"I recommend Gaara. Who approves? Who opposes?"
As soon as Aoba spoke, the entire meeting room became even quieter than before.
It was deathly silent.
Even Gaara was at a bit of a loss, and Chiyo's expression grew gloomy.
Although she had previously been promoting Gaara to become Kazekage, that situation had been completely different from now.
That had been Sunagakure's internal affair, but now Aoba suddenly spoke up, and even used a tone that was like an order.
This meant that Sunagakure's sovereignty had already become completely restricted by Konoha.
She couldn't help but sigh in her heart.
If only they had chosen the Kazekage earlier, they wouldn't have had to suffer such great humiliation.
But she also didn't blame Fuyi, because he too had acted for Sunagakure's sake.
She herself had signed the treaty that sold out the village for survival, so she had no right to blame someone who risked his life for the sake of the village.
"I object! Lord Aoba, this is Sunagakure, not—"
Pfft!
A tree branch extended from the desk in front of Fuyi, thrusting straight toward his face, but was stopped in time by a wall of sand.
Fuyi couldn't help but swallow. The words he had wanted to say stuck in his throat, and cold sweat continuously slid down from his temple.
'Did I almost die just now?'
Then, looking at the sand wall before him, he was momentarily stunned. This sand, which had once only been used for slaughter, could it now be used to protect others?
"Gaara?"
Aoba looked at Gaara.
Gaara also let out a breath, and said in a low voice, "Brother-in-law, Fuyi also acted for Sunagakure. And I have confidence I can become Kazekage through my own ability."
'Heh, this kid isn't dumb.'
'Knows how to draw closer at this moment by calling me brother-in-law.'
"In that case, then I hope before we leave Sunagakure, you can become Kazekage," Of course Aoba had to give his little brother-in-law some face.
"I will work hard," Gaara spoke very humbly.
This time, Fuyi didn't stick his head out again.
"Then next, let's discuss another matter."
Aoba had already turned Sunagakure's high council meeting into his one-man show, speaking directly.
"To avoid situations like yesterday's from happening again, I hope Konoha will have independent law enforcement rights on its own streets."
Quite a few people clenched their fists when they heard this, but no one dared oppose.
They couldn't guarantee whether or not he would suddenly strike again.
Aoba had originally wanted to eat away at Sunagakure bit by bit, but since these people refused the chance, they couldn't blame him.
After a few more trivial matters were discussed, this meeting ended.
Aoba took the lead out of the conference room, and right outside he saw the anxious Temari pacing back and forth, as well as Kurenai and the others.
Temari had already raised her head when she heard the conference room door open.
Upon seeing Aoba, she immediately ran over in small steps, urgently asking, "Aoba, how is the situation?"
Aoba also smiled, giving Temari a reassuring look, "Don't worry, Temari. The negotiations went very smoothly. The higher-ups of Sunagakure have guaranteed this situation won't happen again, and Konoha won't hold any grudge against the Sand."
"Really? That's wonderful."
Temari let out a breath of relief when she heard this.
At this time, Chiyo also came out of the meeting room, looked at the nervous Temari, and sighed, "Temari, yesterday's matter wronged you."
"I'm fine. As long as the village is fine, that's enough."
Temari pursed her lips. She had long since adjusted her emotions.
"Onee-san…", At this moment, Gaara also came out.
"Gaara… it's been a long time."
When Temari saw her younger brother, her gaze was very complicated.
This was the first time they had met after several months.
On him, the murderous aura that had always hung around him before was already gone, and even the dark circles under his eyes had faded.
In its place was a kind of sorrow, like a child forcing himself to be an adult.
This made Temari suddenly unable to hold back a laugh.
"Onee-san?"
Gaara was a little confused.
But Temari reached out her hand and stroked her younger brother's hair, "Gaara, you've worked hard."
When Gaara heard this, his eyes couldn't help but redden, but he forced it down.
Now he was a strong candidate to become Kazekage, how could he show his vulnerable side?
"All right, let's go eat dinner first. After we finish, you'll have time to catch up."
Aoba patted both their shoulders, leading them outside.
"Please wait a moment!", A voice suddenly called out to them.
They turned their heads, and saw it was Fuyi.
Facing everyone's gaze, Fuyi only revealed a somewhat complicated expression.
"Gaara, may we speak alone?"
Gaara was slightly stunned, glanced at Temari, then nodded.
"Onee-san, I'll come find you later."
"Mm."
Temari didn't say much. The Gaara now was a man about to become Kazekage.
Fuyi and Gaara returned to the meeting room, while Aoba took Hinata and Yakumo to eat.
———
By now it was already late at night, just right to combine dinner and supper.
"So does this mean the mission is complete?", As they sat together eating Sunagakure's specialty roasted lamb, Kurenai suddenly asked.
Aoba swallowed the lamb in his mouth, then nodded, "As far as the mission goes, it's resolved. But we may need to wait a few more days before heading back."
"Fine."
Kurenai had a very good sense of lying flat.
She lowered her head to quietly eat more meat, but suddenly realized he was still looking at her, and felt a little uncomfortable.
"What is it?"
Aoba smiled, "Just feels like, Kurenai-nee, you've been deliberately avoiding me these past few days."
Kurenai's expression shifted, but she stiffly said, "When did I ever avoid you?"
"Don't know, it's just the feeling I get."
"That's your imagination. And what would I avoid you for?"
The unease on Kurenai's face faded a little, and she shifted the topic.
"Speaking of which, you three didn't do anything in the room this afternoon, right?", Her sharp gaze swept over Yakumo, Hinata, and Aoba's faces.
Hinata and Yakumo both shook their heads at the same time.
At this, Kurenai's suspicion eased.
Because if something really had happened, Hinata's face would definitely have shown flaws.
"Then what did Kurenai-nee think we did?", Aoba asked again.
This made Kurenai's cheeks heat up uncontrollably, "I didn't think anything."
"Then—"
"I'm full, I'll leave first."
Kurenai didn't give Aoba a chance to speak again, and directly left the restaurant.
"Aoba, did you make Kurenai-sensei angry enough to leave?"
Yakumo snickered.
Aoba looked completely innocent, "How did I anger her?"
"Then why did Kurenai-sensei leave?"
"Maybe because she felt guilty."
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