An Orchestrated Coup [Exemplary]

[Kakashi Hatake]

Upon the arrival of Tsunade’s envoys, the gathered bureaucrats started up the building’s main stairway. The trio of newcomers waited their turn, taking up the rear after the rest had began their ascent. As arbitrators of the event, it was only right that they allow others the courtesy.

“Well, now that we’re all finally here we can get down to brass tacks,” the individual's words flowed through the air effortlessly, blending into the air like smoke. “I daresay we all have some idea of what we’re after.” The speaker’s tone was as smooth as silk, his voice the timbre of a practiced businessman.

As the remainder of the participants filtered into the room and took their seats, the shinobi triumvirate crossed the threshold, Minato at the head. Kito was right on the jōnin’s heels, glancing around quickly in an attempt to take in the scenery. Kakashi marked the final entrant, the silver-haired ninja snapping the door shut quietly behind him. 

“Yes yes yes, let’s,” the rotund woman in the purple kimono replied quickly, plopping herself in one of the many sturdy oak-hewn chairs around the enormous conference table. Her face bore what seemed to be a permanent grin, though her eyes did not quite seem to match the expression. The scarecrow could quite not place the look. 

“Not to be too much of a bother here, but can we get us up-to-speed here?” The blonde Kage took his seat in the chair immediately before the doorway, carefully tucking his haori beneath him as he did so. 

“As the most powerful groups within Mokugakure,” the head of the Miu clan began, her tone completely devoid of emotion. “We have some measure of control over how the village functions.”

“Tsunade is our leader, true,” the smooth-talking mouthpiece of the yet-unnamed clan spoke up once more. “But we are, I guess you could say, invested in the village in a much more literal sense.”

“This meeting serves as a way to establish how the village will be run in a more indirect fashion,” one of the pointy-eared individuals chimed in. Though not quite as extreme, their ears reminded Kakashi somewhat of the Night Elf he had assisted on his last mission.

“I think I understand,” Namikaze stated, nodding knowingly. He quickly took up a pile of fresh paper from the supply bin at the middle of the table, with it a writing implement. “I guess we’ll start to my left. What did you have in mind?”

Kakashi stood behind the former Kage as he spoke, a motionless sentinel observing the room. He had served this role many times before, a handful of times even with Minato himself. He sized up each member of the meeting individually, careful to note any change in demeanor or sudden movements. It was not unheard of at events such as these for assassinations to be attempted. In Konoha this was a rarity, though Mokukagure was a whole other ball of wax. He truly did not know what to expect from those gathered. The shinobi kept his guard up, his dōjutsu hyper-aware of even the most minute movement.

“My name is Sergei, head of the Aplistio clan,” the charismatic executive asserted. The man sat comfortably with a lax posture, leaning forward to rest his elbow on the table. He wore a slightly amused expression, icy blue eyes framed by extraordinarily pale skin. His fair hair was cropped tight to his scalp, each strand swept back and to the side with practiced precision. “We fund some of the more expensive projects in the village. You may have spied our name on this very building on your way in.”

“Oh,” Minato replied, scribbling a few quick words before meeting his gaze. “I didn’t notice, sorry.”

“No matter,” Sergei continued without missing a beat. “I feel as though our continued contributions to Mokugakure’s growth warrant some sort of recognition.” He stressed the word heavily before broadening his smile. “Surely it would benefit the village as a whole if we were to take charge of the finances. Perhaps manage our trading network in some fashion?”

The Yellow Flash nodded without looking up, scribbling down the man’s words. “That makes sense. I don’t have the authority to grant it here and now, but I’ll take note of what you’ve said.”

“That’s all I can ask,” Sergei responded, his sly smile widening. He allowed his narrow chin to fall lazily into his hand, his elbow rocking forward and backward on the polished table. “I do so appreciate your time.”

“Right,” Minato answered, smiling politely before turning his eyes to the next participant.

“Galan of the Windforge clan,” the pointy-eared representative stated immediately with a curt nod. The elf sported long, golden hair that fell past the back of his chair, his flowing locks complementing amber eyes. “My clan has been a part of Mokugakure since near its inception. Many of my kin serve as civil servants within the village, some assisting the Morikage herself. I feel with this experience and the history that my people have with the other elf-kin throughout the Tangled Green, it is only logical to afford us the office of Chief Diplomat, to assist with appointing ambassadors and establishing relationships with other groups in the Omniverse at large.”

“Thank you Galan,” Minato said finally, dotting the last of his I’s. “I’ll be sure to pass on your suggestion.”

“Yes,” the elf replied brusquely. His tone did not betray his emotions, his cold expression locked on the former Kage.

The silver-haired shinobi continued to watch the bureaucracy unfold, slowly getting a feel for how the clans handled themselves. Each seemed to have a carefully-chosen role in mind, all stations being fairly high on the totem pole. Though he did not have a large amount of hours clocked in the village, truthfully he didn’t need it. This type of bargaining for power was not unique to Moku; indeed, these sorts of ‘unofficial’ agreements were commonplace in most established villages from the smallest merchant town to even Konoha, the gem of the Land of Fire. For the good of the people, it was necessary to stroke the ego of the occasional powerful individual if it meant bolstering the village in some way. 

“Now, who’s next?”