"I don't understand why you won't consult the provincial heads for this." Shigehira looked at Koharu with a puzzled look on his face as they walked out of the meeting room,
"You're a great warrior, but you don't understand the village's system boy. They needn't be consulted, our laws dictate that."
"But why? As I've seen, many of them are exceptional shinobi and influential leaders. It even seems insulting to put some of them in the provinces, training a hundred hopeless civilians." Koharu sighed and replied,
"They're exceptional figures and that's why we send them there. Even if eighty of those 'hopeless civilians' fail graduation, at least twenty will be capable of being worthy shinobi. Remember, in the initial days, we thought the same about you. But look where you stand."
"Scarcity is what gives something its value, I'd rather be a loner in my category." Koharu eyes Shigehira, who is still a boy against her, and replies,
"You've grown arrogant."
"And you've grown old." This reply slightly took Koharu aback, she had not been subject to such language since her days in Team Tobirama (notably from Hiruzen, who had also adopted a formal tone since his appointment as Hokage). She left it there despite having no merit in discussing the subject.
Matsumae glanced around the damaged village, and his demeanor changed as he commented,
"Jeez, it must've been quite an attack. Did the shinobi do nothing?" Homura took a deep breath with a sense of tarnished pride, and answered,
"We were taken by surprise, even a tiger can do little if the hunter catches him off-guard."
"But you were a thousand humans, with every tool at your disposal. It seems Konoha has grown lenient with its security measures." Both the elders kept walking silently alongside Shigehira, who continued after a pause,
"Or has the village grown, weak?" This last remark got on Homura's nerve, who replied in a calm but still hostile way,
"Lord Matsumae, as accomplished as you are, you have no right to question the village's capability or insult its pride, which is built upon the sacrifices of many. We still pushed the attackers back and filled their graveyards to the brim. We have gone through tougher times and still managed to pull through unscathed." Shigehira rolled his eyes with the last sentence. 'Unscathed', he had visited the KIA graves many times, and the village surely wasn't 'unscathed'.
"Lady Koharu, there was another matter," Shigehira informed after a brief pause, the old woman was expecting his next words,
"The Daimyo wishes to revive the Guardian 12." Koharu cast a glance at the younger man and questioned,
"But weren't they dissolved after the event? And besides, the former members will be unable to take up those positions again. Asuma is expected to become the Sarutobi head, and as I'm informed the rest have abandoned the headband for a monk's robes." Shigehira smiled and corrected his superior,
"It is not like that, sir. Lord Daimyo wishes to recruit new, younger talent for the corps. I have been ordered to select the candidates as I please." Homura opened his mouth but Shigehira cut him short,
"No, the village has little authority in this matter. I have full freedom regarding who joins the corps and who doesn't." Homura grumbled but remained silent, the group walked on.
"So, would you like to see our village's 'new talent'?" Koharu questioned, Shigehira smiled and approved.
Amegakure
Rain pattered on the windows as the minor village leaders sat in uneasiness. Konan sat along the rectangular table's width, opposite to her was the Kusa leader, and the other leaders surrounding them. A candle chandelier hung on the roof, shedding light on the entire chamber. Konan's cold expressions gave no clue of her thoughts, which made the leaders nervous. A storm raged outside, banging against the village buildings, and rocking the chandelier. The candles flickered due to the constant movement, casting shadows on the walls.
A moment passed in silence, as all the leaders contemplated what they had to say. Kiyomori, the Kusagakure leader, wore a red kimono and Kanmuri, signifying his status as a minor village head. Getting up from his seat, he addressed Konan with an impatient but friendly tone,
"Excuse me, lady Konan, this may be straightforward for me to ask but, where IS the Amegakure leader? We are gathered here to finalize the confederacy's formulation, and I believe the leader himself should be present for such an important decision." The other leaders agreed with Kiyomori, who smiled at Konan. The woman sighed and replied,
"Our lord is unwell these days, his weakened body is under considerable strain. As such, he has entrusted me with full power to negotiate and act on behalf of Amegakure." Kiyomori sought to reply, but his words couldn't escape his mouth, as Konan silently glared at him. Kagetsu, an old leader from the Hidden Valley village, mediated the situation,
"Please calm down, respectable lords. We have gathered here to discuss, not fight." Konan changed her manner, and amicably addressed everyone present,
"So let's begin our talks, for which you all are gathered here." The leaders whispered among themselves for some time, and Kagetsu spoke again regarding everyone's interest,
"Respected lady, we all have been promised different things and provided different conditions for joining the confederacy. You must straighten it out and explain clearly, here and now, every nation's role in this grand scheme." The others nodded in agreement with the old leader, who rested his chin on his hands. Konan smiled diplomatically and explained,
"As you're aware, the Lands of Storms(Rain village), Fields(Grass village), Rivers(Valley Village), and caves(Mountain village) share borders and can create a unified entity without logistical issues. However, the Lands of Hot Water and Forests are detached from the rest by the Land of Fire. Due to this problem, it is clear the two villages can't be integrated fully into the structure of command, and must be assigned a special status. I seek your suggestions in tackling this issue."
