"I underestimated that guy."
Ryuji sighed.
Toroi didn't have much screen time in the original work, and he's just one of the many powerful individuals revived by Yakushi Kabuto with the Impure World Reincarnation during the Fourth Shinobi World War.
And he didn't have any particularly impressive performances either.
But thinking about it now... those revived by the Impure World Reincarnation are inherently weaker than in life, plus they are controlled by strangers.
They simply couldn't exhibit their original strength.
"I have disgraced you, Master."
"It's not your fault." Ryuji reached out and patted Gin's head, comforting her. "I was the one who misjudged the opponent's strength. It has nothing to do with you."
Whoosh!
A Sunagakure's Shinobi appeared before Ryuji with a body flicker. "Ryuji-sama, the Kazekage has called an emergency Jonin Meeting. All Jonin within the village are requested to attend the meeting at the Kazekage Building's meeting room."
"Understood."
Ryuji nodded, then looked at Gin. "Go retrieve the damaged Scarabs and have Aka repair them."
"Yes!"
…
Round Table Meeting Room.
The higher-ups, led by the Third Kazekage, sat around the round table.
Jonin without specific positions, like Ryuji, stood on both sides.
"Kazekage-sama, all Jonin currently in the village have arrived," An Anbu reported.
The Third Kazekage scanned the room and nodded. "Since everyone is here, let the meeting begin."
"First, I must apologize to everyone."
"This incident occurred entirely due to my negligence. After everyone returns, I will formally take responsibility and apologize."
"Kazekage-sama, you are too harsh."
A man in his forties sitting at the round table said, "This incident was entirely caused by Sasori of the Red Sand's betrayal. If we are talking about responsibility, Chiyo-sama and her brother cannot escape blame."
"That's right. No one could have predicted that the village's genius would betray the village."
"Sasori of the Red Sand is truly ambitious and treacherous. Please punish him severely, Kazekage-sama."
"This incident was all because..."
Those at the round table spoke one after another, mostly directing their criticism at Sasori and the Chiyo siblings.
Even the Jonin standing nearby felt indignant upon hearing this.
For Shinobi who follow rules, betrayal is the most intolerable crime.
Chiyo and Ebizo had communicated with Ryuji beforehand, so they did not refute, just sat there silently.
"Alright, let's discuss assigning responsibility later." The Third Kazekage lightly tapped the table. Seeing everyone quiet down, he continued, "Although we perfectly resolved this crisis, we still discovered many issues from this incident that need improvement."
"Kazekage-sama is correct. This incident indeed requires reflection." The same middle-aged man who first pointed fingers at Chiyo and Ebizo echoed obsequiously.
His bootlicking demeanor disgusted Ryuji.
'This guy seems to be the head of the Intelligence Division. What was his name again?'
"Everyone, do you remember the original intention of the First Kazekage, Reto-sama, when he established the Round Table Conference?" The Third Kazekage looked at everyone as he spoke.
"This round table signifies that comrades in the village are family. It signifies that even if there is a hierarchy, everyone is equal."
Everyone looked at the speaker… one of the many Jonin standing to the side.
"Correct." The Third Kazekage nodded. "Back then, Reto-sama rescued the Shinobi surviving in the desert. To unite everyone, he established the Round Table Conference Room, symbolizing that even with different ranks, the brothers and sisters of Sunagakure are equals. However..."
At this point, the Third Kazekage's eyes suddenly turned sharp. An invisible pressure spread, making it hard to breathe.
"Look at what you have done!"
"After my disappearance, you actually withdrew forces from the border defense and village security to search for me!"
"You placed the Kazekage above the village, above the lives of countless brothers and sisters!"
Silence!
The Third Kazekage's imposing speech made everyone in the room breathe cautiously. It took a while for the atmosphere to ease slightly.
An elder asked, "Kazekage-sama, are you saying we shouldn't have come to rescue you?"
"I am very glad that you value my life so highly. But I am furious that you disregarded the village's safety to search for me." The Third Kazekage spoke with deep sorrow. "As Kazekage, one must treat the village as home, as something higher than one's own life, even everything. The moment I became Kazekage, I was prepared to sacrifice myself."
"We naturally do not doubt Kazekage-sama's noble character. Otherwise, we wouldn't have elected you as the Kazekage. However..." The elder stared intently at the Third Kazekage. "Although everyone is equal, there is still a hierarchy in positions. The Kazekage, as the village leader, is undeniably crucial to the village."
"As members of the Round Table Conference, we concluded that we must find Kazekage-sama as quickly as possible, even if it meant taking risks. Otherwise, more severe consequences would occur."
"Surely you understand, Kazekage-sama, that aside from symbolizing equality among village comrades, the Round Table Conference also serves as an emergency mechanism to maintain village operations when the Kazekage is absent."
"We were merely fulfilling our duties."
"Fulfilling your duties?"
The Third Kazekage looked at him with a cold smile, then glanced at the others. "Do you all think the same?"
"Yes, yes."
Although the Third Kazekage's demeanor seemed somewhat off, they still gave the same answer.
After all, it was true.
They went out of their way to send people to rescue the Third Kazekage, and now he's blaming them instead?
Even an ingrate isn't this ungrateful.
"If you were so diligent in your duties, why didn't you immediately recall the Shinobi sent to search for me after Ryuji rescued me?"
Looking at the speechless crowd, the Third Kazekage sneered. "According to the report, Ryuji completed the mission and returned in the morning. Yet the recall order wasn't sent until the evening. What were you doing?"
"I... I..."
"You what?"
Looking at higher-ups who wanted to defend themselves but couldn't articulate a proper reason, the Third Kazekage grew angrier. He slammed the table and stood up. "Each of you disregarded the village's safety, only caring about fighting for power and profit."
"As members of the Round Table Conference, you neither treated your village comrades as equals nor fulfilled your duty to maintain village operations in the Kazekage's absence. Instead, your struggle for power and profit nearly caused the village's destruction."
"I am deeply disappointed."
"I can't even imagine what would happen to the village under your control if I had truly died in this accident."
"Kazekage-sama..."
"Silence!"
The Third Kazekage glared fiercely at the elder who tried to speak, then faced everyone. "For the long-term development of the village, after careful consideration, I have decided, in the name of Kazekage, to strip you of your positions. All of you, stand up from these seats. You are not worthy of sitting here."