The Dust Devil [English Version]

Chapter 4 - The Return of the Brother

                     In the charged atmosphere of Sunagakure's council chamber, the present members shared their views with an ever-growing intensity. Amidst these exchanges, Gaara, the Kazekage, remained the embodiment of authoritative serenity, his imperturbable face skillfully hiding his thoughts. To his right, Temari observed the assembly with keen attention, ready to offer her support or voice her opinion if the situation demanded it.

"We are at a critical juncture for the future of Kaze no Kuni," exclaimed one of the councilors. "The unity and stability of our country are increasingly threatened by inter-clan rivalries, and the position of the Lord of the Wind Country has greatly weakened over the past years, with his authority openly challenged by some."

"Indeed. And it's not just a matter of political disagreement. There is concrete evidence of a decline in our internal cohesion. During the last resource allocation council held by our Daimyô, disputes broke out, accusations of favoritism were thrown, and more worryingly, threats of secession were uttered by representatives of different major clans," stated Kurogane, whose gaunt face seemed to reinforce the depth of his words.Baki turned slightly towards Gaara: "Alliances continue to form, and rumors of a coup have reached us again."

"These internal divisions only highlight the need for a coherent and united strategy! It is essential to openly dialogue with the clans, to hear their grievances and to work together to find sustainable solutions," declared Temari with tenacity. "As for the rumors... we must remain vigilant, but also strive to dispel misunderstandings and strengthen the bonds that unite all the citizens of Kaze no Kuni."

A murmur ran through the assembly, but the young woman's call for solidarity was quickly criticized by Yasuhiro, one of the councilors: "Your faith in unity and dialogue is commendable, Temari-sama, but perhaps a bit naive given the gravity of our current situation. Such 'misunderstandings' do not simply dissipate with words," he retorted, before steering the conversation back to the pressing issue of the Daimyô. "The reality is that the weakness of our Lord has opened a breach, and many are now seeking to exploit it. Without a strong authority figure at the head of the Wind Country, our efforts to unify the clans may well be in vain."

Kurogane, with a sly smile, shared a piece of information that seemed tinged with irony. "Speaking of power consolidation strategies, it seems our Daimyô is desperately seeking to marry off his daughter. An old maneuver, certainly, but still as effective in forging alliances, isn't it?"

Some councilors nodded silently while others seemed to ponder the possible repercussions of such a marriage. A fleeting expression of disdain crossed Temari's face, not escaping the acuity of her brother. "What an idiot," she murmured in a barely audible and clearly frustrated whisper, referring to the Daimyô.

At these words, the young Kage couldn't help but let his mind wander to his own past, briefly recalling the time when he himself was nearly married for political reasons to Hakuto of the Hôki clan. Gaara had never been entirely opposed to the idea of arranged marriages, aware of the potential benefits they could bring in terms of alliances and political stability, but the affair with Hakuto had also revealed to him the personal complications that such arrangements could entail, especially when matters of the heart were involved, as was the case for Hakuto, who was in love with another.

"And then, we cannot overlook the tensions manifesting beyond our borders," added Noyuri, frowning in concern. "Kazekage-sama, the situation in Ame no Kuni requires our immediate attention! Furthermore, the initial report from Kankuro-sama highlights the complexity of the border situation."

With a tone imbued with seriousness, reflecting his natural authority, Gaara then spoke: "The situation in Ame no Kuni was thoroughly discussed during the recent Kage summit held in Konohagakure. It was agreed that humanitarian aid needs to be sent to alleviate the suffering of the local populations, while exploring with them solutions to restore stability and governance in the country. This will not solve all the problems, but it is a step toward a peaceful solution."