Reborn in the Mist

A pair of Chuunin swung the doors open as I approached. I’d stopped by my office to don the full regalia of my office, my Kage hat barely let me see their faces as I walked past, cloak fluttering behind me as I entered the great hall filled with the most influential people in the village.

They all rose as one the moment I set foot in the hall. The main and caste clans segregated themselves along a long and wide oak table set with flower and fruit bowls, neither of which would be touched during this meeting.

I distinctly heard their chatter on my way here, in fact, I could have called it a full blown argument by how loud Lord Funato, Hidaki and Lady Suikazan barked over at each other. But silence reigned in the room now, a false peace given I could taste their anger roiling over in the air as I found my pedestaled seat at the head of the long table.

Mine was the only one separate from the long table, a short table with its own bowls of fried meats, a plate of cakes and a single cup for the large sake bottle set beside it. I sat down on my cushion and let out a sigh as I raised my head to have a look at the clan heads still standing, glaring daggers between the facade of plain faces.

Uncle Aoto was the first of the Main Clan heads on my right hand side, next to him was Lord Funato, the old man barely disguised his hate— his eyes were wide open and fixed on Lady Suikazan on the other side. Next to him was Lady Megumi who wore a sly smile as she caressed the furs on her luxurious handfan. A sullen Junko Hoshigaki, stood next to her, the full weight of grief had escaped her shoulders as she squared them straight as any active, respectable shinobi, but her sharpened fingernails told a different story, especially with the bark and flecks of dried blood trapped underneath. Finally, at the end of the Main Clans was Lord Hidaki Yuki, his shrunken presence hardly fit in with the rest.

The shift in how they arranged themselves was telling of how dynamics had changed within the village. Normally Lord Funato would be first and there would at least be some argument between Hoshigaki and Yuki for their fourth place, but none of that.

Starting on my left side was Lady Suikazan. Her red-orange hair had begun to grow out into a mane, not unlike Fuguki whose accolades as the leader of the Swordsmen won them the spot. She actively refused to meet Lord Funato’s gaze, instead I felt it fall on me and when I met it she chose to look elsewhere.

Next to her was the aging Lord Kozui and despite his display of passive aggression towards Mangetsu the last time we met, that bravery didn’t seem to extend towards Lady Megumi. Or perhaps I’ve missed something, his neutering perhaps… I wondered, watching how Lady Megumi seemed extra pleased with herself in the rather emotionally heated room.

Then there was Lady Akane Kaguya. I was surprised to see her here at all, it didn’t seem like the type of thing she would be concerned with after all. I'd been taking care of her and her clan since they arrived. Yet her steady posture and stern set lips said otherwise, perhaps there were requests she’d rather make of me in a forum like this, though frankly, it wasn’t going to be that kind of meeting, not one bit.

At last, at the end of the Caste clan’s side was Lord Shibuki— Poison Mist Clan head. I didn’t find it surprising that Akane had displaced him to the last and furthest seat, suspicion and hate swirled around his clan now, and was surely the ignition point for the tensions hovering in the room now. I pitied him, besides Akane he was the youngest clan head present and judging by how bowed his head was, his eyes closed in some kind of preemptive acceptance of judgement, I knew he was having a tough time being here.

I had one final cursory look at them before waving a dismissive hand. “Sit, please, it’s time we discuss our village. Together.”

They sat all at once and the first to let their voice be heard was surprisingly Lady Suikazan. “Mizukage-sama, I’d like to let it be known that not all…caste clans are present here today.” She tossed Lord Funato a sideways glance as she said this. “I believe their interests require proper representation.”

Lord Funato made a noise but Lady Megumi’s gleeful chirp beat him to it. “On that note I should state that I am here as a representative of both Hozuki and Nettou clans, this meeting was far too sudden to call for their local clan head.”

“And I should apologize for the abruptness of which this meeting was called.” I said, nodding at all of them before settling on Lady Suikazan. “But we will make due with absences. You may represent the caste clans without a head, the Terumi, Momochi and others, Lady Suikazan.”

“Thank you, Lord Fourth.” she said with a bow of her head.

“Eiko!” I yelled, startling Akane and Shibuki.

The Demon-masked interrogator burst in at the mention of his name. He came hauling a box of paperwork and trailing not too far behind him was none other than Hisako Yuki. Her arms were bloodied and bandaged, she sported a busted lip and had her hair shaved off entirely for the inscription of seals upon her scalp. Hidaki Yuki cast his eyes away from her, biting his lips as she limped over to the side of the room while Eiko delivered the paperwork.

