I Will Take Her!

A grunted in agreement before he finally turned his attention towards Ryomaru. His steel-gray eyes seemed to take in the boy all at once. "Ryomaru," he began, his tone formal as he addressed his son. His gaze was heavy, loaded with expectations that were yet to be spoken.

Ryomaru met his gaze head-on, a trait he inherited from his mother. His icy-blue eyes sparkled with determination as he responded in kind, "Raikage-sama."

The momentary acknowledgment seemed to stir something within the Raikage, but his countenance remained impassive. "As you already know, you will be leaving for Konoha to study and train." A's voice carried a finality that left no room for argument.

Ryomaru nodded, his small face resolute. "Yes, Raikage-sama," he confirmed. He was acutely aware of B's curious gaze from the window, the older man silently assessing the situation.

Ryomaru's mind churned. He needed to convince A to change the situation at home. He took a deep breath, bolstering his resolve. "I have a request, Raikage-sama."

A's eyebrows knitted together in a rare show of surprise. "Oh?"

Ryomaru summoned every ounce of his courage. He felt a brief flash of warmth as he remembered his mother's words – "You are my world. You are my King." The words gave him the strength he needed.

"I want my mom to escort me in my stay in Konoha." Ryomaru's statement echoed in the room with a certain finality, his gaze locking onto A's with unflinching resolution.

The silence that followed was heavy, a potent tension weaving itself into the fabric of the room. The Raikage's gaze remained steady on his son, his stern face betraying nothing of his thoughts. B, standing by the window, watched the unfolding spectacle with an amused smile curling at the corner of his lips.

"That is not possible," A's voice rumbled in response, breaking the silence. His tone was firm, leaving no room for negotiation.

"Why?" Ryomaru's icy blue eyes flared with a suppressed anger. His fists clenched by his side, the tension in his body almost palpable.

"You got what you want. You have your heir," Ryomaru's voice was steady, his words carrying the weight of years of unspoken resentment. "What else do you want from her? She is not a wife to you. She is not a shinobi of this village. You wouldn't trust her. So what?"

His words hung in the air, a stark accusation that permeated the room. B's smile had vanished, replaced by a thoughtful frown as he silently observed the exchange.

"Do you think she will take me away from you?" Ryomaru continued, his voice cold, his eyes gleaming with defiance. "Don't be naive. I am part of this village and future Kage. Don't worry, I will not give up on my seat that easily. So?"

Shock rippled across A's face, his steel-gray eyes wide as he took in Ryomaru's tirade. He had never heard the boy speak to him in this manner, had never anticipated this level of rebellion.

In the silence that followed, A's mind churned. A part of him respected the boy for his courage, for the sheer audacity of his words. Another part of him was irked, the latent urge to reprimand Ryomaru for his impudence simmering beneath the surface.

The room was tense, the air thick with unsaid words and a whirlpool of emotions. B watched quietly, his gaze shifting between A and Ryomaru.

Ryomaru met A's stunned gaze with determination etched in his icy blue eyes. His chest heaved with his heavy breaths, the toll of his emotional outburst apparent. Yet, he remained unwavering, a testament to his resolve. His hands were clenched into tight fists at his sides, knuckles white from the effort.

A blinked, his face returning to its typical impassive mask. His gaze hardened, and he sighed, a deep rumbling sound that filled the room. He met Ryomaru's eyes, his stern gaze trying to penetrate the boy's defiant armor.

A silence, filled with uncertainty and anticipation, stretched between them. B's eyes flitted between the two, his typically jovial demeanor replaced with an uncharacteristic seriousness.

Finally, A broke the silence, his deep voice echoing in the room. "Your mother... Miori," he began, his tone betraying none of his thoughts, "has her own duties here in Kumo."

Ryomaru's eyes flashed with anger. "What duties? Being your prisoner?"

"She is not a prisoner!" A's voice boomed back, bouncing off the walls of the office, a stark contrast to the chilly atmosphere that had descended. The explosive retort made Ryomaru's icy blue eyes widen momentarily. Yet, the young boy quickly recovered, an admirable feat that showcased the depth of his determination.

"She is needed. That is final," A declared, his tone resolute, leaving no room for negotiation.

A quiet defiance burned in Ryomaru's eyes as he looked back at his father, absorbing the stern finality in his voice. "I will take her with me," he declared, the conviction in his voice echoing through the room, bouncing off the walls and settling into the dense atmosphere. "You can send anyone else to keep an eye on us."

With those final words, Ryomaru turned on his heel and left the room, the door closing behind him with a soft thud, leaving behind a deafening silence. The absence of his defiant figure brought a strange sense of emptiness to the room.

A watched his son's retreating figure, his stern gaze following the boy until the door closed, severing the connection. His hand slapped down on the table in a fit of anger, making the scattered papers flutter. His mind swirled with thoughts of following Ryomaru, of reprimanding him, maybe even breaking a bone or two to assert his dominance. But he knew better.

The subtle shift in the room's atmosphere halted A's angry thoughts. He felt a familiar energy build up, the distinctive vibration of gathering Chakra. He didn't need to turn his head to know the source. B was ready to intervene.

He swiveled his chair to face his brother, his steel-gray eyes narrowing. "You support him?" A questioned, his voice laced with accusation.

B's gaze remained impassive as he met A's questioning eyes. His usual jovial demeanor was replaced by an uncharacteristic seriousness, adding weight to his response. "Well, she was kept here for ten years," B began, his tone steady. "Don't you think it's time she got out and lived a little?"

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