The air in the Hokage's Office grew heavy with the arrival of an urgent official letter.
It came from Amegakure. Ibuse's emblem was stamped into the black sealing wax, but a red cloud had been added beside it, marking the joint endorsement of Akatsuki and Amegakure's government.
Shikaku Nara briefly summarized the letter, his brow furrowed.
"The wording is extremely forceful."
"Amegakure has lodged the strongest possible diplomatic protest over the massive explosion Namikaze Minato caused at the border and the devastating damage to infrastructure along their western front."
Shikaku paused, then added the crucial part.
"They demand a public apology from Konoha, severe punishment for the person responsible, and compensation for all economic losses. Their preliminary estimate comes to 6.3 billion ryō."
Six point three billion.
That was enough to wipe out an entire year's budget surplus for Konoha.
Baishi looked up from the letter, his expression unreadable. He merely lifted his teacup and blew the leaves floating on its surface aside.
"Understood."
He set down his cup and picked up the internal communications receiver.
"Notify the General Staff Headquarters, the heads of all major departments, and the two special advisers. An emergency expanded meeting of the highest level will convene in Meeting Room One in ten minutes."
His voice was calm.
"Agenda: the proper handling of Amegakure's diplomatic protest and its aftermath."
Meeting Room One.
Around the long conference table, the atmosphere was as stifling as a stagnant swamp.
Jiraiya and Tsunade sat to Baishi's left as special advisers. Jiraiya's face was livid, his fists clenched tight beneath the table. Tsunade sat with her arms crossed, watching coldly.
Fugaku Uchiha, Shikaku Nara, and the other department heads sat on either side, all upright and silent.
Baishi chaired the meeting himself.
He gave no opening remarks. He merely