The Diplomatic Note's Counteraccusation and the Kazekage's Bitter Loss

Konoha, the Hokage Building, News Conference Hall No. 1.

There were none of the tea and refreshments served at ordinary meetings, only oppressive silence. The air seemed drained of moisture, and everyone breathed with painstaking care.

The inspector dispatched by the Land of Fire's Daimyo Residence, the heads of Konoha's major ninja clans, and the chairmen of merchant associations trading with Sunagakure were all present. They sat on either side according to their status, the divisions unmistakable.

Every gaze converged on the center of the podium.

The Fifth Hokage, Baishi, stood there.

He wore no elaborate Hokage Haori, only simple black everyday clothes that made his expression look all the colder.

"Everyone."

Baishi spoke quietly, yet his voice reached every corner of the hall with perfect clarity.

"I have gathered you here today to report a grave incident that occurred yesterday in the southern Land of Fire."

As soon as he finished, an ANBU member behind him stepped forward and formed hand seals.

A hum sounded.

Chakra light rippled across the white wall behind the podium, and a massive, sharply defined moving image appeared.

These were key scenes extracted through a special technique from the Byakugan records sealed away by the Hyuga Clan.

The footage opened on the vast Sand Sea Basin. More than a dozen exploration team members wearing Konoha forehead protectors were surrounded by over a hundred Sunagakure ninja. Their expressions were tense, but their formation remained intact.

The scene shifted, magnifying the face of Sunagakure jonin Baki. It was hideous, twisted, and brimming with savagery.

Then came the most shocking scene of all.

Baki formed hand seals, and raging Wind Release gathered into a dust tornado that blotted out the sky, blasting indiscriminately toward the Konoha exploration team's position.

The footage was deliberately slowed at that moment.