"I get that this Council has made a decision...but given its a dumb ass one I'm willin to debate it..."
The decision to allow for Lord Kiyoshi to work within a more diplomatic role was more than a bit off-setting. If nothing else, it placed the village within a position that made things complicated. It was once again without a leader. More than that, it meant that Arashi was left to pick up the slack until they decided upon a new one. Something that could take months upon consideration of the last time this happened. Of course, unless they decided to do something more lack luster.
She had assumed that the people within the capital might pull something like that, and she had made sure this time to be in the loop and cut it off as soon as possible.
After all...the only other option would be her father...and she wouldn't let them do that to him.
So here she was....within the chamber of some of the most influential people within the country...
She probably should have considered her words a bit more carefully this time around...the last time she'd seen some of these faces, she had turned brazenly told them to stuff a promotion where the sun wouldn't find it...
Which meant, she could only imagine just how well her own argument would be received this time around.
"The council should not have to remind the commander that their position on the determined path of the country ends with the militia and nothing more..."
Rolling her eyes, Arashi would then sigh as she closed her eyes.
"Just where do ya think the council gets the ability to figure out these paths? It isn't here....its with the militia and the people basically defending this country...I have every right to be questioning just what the hell you people are doing?"
"The decision to allow for Lord Chikamatsu to take this position was not one we made lightly...and it was under the condition that a proper replacement was ready to lead Sunagakure..."
Arashi's would hold a narrowed gaze as she spoke with a serious tone.
"Of course...ya plan on dragging my father out again..."
Clicking her tongue, Arashi would then straighten her posture as she continued.
"My father....who had served this council, this country, and the village for over two decades...a man who has barely had a chance to mourn his wife...He has done...everything...for you people....answered every call...Enough!"
The members of the Council would remain silent, each one looking upon the other as the young woman would then throw her arm up in the air before then shaking her head.
"Drag someone else outta retirement...I could care less! I'll deal with it! But my father has done his duty...hes done more than enough!"
In hearing this, an elder female would then hold up her hand as she spoke.
"We couldn't agree more.....Oonakayama Takato served our nation well...and took the position of Kazekage when we were in a state of decline and brought us hope....His time...be it decided or not...was one in which we hold the upmost respect....the same for Chikamatsu Kiyoshi....He created a foundation of new ideas and planned for a future towards expanding our relationships beyond the desert...and he will surely continue to do so...."
It was a bit of a shock to hear them praise her father in such a way...though she imagined that it was the least they could do. The same went for Lord Kiyoshi as well. Even if his time was limited, he inspired them all to be better and to do more.
"While we could very well request that a veteran shinobi return into service...we do not believe that such a thing is necessary when we have a shinobi that is more than capable of the task..."
With a blank expression, Arashi was trying to think of the person they were talking about. There were a number of shinobi within the militia, some older than she was. Some just as skilled too. Her first thought came to Tsuneo-sensei, but she imagined that he wouldn't want to take on such a role that would keep him at a desk.
"It is the same shinobi who has continually worked with others from allies to improve relations.....the same shinobi who...despite their own insecurities perhaps, has also risen to display a level of character that most would not deem possible for one of their...circumstances....While they certainly have much to learn....they appear ready when one is in need...traits often displayed in leadership...."
Arashi was starting to get the picture quickly...and if she hadn't...the next thing made it clear...
"Her level of deference could also use some work....This is perhaps the second time they have acted recklessly in their approach to the council when they were given a position of authority...."
".......Oh no...."
Her eyes would widen as she looked towards them, her expression blank and her face likely red.
"I see that you know of such this person.....then this will make it easier..."
"I....I....."
The Next KageArashi found that rare moment where she had little to say....
"Oonakayama Arashi.....The council is offering the position of Kazekage....to you...."
Arashi would simply stare for a moment, her eyes still wide before shaking her head as she then frowned.
"Look...I...I'm honored...but...I couldn't be the Kazekage....I wouldn't even know where to start...Hell I'm probably the worst person to be Kazekage..."
"That is not what we have seen and heard from those under your command...."
As another member spoke, they would rise up from their position as they spoke.
"In the years since you have taken the position from your mother, you have managed to work with the militia and aid in protecting Sunagakure, as well as Kaze no Kuni. No easy feat....more than that....you have never lorded your authority over those beneath you...in fact...many of those shinobi see you as a leader that they would follow into any danger without regret..."
That said, another would then speak.
"You will recall that much of the village's and the country's concern laid in what to make of Bunpuki's successor....you have proven that his decision to pick you as the Jinchuuriki was not a mistake...despite...questionable moments..."
"What my colleague means is that while you certainly do not lack for reckless behavior...you show accountability and that is something that a leader holds more than anything within such a position..."
While Arashi was certainly hearing this, she still had her doubts....
"But I don't have...any quality that makes me....Kage worthy...Hell I've..."
"Enough...if your mother were to hear you, she'd tell you to button it..."
The older female would then sigh before shaking her head.
"You have yet to realize that the individuals who have taken this position before you did not have anything that made them special......only the traits in which they brought with them...Those traits are the very values that we seek out in each leader to come after....and it is the responsibility of the next to leave their own trait and value for the one to come after them...."
It was question she had for some time.....what was it that made a Kage?
"You hold those values...in your own way....and the village and we as the council see it....now it is only a question of whether YOU can see it..."
Arashi was silent...her arms crossed over her chest as she looked to the side.
"So what say you? Will you answer this request from the council? Will you become...Rokudaime Kazekage?"
If this was a dream...Arashi wanted to wake up now.....Shukaku was no help as he was laughing his ass off right now with the thought of this happening.
The AnswerWhere was her dad when she needed him? She could easily ask him if this was all worth it or just hot air? Who could she ask about something like this?
Then a name came to mind....Asahi....what would Asahi do?
That was when it hit her....this couldn't be something that she did for others....if she made this choice...it had to be because she wanted it...because she could do it...
It couldn't be about responsibility to her family, her friends, the village or anything else...it had to be because she knew that she had what it took...and that she could see those traits.....to be a Kage....
In that moment...in the silence between her thoughts...as she reflected on the people she had met...and the person she had been in the past...
To who she was now.....
And there...she found her answer.....
"I accept...."
