The Exploration Box's Top-Secret Unsealing and the Next Step in the Geopolitical Strategy

It was deep into the night.

The lights in the Hokage's Office were still on.

The door was gently knocked from outside—three long knocks and two short ones, the most urgent reporting rhythm used by ANBU.

"Come in."

Baishi's voice was not loud, but it pierced the heavy door and sounded exceptionally clear.

The door opened, and an ANBU wearing a raccoon dog mask slipped inside, followed by another figure.

It was the ANBU who had disguised himself as the leader of the Exploration Team in the Sand Sea Basin.

He had already changed out of his bloodstained Exploration Team uniform and put on the standard gray prisoner's uniform worn by ANBU. Chakra shackles bound his hands in front of him. His face was pale, but his eyes were exceptionally bright, even carrying a fervor born from completing his mission.

He was clutching the Metal Box that had appeared in the Byakugan images.

The surface of the box was covered in scratches from Wind Release cuts and dents from explosive impacts. One corner had even been severely deformed, a clear testament to the brutality of the battle.

"Hokage-sama."

The ANBU in the raccoon dog mask knelt on one knee, his voice utterly emotionless.

"The man has been brought."

Baishi's gaze shifted from the mountain of documents piled on his desk to the Metal Box, where it lingered for a moment.

He did not look at the wounded ANBU, nor did he ask about any details of the battle.

"Take him to the Discipline Review Division for the highest-level isolation interrogation and memory cleansing."

Baishi's tone was as indifferent as if he were assigning an ordinary chore.

"Yes."

The ANBU in the raccoon dog mask rose and reached out to take the box from the other ANBU's arms.

The wounded ANBU's