The air in Kazekage's Office was so heavy it was almost dripping with moisture.
Rasa stood with his back to the desk in front of the huge window, gazing at the outline of the village below, which was faintly visible in the wind and sand.
His back was taut like an iron plate, and his clenched fists were so tight that his knuckles turned white.
On the desk, two scrolls lay open.
A document from the Daimyo of the Land of Wind, worded tactfully yet conveying an undeniable firmness.
The other document came directly from the daimyo of the Land of Fire, a scroll sent through diplomatic channels filled with expressions of "serious concern" and "strong demands."
The main point is that Sunagakure must immediately return the Uzumaki Clan survivors, Uzumaki Kei and his daughter Karin, whom they have been "illegally detained," to Kusagakure, their "legal hostage country," with the Land of Fire overseeing the execution.
"Bullshit!" Rasa turned around abruptly and slammed his fist hard on the heavy solid wood desk, making a dull thud.
The documents on the table jumped. "Legal containment? They're treating the Uzumaki Clan like blood bags, and they call that legal containment?!"
In the office, Chiyo, Ebizo, and several elders and advisors were completely silent. Everyone's face was grim.
An elder in charge of finance and diplomacy spoke with a forced smile, " Lord Kazekage, please calm down. The Daimyo's stance is very clear. The Land of Fire is exerting considerable pressure, claiming it concerns regional stability and humanitarian principles."
"If we firmly refuse, the leader has already hinted that the funding and task quota allocated to the village next year may be reduced by more than 20%."
Another advisor added, "Furthermore, the Kusagakure is also making a scene, claiming that our forced entry into their village and looting of villagers is a serious provocation. Although they are weaker, they are very good at stirring up trouble by claiming to be on the moral high ground."
"More than 20% of the funding?" Rasa laughed coldly, his icy gaze sweeping over everyone present. "Do you know what this means? It means more ninjas will go hungry, it means ninja tool upgrades and maintenance will be halted, it means the loopholes in the village's defense system will remain unpatched! All for the so-called 'morality' of those two countries with ulterior motives?"
He took a deep breath, trying to calm his surging anger. "Don't you understand the value of the Uzumaki Clan? Their Sealing Jutsu are a strategic force! Especially in this situation."
He didn't explicitly mention Shukaku and Gaara, but everyone present understood perfectly well.
"Of course we understand," Chiyo finally spoke, her voice hoarse, "But the Daimyo can't see that far ahead. They only see the immediate 'stability' and the pressure exerted by the Land of Fire. How could those pampered nobles understand the hardships of a ninja village's survival and the true meaning of power?"
Ebizo said slowly and deliberately, "A hardline confrontation is not the solution. We need a reason that can both protect our people and silence the Daimyo and the Land of Fire."
"Reason? What reason?" Rasa paced irritably. "Should we tell the Daimyo that we need the Uzumaki Clan to prevent the Tailed Beast from going berserk? Or that we can't stand seeing them being abused and want to protect them? Which reason is valid?"
Silence fell over the meeting room once again. The economic lifeline of Sunagakure was largely in the hands of the Daimyo, and a direct confrontation with the behemoth that Land of Fire would be extremely unwise.
Just then, there was a gentle knock on the office door...