The Border Lockdown Triggers Sunagakure's Probe, and Shikaku's Evasion

The wind was dry.

The temporary command center on the southern border of the Land of Fire was merely a fortress hastily constructed with Earth Release. The air was thick with the smell of dust and sweat.

The teacup before Shikaku Nara had already gone cold, but he did not touch it again.

Spread across the table, the military map bore a thick red line that looked like a red-hot brand, firmly stamped along the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind.

That line cut off the trade routes, severed the movement of people, and blocked every prying gaze.

A hand lifted the tent flap, and a Konoha Jonin walked in. His footsteps were light, but he carried a barely restrained urgency.

"Lord Shikaku, Ye Cangshi, Sunagakure's diplomatic envoy stationed in the Land of Fire, is requesting an emergency meeting outside the defensive line."

Shikaku raised his eyelids. His eyes, which were always heavy with weariness, revealed not the slightest ripple.

"Let him in."

His voice was utterly flat, as though he were merely ordering some trivial matter.

"Yes."

The Jonin withdrew.

Soon, a middle-aged man wearing Sunagakure's standard robes was brought in. Fine beads of sweat covered his forehead, and he was coated in dust from the road. Anxiety nearly spilled from his eyes.

His name was Ye Cangshi. He had traveled between Konoha and Sunagakure for nearly ten years and understood the proper limits and measure of relations between the two countries.

But the situation before him had completely exceeded all his past experience.

"Commander Shikaku."

The moment Ye Cangshi entered, he dispensed with all pleasantries and got straight to the point.

"Your side suddenly sealed the entire border and severed all trade. Such an action is unprecedented during peacetime between our two countries.