The Kazekage's office was dimly lit, the lamplight casting long shadows across shelves lined with scrolls and reports.
Maps of the Land of Wind were pinned against the walls, marked in red strokes that resembled veins bleeding through parchment.
Behind the heavy desk sat the Fourth Kazekage, posture composed, eyes cold and calculating. Fine streams of gold dust spiraled lazily around his fingers, an idle display of menace.
Baki stood at attention near the door, his expression carefully neutral. At his side lingered Daiana, shoulders taut, clutching her book as though it might shield her from the pressure of the room.
"You may leave us.", Rasa said without glancing at Baki.
Baki bowed once, then stepped out, the sound of the door closing behind him like a seal locking Daiana in place.
"Come forward."
Her feet carried her to the center of the room, the floorboards creaking softly. She stopped before his desk, head lowered, hands tight around her book.
"You are bright child.", Rasa began, his voice smooth but void of warmth. "Baki speaks highly of you. He says you learn faster than most and that you notice details others overlook. That is why I have a mission for you. A small one, but important."
Her head lifted slightly, eyes wide with confusion and fear.
"From this day forward, you will be more than a kunoichi. You will be my eyes within your team, you will observe Shira and report to me about anything useful. I don't think I need to tell you why, after all, that boy is a gamble the village is taking, especially me, and I want to see if it pays off. Oh, of course I am also worried about his safety, as there are small and annoying little voices that are against him being a shinobi."
The golden dust swirled higher, a living threat coiling in the stale air.
Daiana's lips trembled before she forced herself to speak.
"I… I understand, Lord Kazekage."
Rasa leaned back in his chair, watching her with the detached interest.
"Do not mistake this for choice. You are intelligent enough to know what happens if you fail me."
The dust snapped once, like the hiss of a serpent.
"Yes, Lord Kazekage.", she whispered, her voice thin but steady.
His eyes narrowed, then softened only slightly, with something that almost resembled satisfaction.
"Good. Loyalty is rewarded, while betrayal is punished. Remember that."
He flicked his fingers, and the gold dust collapsed back into stillness.
"You are dismissed. And one more thing… watch your other teammate as well. I expect to be informed of everything."
Daiana bowed deeply, forcing her body not to shake, then turned and walked swiftly toward the door while murmuring a soft 'Yes'.
Her hand lingered for a breath on the wood before pushing it open, stepping back into the hall as though surfacing from deep water.
Her chest rose and fell sharply, and her fingers pressed against her book until the edges dug into her skin. His words replayed in her head, each one heavier than the last.
'I have to be his eyes... report to him... and failure is punished...'
She swallowed, throat dry, fighting the tremor in her hands.
'If I refuse… I die. If I obey… I betray them. Shira... Isan... what should I do? He wants me to be his spy! I need to talk about this with someone, but...', her gaze flicked back toward the Kazekage's office door, and a shiver ran through her body.
'I am afraid. What should I do?'
Her legs carried her down the hall, though each step felt like sinking into sand. The thought of Isan surfaced in her mind, he would surely be able to help her sort her thoughts and find a solution, like he always did whenever she asked him.
'He will never forgive if he ever finds out. No. He might just, it's me. I will never forgive myself if I betray either of them.'
Beneath the fear, something stirred. It started small and fragile, but flared alive.
'He wants me to be his eyes, right? I will.'
Her hand brushed against her book, a silent vow pressed into her skin.
Still, she whispered to herself, the words little more than breath.
"I have no choice."
Behind her, in the office, Rasa remained still at his desk, the lamplight glinting off his eyes. His voice, low and meant only for himself, lingered in the silence.
"They will serve… whether by will or by fear."