In the late autumn morning, the chirping of birds from bygone days was absent. Only the morning mist slowly spread through the quiet peace, gradually thinning and fading beneath the rising sun.
"...That is the situation in detail, Captain."
Yet in one of the rooms within the courtyard assigned to the Land of Earth delegation, it was anything but quiet and peaceful.
A heavy, oppressive atmosphere hung in the room, making everyone inside furrow their brows slightly, their expressions grave.
"Is that so... I understand. Go get some rest. You've worked hard."
Iwama, his brows knitted, glanced at the four guard shinobi standing rigidly before him, nodded, and spoke.
His words told them to return and rest.
Just as expected...
That was the thought in his heart.
"Yes!"
Upon hearing the order from their captain, who was also the ambassador of the entire delegation, the guards promptly answered, withdrew from their captain's room, and returned to their own rooms to rest.
Was this a tactic to lure the enemy?
After the guards left, Iwama looked at the various documents rolled up on the table, and his furrowed brows seemed to tighten even further.
After his conversation with Rando last night, he had dispatched all the guards to gather intelligence. Since they were free to come and go and Konoha had not excessively restricted their movements, the guards' investigation had gone very smoothly.
Strictly speaking, this sort of intelligence-gathering should not have happened. If they intended to wage a prolonged battle, they should have focused on appearing devoted to the Peace Alliance, doing things that would lower Konoha's guard and aid their future plans. Such probing was improper. Konoha was now filled with hidden sentries, and no one knew how wide their coverage extended. This investigation would inevitably be exposed to