Kaito, a young man from the Land of Forests; was of a fine build and had a well-maintained beard. With a sly smirk, he responded to Konan,
"I duly recognize the problem you have posed, lady Konan. I suggest that the Lands of Forests, and Hot Water are made autonomous territories. Communication with the central administration is hard, considering the distance and the fact we don't share borders. The two villages should be allowed to independently take regional decisions, and only consult the center regarding foreign affairs and the military." Kiyomori straightened his back and put forward another question,
"Regarding autonomy, how much power do we individual leaders have? Who will be the confederacy's leader?" The leaders bombarded Konan with questions, but the woman patiently listened. Once everyone had spoken, she calmly answered each query,
"I understand the insecurity you feel regarding your autonomy and powers. We must divide the villages into two categories, those that share borders and those that do not. For the former, each village head is reduced to the provincial governor, overseeing his territory's administration and military. As for the country's head, he will be elected by a general vote from all the village/provincial heads and will be accompanied by them in the form of an advisory council. Regarding laws and decisions, the council can veto them, and remove the current supreme head from power with a unanimous vote.
Regarding villages detached from the central body, they will be free to act independently on local matters but consult the council in foreign affairs, commerce, and the military." Kaito was pleased to hear that, while the old Kagetsu stroked his beard in thought.
"Then who shall be the 'supreme commander'?" Questioned Kiyomori, a hint of slyness in his voice. The other lords shared this concern, and Konan opted to tell the truth,
"I propose that Lord Yahiko, leader of Amegakure, be made the leader. He is a powerful shinobi, and talented in statecra-"
"What insolence!" Kiyomori cut Konan's words as he slammed his hand on the desk and stood up,
"This all seems to be a façade, a bid for your Yahiko to gain power. Apologies lady, but I will not stand this!" Konan's impatience gleamed in her eyes, but she maintained her composure,
"This is nothing as you think lord Kiyomori, and I will advise you to give our village head the same respect he has offered you."
"Respect! I can't respect a man who will disrespect his allies in such a way. I will not be Amegakure's pawn, a single move in your leader's scheme to gain power." Konan was also visibly angered, but her manner remained cool. The other lords too, had cause to share Kiyomori's sentiments and eyed Konan waiting for an answer. But before the situation escalated, Kagetsu interfered,
"Please calm yourself, lord Kiyomori. I understand your concern, but let the lady speak. This was only a suggestion, the final decision is vested in us." Kiyomori's demeanor changed, as he seated himself with a docile face; that man changed faces faster than a chameleon, thought Konan.
"You're all worried this alliance, these talks, are all but a trick played by Amegakure to gain personal power, aren't you? If this is the case, I will suggest the confederation is governed by the council itself, until we are properly organized and can think of such matters. It is foolish to think of a harvest before the seeds are sown." Kaito suggested, Kiyomori nodded in agreement.
"I agree with the young lord. What of the others?" The leaders murmured and whispered, and slowly but eventually, unanimously agreed to the proposal. Konan also gave her consent, though bitterly. Kiyomori smiled at Konan, albeit not friendly. Finally, as the charter was drawn and the signatures had been written, Kagetsu suggested,
"Now that we have come together, none of the major five shall trouble us. But still, what shall this endeavor be called?" Kaito, a youthful leader full of charisma, was first to answer,
"United Shinobi Confederation, that will be the name. I suppose everyone agrees?" The leaders nodded in agreement, Kaito smirked and sat down, Konan could only grit her teeth.
It wasn't supposed to go this way, the plan was going off-course, all because of that scheming Kiyomori. They had lost the position of supreme leader, and now even the power to name this confederation.
However, all is not lost. There is still time, time enough to take care of the lords, to cement their power, to bring peace.
To avenge Yahiko.
Author's notes
Well, this chapter set the stage for pretty much the rest of the story. No Kaguya facing legionaries, no Obito teleporting Centurions with Kamui huh? That will be decided later, although it is highly unlikely. I've said it before and I'll mention it again, this is gonna be heavily AU so don't expect it will stick to canon.