When they reached the Kazekage's residence, the advisors did not linger anywhere, moving through the intricacy of the corridors to a very specific room, before the door to which Itoku-san stopped and turned to me.
- Nara-san, I apologize for my rudeness, but if you could wait here for a moment," he bowed as he made his request, "this is a sensitive time for the Council and the presence of an outsider may be misunderstood, we will call you as soon as necessary.
- I understand," I didn't object, realizing the sensitivity of the situation.
- Thank you for your understanding," he bowed once more and opened the doors to the vast hall, where voices were already buzzing, and went inside, accompanied only by some of the guards.
Four jonins remained at the newly closed doors, apparently to keep an eye on the dangerous guest. Shrugging, I leaned against the wall and closed my eyes, tuning in to wait.
There were a couple of other councilors and their guards, who were late for the meeting, but I didn't pay any attention to them; none of them were familiar to me.
The noise behind the wall grew stronger and weaker, and I thought someone was shouting inside, but the walls were too thick to make out anything, so instead of guessing, I waited until the shinobi watching me relaxed a bit and through the thickness of the outer wall I was leaning against, I created a kage bunshin on the other side, dispelling it immediately.
Now, the clone on guard would be alerted to what had happened and would report the information to Orochimaru when the embassy came within range.
Suddenly, the doors swung open and a masked Anbu fighter appeared.
- Nara-san, I apologize for the wait, the Council is ready to receive you," he addressed me.
Nodding, I followed him, and found myself in a very large hall, with large statues of all the Kazekage on one side, and a massive round table in the center, where twelve Suna elders were seated, led by the current ruler, with two guards behind each, and the jonins and Pakura sitting on chairs a little further away.
The latter was smiling slightly and drilling Rasa, most of whose face was covered by the traditional Suna ruler's attire, with a heavy gaze. The faces at the table were far from happy, but the two elderly shinobi sitting to the right and left of the Kazekage were grim and gave their colleagues murderous glances.
Of the twelve, only two were more or less familiar to me, Chie and Noboru, who had distinguished themselves in the last war and were therefore in Konoha's Book of Search.
- Nara-san, we've discussed the situation from Ba-chan's point of view, and now we'd like to hear from you what happened between our group of ninja and the waiting Mists," the dark-haired elder said, glancing over at his colleagues.
- It all started when I, returning from a mission past the Water Country, decided to do a little spying and find out what they had going on there, - I did not shut up, - given the recent attack on the Hatake clan, it was a good chance to determine the vulnerabilities of the enemy.
- With that kind of reserve? - Muttered the elder to Kage's left. - Kiri's sensors would have to lose their gift all at once to miss something like that!
- Who said I did the recon personally? - I glanced at him, frowning.
- Please, Nara-san, continue," Itoku gave his colleague a warning glance.
- I was surprised to find a group of thirty kiri-nin led by three swordsmen waiting for a ship in the port of Desuya," he shrugged, "so naturally I followed them.
I told the Suna Council what I'd already told them in Konoha, but I didn't go into detail about my abilities, and they were receptive, though not happy.
On the contrary, the faces of those present darkened by the end, but the Kazekage remained remarkably calm for a man who was minutes away from being removed from his position and accused of betrayal, which I didn't like, making me tense up internally.
- Nara-san, are you sure the Suna shinobi attacked Pakura-san first? - One of the elders asked, as if grasping at straws.
- I couldn't hear the conversation because of the distance, but I saw one of the attendants try to drive a kunai into Pakura-san's back," I nodded affirmatively, "and then there was a brief pause, they drew their weapons, and a fight broke out, without the swordsman intervening.
- Thank you, Nara-san," the swarthy councilman bowed his head and looked at his colleagues meaningfully.
- By the way, I must warn you that I sent word to Konoha yesterday afternoon, so expect a message from the Third Hokage," I interrupted the silence.
Most of the Council skewered me, but to their credit, they gave me only irritated glances and no more. All attention was focused on Rasa.
- Kazekage-dono, there's no other way to interpret what happened - you used your position to eliminate one of the strongest and most popular kunoichi of Suna, against the interests of the village and without the approval of the full Council," Elder Itoku addressed Rasa, dropping his words, "do you have anything to say?
- Yes," Kazekage nodded slowly and rose to his feet, his chakra suddenly surging and in the next instant a wave of golden sand rushed from Rasa, sweeping away the nearby elders and their guards as he roared in a chakra-enhanced voice. - Treason! Anbu to me! Pakura has conspired with Konoha and the Council to assassinate me!
I've got more interesting stuff on patreon (+ 200 chapter)
patreon.com/Chill76