Capítulo 29: Chapter 29
Kurama sat back down in the chair after the two left.
"Why the distrust? Did you see something?" Yagura asked, curious.
"Maybe, Fuguki doesn't seem very trustworthy." Kurama replied.
Kurama ran his fingers over the wood surface of the table, feeling the rough texture under his skin. His mind worked quickly, assessing potential threats and the loyalties of his subordinates. "It's not unfounded distrust," he began, looking at Yagura. "Fuguki Suikazan... He has a reputation that precedes his name. And, in the past, there were rumors about his... divided loyalty."
Yagura nodded, understanding the caution of the new Mizukage. "Rumors can be poisonous," he said, "but they can also be revealing. Are you going to test him?"
"Precisely," Kurama confirmed, with a cunning gleam in his eyes. "I'll send a ninja to discreetly watch him. If he's loyal, he'll have nothing to fear and won't even know they're there. If not, we'll find out quickly and act accordingly."
Yagura approved of the strategy with a nod. "A prudent decision. And what about Raiga?"
"He seems more straightforward, easier to read," Kurama replied. "But that doesn't mean we should let our guard down. He will also be observed, but less intensely. For now, we need all capable shinobi we can gather. The stability of Kirigakure is the priority."
"But why so many papers? Weren't you doing your duty?" Kurama complained, feeling tired just by looking at a piece of paper.
"I did, but these are from today, the ones from yesterday I have already dealt with." Yagura responded as he sat down.
Kurama raised an eyebrow at the pile of papers in front of Yagura. "And Isobu, how's he doing?" he asked, trying to steer away from the bureaucratic subject that bored him somewhat.
Yagura smiled slightly, "He's swimming, as always. Seems like he never gets tired of the water."
Kurama chuckled softly and shook his head. "He should be careful not to overdo it, or he might end up 'sleeping with the fishes', if you know what I mean."
Yagura laughed. "That might be difficult, but it's possible, ahaha."
"Anyways, tell him not to stray too far from the village," Kurama said, resuming a more serious expression. "With times as they are, you never know when we might need him."
Yagura agreed and then, with a more thoughtful expression, commented, "You don't trust the masked man, do you? I've already warned Isobu, he knows too. He doesn't trust him either, and neither do I."
"It's good to know we're on the same page," Kurama replied, with his mind already mapping out plans and contingencies. "Let's keep our friends close and our enemies even closer, if possible."
Hours had passed since the cautious conversation between Kurama and Yagura, marked by a silence filled only with the sound of the pen against paper and the whispers of the servants who came in and out of the Mizukage's office. Kurama had used this time to consolidate his position, introducing himself to the high-ranking ninjas of Kirigakure. The meeting had been meticulous and exhaustive, but necessary to establish his authority and vision for the future of the village.
Now, with the sun bidding farewell on the horizon and the sky painted in shades of orange and purple, Kurama found himself alone in his quarters. He wore the Mizukage's hat for the first time, feeling the weight of responsibility it represented. Facing the mirror, he observed his reflected image, the blue hat contrasting with his red hair.
"Not bad, I actually like it," Kurama murmured to himself, his low voice filling the quiet space. "But the blue color doesn't really go with my red hair." He sighed, adjusting the hat. "Well, at least my ears aren't uncomfortable."
He discreetly wiggled his fox ears, pleased they had enough space within the hat.
Yagura's voice suddenly sounded, surprisingly close, making Kurama realize that the young man was behind him, also reflected in the mirror. "The hat is quite comfortable, as well as very warm."
Kurama nodded, an almost imperceptible smile on his lips. "I noticed, I liked it. But the color for me, I think could be different."
"You can change it if you wish," Yagura said, shrugging. "People are already gathering outside, not knowing what they have been called for. They seem eager, don't they?"
Kurama turned to look out the window, where night was beginning to fall over Kirigakure. The silhouettes of residents and shinobi could be seen, their elongated shadows cast by the lights that were starting to come on in the houses and poles. "Yes," he replied, watching the movement outside. "But to me, what they are longing for is not to see the Mizukage, but something else."
Kurama observed the people outside, a sea of anxious faces that barely knew the weight of the decisions made in that office. "I don't believe I'm going to say this, but I feel sorry for these people," he said, with a sigh that carried a mix of concern and responsibility.
Yagura, beside him, looked at the same scene with eyes that had seen much more than most. "Yes, but everything can change, can't it?" he replied, with a tone that hinted at hope and the possibility of renewal.
Kurama turned to Yagura, their eyes meeting in the reflection of the mirror. "Yes, you seem to trust me a lot," he noted, with a slight nod, acknowledging the loyalty that was offered to him.
Yagura maintained eye contact, his expression serious and determined. "You saved me, it's the least," he declared, with sincerity. "As I see that you are not going to harm these people, not without reason."
Yagura's response brought a discreet smile to Kurama's lips. "I'm starting to understand how you managed to earn Isobu's trust," he said, referring to the bijuu that resided within Yagura. "You are earning mine as well."
Yagura nodded slightly, an air of gratitude permeating his features. "Thank you," he said, the word carrying a weight of respect and appreciation for all that had occurred between them thus far.
Kurama glanced at the wall clock, whose hands indicated that it was time to proceed with what had been planned for that night. With a nod, he stated, "It's time."
"Yes," Yagura agreed, "I'll go ahead and announce that I'm no longer the Mizukage and that there's a new one." His voice carried a mix of relief and anticipation for the new phase that was announced.
Kurama, with a touch of humor and pride, didn't miss the opportunity to tease, "And what we have is better than the former, isn't it?"
Yagura stopped for a moment, looking directly at Kurama. The seriousness in his tone underscored the deep trust he placed in the new leader. "Without a doubt," he said, with certainty, "without a doubt."
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