Simple majority! Simple majority! What the hell!
When the last AKSE member voted. The scorekeeper announced nervously. "The Nays have Simple Majority. The law is trashed."
Trashed not Shelved.
You need to understand something very clearly before we move on. Opposing a law was one thing. It was doable. A lot of times clans garnered support as a protest. On hitting more then 34%. The hokage took it into consideration and the law was shelved for review. It could be reintroduced after changes and discussion in 3 months. I had expected a long bloody fight to defend votes. Especially the ones that were simply bought.
But trashed? The number of laws proposed by the Hokage that had been trashed in the history of Konoha could be counted on one hand. This was no longer a desperate defence but a destabilizing attack on Hiruzen's power. A sitting Hokage who lost a simple majority in the Council?
What a joke!
For a while even those who had voted with me were shell-shocked. What did just happen?
Uchiha Fugaku actually let out his demonic laugh in the middle of the hall.
The council was let out early as conversation ran amuck.
Usually most people just ignored me. But I personally met almost everyone that day.
Hyuga Kenta had laughed quite heartily. "Just 4 shy huh? It seems you lied to me, Lord Kurosawa."
In this situation. Being humble would be foolishness. I was not a fool. The Daimyo appears so less in the Canon that I had underestimated his influence. The Hatake plus FAK was 24. And I had the sinking feeling that those few clans who got swept up in the tide also had his hand behind them. That was around 30 votes. I underestimated him by more than half.
"I never lied Lord Kenta. I told you that the law will not pass. I also told you I was 4 votes shy. But I never said I was 4 votes shy of what."
He laughed. "That is true."
People's attitude changed in a flash. From Lord Ren, and Ran-san I was now Lord Kurosawa. Power has a fickle nature. One wrong move and it is shaken. Hiruzen had been careless. Thinking that I was just a idiotic kid making a last splash. But I had turned out to be smart and incredibly lucky. Any of my bets could have blown up in my face. Actually, for the first time I felt that infamous MC cloak. Did I too have plot armor?
I quickly shook my head and disabused myself of this notion. I am invincible. - famous last words.
I stayed to chat a while. But mostly they were invitations. Outside the hall wasn't a really good place to chat.
But first, I decided to go back to my clan and celebrate.
When I reached the compound the first thing I noticed was the new carriage. It appears my bride was here.
-----
"You kept us waiting for quite a while Ren-san." Lord Kaito was drinking tea when I entered.
"Ah, Yes, their were a few people who wanted to meet me after the vote."
"I see. But just so you know, We royal do not appreciate being kept waiting."
Their demeanor had changed. They were arrogant now. Lord Kaito wasn't that poltie anymore while Lady Hana had a bit of arrogance in her moves. From where i was sitting. It seemed funny. From the reactions of the FAK and the Hatake I knew that even the Daimyo hadn' expected this result.
He must have expected nothing more than the Uchiha and a few other middling clans. They were arrogant because they thought the survival of my clan depended on them. But here's the interesting thing about votes. As uncertain they are before happening. They are that certain and solid after the fact. No matter how it happened. No matter the fact that the Hokage wasn't looking and things were mostly luck. After all I don't think the Gekko or the AKSE or many others would have voted another way if there had been opposing bribes and manuevering.
But the fact was, I had demonstrated enough political strength to gather Simple Majority against the Hokage. For today, I was a monster.
"As I said. I had several important meetings Lord Kaito."
I replied pointedly and sat down. "Hello lady Hana. I hope that you have been well. The journey wasn't too tiring, right?"
This time Hana only nodded as a greeting. "Yes, I have been well. Although I do feel a bit tired. The journey was long and I would pay handsomely for a long hot bath. No offense Lord Ren, The facilities you have for receiving guests could use a bit of capital flair." she said in a polite jab at our wealth and power.
I could end this. But I was enjoying too much. Isn't this the young mistress face slapping part everyone enjoys. My days had been quite grim for a while now. And from what I knew of Konoha. They will be far more grimmer ahead. This insult will have consequences along with this glory. And I planned to enjoy it while it lasts. Besides, I wanted to know the nature of the Girl I had pledged to marry.
I need to make that tag fast. I though to myself.
"Really, I remember you praising our hospitality while you were visiting last time. I wondered what changed." I asked with a smile.
"Maybe it is the season, Lord Ren. I find the air here quite different now." she smiled wider.
She wasn't a bitch. She was sweet. Any other young princess would have rubbed my nose in the ground violently. She was merely politically adept. And this was her attempt to establish dominance as she entered a new home. After all, her behaviour now might determine her standing for a long time to come.
But now that I saw that she wasn't so bad. I simply changed the topic from petty slights.
"I have planned the marriage. I am assuming that you want it to happen at the earliest?"
Kaito shook his head. "Actuallly no Lord Ren, The Daimyo heard that you have something against it. So the marriage will happen when lady Hana turns 18. For now, an engagement ceremony will suffice."
"Oh, that is no longer a concern. I won't want to keep the Daimyo waiting."
I smiled. It was hedging bets. Engagements could be broken. The Daimyo wanted to see if my clan will really survive the gauntlet. After all he expected that law to be revised and put up again soon.
"The Daimyo has asked us to uphold your principles."
"They are my principles. I'll hold them however I wish. We should do the ceremony. "
"The Daimyo insists."
"So do I."
His expression distorted. This one was arrogance and disdain. While Hana's mask slipped too.
Kaito was the capable arrogant young master. Hana was the simple smart noblegirl. A little bit of arrogance was the result of her upbringing. I heaved a sigh of relief. I am not marrying a viper.
"Lord Ren, do not forget your place. The law might just pass 3 months from now."
I scrunched up my brows.
"Very well, I agree to the condition." But before his expression could get to satisfaction. I struck hard and mercilessly. I had learnt the essence of politics. Play everyone against everyone and feast on the ashes. I was prepared. But now that I had an opportunity, why not break from the chains.
"But Lord Kaito. You have disrespected me. And I will remember this."
He showed a slightly confused and amused expression. He was in power. He could do so.
Hana had the expression of placation. Smart and kind girl. She did not want these relations soured. But her concern was for naught. Her brother was smart. And I was sure he would make it upto me in the coming days.
"While I am grateful for the Daimyo's help in securing Simple Majority. I understood this to be a pact of mutual respect. I do not appreciate what you are showing me."
His expression changed. "Simple Majority?"