The night pressed against the windows of the Hokage's Office like a sodden sheet of black cloth.
Only a desk lamp was lit in Baishi's office, its light outlining him and Shikaku Nara and casting their long shadows across the wall behind them.
On the desk lay a photograph of a freight manifest from Kazama Logistics Park.
The words "Special Nutrient Solution" gleamed coldly beneath the lamplight.
"The intelligence has been confirmed." Shikaku Nara broke the silence, tapping another secret report that ANBU had just finished analyzing. "Based on the task force's surprise interrogation of the park's manager and preliminary testing of the cargo's composition, we can conclude that this batch of 'nutrient solution' is a core raw material supplied to Orochimaru for advanced live-subject experiments."
Shikaku's brow was tightly furrowed.
"Although the destination on the manifest is listed only as 'the capital of the Land of Rain,' we traced its internal logistics code to an abandoned mine in the eastern Land of Rain. That place was once one of Orochimaru's secret bases during the early days after his defection."
Baishi said nothing. He merely lifted his teacup, the steam blurring his gaze.
Shikaku continued, "Lord Hokage, this concerns Orochimaru's Forbidden Experiment. Its nature is exceptionally vile. I recommend that we immediately notify Akatsuki, the current agents of Amegakure, through official channels and have them intercept and eliminate it. This would comply with the Multilateral Security Framework we just signed while avoiding a direct cross-border intervention that could trigger unnecessary diplomatic disputes."
It was a prudent recommendation, one that followed procedure perfectly.
They could kick the ball to Akatsuki and let them deal with the mess on their own territory. Konoha could then reap the benefits while testing Akatsuki's capability and loyalty.
Baishi set down his teacup.
"No."
He said