Public Interpretation of the Protest Note and the Official Position on Compulsory Medical Treatment

Shikaku Nara looked at Baishi, opened his mouth, but ultimately said nothing.

Call the press officer.

After receiving a protest note capable of triggering a diplomatic earthquake, the Hokage's first reaction was neither to summon the higher-ups to discuss a response nor to contact the front lines to verify the situation. Instead, he called for the press officer.

The air in the office seemed to freeze.

Baishi did not look at Shikaku again. His gaze turned back toward the window, where the night was deep.

"Go handle it," he said flatly.

Shikaku bowed in acknowledgment, turned, and left the office. The door closed softly behind him, cutting off the inside from the outside.

Baishi leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes to rest.

His finger silently traced across the desktop, moving from Amegakure's protest note to the Recording Crystal lying quietly there, which had recorded the entire process of Minato's violation.

Konan had planned this well.

She had used Minato's idealism to create an established case of misconduct. Then, adopting the posture of a victim and holding the law and evidence in hand, she demanded political benefits from Konoha.

This was an overt stratagem.

No matter whether Konoha protected Minato, Amegakure would come out ahead.

If they protected him, Konoha would lose the world's trust, and the Multilateral Security Framework would become a laughingstock.

If they did not, Konoha's hero would be disgraced, and disorder would inevitably erupt within the village.

But they had miscalculated one thing.

Baishi never chose from the options offered by his opponent. What he intended to do was overturn the board and set the rules himself.

Half an hour later, the press officer, Morino Ihi, knocked and entered. He had once been a deputy in the Interrogation Department. His expression was stern, and