The air in the Hokage's Office grew thin at the report that they intended to "force their way through the gate."
Shikaku Nara stood beside the front of the desk, distinctly hearing his own heartbeat. The Capital's Internal Guard was the Daimyo Residence's blade, and now that blade was pressed against Konoha's door. Once blood was spilled, regardless of who struck first, the political consequences would be disastrous.
Baishi did not look at him.
His gaze remained fixed outside the window. Under military control, the village resembled a precisely calibrated machine, every screw quietly working in its assigned position. That sense of order stood in stark contrast to the chaos poised to erupt outside the gate.
"Lord Hokage, should we put the Defense Department on maximum alert?" Shikaku spoke quietly, reminding Baishi that the other side already had its hand on the hilt.
Baishi turned around. The cup of tea on his desk had gone completely cold, but he did not seem to care.
"Relay my orders to Hyuga Tokugawa."
His voice was steady, without the slightest ripple.
"Under no circumstances are we to fire the first shot."
Shikaku let out half a sigh of relief.
"But we will not yield a single step, either."
The heart Shikaku had just settled rose into his throat again. He looked at Baishi, whose eyes remained perfectly calm. Those words were not meant to ease the situation. They were meant to hold the conflict over a fire, forcing the man opposite them to choose between burning to death and jumping down of his own accord.
"Yes." Shikaku accepted the order and turned to relay it.
"Wait." Baishi stopped him.
Shikaku halted.
Rather than continue discussing the standoff outside the gate, Baishi turned to another matter. He pressed an internal Communication Button on his