"Elders, is there something important you came for?"
Ebizo felt slightly uncomfortable under Shayan's gaze, but he spoke nonetheless.
"Yes, Kazekage-sama. These are the more important documents from the last few days that require your attention and decision."
As he spoke, he handed the documents he was holding to Shayan.
Shayan's expression turned serious upon receiving the documents, but he quickly realized something.
"Elder Ebizo, these are the important documents in your hand. What about the ones on the desk?"
"They are all unimportant."
Shayan: (╯'-')╯︵┻━┻
Heh.
"Then why are these unimportant documents sitting on my desk?"
Shayan looked at Ebizo, speaking with a deceptively gentle expression.
"Because these documents are all unimportant."
"..."
Madara-sama was right after all. This damned ninja world and its shinobi should just be destroyed.
He forcibly took a deep breath. Shayan started reading the first document. Ebizo, standing nearby, also began explaining the document's main content to Shayan.
"This document is an inquiry letter from the Daimyō's estate. Seven days ago, goods being transported from the Land of Wind to the Land of Fire were intercepted and stolen by unidentified shinobi within the Land of Wind's territory. The Daimyō of the Land of Wind sent a letter inquiring about the cause, as the maintenance of security within the Land of Wind has always been the responsibility of Sunagakure."
"Furthermore, the letter repeatedly hints that Sunagakure was responsible. The Daimyō also demands a reasonable explanation for the sudden ceasefire, stating that if we don't provide a suitable reason, he will once again reduce funding for Sunagakure."
"Smack!"
Shayan slammed the document down hard onto the desk.
"An explanation? He actually dares to ask me for an explanation! Then tell him that Sunagakure is broke and unable to maintain stability within the country. Also, inform him that if he reduces Sunagakure's funding again, our defense perimeter will shrink even further—and it won't just be the border regions affected this time. Of course, Daimyō-sama is welcome to rely on a few samurai to stabilize the situation in the Land of Wind."
Laktozlu: (The economic tension between the Daimyō and the Hidden Village is a key plot point in Naruto lore. The Land of Wind's Daimyō outsourcing missions to Konoha instead of Suna is what eventually drives the village to desperation in the original timeline.)
"Kazekage-sama, that is the Daimyō we are talking about. Wouldn't writing something like this be..."
"Then be more tactful. As long as the meaning gets across, it's fine."
Shayan settled back into his chair. Although he had lived in the ninja world for over a decade and was aware of the One Country, One Village system, experiencing it firsthand still felt utterly absurd.
He had never understood why those who wielded power had to obey some common Daimyō. What was the point? Was it for his genuine devotion, or because he was a pampered weakling?
If his current strength wasn't lacking, the Daimyō would be the first person he eliminated. After all, the wealth accumulated over the past few centuries was no small sum.
Having received Shayan's instructions for the reply, Ebizo concluded the matter and moved on to the next item.
"The other matter is a report from Sunsuke. He says the factory in the Land of Rain has been completed and requires your instructions for the next steps."
"Alright, I'm aware of that. I will reply to him personally shortly."
"What is the next matter?"
"The next item is a letter from Konoha. The Third Hokage of Konoha sent correspondence offering condolences and expressing hope that the Land of Wind can dispatch troops to contain the Iwa (Stone) shinobi, thereby achieving peace in the ninja world sooner."
"Smack!"
The sound of a hand hitting the desk rang out again, but this time, it was followed by Shayan's excited voice.
"This is excellent! Sending troops is excellent! We must send troops!"
Hearing Shayan's words, Chiyo was the first to react, speaking up immediately.
"Kazekage-sama, we just concluded a war. Starting a conflict with Iwagakure right now, wouldn't that..."
"Start a war? Why would we start a war?"
Before Chiyo could finish her thought, Shayan's question interrupted her.
"But didn't you just say we must send troops?" Chiyo couldn't help but ask, confused by Shayan's contradictory statements.
"Does sending troops necessarily mean starting a war?"
