Chiyo pulled out a chair across from him and sat down. Leaning back, she spoke with unmistakable weariness and resignation.
"Everyone in Konoha is up in arms. They all want to go to war with us!"
"Tsunade is the only one holding them back. If she weren't, those paupers itching for a fight would have reached the Land of Wind's border by now."
Pakura stood beside the desk, silent until Chiyo finished. Then she stepped forward, bristling. "Then let's fight! We're no pushovers!"
Rasa turned to look at her and rolled his eyes, his voice thick with undisguised impatience and contempt.
"Fight? Can you beat Uchiha Yongye? He kicked the legendary Rinnegan-wielding Pain around like a ball. What are we supposed to fight him with?"
"Even those brutes in Kumogakure don't dare provoke Konoha now!"
Pakura faltered, but her defiance came roaring back. "Even if we can't win, we have to fight! They're making baseless accusations—"
Chiyo raised a hand toward Pakura, cutting her off. "Pakura, go back to work. We in the leadership will make the right decision."
Pakura's gaze lingered on Chiyo's face, then swept over Rasa's still-gloomy expression. After a moment's hesitation, she turned and left the office.
The door closed behind her, and her footsteps faded down the corridor.
Once Pakura was gone, Chiyo rose and listened at the door. Only when the footsteps had disappeared completely did she shut it properly, turn around, and lower her voice.
"You haven't told her about that, have you?"
Rasa settled back into his chair. Staring at the frayed edge of the Scroll on the desk, worn rough by grains of Sand, he shook his head.
"I hadn't had the chance. I was just about to when you came in."
Chiyo breathed a sigh of relief. "Good. Cancel it