"Elders, is there something important you came for?"
Ebizō felt slightly uncomfortable under Sunaen's gaze, but he spoke nonetheless.
"Yes, Lord Kazekage. These are the more important documents from the last few days that require your attention and decision."
As he spoke, he handed the documents he was holding to Sunaen.
Sunaen's expression turned serious upon receiving the documents, but he quickly realized something.
"Elder Ebizō, these are the important documents in your hand. What about the ones on the desk?"
"They are all unimportant."
Sunaen: (╯'-')╯︵┻━┻
Heh.
"Then why are these unimportant documents sitting on my desk?"
Sunaen looked at Ebizō, speaking with a deceptively gentle expression.
"Because these documents are all unimportant."
"..."
Lord Madara was right after all. This damned ninja world and its shinobi should just be destroyed.
He forcibly took a deep breath.
Sunaen started reading the first document.
Ebizō, standing nearby, also began explaining the document's main content to Sunaen.
"This document is an inquiry letter from the Daimyō's estate.
Seven days ago, goods being transported from the Land of Wind to the Land of Fire were intercepted and stolen by unidentified shinobi within the Land of Wind's territory. The Daimyō of the Land of Wind sent a letter inquiring about the cause, as the maintenance of security within the Land of Wind has always been the responsibility of Sunagakure."
"Furthermore, the letter repeatedly hints that Sunagakure was responsible. The Daimyō also demands a reasonable explanation for the sudden ceasefire, stating that if we don't provide a suitable reason, he will once again reduce funding for Sunagakure."
"Smack!" Sunaen slammed the document down hard onto the desk.
"An explanation? He actually dares to ask me for an explanation! Then tell him that Sunagakure is broke and unable to maintain stability within the country.
Also, inform him that if he reduces Sunagakure's funding again, our defense perimeter will shrink even further—and it won't just be the border regions affected this time. Of course, Lord Daimyō is welcome to rely on a few samurai to stabilize the situation in the Land of Wind."
"Lord Kazekage, that is the Daimyō we are talking about. Wouldn't writing something like this be..."
"Then be more tactful. As long as the meaning gets across, it's fine."
Sunaen settled back into his chair. Although he had lived in the ninja world for over a decade and was aware of the one-country, one-village system, experiencing it firsthand still felt utterly absurd.
He had never understood why those who wielded power had to obey some common Daimyō. What was the point? Was it for his genuine devotion, or because he was a pampered weakling?
If his current strength wasn't lacking, the Daimyō would be the first person he eliminated. After all, the wealth accumulated over the past few centuries was no small sum.
Having received Sunaen's instructions for the reply, Ebizō concluded the matter and moved on to the next item.
"The other matter is a report from Sunsuke. He says the factory in the Land of Rain has been completed and requires your instructions for the next steps."
"Alright, I'm aware of that. I will reply to him personally shortly."
"What is the next matter?"
"The next item is a letter from Konoha. The Third Hokage of Konoha sent correspondence offering condolences and expressing hope that the Land of Wind can dispatch troops to contain the Iwa shinobi, thereby achieving peace in the ninja world sooner."
"Smack!" The sound of a hand hitting the desk rang out again, but this time, it was followed by Sunaen's excited voice.
"This is excellent! Sending troops is excellent! We must send troops!"
Hearing Sunaen's words, Chiyo was the first to react, speaking up immediately.
"Lord Kazekage, we just concluded a war. Starting a conflict with Iwagakure right now, wouldn't that..."
"Start a war? Why would we start a war?"
Before Chiyo could finish her thought, Sunaen's question interrupted her.
"But didn't you just say we must send troops?" Chiyo couldn't help but ask, confused by Sunaen's contradictory statements.
"Does sending troops necessarily mean starting a war?"
Having said that, he turned to Ebizō and said with a cheerful chuckle.
"Reply to the Third Hokage later. Make sure to emphasize the strong ties between Sunagakure and Konoha, then highlight Sunagakure's current financial distress. Finally, state that we are willing to send troops, but only if we receive payment first. Once the money arrives, we'll deploy troops, and then we just need to make a show of force between the Land of Wind and the Land of Earth. Got it?"
Ebizō and Chiyo: =͟͟͞͞=͟͟͞͞(●⁰ꈊ⁰●|||)
We can play the game like that?
"Lord Kazekage, that's truly brilliant. But what if the Land of Earth takes us seriously?"
"Then we'll write to Ōnoki first, telling him we won't fight as long as he pays us. We'll fleece another one."
Chiyo and Ebizō: ⋛(▀Ĺ̯▀-͠)~⋚
"Won't we end up being ganged up on?"
"What do they stand to gain by attacking us? You're barefoot; are you truly afraid of those wearing shoes?"
Sunaen tilted his head, looking at the two elders with a thoroughly confused expression.
(Internal monologue) Of course they would attack us—Sarutobi Hiruzen might not, but that stinky old man Ōnoki definitely would—but not right now. That's why Sunaen wasn't worried at all.
"Ahem, Lord Kazekage, while Sunagakure's situation is indeed dire, you are the Kazekage..."
"I understand, I understand."
Chiyo and Ebizō, seeing the sincerity in Sunaen's eyes, found themselves unable to press the issue further. They could only hope Sunaen truly understood.
After seeing the two elders off, Sunaen stretched languidly. He then left the Kazekage office, ready to call it a day.
"Send all these documents to Elder Ebizō's desk and have him approve them."
"Yes."
The Anbu concealed nearby heard Sunaen's instructions and materialized, immediately beginning to transport the documents.
Sunaen was extremely pleased as he walked home. Sure enough, being the Kazekage had its advantages.
At the very least, he could assign his own tasks to someone else.
Feeling smug.
Meanwhile, with Ebizō.
Ebizō had just returned to his office and was busy organizing his fishing gear in a cupboard.
He planned to head to the pond on the back mountain shortly to catch some fish to nourish his little grandson, Sasori.
What? You say I'm skipping work!
"Who said that? Show yourself! What's wrong with an Elder taking a break? This old man has served Sunagakure, shed blood for it, and earned the right to enjoy himself!"
Just as he opened the door, preparing to leave, an Anbu shinobi suddenly appeared, carrying stacks upon stacks of documents.
"Lord Ebizō, these are from Lord Kazekage. He instructed me to give them to you and requests that you review them as soon as possible."
Ebizō: '...'
"That beast!"
Coincidentally, a certain Kazekage was thinking the exact same thing.
I had to work before becoming Kazekage, and I still have to work after becoming Kazekage. Doesn't that mean I became Kazekage for nothing?
Skip work?
Who dares accuse the Kazekage of skipping work!
Arriving home, Sunaen saw Momona and the other three—all four of them were sitting on the sofa, waiting for his return.
"Big Brother Sunaen."
Seeing Sunaen standing in the doorway, Konan couldn't hold back, rushing forward to hug him tightly.
Carrying Konan, Sunaen entered the house. After greeting everyone individually, he took them upstairs to select rooms for the four children.
Since Sunaen was not short on money, his house was quite large and fully equipped with all necessary amenities.
Once the four rooms were arranged, it officially marked Momona and the other three joining Sunagakure.
As for why there are four rooms, don't ask. If you must know, it's because he was afraid of disturbing the children.