The next Hyuga meeting was to be sat in on by the new Hokage. Hinata requested that the Kazekage be invited to do the same. This was met with some resistance, but they couldn't quite say no. So, as she stood in her spot for the review of her last proposal, Naruto and Gaara sat on either side of her.
"Suna has retracted the assistance of their workforce in building the Hyuga compound as previously agreed upon in the contract. This is a breach in the contract and an issue between the two villages." The representative spoke.
"So, this is all over a building?" Naruto scrunched his face, confused.
"It will be where the Hyuga will practice and protect the Byakugan." The speaker answered.
"So why is Suna refusing to help build it? Are you not paying them?" Naruto's way with words needed more practice. "Because I read the contract, and that's in there."
"They refuse to build it in the way intended by design," The speaker explained.
It was disgusting how civil the speaker was to Naruto when they had spent the last couple of days lashing out at her.
"Huh?" Naruto was not briefed too well before this, likely unable to as it was a clan matter to them.
"The plans sent can not be realistically built by the Suna workforce. It's made with materials they are not familiar with and focuses heavily on design and not on structure. Buildings in Suna must be built structurally sound enough for sandstorms. The design needs to be changed, or it may fall." Hinata explained firmly.
Gaara's eyebrows knitted together. This is the first time he was hearing what was going on.
"The Hyuga has a reputation to uphold and…" The speaker couldn't get the rest of the sentence out.
"A reputation that is more important than the lives of those inside of the building?" Gaara's voice boomed through the room. "Sandstorms are no small matter. I have pulled children's bodies out of structures that were not repaired properly or budget builds. Are you trying to say that your pride and reputation are more important than the people you are sending to us?" The room went so cold that you could see people shiver. "If that is the case, and they have so little worth, we do not want them."
Even Naruto looked unsure of Gaara's severity.
Naruto sat up straighter. "I guess if the building isn't safe and Suna can't build or repair it, then it shouldn't be built. The building plans weren't in the contract, just the drafts, so changes can be demanded to make it safe without breaking the contract, as you imply. If Suna believes there is a mortality rate in building it the way it is now, that would be worse than faulting the part of the contract." He concluded, unsettled, with the entire massive room of steely pale eyes looking at him.
"Well then." Hinata brought the attention back to her. "Suna is prepared to continue with the original agreement by helping build and find suitable materials within the means of the village with the new plans that are structurally sound and only then. I retract my earlier offer to allow the compound to be built without the help of Suna through other means, as the Kazekage ruled on having a building that will fall. On that note, we hope to hear from you about your decision soon after our return to Suna." Hinata gave a bow and stepped down.
Hinata, Gaara, Hanabi, and Naruto left the room. Gaara was seething. Naruto was confused, Hinata was relieved, and Hanabi practically hopped up and down.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Hanabi cheered, hugging her and then leaping at Gaara, who froze in shock and confusion. She hopped back from him without noticing his discomfort as she jittered around Hinata again. Hinata gave him an apologetic smile.
Hinata wrangled her sister. "It's fine. It's my job, but please, in the future, insist on sending these kinds of things that have nothing to do with our secrets to the Suna council. They would have shut this down days ago."
"I… panicked," Hanabi admitted.
"It's alright. You're learning to be head. It's okay to ask for help. Just don't take them too seriously. Sometimes they will threaten big things to push your hand on small matters. Find bigger issues to send Neji on a non-stop trip for, okay?" Hinata gave her sister a reassuring smile. "Send me a sealed briefing, and I'll send back advice."
"Okay." Hanabi hugged her again. "It was a good excuse to have you around."