Hokage Building, top floor, First Meeting Room.
The air around the enormous circular conference table felt heavy as lead.
Seated there were the heads of core departments, including Defense, Logistics, and ANBU, as well as the clan heads of the Uchiha, Hyuga, Nara, and other major families. It was the first expanded senior meeting Baishi had called since the military funding crisis began.
No one spoke.
The official letter from the Daimyo Residence's Financial Audit Office still lay spread across the table. Its wording was polite; its message was cold.
Logistics Minister Morita pressed his lips together, his face nearly purple. Defense Minister Takahashi kept his head down, absently rubbing the rim of his teacup. The tea inside had gone cold.
Fugaku Uchiha and Hyuga Hiashi, heads of two powerful clans, showed little on their faces. Their eyes met now and then, only to dart away.
Chief of General Staff Shikaku Nara broke the silence. He pushed a report toward the center of the table.
"Lord Hokage, everyone. You've heard the situation. The village's reserves will last seven days at most. If the funds don't arrive by then, military pay, supplies for the border defenses, and medical care for the wounded will all grind to a halt."
His voice was steady, as though he were merely stating a fact. But that fact sent a chill through everyone present.
"Lord Hokage, we can't wait any longer." Takahashi finally raised his head, his voice hoarse. "The Daimyo Residence owes us an explanation. I suggest that you or Chief of General Staff Shikaku lead a delegation to the Capital and appeal to the Daimyo in person. This threatens Konoha's very foundations. The Daimyo can't simply stand by."
Several people signaled their agreement with a glance.
It was the conventional approach, and the safest.