The round conference table in the Hokage's Office had a polished finish that reflected the people around it.
The water in the teacups had already gone lukewarm.
Shikaku Nara had just finished his report on the administrative barriers facing the project to sever the Earth Vein beneath Scorpion's Nest. He had spoken slowly, every word reaching the attendees clearly.
Defense Minister Takahashi, Logistics Minister Morita, and the other department heads in attendance all wore grave expressions.
They were confident they could overcome the technical difficulties. But the administrative pressure from the Capital and the Daimyo Residence left them at a loss. Those belonged to another realm of rules, a game they did not know how to play.
"In other words, getting a construction permit from the Ministry of Works will take at least three months, and there's a good chance it won't be approved." Baishi lightly tapped the tabletop with his fingers, summing up Shikaku's report.
His voice was calm, betraying no emotion.
Shikaku nodded. "Yes. The current Minister of Works is Lady Jiye's uncle. Submitting our application would be no different from telling them outright that we're going after the heart of their interests."
A brief silence fell over the Meeting Room.
The air felt oppressive.
It was a deadlock. An unavoidable deadlock laid down by the Land of Fire's highest seat of power.
Baishi looked at no one. His gaze rested on a document before him, a file that appeared entirely unrelated to the day's agenda.
"Chief Shikaku."
"Yes."
"Distribute copies of the Fire-Rain Bilateral Framework Agreement on Joint Environmental Management to the ministers."
Shikaku paused briefly, then pulled the agreement straight from the stack of documents behind him. ANBU personnel swiftly handed copies to everyone present.
Somewhat puzzled, the ministers opened the agreement, which had already been