The Sunagakure Emissary Group's Abrupt Visit and the Opening Move in a Three-Way Game

Inuzuka.

The name did not linger long in Baishi's mind before sinking away.

Like a pebble tossed into a deep pool, it raised only a barely perceptible ripple before the surface quickly returned to calm.

But beneath the surface, the undercurrents had changed course because of the pebble's fall.

The stabbing pain inside his body seemed to grow sharper with the appearance of this name. He needed Dragon Whisker Grass and had to quell the conflict between the two domineering energies as soon as possible, but that did not mean he would throw his plans into disarray for it.

The Sunagakure Emissary Group's early arrival had disrupted the pace of the script he had laid out for the Land of Rain.

But that might not be a bad thing.

Sometimes, adding another piece to the chessboard could breathe life into a stalemate.

"Lord Hokage?"

Mikoto, standing in the shadows, keenly sensed the fleeting, chilling aura that had flashed from Baishi and spoke softly.

Baishi turned around, his expression unchanged.

"Notify Morita of the Foreign Affairs Department that Sunagakure's emissaries have arrived. Have him receive them according to the standards for Class-B foreign guests. Tonight, I'll hold a welcome banquet for them in Banquet Hall No. 2."

"Yes." Mikoto acknowledged the order, then asked hesitantly, "What about the emissaries from the Land of Rain..."

"They haven't arrived yet, have they?" Baishi countered calmly.

Mikoto understood at once.

Although the Land of Rain's consultation letter had been delivered, its people had yet to arrive. Sunagakure's emissaries, meanwhile, were already standing at the village gates. On the diplomatic card table, whoever arrived first got to draw first.

Baishi picked up another internal communicator and connected it to the Logistics Department.

"Minister Yamashiro, is the renovation of Guesthouse No. 3 complete?"

Yamashiro Kenichi's respectful