- So, I'm going to save some people and you're not going to stop me.
The stylist was adjusting the last details of my suit before the broadcast began. This would be Orochimaru's first interview with the girls, but regardless of their presence, I would always be the center of attention.
- People are starving, Karin. Can't you think of them? While you parade around in your diamonds and satin dresses, our people perish.
Karin remained impassive. Her expression didn't waver for a second. She was stubborn, unyielding like iron-and like iron, she would rather break than bend.
- Private Obito. - Her voice sounded calm, dangerous, like a snake about to strike.
- My princess?
- Go immediately to the border cottage and tell my grandmother that Naruto has gone mad. Tell her she must return to the palace without delay.
The border cottage was three hours to the northwest. My grandmother had stopped there with Jiraiya for the night, while Orochimaru made his way to the palace to present the Official Gazette. No one could cover that distance in less than three hours. Three hours until Obito laughed at the message, three more until he returned. When all was done, not even the word of a queen could reverse the order of a prince.
- Do what you want, Karin. I promise I'll do the same.
She narrowed her eyes and came closer, almost reaching my height.
- What are you doing? I should have insisted with Grandma. I should have set you up with a princess. None of these girls are fit to be queen.
- Because for you, the only one worthy is yourself. - My tone was cold. - I'll be king, Karin. It's past time you accepted that.
She looked at me as if I had slapped her. As if she didn't recognize me. As if I had betrayed her. She whispered something to Obito, who hurried off and, without another word, followed after him.
Before disappearing, he gave me one last look.
- I hope she breaks your heart.
***
I arrived earlier than everyone else. It was my first official announcement, and I wasn't even king yet.
All the provincial service departments would now be responsible for providing a daily meal for castes Four, Five, Six, Seven and Eight. Suigetsu had agreed to fund part of the project, and I got the rest by cutting spending from the departments themselves. I wanted to keep this initiative going for as long as possible. Not because it was for Sakura, but because it was for me. For the king I wanted to be.
When Karin arrived, she ignored me completely. She would understand sooner or later.
I thought that if my sister was furious with me, at least my mother would be proud somewhere. She had been a Five. And now I was helping her caste. A knot formed in my throat as I wondered if she too had felt the same hunger as Sakura.
The Chosen were almost all in their places. They wore light, soft colors, a few wore jewelry, some were completely unadorned. They were different, colorful versions of Sakura. Mei Terumi had pinned up her hair with an ornament similar to hers, only richly decorated with emeralds. Karui, in a bright yellow dress, winked at me when her gaze met mine.
- Tsunade is very excited to see you alone here. - Orochimaru approached, a cunning smile on his lips. - What will this announcement of yours be about, my prince?
- You'll have to wait, Orochimaru. It's a surprise.
He raised one of his dark eyebrows thoughtfully.
- Have you chosen your wife yet? It would be a shame if the Selection lasted so short.
His disappointed expression made me laugh.
That's when she came in.
Accompanied by Tenten, they were chatting animatedly about something. And she was beautiful, in the absolute sense of the word.
While all the others wore light shades, she wore a deep wine. The fabric would shimmer under the spotlights and, to the spectators, it would seem that only she existed, only she shone. But I didn't need spotlights to see her like that.
When everyone had settled down and Suigetsu whispered something to Karin, who forced a smile, the Official Gazette began.
After the national anthem, I walked to the stage. My palms were sweaty. There was no turning back.
I could no longer sit back and ignore the hundreds of starving people. Now, I should be the king I wish I had.
- Good evening, ladies and gentlemen of the Land of Fire.
My voice sounded firm, despite the turmoil inside me.
- I know this is an exciting night for all of us. You are eagerly awaiting to meet my beloved Chosen Ones, and I am looking forward to introducing them to you. But first, I need to share a project that has enormous significance for me.
An expectant silence settled in.
- The contact with these ladies has exposed me to a reality that I had seen little of. The world outside these walls is different. And I was awakened to the suffering of the lower castes. Now I intend to do something about it.
Orochimaru's eyes widened. The Chosen looked at each other, trying to guess what I was getting at. Karui snorted softly, while Suigetsu nodded for me to continue.
- We'll need about three months to adjust, but by New Year's, all the provincial service departments will be offering food assistance. Any Four, Five, Six, Seven or Eight will be able to access a free, nutritious meal at the end of each afternoon.
The impact was immediate.
- I know that no leader should allow his people to go hungry. The Land of Fire is mostly made up of low castes. You, castes Two and Three... Your houses don't clean themselves. You are blessed. So now, recognize those blessings and make a donation to the provincial departments.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Karui grimace. But when I looked directly at her, she smiled falsely, with rehearsed understanding. I knew that by the end of the week, the Uzumaki company would make a generous donation to the project.
I took a deep breath.
- And now, without further ado... Orochimaru, please.
- Thank you very much for the introduction, Your Majesty! - Orochimaru thanked me as he entered the stage, his smile as sharp as ever. - Excellent! If this prince thing doesn't work out, you could consider a career in television.
I let out a laugh as I returned to my seat. The cameras were now on Orochimaru, but my attention remained on the Chosen Ones. I didn't understand why their reactions were so different.