The Paper Release Messenger's Exchange of Interests and the Open Scheme Behind the Joint Exercise

Inside the Hokage's Office, the air was so quiet that the faint sound of pages turning could be heard.

Baishi's fingers held a sheet of letter paper unfolded from a paper crane. Its material was unusual, carrying a faint, cool fragrance.

"Borrowing a knife to kill someone—the knife is sharp. But have you thought about how you'll pay the price for borrowing it?"

The handwriting was delicate, yet its force seemed to pierce through the paper.

Shikaku Nara stood to one side, his brow deeply furrowed. This letter had arrived too quickly, almost at the same time as the diplomatic communiqué had been sent out.

This was no longer a test. It was a showdown.

"Lord Hokage, Konan is demanding tangible benefits." Shikaku's voice was low. "To the west of Amegakure lies the trade route leading to the Land of Wind, right beside the village. What she wants is likely control of that route."

The control of a trade route in exchange for the disappearance of one of Konoha's potential political adversaries. On paper, the deal did not seem like a loss.

But Baishi said nothing.

He casually placed the letter at the corner of the desk, as though it were merely an unimportant document.

"Private deals are the least reliable form of cooperation." Baishi spoke evenly. "Today, she can help us 'deal with' Minato for the sake of a trade route. Tomorrow, she can sell us out to someone else for even greater profit."

"Any power that cannot be bound by rules will eventually become a blade that turns back on itself."

Shikaku fell silent. He knew the Hokage was right. But the issue at hand was how to answer Konan's demand. Refusing would mean abandoning all their previous efforts, and Jiraiya's old subordinates would very likely come into