Iwa's Great Council

Every trimester or at times of great emergency, the Tsuchikage calls upon Iwa's Great Council. This council regroups the most important individuals in the working of the village.

They discuss over war, great scale military operations, over alliances, weapon production, the shinobi police force and the village's economy.

In the undergrounds of the Tsuchikage's residence, a heavily protected room was built. This room was solely used for this specific council.

Around the marble oval table, twelve people were sitting quietly. Kentaro was sitting at the end of the table, he wore his Tsuchikage attire.

"Today, I've summoned all of you. The times will be getting difficult, we'll have a lot to discuss about. First and foremost, let's check everyone's presence."

Even if it was obvious that everyone was present, it was a sort of ritual to call their names one by one. This was meant to officialize the council's beginning.

"Assassination Group leader, Zarachi Chinoike. Espionage Group leader, Koro Udai. Hunting Group leader, Yuno Ichika." the three Anbu leaders nodded to Kentaro and he resumed.

"Lord Fujimoto, Lord Kamizuru, Lord Sara, Lord Ichika, Lord Chinoike, Lord Haru." the head of the Fujimoto clan was Kentaro himself, the other five clan heads of Iwa's noble clans nodded their heads.

"Iwa-nins' represantative, Yukaren. Chief of economy, Tenzo. Chief of the shinobi police force, Sasumaru Fujimoto." the three nodded to Kentaro just like the others.

"The eleven of you are present and awake as I can see, we can officially begin the council. I know that all of you are impatient to talk about the recent events, but first we shall hear Tenzo about the village's economy." Kentaro looked at Tenzo's old wrinkly face.

"Yes, economy is as important as our military. This trimester, after recolting the taxes from the people of the land. A total of ten billion Ryos have been placed into the village's treasury." Tenzo had a very satisfied tone when he said this.

"A very good number indeed, I hope that there were no complaints from the people regarding the percentage taken from them." Tenzo immediately reassured Kentaro.

"Lord Tsuchikage, there will alway be complaints. This trimester had less than usual, you should rest easy on this matter." Tenzo stood up and gave a neat pile of paper to Kentaro, this was a more profound report about the economical state of this trimester.

Kentaro placed it in front of him and looked at the young man sitting next to Tenzo, this young man was the chief of the shinobi police force.

"Sasumaru Fujimoto, tell me fellow brother, how is our clan doing as the shinobi police force?" Sasumaru was a young nineteen year old, he was always under a lot of pressure when Kentaro talked to him.

"Clan le- Lord Tsuchikage, our clan does very good actually. As you may know, those who make sure the law is respected are often disliked and disrespected. Thanks to you, it is the contrary. We are respected and listened by the shinobi of the village, they always cooperate and do not go against our words when we are doing our job."

Sasumaru gave his own pile of paper to Kentaro, it was his report for this trimester. The next topic was the one who everyone was interested about.

"We shall talk about the recent event with Konoha. I was attacked by Madara Uchiha on my way to the meeting. As I was split, I couldn't do much. Four Anbu lost their lives, it escalated to a pretty harsh fight. Ultimately, Madara Uchiha is dead and Konoha is preparing for war. Four days from now, Lord Raikage will come here for a meeting. I will make sure to form an alliance with Kumogakure, having an ally during war is never bad." Yukaren held his hand slowly up, Kentaro gave him a nod.

"Lord Tsuchikage, what does it mean for us, the common shinobi? We are all preparing for battle just as you ordered us to, but when and how will we be deployed?"

"I will take care of how and where tonight, it may change if Kumogakure joins us. To answer your first question, it means that the common shinobi has to prepare to the best of his ability and has to bid farewell to his loved ones, that's what it means."

Yukaren nodded, he was the Iwa-nins representative he had to ask questions that were the most requested by the shinobi of the village.

"Lord Tsuchikage, do you have an idea on how our clans will be divided? Which clan will participate in which battlefield?" Kentaro looked at Lord Sara.

"Didn't I tell you that I haven't done any plans yet, so how am I supposed to know the answer to your question? In any case, your clan will be dispatched at the border with The Land of Grass. Little camps with your medical-nins and those you trained will take care of the wounded. When I think about it, our battlefield will surely be The Land of Grass." this seemed logical to everyone.

"I think that everything that had to be said has been said, I will send each of you more information about this topic after the meeting with the Raikage. You can all leave now." They all stood up, Kentaro looked at the three Anbu leaders.

"You three, stay." they directly sat back down. When the door closed, Kentaro spoke to them.

"We lost four Anbu that were part of the Assassination group, Zarachi I will need you to get some Jonin who are interested into joining your group. We only need four men who are capable enough, when you find them and made them pass your own tests, tell me so I can personally see what they're all about." Kentaro stood up, the three Anbu leaders did the same.

They left the room and each went their own separate ways, Kentaro walked to his office and sat down.

'I'll just have to wait four days now, hopefully the Raikage will be of the same opinion as I. That Konoha must be weakened no matter what.'