Council Meeting

Just as he began to bask in their admiration, two ornately decorated carriages rolled up to the gathering.

The secretary-general of the country hurriedly dismounted with an exuberant smile. Quickening his pace, he approached Arthur and boomed, "It really is you, lord Belfort!"

"Yes, it is I."

"What a sight to behold! Please, let us clear the area." He waved his hands, motioning for the press to step back. "All of you, don't you know that our country's successor must get proper rest after what he's been through?! I mean, just look at his clothes!"

The citizens exchanged mixed expressions. They were thrilled to see Arthur alive and well, but the prospect of moving away and monotony settling in was disconcerting.

"It's alright," Arthur said, raising a hand. "Everyone, our secretary-general's here for my safety."

Despite hearing how calm and uplifting his words were, many were still reluctant to leave his side.

The secretary-general worked busily to return order to the scene, rallying the citizens to head home while ensuring no one was left feeling neglected.

Arthur could only smile and occasionally fake a chuckle while watching as the citizens dispersed, still casting glances over their shoulders, hoping for another word, another assurance from their returning lord.

"My lord," the secretary-general began, "I truly am happy about your return! The difficulties we've all faced while you were away were overwhelming in themselves."

"Then we must act quickly," Arthur declared. "Let us discuss things back at the castle, where I'm sure many others are waiting."

"Yes, my lord!"

As the last remnants of the excited citizenry subsided and the noise of the capital receded into the background, Arthur and the secretary-general made their way to his castle.

Climbing out of the carriage and stepping onto the cobblestone, it came as no surprise that security had tightened tremendously.

There were many shinobi from the Mist Village, many of whom looked to be strong Jōnin.

However, what truly awaited Arthur at the castle was a surprise he hadn't anticipated.

As soon as the grand doors opened, he was engulfed in a hug from Hiromu. This sudden display of affection was unbecoming of a feudal lord who was to be formal at all times.

The small crowd that trailed behind them—council members, subjects, and servants alike—all bore witness to this informal embrace between the two leaders.

"It's good to see you, too," Arthur began. He remained calm and knew that breaking this embrace would only cause drama. "You look well!"

"I'm absolutely jubilant that you're alive, my wonderful, successful successor!" Hiromu proclaimed.

"Thank you," Arthur replied, gently returning the embrace, though internally he felt unease. He could sense, more than see, the intrigue and bordering on jealousy from several council members who observed the scene. "Everyone seems to be faring well."

The two finally broke apart and walked toward the massive wooden doors of the castle, their prior conversations hidden behind the cordial smiles and pleasantries.

Quietly, Hiromu led Arthur and the other council members inside, positioning their conversation away from the public's earshot.

Once inside the meeting chamber, Hiromu began speaking in a lower voice: "For lord Belfort's sake, security across the city has been raised to the utmost level. We've deployed guards at every post, and all access points are monitored."

"Indeed," the secretary-general added. "The Hidden Mist Village also contributed by sending several of their elite shinobi our way."

"Funds were also spent accordingly to ensure everyone's safety within the capital," finished the treasurer.

Arthur raised an eyebrow, contemplating this declaration but remaining ultimately unimpressed.

While their tactics for defense maneuvers were plausible, they and the rest of this country didn't yet know who their enemies were: the Akatsuki.

The Akatsuki were not just ordinary foes; he knew they were capable of far more than the regular threats of banditry and insurrection. If their leader, Pain, wanted to level this open city, he could do so with just one technique.

"That's all well and good," Arthur carefully replied, "but we can't underestimate the threat posed by my attackers. More measures will have to be in place that extend beyond the capital. This is against the Akatsuki, after all…"

Hiromu stammered, "The Akatsuki? You mean the organization that—"

"—attacked me earlier," Arthur interjected, maintaining an assured demeanor. "Yes, that's the one. Your investigators only got the minor details; they're far more dangerous than what you know, and their ambitions go deeper than our conventional notions of security."

How was it that they hadn't understood who attacked Arthur? It was because Itachi had nearly placed everyone he came across in a genjutsu.

Even during the chase, he and Kisame had run too fast for anyone to really identify them.

The group of council members became uneasy. Some exchanged glances while others remained transfixed by Arthur's commanding presence.

"Then it's settled," the secretary-general declared, rolling his shoulders back to restore some semblance of authority. "We shall heighten security measures throughout the entire country's borders."

The earnest head advisor nodded and said, "Absolutely! It is for the dignity of our nation and for the safety of lord Belfort. Perhaps we should also consider—"

"Four guards at all times," Hiromu interjected, highlighting how concerned he was. "We need to have four shinobi watching my successor at all times."

Arthur shook his head, citing his reservations.

"I can't support that idea," he said. "It might rattle the citizens' morale if they see me surrounded as if I were an imminent target for assassination. They need to feel secure, not threatened by the enemy."

This brought forth silent deliberation as the council loosened; many leaned in toward each other, whispering their thoughts. Hiromu recognized Arthur's adeptness in navigating the complexities of public perception.

"Yet, my lord…" another council member hesitantly piped up. "We can't simply ignore your protection. One guard, perhaps—"

"I'll think about the matter later," he declared.

