Divine Dogs
The moment those words fell, the entire hall became so quiet that a pin drop would have been audible. A young noble from the Land of Claws lost his footing and collapsed onto the floor.
Just then, Yugito moved.
She fearlessly stepped forward, leaving the Cloud ninja's protective circle. Her high-topped combat boots rang crisply against the nanmu floor.
Her voice was neither submissive nor overbearing. There was no fear or hostility in it, only absolute confidence in her own strength. "Captain Sōji, don't be so sure of yourself. The Land of Claws isn't without protection."
"Our mission here is to protect this nation's right to choose for itself. Your actions are pushing our two nations to the brink of war."
At those words, the daimyo of the Land of Claws snapped out of his daze and nodded repeatedly. The blind arrogance peculiar to nobility returned to his voice.
"Yes, yes, exactly! We still have the Land of Lightning's protection!"
"Lord Sōji, doing this means showing the Land of Lightning no respect. Does the Land of Water intend to offend both the Land of Lightning and the Land of Claws?"
Sōji turned toward him. It was a slight, gentle movement, yet the daimyo felt as though a needle had pinned him to his chair. He could not force another word out of his throat.
Sōji looked away, bored, and turned his gaze to Yugito. "Can you speak for the Land of Lightning?"
Unwilling to back down, Yugito stared into his eyes. "And do you believe you can speak for the Land of Water?"
Sōji smiled at that and turned slightly, revealing the character for "water" on his back. "Obviously. I believe I do have the authority to wipe out a small nation."
Beside them, the daimyo of the