Things had not reached the worst point yet.
Baki slowly lowered his raised hand, gently placed the message scroll from Konoha on the table, took another deep breath, and gradually fell silent.
Honestly, although this matter had indeed caught him off guard, and Konoha's move had indeed been ruthless, Sunagakure was not without a way out—or rather, a way to respond.
Or rather, Sunagakure still had a countermeasure for the current situation.
It was just that this countermeasure made Baki somewhat uncomfortable.
First of all, regarding the current situation, Sunagakure could retreat. Nothing had come to light yet. All they had was this message from Konoha announcing a one-month delay. Whether Konoha suspected Sunagakure or not, it was merely a sign.
Konoha was taking preventive measures. Though this was a superior strategy focused on psychological pressure and possessed considerable effectiveness, it also meant that Konoha did not clearly know who was for them and who was against them.
In other words, Konoha still did not know who intended to harm them. They only knew that some force was hostile to Konoha and intended to stir up trouble during the Chunin Exams. They did not know that Sunagakure was the one plotting against Konoha. If Sunagakure canceled its plan now, withdrew everyone, and properly completed these Chunin Exams, Konoha would not be able to find any leverage against Sunagakure.
That was to say, as long as Sunagakure withdrew from the Konoha Crush Plan now, it would be as if nothing had happened.
Konoha and Sunagakure would still be allies in their alliance. Everything would remain as it was, and nothing would change.
Moreover, even if Konoha learned later that Sunagakure had participated in the Konoha Crush Plan, it would not matter. Konoha would have no way to make an issue of