Having said that, he turned to Ebizo and said with a cheerful chuckle.
"Reply to the Third Hokage later. Make sure to emphasize the strong ties between Sunagakure and Konoha, then highlight Sunagakure's current financial distress. Finally, state that we are willing to send troops, but only if we receive payment first. Once the money arrives, we'll deploy troops, and then we just need to make a show of force between the Land of Wind and the Land of Earth. Got it?"
Ebizo and Chiyo: =͟͟͞͞=͟͟͞͞(●⁰ꈊ⁰●|||)
We can play the game like that?
"Kazekage-sama, that's truly brilliant. But what if the Land of Earth takes us seriously?"
"Then we'll write to Ōnoki first, telling him we won't fight as long as he pays us. We'll fleece another one."
Chiyo and Ebizo: ⋛(▀Ĺ̯▀-͠)~⋚
"Won't we end up being ganged up on?"
"What do they stand to gain by attacking us? You're barefoot; are you truly afraid of those wearing shoes?"
Laktozlu: (This is a translated idiom meaning "Those who have nothing to lose [barefoot] shouldn't fear those who have something to lose [shoes]." In this context, Suna is so poor they have nothing left to lose.)
Shayan tilted his head, looking at the two elders with a thoroughly confused expression.
(Internal monologue) Of course they would attack us[Sarutobi Hiruzen might not, but that stinky old man Ōnoki definitely would]but not right now. That's why Shayan wasn't worried at all.
"Ahem, Kazekage-sama, while Sunagakure's situation is indeed dire, you are the Kazekage..."
"I understand, I understand."
Chiyo and Ebizo, seeing the sincerity in Shayan's eyes, found themselves unable to press the issue further. They could only hope Shayan truly understood.
After seeing the two elders off, Shayan stretched languidly. He then left the Kazekage office, ready to call it a day.
"Send all these documents to Elder Ebizo's desk and have him approve them."
"Yes."
The Anbu concealed nearby heard Shayan's instructions and materialized, immediately beginning to transport the documents.
Shayan was extremely pleased as he walked home. Sure enough, being the Kazekage had its advantages. At the very least, he could assign his own tasks to someone else.
Feeling smug.
Meanwhile, with Ebizo.
Ebizo had just returned to his office and was busy organizing his fishing gear in a cupboard.
He planned to head to the pond on the back mountain shortly to catch some fish to nourish his little grandson, Sasori.
What? You say I'm skipping work!
"Who said that? Show yourself! What's wrong with an Elder taking a break? This old man has served Sunagakure, shed blood for it, and earned the right to enjoy himself!"
Just as he opened the door, preparing to leave, an Anbu shinobi suddenly appeared, carrying stacks upon stacks of documents.
"Ebizo-sama, these are from Kazekage-sama. He instructed me to give them to you and requests that you review them as soon as possible."
Ebizo: "..."
"That beast!"
Coincidentally, a certain Kazekage was thinking the exact same thing.
I had to work before becoming Kazekage, and I still have to work after becoming Kazekage. Doesn't that mean I became Kazekage for nothing?
Skip work?
Who dares accuse the Kazekage of skipping work!
Arriving home, Shayan saw Fusō and the other three—all four of them were sitting on the sofa, waiting for his return.
"Big Brother Shayan."
Seeing Shayan standing in the doorway, Konan couldn't hold back, rushing forward to hug him tightly.
Carrying Konan, Shayan entered the house. After greeting everyone individually, he took them upstairs to select rooms for the four children.
Since Shayan was not short on money, his house was quite large and fully equipped with all necessary amenities.
Once the four rooms were arranged, it officially marked Fusō and the other three joining Sunagakure.
As for why there are four rooms, don't ask. If you must know, it's because he was afraid of disturbing the children.
Laktozlu: (The implication here is that the four rooms are for the children: Nagato, Konan, Yahiko, and the fourth child. This leaves Fusō without a room of her own, implying Shayan intends for her to sleep in his room.)