The crisp clink of glasses in the banquet hall was torn apart by a sudden alarm.
A shrill buzz rose from beneath the Hokage Residence, cutting through the music and laughter. The entire hall fell silent.
Everyone stopped what they were doing and followed the sound, their gazes finally converging on Baishi at the head of the table.
An ANBU guard appeared soundlessly behind Baishi and knelt on one knee. He kept his voice low, but every word was clear.
"Lord Hokage, there's been an A-Rank emergency in the underground Special Care Unit. The Crimson Sun seal has been triggered, and the Life Support System has overloaded. Initial reports indicate casualties."
Baishi's smile did not change. He slowly set down his half-finished cup of sake. Its base touched the table with a soft tap.
That tap was the only sound in the room.
"Shikaku." Baishi did not turn around.
"Here." Shikaku Nara stepped forward, his expression grave.
"Activate the highest-level response under Konoha's major emergency plan." Baishi's voice was utterly calm, as though he were assigning a routine task. "Seal off Konoha Hospital and everything within three kilometers. Designate the area an S-Rank Quarantine Zone. No one enters or leaves."
"Yes."
"Notify the Medical Department, the Konoha Military Police Force, ANBU, and the Barrier Team. I want every department head at the scene immediately."
Baishi rose and straightened the collar of his Hokage Haori. Then he turned to Daimyo's Envoy Ito, whose face had gone deathly pale.
"Lord Ito, something unexpected has happened in the village. I apologize for cutting short your reception." He inclined his head, his tone still gentle. "The situation is urgent, and I must attend to it at once. The scene may be chaotic, but perhaps you would like to come along and witness how Konoha