Dust and a faint scent of rotting vegetation hung in the air along the Eastern Border of the Land of Fire.
When the Joint Investigation Team's convoy arrived, the dust it stirred up forced several accompanying officials from the Capital to cover their mouths and noses.
The vehicle door opened, and Yamanaka Inoichi, deputy commander of the Capital Garrison Force, stepped out. He wore no ninja protector. His well-tailored dark uniform emphasized his upright bearing and sharp gaze.
He surveyed his surroundings, his gaze sweeping over the heavily guarded temporary camp in the distance and the Konoha ninja standing silently around it. His brow creased almost imperceptibly.
Shikaku Nara stood before the Temporary Command Post. He neither approached nor backed away, maintaining a carefully judged distance.
"Deputy Commander Yamanaka, thank you for making the journey." Shikaku's voice was quiet, but everyone present heard him clearly.
"Director Nara." Yamanaka Inoichi walked over, looking straight past Shikaku toward the construction area behind him. "We have come on orders from the Daimyo Residence to provide on-site guidance and inspect the 'flood-control drill' project. Here is the official document."
An attendant immediately stepped forward and handed over a gold-stamped scroll.
Shikaku accepted it but did not open it immediately. "Of course. Konoha will cooperate fully with the Daimyo Residence's work. However, before the inspection begins, there are certain circumstances we must explain to everyone on the investigation team."
Yamanaka Inoichi drew his gaze back and settled it on Shikaku's face.
"Go ahead."
"The full name of this drill is the 'Joint Border Flood-Control Drill under the Fire-Rain Bilateral Joint Environmental Governance Framework.'" Shikaku spoke unhurriedly, enunciating every word. "It is not merely a Konoha military operation, but also a diplomatic project carried out jointly with Sunagakure. Furthermore, the operation's target, the Scorpion's Nest, has