The cold, dusty smell peculiar to cured special concrete still seemed to linger in the Hokage's Office.
Shikaku Nara had not slept all night. Fine veins of red webbed his eyes, but his mind remained taut with tension.
Outside the window, the sky before dawn was a deep indigo.
Everything was silent.
In that absolute silence, the red hotline phone on the desk rang without warning.
Rrring-
The ringing was not hurried. Instead, it followed a steady, measured rhythm, one ring after another, relentlessly hammering at the nerves of everyone in the room.
Shikaku stiffened.
In all of Konoha, only the Hokage had the authority to answer this number. And in the Capital, only one person knew it.
He looked at Baishi.
Baishi leaned back in his chair with his eyes closed, as though he were already asleep.
Only on the third ring did he slowly open his eyes. There was not a trace of drowsiness in them, only a calm too deep to fathom.
He did not answer immediately. Instead, he gestured for Shikaku to remain calm.
Shikaku understood. He held his breath and stood perfectly still.
The phone rang stubbornly on. Only on the seventh ring did Baishi reach out and lift the receiver.
His movements were steady, without a single unnecessary clatter.
"It's me."
Baishi's voice was soft, betraying no emotion.
The other end fell silent for a moment, as though confirming who had answered. Then a slightly aged but resonant voice came through, carrying a hint of the unquestionable authority possessed only by those in high office.
"Baishi, sorry to disturb you so late. Thank you for your hard work."
The caller did not introduce himself.
There was no need.
"Your Excellency." Baishi's form of address was respectful, but his tone remained level. "Konoha has just