Post
by Taiga » Mon Feb 13, 2017 6:24 am
It was true that defeating Raijin and becoming the Hero of the Cloud had become the best thing to ever happen to Hayate, however it was not for the reason most people would think. Becoming the hero wasn't fulfilling because of the praise he received, or even the nomination for Raikage that he had received. It was fulfilling because it had been the start of his awakening- the start of his journey and mission. Being in the capital he had saw just the misfortune the rest of his country had been suffering at the hands of the feudal lords. He saw mean who were powerful and important play games rather than solve issues. Utilize their power to do whatever they wanted... and in the process, his the Hero of the Cloud's mind had been completely unclouded. The people of the nation of non-noble blood- just like those of Kumogakure were not pawns on the chessboard of kings to be played with.
He thought back to that very day that the fate of his nation had been decided. The trembling of his body- the rage he felt at the games these men played with the lives of the innocent, with the problems of their people. How his mere questioning of Kusakabe had angered him to the point of the man attempting to attack him, and then for defending himself being told he would be in prison. What justice was there in that? It was then that he realized the suffering and lack of true unity the Lightning Country had suffered for hundreds of years could be ended, by eliminating those who had caused it.
His hand nearly trembled from the memory- the memory of his bubble bomb as it formed in his hand and smacked into the kyounin, destroying him, only for moments to later do the same move in a quick succession and strike him in the head, killing him immedatiely. He had done this completely knowing that his life would be ruined and he would lose all he had left. The village, his daughters. His friends. But he did it, because in that moment he knew that this was the only way he could truly protect the Lightning Country, and by extension, Kumogakure. The words of his oath to Banri still were everpresent in his mind.
"I knew what I was getting into when I did it- I knew the "idea"" of Nakajima Hayate would die. I knew that my name would now signify not a hero, but a coward, traitor, and enemy to the state." "And I know that by letting my name be dragged through the mud and removing any legacy, I can solve the issues of this country once and for all... and that, that is what it means to be a Bannin to me. I'm willing to make the sacrifices no Kage could to ensure our future."
"I have taken the worst wound I could ever today- those who loved me no longer will- the woman I love. The daughter I care so deeply for... because I have branded myself a traitor. I have thrown away the dream that allowed me to live as long as I have... the dream of Raikage that every last damn person I've cared about put their faith in me for... but this is why I have no doubts or fears in my heart. I'll never forget them or stop loving them, and it's because of this that I'm willing to sacrifice everything."
"My answers changed. I'm not going to dance around a civil war, or dance around the pride and feelings of others. Let a war come. I'll protect everyone myself. I'll fight every last battle and defy the odds, because I'm not going to back down when the fate of this country is on the line. I'll confront everyone head on and I won't stop until this country is united not as seven separate lands but as one true country. I don't care if I'm remembered, but I do know this: the textbooks will speak of a country where everyone had the privileges I grew up with. A country that was ours, a country that was united as one land!"
Hayate was stirred from his recollections.
"I am truly thankful for your kind words and acceptance, to those who have spoken. But I must add that I'm no god- I'm no one special." he said bowing his head graciously to the room that had gone the way of peace and had so quickly accepted the change he proposed. Rising from his seat he went to the front of the room where all could see him, and bowed on the floor. Bowed in a groveling position.
"I am honored but cannot accept a position as Emperor, as being an emperor would only serve to perpetuate the very system I dismantled." he said, still bowed on the ground. "If you wish me to lead, however, I will humbly accept your offer, but I want things to be different." he said, rising to his feet and exiting his bow. He began to pace the room.
"If you wish me to lead, I would hope that I could be more of a chancellor. For more than just me, I do not want the new leader of this nation to be something on lineage, or divinity, but something chosen by the people to represent them for the course of the leader's life. I do not want absolute power- I want a government that reflects our people and merely places me at the helm." he said, his gaze almost as if it was sparking lightning. "I am weary of the term emperor, because it implies a man served by people. As you can understand, I am a man who lives solely to serve the people of this nation, nothing more. Every thing I have done has been at great cost to me but I have done it all to make this nation better." He paused, putting his hand to his side.
Emperor or chancellor did not matter- they could call him what they pleased, but if he was to lead he wanted to make sure it was nothing like a feudal lord or king.