This was a half-truth; he greatly preferred his moments of solitude. Intrusiveness in his daily routine felt unwarranted, something that could undercut the approachability he desired while dwelling in this country.

Hiromu seized upon the moment to steer the discussion onward and said, "As we prepare for potential threats ahead, I would also like to propose the inauguration of my successor this year."

At the mention of an inauguration, the room became excited. Not a single one of them looked to go against it.

And though short and sudden, the announcement would help raise hope after the recent terrorist invasion.

Arthur didn't voice any immediate objections. An early inauguration would be both good and bad—bad because of the public implications.

"It's critical that we respond to recent incidents," he interjected carefully after a moment of silence. "What the Akatsuki did—attacking a political figurehead—can't be overlooked."

"I agree!" the secretary-general yelled, standing. "They've branded themselves as terrorists, and that needs to be known across the nations."

"This is true," the head diplomat fueled. "They cannot conduct business here or anywhere else without facing consequences."

Arthur considered things.

It was an undeniable truth, and it deepened his situation. While he knew the danger the Akatsuki posed toward others, he also recognized that raising concerns about their methodology had the potential to wake a sleeping giant of conflict.

For instance, if the Water Country and other nations enacted war upon the Akatsuki, that organization might hasten their goals of desiring to capture the Jinchūriki.

"So, should we spread the word that the Akatsuki are now classified as a threat to the entire country and alert the other nations?" Hiromu ventured.

Arthur closed his eyes and answered, "Not yet… If we can formalize my status as feudal lord first, this will encourage the other nations to rally around us. Afterwards, we can compel them to act against our common foes."

A cautious but fervent conversation erupted among the council members. The head advisor and head diplomat exchanged solemn gazes, both aware that such an act could compromise much more than the safety of their own citizens; it opened the floodgates to international scrutiny and potential confrontation.

"Reaction among the other villages could go either way," the head diplomat warned. "While some may be galvanized to stand against the Akatsuki, others could view your ascension as a pretext for war."

There it was: the word Arthur had been waiting for someone to address. Of course, he desired war; it was the main and only thing that would help liberate this corrupt world.

But it wouldn't be like the Fourth Shinobi World War, which lasted seventy-two hours; it would be one that stretched for months—even years.

He leaned back in his chair and said, "If we do nothing, it could create a void that lets the Akatsuki gain power while we remain idle."

Only Hiromu and the secretary-general were not nervous, for both of them had fought through the Third Shinobi War. To them, it was no more than reopening the doors to help redeem their nation.

And regardless of what anyone thought, they would all ultimately move in Arthur's direction.

"What about the Hidden Mist Village?" the treasurer inquired. "Should they also remain on high alert?"

Arthur responded, "When the time comes, yes. The last thing we need is others knowing what's discussed here. For now, inform them of the current developments. Their resources will be an invaluable asset once things escalate."

The nods around the table indicated growing consensus. Then the treasurer chimed in again, keen to pursue more logistical matters.

"If I might suggest," she began, "we also need to ensure the flow of resources continues smoothly. Economic stability could play a crucial role in gaining favor with the other hidden villages."

Arthur nodded, acknowledging the practicality of such an idea.

"Fair point," he agreed. "We can use our trade routes to reinforce alliances."

As the meeting continued, the council began to fire off questions regarding Arthur's ninja abilities.

Faces filled with inquisitiveness and disbelief at the mention of his prior combat feats, many of whom had no knowledge of his strength until now.

"If I may, lord Belfort," the head advisor pressed. "Your display of chakra manipulation during that recent attack… How long have you been practicing ninja arts?"

Arthur knew that there would be no ignoring this fact once he returned. He was sure that even the press wanted to make this a huge headline.

So, he chose his words carefully.

"Truth be told, I don't consider myself a ninja. I've only learned to utilize chakra when situations demand it. I faced two adversaries intent on taking my life. Anything I could do in that moment was instinctual."

His reply was both sincere and believable. Though he omitted certain truths, they accepted his words: it wasn't every day that an ordinary citizen transitioned to wielding chakra.

While Hiromu and the secretary-general, both of whom were under Arthur's illusion, would follow him to the end of the world, the others were not so easily persuaded.

The head advisor placed his fingers thoughtfully on the table and said, "Nevertheless, our nation operates under laws that require any practitioner of chakra techniques to report their abilities to the nearest agency. It may present complications if any agencies investigate your sudden emergence of skills."

Arthur maintained a nonchalant demeanor and answered, "Regulations aside, I hardly qualify as a problem. I have no aims of using my abilities maliciously, as my role is solely dedicated to the betterment of this nation. Notwithstanding, I'll leave it to you to determine how you'd like to handle the legalities."

The council members exchanged glances and all nodded with understanding.

It was plausible; Arthur had only recently returned from a trying ordeal, and the likes of the Akatsuki only made it apparent for him to know how to manipulate chakra.

As for why the Akatsuki was even after him in the first place, everyone thought the same thing—he was a lord of a country.

Like the President Pro Tempore of the Union of South American Nations or the Maharaja of India, hardly anyone needed to raise the question of an assassination attempt on Arthur.