The Consultantate's Surprise Inspection and Newly Enacted Security Policies

The Yin Release Thread connected to the underground was severed by Baishi without hesitation the instant it captured that top-secret conversation.

The energy was reclaimed without a sound.

There was not the slightest change in his expression beneath the mask, as though what he had just heard had been nothing more than the noise of windblown sand scraping against the rock wall.

Move the Jinchuriki tonight.

The sudden turn of events was like a stone dropped into a placid lake, instantly stirring up ripples across his heart and even more ruthless calculations.

The original infiltration plan had been thrown into disarray.

"The inspection is complete. Everything is normal." Baishi handed the logbook to Ji Tu, his voice as placid as a stagnant pool. "File it. What happened tonight must not be disclosed."

"Yes, yes! My lord!" Ji Tu respectfully accepted the logbook with both hands, as though he had just been granted a reprieve.

The two team members behind him also let out long breaths, their feelings toward this auditor from Konoha reduced to pure awe.

Baishi turned around, preparing to leave.

Just then, a steady, dense series of footsteps came from outside the maintenance room's stone door.

An invisible pressure immediately enveloped the entire space.

This pressure did not come from the strength of Chakra. It was the aura that naturally formed around someone who had long occupied a position of power and held the authority of life and death.

The three of them—Ji Tu included—went deathly pale. Their bodies tensed instinctively, and they stood ramrod straight.

The stone door was pushed open from outside. An ANBU from Sunagakure wearing a Bamboo Hat entered first, cautiously sweeping his gaze around the room before stepping aside.

A hunched old woman slowly walked in, flanked by two puppet-user guards.

Consultant Chiyo.