missing." - (Hizuchi) handed another sealing scroll to the daimyo who handed it to his other assistant to check the content.

"Is the protest also the reason why you're under martial law?" - (Daimyo)

"That is correct." - (Hizuchi)

After a few minutes, the two guards who checked the scrolls came back and whispered the results to the daimyo.

"I've confirmed the legitimacy of your scroll… Kazekage-san, do you mind explaining yourself?" - (Daimyo)

Rasa just opened his eyes but still did not say anything. This made the daimyo feel very disrespected.

"Kazekage! Explain yourself right now." - (Daimyo) said while raising his voice.

This time, Rasa put his hands down and looked the daimyo in the eye.

"I have nothing to say, my lord." - (Rasa)

Hearing this, the daimyo stood up.

"Do you admit all the things they are saying and accusations against you are true?" - (Daimyo)

Rasa stayed silent.

The daimyo is really angry right now. Rasa didn't even greet him earlier when he came and now he's ignoring him. In addition, he just learned that Rasa is planning to oppose his words. It's only thanks to his order that his guards didn't attack Rasa yet.

"Then, I will take your silence as 'yes'! As the daimyo of the Land of Wind, I, the person with the highest authority in this country, strip you of the title of Kazekage! From this moment, you are no longer the kage of Sunagakure! And for opposing my words and trying to break the peace treaty without my approval, you will be senten- " - (Daimyo) said authoritatively but he was suddenly interrupted when one of his guards jumped to the table and blocked his view.

"What do you think you're doing?" - (Daimyo).

"How dare you attack the Daimyo!" - (Guard 1) said with anger towards Rasa. He just blocked a golden stone that was shot to the daimyo.

"He… Haha… HAHAHAHAHA!" - (Rasa) laughed like a maniac.

Seeing this, all the guards behind the daimyo and the shinobis hiding in the ceiling launched an attack on Rasa but they were all blocked by his sand. Before they could reposition themselves, they were all pierced by Rasa's gold sand, killing all of them.

Everyone was allerted but the council members were all confused. Gaara hasn't launched an attack yet or even moved.

…

Rasa, after his wife died, the only thing he cared for is his responsibility as the Kazekage, but everything changed after he found out Gaara's potential.

It's not about the village anymore, it's about what he feels. For him, Gaara's strength is the proof that his wife didn't die for nothing. He will feel like a real piece of shīt if the war doesn't happen… because that's the sole reason Gaara was born and the reason his wife died. Which is why he keeps rejecting the proposals of the council.

He will prove to the world... no, to himself that his decisions were right. His decisions to sacrifice Gaara, his wife, and abandoning his family. All for achieving... victory?

He really had no idea what's driving him anymore, but right now, these people want to block his path and stop him from achieving his goal, he won't allow any of that.

…

"You really think you could hide yourself from me, Gaara?" - (Rasa) said and looked towards the shinobi behind Hizuchi who suddenly dropped on his knee, holding his chest. There's not a single wound visible in him but everyone could see that he was in great pain.

"Rrgghh!" - (Gaara) greeted his teeth.

….