Gaara's sudden departure made the remaining Kage narrow their eyes.
Among them, Raikage Ay's expression darkened the most. His muscles tensed, sparks of irritation practically visible across his broad shoulders.
"What an arrogant brat," he growled under his breath.
Even Ōnoki frowned slightly. Compared to two years later, Gaara was still very young at this time—too easy to underestimate. Yet, his words and composure reminded the old Tsuchikage of Rasa's tragedy and the weight the boy now carried.
The previous Kazekage's disappearance—his body never recovered—was believed to be the work of Orochimaru during the Konoha Crush. Sunagakure's strength had crumbled once again as a result.
And Konoha itself had barely recovered from its own string of wars.
Under those circumstances, Gaara's refusal was understandable. But to the Raikage, it felt like open provocation.
"Tsuchikage-sama, Mizukage-sama," Raikage Ay began, his voice booming through the hall, "with our combined strength, taking down the Umbrella Organization would be nothing! You both know how vast their wealth is!"
He leaned forward, his tone pressing. "And surely, neither of you wants to see such an ambitious organization grow unchecked."
Ay's eyes flashed with cunning. He knew that an old fox like Ōnoki wouldn't ignore a treasure trove like Umbrella—a 'fat sheep,' ripe for the taking.
But Mei Terumī only smiled faintly, her tone calm and deliberate.
"I think it's too early to make a move. Umbrella hasn't shown any serious signs of aggression yet. It would be wiser to observe a while longer."
Her words were soft, but they carried the unmistakable weight of refusal. After all, Kirigakure had benefited greatly from Umbrella's resources and trade routes. Striking them now would be sheer hypocrisy.
Raikage Ay's eyes narrowed, his voice laced with mockery.
"Hmph, Mizukage-sama, if everyone shares your hesitation, then when that organization grows beyond control, there won't be any opportunities left! Surely you can see how dangerous they are!"
Ōnoki, arms crossed, watched Ay carefully. The Raikage's eagerness reeked of ulterior motives.
So that's it… Ōnoki thought. He's not just after justice. There's something Umbrella has that he wants.
Umbrella's resources and influence rivaled that of an entire Great Nation—but rashly attacking them would be no simple task. Their defense during the Konoha incident had already proven how formidable they were.
Is Ay trying to drag the rest of us into a war for his own gain?
The thought stirred old memories—the fall of Uzushiogakure, the Land of Whirlpools. Back then, greed had disguised itself as unity. The aftermath had made several hidden hands very rich indeed.
Was history about to repeat itself?
Mei Terumī's smile didn't fade. Her eyes, however, gleamed with quiet warning.
Kirigakure had only just begun to rebuild. Umbrella was powerful, and taking them on would not be as easy as Ay imagined.
If you plan to bite, Raikage, she thought, you'd better make sure your teeth can handle it.
Both she and Ōnoki could see through Ay's urgency. And after Gaara's firm withdrawal—and Konoha's current silence—this battle wasn't likely to start any time soon.
"My apologies, Raikage-sama," Mei said at last, standing gracefully. "Kirigakure has no intention of participating in this matter. Farewell."
She turned to leave.
The table in front of Raikage Ay shattered with a deafening crack! Lightning flared across his body, his killing intent filling the room like a storm.
"You two think you can just walk away?!" he roared, eyes blazing. "Do you take me for a pushover?!"
His massive fist shot forward, slicing the air with a thunderous sonic boom.
Mei's expression hardened—Ay's attack wasn't just an insult; it was a declaration of war.
"Lava Release: Melting Apparition Technique!"
A torrent of corrosive lava burst from her mouth, hissing as it vaporized the air.
The wooden structure around them melted instantly, acid eating through the walls and floor.
Even the Raikage didn't dare take that head-on—he darted aside, lightning crackling in his wake as the ground where he stood moments ago dissolved into sludge.
Ōnoki floated above them, grumbling with weary irritation.
"Young people these days… resorting to violence at every disagreement. You're really making things difficult for an old man like me."
But despite his words, he didn't intervene—his sharp eyes flicked between them, calculating.
If they both take each other down, that wouldn't be bad either…
His calm, measured voice finally cut through the chaos.
"Is there truly no way to talk this out? Or are you planning to start a war between villages right here and now?"
That reminder jolted both Kage back to reality. No one wanted to give the crafty old Tsuchikage the chance to profit from their fight.
"Raikage-sama," Mei said coldly, her voice filled with restrained fury, "I'll remember this. Let's go, Ao."
Without another glance, she turned and strode out of the ruined hall, the sound of her heels echoing against the scorched floor.
Far away, on the road back to the Land of Wind, Maki finally broke the silence.
"Gaara… was it really wise to refuse the Raikage so openly? If the Four Great Villages joined forces, we could likely destroy Umbrella."
Gaara stopped, his gaze steady and cold.
"Maki-sensei," he said quietly. "I don't want to hear that again."
The tone in his voice left no room for argument.
The desert wind swept between them, carrying his words into the vast silence of the road ahead.
Maki's words made Gaara's expression darken instantly.
That look alone made Maki's heart tremble. He quickly lowered his head, realizing he had gone too far. He still remembered the Gaara from years ago—the one they once called "Shura."
"I'm sorry, Gaara."
After hearing Maki's apology, Gaara's expression eased slightly. His tone remained calm but firm.
"Maki-sensei, you should understand—Raikage Ay isn't someone who acts out of kindness. Even if we succeed, what real benefit would we gain?"
"Our Sunagakure's strength is already at the bottom of the Five Great Nations. You know as well as I do how much the Seven Colors Trading Company and Umbrella have done for us."
He paused, his gaze steady and unyielding. "Even if you want to fight, you have to ask the villagers if they agree."
Maki fell silent, shame welling up inside him. Gaara was right. In recent years, because of trade with the Seven Colors Trading Company—backed by Umbrella—the Land of Wind had become wealthier and more stable than ever before.
"Even though we are shinobi," Gaara continued, his voice soft but resolute, "we cannot act without conscience."
Maki drew in a slow breath, his earlier convictions beginning to waver. "I was too narrow-minded," he admitted quietly.
He realized then how deeply his mindset was still rooted in the old Sunagakure—poor, desperate, and always struggling to survive. His way of thinking belonged to that era.
But Gaara… Gaara had already moved beyond it.
Was this the true vision of a Kage?
Gaara's understanding of the world—of people—was already far beyond his own.
"After so many battles," Gaara said, looking out toward the desert beyond the window, "our villagers are weary of war. What they desire most now is peace and growth, not profit and bloodshed."
His words carried the quiet authority of someone who truly understood his people.
Maki bowed his head deeply.
"Kazekage-sama, you are absolutely right. You've become a true Kage."
This time, he did not call him "Gaara."
He called him by his title—with genuine respect.
Though Gaara had long held the position of Kazekage, Maki had never truly seen him as one until now. But in this moment, he finally understood:
A true Kage is one who carries not just power, but the will to protect every villager who lives beneath their sky.
...
TN:
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