I raised a brow at the box and then at him. I could sense his mischievous grin behind the mask as he pulled out a dossier and handed that to me instead. “The summary of our discoveries, sir.”

“Good.” I cleared my throat and dismissed him to his prisoner’s side while I turned through the dossier. “Now, I am sure there is a wonder in each of your minds on the recent, unfortunate events that have taken place.”

Lord Funato made another odd sound as he shifted in his seat. I ignored him and continued, my eyes studying each and everyone of their reactions. “I shall give you the full brief and address the matter officially now.”

At the end of the caste table Lord Shibuki sat up, his face still looked like he’d given up all hope and for good reason, the circumstances were rather damning.

“For an uncertain amount of time the Shizu Yuki and her apprentice Hisako Yuki have been smuggling low caste clan members out of the village and with her master dead…by my command, Hisako Yuki got around to fraternising with Kumogakure infiltrators, delivering caste clan hidden techniques as well as members.

“All this was made possible through tunnel escapes and entrances leading from and to the Poison Mist clan compounds. As a result, the entirety of the clan has been placed under surveillance and the captured traitors delivered to I&C’s dungeons for…patriotic re-education.

“Through intense interrogation of these traitors as well as Hisako Yuki, it has been decided that the Poison Mist clan, as well as its Clan head…” I watched Shibuki gulp, his eyes darted up, side, and around, doing well to spot the positions where my ANBU would step from to arrest him. “Are victims of the Yuki propaganda. The lies inherited by Shizu Yuki, embellished by her apprentice Hisako and her Kumogakure cohorts, were fed to vulnerable low caste members of our village.”

Lord Funato’s head might’ve cracked with how fast it snapped to me, his wrinkled old eyes wide and his mouth falling ajar as he tried to speak. He winced at something under the table and I nearly snorted as he whipped that gobsmack stare at Lady Megumi and Uncle.

“However,” I continued, “This fact does not absolve you, Lord Shibuki of your irresponsibility. You should have done your duty as clan head and plucked out these criminals before it came to this, moreover, you should have been more than aware of what was built underneath your clan compound. For your negligence you are stripped of your role as clan head effective immediately. Get out.”

He hadn’t spoken a word but the relief on his face said enough as he rose and kowtowed towards me. “Thank you, Mizukage-sama, for your mercies. I promise it will never—”

“He said get out!” Lord Funato finally barked, grinding his teeth in fury at the now former clan head.

Shibuki still pressed his head to the ground for a minute before standing to leave. I let out a sigh as the door shut behind him, shaking my head at the now reduced and nervous looking caste clans. This would be the first time I’ve exercised my political power to such an extent— the immediate removal of a clan head from their rightfully inherited position. Only in Kirigakure was such a thing possible.

“Now that that’s been handled…we’ll move onto the next punishment.” Once more the entire room was set on edge, they scanned each other's faces for who would be next, only Akane remained impassive, watching as a spectator. I set my gaze on Lord Funato and watched his gobsmack mouth dry as he pointed to himself.

“Me?”

“Yes, you. Did you think you had no stake in this, I thought I already told you that night?” His eyes darted every which as he summoned his failing memory. I narrowed my eyes at him, an annoyed sneer marking my face as I pointed at Hisako in the corner, “She was your clan’s responsibility! I left her in your charge!”

He balked at me and began to stutter, his cane grasped hard in his hand. “B-but Mizukage-sama, between all—”

“I don’t need your excuses, Funato, I gifted your clan that isle you wish to call as a reason for your negligence. We’ll discuss more about Yureisen once Princess Hanako is settled.”

At the mention of the Princess all rationale seemed to exit the old man’s senses. “But I was the first, no, the only one to predict that this traitorous whore would betray your trust, just like her master taught her! I warned you, Yagura! I said to send to the gallows right beside her master. If only you listened to me then none of this—!”

He choked on the words, his chin raised upon the silver gleam of a drawn tanto. “Mizukage-sama?” Kurohane beckoned for my order, his hand placed firm against Lord Funato’s skull, killing intent radiating from the both of us sent sweat drops rolling down the cheeks of everyone present, even Junko rose out of her stoic stupor to look shocked.

“Lord Funato…are you trying to blame me for your negligence?” I asked, my head bowed, the broad of my Kage hat obscuring my view of the spectacle.

“I-I take it back. I swear I didn’t mean it, I was only…only upset and now I realize the error I’ve made. Please, forgive me, Mizukage-sama.”

