The scroll handed over by that ANBU ninja was wrapped in the special oil paper unique to the Land of Rain, sealed with red wax bearing the emblem of the Daimyo Residence. In the cold light of the meeting room, the red wax looked like a drop of congealed blood.
The atmosphere in the meeting room, which had just been crushed into silence by irrefutable evidence, was instantly stirred by this uninvited guest.
Everyone's gaze shifted from the material about the underground bomb shelter on the table to this sudden diplomatic scroll.
Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura straightened their backs almost simultaneously. They exchanged an imperceptible glance, and their previously ashen complexions seemed to regain a trace of color.
Baishi took the scroll without opening it immediately. His fingers gently rubbed against the wax seal, feeling its slightly warm texture.
He could feel that the pressure field throughout the meeting room was undergoing a subtle shift.
"Lord Hokage, the Land of Rain has issued a highest-level protest note at a time like this; I'm afraid this is no small matter," Mitokado Homura said in a deep voice, breaking the silence. There was no longer the defeatism of a moment ago in his tone, but rather a hint of well-measured gravity.
"Namikaze Minato is stationed in the Land of Rain as a Peace Observer. Diplomatic affairs are of the utmost importance," Koharu chimed in smoothly, her words carrying a pointed meaning.
Baishi tore the seal and slowly unrolled the scroll.
He did not read it quickly, his gaze sweeping over the text word by word. The handwriting on the scroll carried the caution and arrogance unique to official documents of the Land of Rain, and the wording was extremely harsh.
"...Unannounced, forcibly breaching the national treasury..."
"...Disregarding sovereignty, tantamount to rebellion..."