Two months have passed since Pakura and Rei met with the Wind Daimyo. The man was incredibly busy with his duties and as such, the issue regarding Rasa was put on hold. Partly, that was to make Rasa relax while everything was subtly prepared in the shadows, and partly to give the Wind Daimyo enough time to finish most of his impending duties so he would have time to go to Sunagakure for this special occasion.
That's why Rasa was currently quietly seething and sweating bullets while sitting in his Kazekage seat in the council room of Sunagakure as the Wind Daimyo sat in his own designated place, smugly smirking at the man.
It was only four hours prior that the Daimyo unexpectedly arrived at Sunagakure and instantly called for a council meeting. After two months of nothing happening, Rasa really didn't expect the Daimyo to pull out the issue with Pakura. At least, not like this. Not in front of the entire village council. Rasa didn't have any doubt about what would be discussed in the meeting. The green-haired woman sitting next to the Daimyo in the seat of the guest of honor was all he needed to understand his position and the crisis approaching. It clearly made him incredibly nervous as his mind started going through various laws and regulations that could pull him through the damning situation. After all, there must be some useful loophole somewhere, right?
The unfortunate Rasa had no idea what really awaited him.
The Sunagakure's council was very reminiscent of the one in Konoha. As in Konoha, there were three parts. As in Konoha, there were clan heads and elders. Unlike in Konoha, however, there was no civilian side, and the third part was solely made up of accomplished ninjas of renown from Sunagakure.
No wealthy civilians having a say in the laws of the village meant there were not as many willing investors as in Konoha, hoping to gain power in the village's council. On the other hand, it also meant less friction in the council. Ninjas understood ninjas and knew what they needed. There was far less politicking than in Konoha since there was no need to keep civilians happy. This created a quite efficient council and honestly, Rei was utterly convinced that was the only reason the village didn't crumble yet under Rasa's horrendous administration.
As the last member of the council took his seat, the Daimyo slowly stood up in a regal manner and spoke, "Since we are all gathered, let's start this meeting. ANBU, please seal the room." He ordered his own loyal ninja guards around him instantly going on guard, staring at the ninja-filled room in case somebody got some bright idea.
Wind Daimyo's ninja guards were not previous ninjas from Sunagakure. Instead, they were taken from orphanages at a young age and trained with the full weight of all resources the Daimyo put into them, excepting nothing but total loyalty and service to him and his family. To be honest, even Pakura, the one who hated the idea of taking kids from orphanages and manipulating them, had to admit the Wind Daimyo at the very least provided a good life for the orphans that would otherwise most likely die before reaching adulthood.
Little did the ninjas, Daimyo, and his guards knew. The biggest threat to their continued existence was currently sitting next to the most important man in the room in the form of a lithe green-haired woman and an aristocratic-looking blond-haired man who aloofly looked at the proceedings with a small expectant smirk.
'Two SS-rank rogue ninjas in the room, sitting right next to the most important person in the country, and nobody is the wiser.' Rei stifled a chuckle at the thought. 'Making these black cloaks for obscuring our identity as the members of Yozora was the best thing I could have come up with! Damn, I am a genius!' He mentally patted his back.
The door was sealed and the council room quieted. The tension in the air was almost palpable as the older members of the council stared either incomprehensibly or in disbelief at Pakura while the newer ones tried to think up a reason for their older counterparts unveiled interest in the girl next to the Daimyo. It was a curious sight for the Daimyo. Especially since he expected more old coots to be sitting behind the council table. To find so many clans changed leadership in recent years... it was indeed curious, to say the least.
Nevertheless, the Daimyo was not there to gawk at the many unknown faces and wonder when the political landscape in his hidden village changed so much. He had a duty, a very satisfying one at that! "I am sure many of you wonder why I left my seat in the Wind Capital and came all the way to Sunagakure without forewarning you about my arrival." He started, instantly catching the rapt attention of everybody in the room.
Everybody present knew the Daimyo didn't travel for no reason. He couldn't afford to as even the shitty and selfish Daimyo like the Water one actually had to rule if he wanted to stay in power. While privileged, Daimyos had many responsibilities and prolonged travel simply couldn't fit into their schedule. It was obvious the man was not here for a leisure visit or a vacation.
Suddenly, the stares on Pakura intensified as the elders' eyes widened in sudden realization. When their facts suddenly clicked together. It was a simple deduction... really.
Everybody knew Daimyo hated Rasa and wanted to get rid of him.
The Daimyo sat in front of them, in the Suna Council, smiling like a loon as if his Christmas came far too soon for the happiness of others.
And the woman sitting next to the Daimyo was one of the Suna's past heroes who was supposed to be dead because of a diplomatic mission to the Kirigakure she was made to take... on Rasa's orders.
The Daimyo gestured at Pakura, "I am sure most of you already know her. This is Pakura, the hero of the Third War. The same kunoichi who was supposed to be dead..." He pleasantly added before gleefully turning towards Rasa who looked like a dear in the headlights, "right, Rasa?"
'Oh, shit...' The members of the council suddenly had to resist an incredible urge to groan as even the youngest and the least experienced of them was hit with the full weight of what the Wind Daimyo was insinuating.
Their day suddenly got a whole lot more interesting.
And troublesome.