His words didn’t reach my freezing heart as much as Uncle’s touch did. Even he sat uncomfortably under the pressure of my roiling Killing Intent. He gave me a weak but encouraging smile yet said nothing.

I sighed as he didn’t need to. This was merely a moment of compounding frustrations. “Lord Funato…you are stripped of your councillorship, I will elect a third councillor to replace you at a later date. For now, sit in silence.”

Kurohane released him and promptly disappeared into the shadows. Lord Funato plummeted to his cushion, sweat dripping down his forehead. An all too humble look etched on his face as he pressed his hands to himself and looked forward, not daring to make another sound or glance my way.

The others were much the same. Lady Suikazan seemed even more uneased sitting so close to me. Lady Megumi had her pleasant smiles wiped away, she was as tense as Funato yet still managed to look upon my face, I could see she was surprised I allowed Kurohane to go that far and even considered the possibility that I might have preemptively given the order— ‘no one’s untouchable.’ I saw that realization etched across her strained features as she snapped her fan open and turned away.

Only Uncle and Lady Akane remained relatively unfazed, those without guilt or punishable acts hidden behind their backs. But there was more to shock and awe to come. I sat up and looked at the assembled clan heads once again, Hidaki continued to do his best to shrink and Junko eyed me with a renewed interest— and not just for news about the Masked Man.

I inhaled and began to speak. “Now that that’s over with, Lady Suikazan, you are representing the many caste clans within our village and you’ve come today with what?”

She looked confused at what I could mean at first but then it dawn on her; she was being given a platform to lay out all she’d prepared. With her chest forward she spoke loud and clear. “Yes, Mizukage-sama, I have come with a nigh unending list of complaints and unsettled grievances from many of the caste clans, even the Poison Mist who has just been dismissed.”

I nodded. “And what do these grievances cover?”

“Injustices, sir. The caste clans wish to see the same advantages as any other clan, the same treatment and opportunities, sir. The Main clans, specifically the Funato and Hozuki and to an extent, even the Hoshigaki, have oppressed us to the point of suffocation. We are being eradicated, breeded into their clans, our culture dismissed and our secrets unveiled without the slightest consideration.

“Above all, the abuses, physical and emotional abuses have reached a breaking point. I hesitate to say it but…there have been a number of clan members that have submitted to me their desire to seek vengeance against their oppressors. To avoid this violence, I beseech you, Lord Fourth, mediate a solution for us, help us rise past—”

“I heard you.” I said as I nodded along with her words. “You partner…Mei Terumi has detailed such injustices and abuses to me in much detail and despite my efforts to stone my heart to the traitors listed in this dossier…I understand that their plight has brought them to this point, where they’d rather betray their village than live in their conditions.”

My eyes carried over Lady Megumi and Lord Funato mainly but I gave Junko her due attention as well as I said the next bit. “It’s time for Kirigakure to be one village but I understand this wish of mine cannot be accomplished overnight. Which is why I am giving both Main and Caste clans the two nights from my anniversary celebrations to settle.”

“What?” Lady Megumi murmured into a confused chuckle. “How is that supposed to happen?”

I crossed my fingers over my face as I studied her and the others. “I am granting free reign to you all to seek out your versions of justice on your own. Two days, two nights. Whether you wish to kill one another or have a civilized dialogue to settle your long standing issues, everything must be finished after two days.”

Their eyes all went wide. Uncle Aoto too began to stutter as Lady Suikazan and Lord Kozui muttered amongst themselves. Only Lord Funato remained silent though his features finally twisted beyond the humility I’d given him.

“Yagura-sama, are you sure about this? This could lead to…a rather bloody two days.” Uncle Aoto said, eying both Hozuki and Funato clan heads. “There is a lot that hasn’t been settled because—”

“I understand very well, Uncle but don’t worry, I won’t allow any genocides to take place. But there will be freedom within these two days to seek out each clan’s version of justice and reparations.” I picked up the bottle of sake and poured it overwhelmingly into my cup, picked it up and downed it in a go before standing.

“However, you all must mark my words.” My chakra spun, spilling out with oppression as I glared at them. “After two days and nights have passed the streets must be clean and I will start a new year with a united Kirigakure under my command. We will think and act as one.”

“Any disputes settled outside my direct purview or those I deem fit will be rendered invalid and participants sent to the gallows. I don’t care who you may be, clan head or child, you will perish if you defy my word, my law.”