Chapter 59.3- Gamer of the Desert

“Kazekage-dono” The Mizukage was the first to say anything to even acknowledge my presence. The rest were content to stand and watch us as we began to speak.

“Mizukage-dono. How have you been? I apologise for that mess all those years ago, a complete misunderstanding, I’m sure. And by the way, please call me Gaara.” I plastered a false smile on my face and allowed my charisma to kick into full gear as I approached her with arms spread to show I wasn’t a threat.

She matched my approach as we met in the middle and clasped hands.

“Oh never mind that. The island ended up gaining from that. Our fight got rid of a lot of the problematic top soil, exposing a more nutritious subsoil. Sure, we lost hundreds, and are devastated about that, but that land now feeds thousands” She said to me, making my smile become just a little more genuine.

“That is good to hear. But you yourself? How was the transition? I had a hard enough time adapting to taking the mantle up, and I was doing that without a civil war to consider. I can’t imagine how much harder it must have been”

“In the beginning, yes. I had to deal with some of those who had been loyal to Yagura above all else, but now everyone in the village agrees with my rule and the Mist prospers. In fact, this is one of the former loyalists” She said, waving her hand towards one of the men at her side. Not Chojuro , the White-haired one.

“Gaara, meet Mangetsu Hozuki” She said as she waved the young man forward. The man nodded at me, as opposed to the bow that would normally be expected from one in his position. Mei was smiling all the way, acting like she wasn’t noticing the disrespect, but there was a gleam in her eyes. A test. Of all the boring things, a bloody test.

“Lovely to meet you, Hozuki. Hozuki. Same clan as Gengetsu Hozuki, I assume” I said, removing my hands from Mei’s grip to stretch one out to him for a handshake. He reached out with his own hand, but before we could touch, he suddenly dropped to one knee. He was shivering, as the entire room stared at us with shock. I could feel Mebuki’s consternation from behind me, but I knew this was the right thing to do in this case. My Charisma skill gave me some hints on how to navigate the situation, and that was telling me to lean in and not shy away.

“Oh, I appreciate the gesture, but the proper bow to a foreign Kage isn’t nearly so deep. Stand” I said to the man, even as I pressed down on him with the full might of the Ichibi’s bloodlust. It was actually a testament to his skill that he had not fallen unconscious, even if he looked like he was already well on his way there. I could understand it, with the exception of the Nine Tails, Shukaku probably had the most nasty killing Intent of any of the tailed beasts. His insanity gave his a flavour that none of the others could quite emulate.

From the corner of my eye, I could see Chojuro reach towards his blade, but Mei placed a hand on his shoulder to stop him. I was right then.

“Please stand, Hozuki-san” I said again, reiterating the words, while still pressing down on him. His second knee gave way and he was now in a full bow.

“Oh dear. Whatever is the matter, Hozuki-san?” I asked, enjoying the way I could hear his bones creak under the pressure. I patted myself on the back for the decision I’d made to spend the last two months working on my control instead of trying to add new abilities to my arsenal. I was stronger than Nagato when we fought. Going over the fight multiple times in my head made me sure of that. I was just terrible at bringing that strength to bear, and that was what I needed to work on with the time I had.

“I think he’s gotten the message, Kazekage-dono” Mei finally said, getting the message that I would not be releasing him until she intervened, and realising that the longer she went without stepping in, the more face she lost in front of the others.

“Oh I agree.” I said, alleviating the pressure and allowing the man to finally rise to his feet. He practically scurried away from me to stand next to Chojuro. All the while, he was still shaking.

“A lot has changed, then. In the time since we last fought” She probed.

“Quite a lot, I assure you” I said, making my left eye spin with my words. I didn’t bother placing her under genjutsu. She was a Kage. If she had the guts to meet my gaze, then she definitely had the skill to break whatever genjutsu I could place- with this stage of the Sharingan, at least.

“I can see that. I have changed as well” I internally scoffed at her words but made sure to allow none of the disregard I felt for her show on my face as I nodded to her. In canon, she’d been the weakest of the five by some margin, and while I had the feeling Darui was the one that would take that title in this group, it was only because of his weakness and not his strength.

“Well, that was certainly a fiery start to things” A voice spoke out, and all our heads snapped to the balcony. I felt a cold sweat form on my neck. I hadn’t sensed his presence at all.

“Please let us proceed to the meeting hall. Our host already awaits us and since we’re all here, there’s no need top delay further and risk even more excitement” Kabuto said before a hand appeared from thin air and grabbed on to his shoulder. He disappeared in a vortex of displaced air almost instantly.