When Kurenai asked me what I needed for my presentation, I told her I wanted an easel and the graphs showing the percentage of citizens in each caste. I spent hours preparing my speech, highlighting passages from books for reference, and wiping my sweaty hands on the hem of my dress. Everyone was nervous, but no one there seemed as tense as Naruto. He was frowning, clearly caught up in a whirlwind of emotions.
Hinata was next to me, with some books on her lap, while Tenten reviewed her notes over and over again. Pakura, in turn, checked her makeup with the precision of someone who is used to pressure.
— Each of you will have eight minutes, starting with the Queen's opening address. Remember to pay attention. The country is watching. The order will be according to the seating arrangements: Tenten will be first and Sakura, last. The royal family may ask some questions about the projects, so stay alert. After that, Prince Naruto will make some statements to close the event. Do you understand?
— Yes, ma'am — we answered in chorus.
I broke out in a cold sweat as soon as the introductions began. Tenten's proposal was a letter-exchange program between members of the upper castes of different countries, with the intention of strengthening ties and minimizing disagreements. She didn't mention the Land of Thunder, but the reference was there. Darui seemed pleased, although I still had my doubts about the real impact of the idea. It was, in the end, a reminder to Naruto and the audience of why Tenten was still there. The Queen asked if she knew anyone willing to participate in the program, and Tenten answered in the affirmative.
Pakura's presentation was spectacular. She wanted to reform the public education system. She used the screen to project photos of schools in her province, sent by their parents. The teachers' faces were tired, and there was a picture of four children sitting on the floor for lack of chairs. Prince Suigetsu asked several questions, and Pakura answered them quickly.
As she sat down, Advisor Jiraya nodded and smiled in approval.
Hinata's proposal was short, but... naive. She stated that all the rebels' actions were wrong and idle, arguing that they should be considered illegal to ensure the safety of the Fire Country's provinces. I was shocked into silence. How could she not know that what the rebels were doing was already illegal? The Queen and Princess Karin looked disappointed as Hinata returned to her seat.
When it was my turn, I stood up. For a brief moment, I thought about faking a faint, but something in me didn't want to. I put my books on the small table and pointed to the chart. I proposed creating a minimum wage for the castes. Darui seemed interested. Too often, the lower castes were paid whatever their bosses dictated, while only the higher castes were able to negotiate a decent wage. I explained that based on the number of days worked, days off, and average prices of the necessities of life, the economic committee could set a suitable minimum wage for each caste.
The Queen tried to interrupt me, saying that minimum wages already existed, but fell short when she used the example of a doctor. I corrected her, saying that workers in castes six and seven often accepted whatever the owners of the means of production offered, while doctors had the luxury of choosing where to work and how much they were paid.
When I was done, I went back to my seat and sat down.
Naruto stood up, went to the table and spoke, without looking at anyone, almost like a robot:
— Ladies and gentlemen of the Land of Fire, today we have heard some interesting proposals. I am happy to say that each of them has won a special place in my heart — Hinata, beside me, seemed to melt. — But I believe that transparency will be a priority in my government. Therefore, I come here, against the wishes of the Queen and King Ay of the Land of Thunder, who are not present, to reveal something to my people: during my trip to the Southern Colonies, Prince Darui and I were kidnapped.
The silence that followed seemed to have the power to swallow the world. One louder breath and I would swear even the Gods could appear. Then, Naruto continued:
—By the grace of the Gods, we were saved, but it is not about the kidnapping attempt that I wish to speak. I experienced the life of the lower castes for a day. I knew their pains and their longings, not as deeply as a ruler should, but I knew them nonetheless. My special girls made their proposals, but I do not think I could let this event end without presenting one myself.
Queen Tsunade stood up abruptly, ordering the cameras to be turned off.
— I propose the end of castes! — It was a second before all the cameras turned off, but, to the Queen's despair, the entire country had heard.
— HAVE YOU GONE CRAZY? — The Queen's scream silenced the murmurs that had begun.
I looked at the girls. For some reason, I focused on Tenten, looking for some strength, but I found her just as nervous as I was. The Queen had never reacted like this before.
Hinata hugged Pakura, both of them trembling.
— ARREST HIM! — The Queen shouted. — ITACHI, NOW!
Itachi looked from the Queen to Naruto and addressed the prince. It was then that Karin ran to her feet and stood in front of Naruto, as if her thin body would prevent the nearly two meter tall guard from touching her brother.
— NO! — Karin screamed, crying. — This is not necessary, please.
— Queen Tsunade, he is your heir... — Darui tried to intervene, speaking with the calm that always accompanied his voice, almost like awareness of the situation.
— I won't be arrested. I can talk to you, but I won't be treated like a traitor — Naruto declared firmly.
Karin was still hugging him, crying.
All eyes were on Queen Tsunade. We expected her to give in, but instead, the order was clear: "Arrest him!"
Itachi didn't need a third order. Obito had to hold Karin so Itachi could handcuff Naruto.
— NO! STOP! — Karin shouted. — It's an order! STOP!
Never, in any monarchy, would the order of a princess be superior to that of a queen. Naruto did not look at anyone as he was led away, like a criminal.
"You don't know how brave you are until you have to be."