Countering through official correspondence on cross-border source tracing and forming an investigation team
Iron Door in the interrogation room closed up behind him, blocking out Kakuzu's uncomfortable, hoarse laughter that sounded like it was after a deal was concluded.
The air in the corridor seems to be fresher.
Shikaku Nara followed Baishi in a leisurely pace, holding the copy of Supplementary Agreement that had just been signed in his hand. The corners of the paper were slightly curled due to the force.
The light of Hokage's Office is still bright.
Baishi took off Hokage Haori and hung it on the hanger, wearing only a black lined combat uniform. He walked to the window and looked at the dimly lit village below without speaking.
Shikaku put the agreement on the desk and poured a glass of warm water for Baishi and himself.
The slight sound made when the water glass was put down broke the silence in the room.
"Lord Hokage, Kakuzu is a man who is extremely greedy, but also extremely cherishes his life." Shikaku spoke, with a hint of exhaustion in his voice, "It is indeed a good move to tie him up with interests and let him bite people. But, the words he said at the end..."
Shikaku paused, thinking about his words.
"'Life Cradle', 'tribute', Land of Fire Capital. When these words are connected in series, they point to an answer that is disturbing."
Baishi turned around, returned to the desk and sat down.
He picked up the water glass, but did not drink it. He just felt the warmth from the palm of his hand.
"Uneasy because all our past struggles were limited within the framework of the Ninja Village." Baishi's tone was very calm, "And Capital is a battlefield in another dimension. It doesn't matter who has a stronger fist, but who understands the rules better and can use them better."
Shikaku nodded, convinced.
In Shinobi World, Kage Level, the deterrence of the strong is absolute. But in Capital, Hokage's orders may not be as good as Daimyo Residence Deputy Chief Financial Officer's pen. That is another completely different power operation system, strict, ancient, and exclusive.
"Orochimaru's technology, Capital's powerful people. The combination of the two is like mixing poison and honey." Shikaku sighed, "It is impossible for us to send ANBU directly to Capital to investigate. That is a serious political overstep and will immediately draw accountability from Daimyo himself."
"We cannot even issue any form of official inquiry letter to Capital in the name of Konoha." He added, "The last time Cross-District Assistance Request was returned with the original, it is the clearest warning. Capital does not allow the village to interfere."
The office fell silent again.
This is a dead end.
The end point of the clue points to a Forbidden Zone that they cannot touch. Any conventional investigation methods will be smashed by that invisible political barrier.
Baishi's fingers tapped rhythmically on the smooth tabletop.
Dude.
Dude.
Dude.
Shikaku looked at him without urging him. He knew that the young Hokage was building a larger chessboard in his mind.
"Shikaku." Baishi suddenly spoke.
"My subordinate is here."
"Do you still remember the document issued by the Daimyo Residence Environmental Protection Department not long ago?"
Shikaku was stunned for a moment and quickly searched for relevant information in his mind.
"You mean... the "Emergency Work-Stoppage Order" that requires an immediate stop to the destruction of Eastern Border's native ecological environment was issued because of 'Fire-Rain Border Joint Flood-Control Exercise'?"
That document was a precise attack on Konoha by Lady Jiye through Capital's administrative power. Although it was finally resolved by Konoha through Sunagakure's diplomatic pressure, the official document itself left a deep impression on Shikaku.
Because it represents a dimensionality reduction strike: using national administrative regulations to control military operations in villages.
"Yes." An imperceptible arc appeared at the corner of Baishi's mouth, "They can stop our 'flood prevention drill' in the name of 'environmental protection'."
His voice paused and his eyes became sharp.
"Then, can we also use the same name to investigate their 'tributes'?"
Shikaku's expression became extremely wonderful in an instant. He seemed to have been struck by a bolt of lightning in the center of his thinking, and countless seemingly unrelated fragments were forcibly spliced together at this moment.
"You mean..." Shikaku's voice was a little dry, and he seemed to have a premonition of an extremely bold, even crazy plan.
"What is the essence of the so-called 'tribute' cultivated by Orochimaru's 'Life Cradle'?" Baishi did not answer directly, but asked rhetorically.
"It's... an unstable, highly contaminating and infectious... organism modified by Forbidden Jutsu." Shikaku followed his train of thought and said word by word.
"That's right." Baishi's fingers stopped tapping, "This is no longer a simple political infiltration or Forbidden Jutsu experiment. This is a serious, cross-regional biosecurity crisis that may shake the foundation of the country."
"Environmental Protection Department can order Work-Stoppage Order for a few lizards. Then we, Konoha, as the only strategic armed force and technical center of Land of Fire, in order to prevent a biological plague that may sweep the country, is it reasonable to send an investigation team to the source of the pollution?"
Shikaku I understand it completely.
He looked at Baishi, and in addition to the usual admiration in his eyes, there was a kind of shock that was almost fearful.
This is not a conspiracy.
This is a conspiracy.
It is to use the rules set by the other party to openly oppose the general. Daimyo Residence can use the righteousness of environmental protection to suppress Konoha, and Konoha can also uphold the righteousness of biological epidemic prevention and national security, and justifiably reach out to Capital.
You talk about your ecology, and I talk about my epidemic prevention.
Whose righteousness is more important? Whose risk is greater?
In the face of a biological plague that may shake the country, the so-called political barriers are as fragile as a layer of window paper.
"Treat him in his own way." Shikaku murmured in a low voice. He had to admit that this "magic defeats magic" political operation was too clever.
"Draft an official document." Baishi ordered, "I will send letters to Daimyo Residence Medical Services Ministry and Environmental Protection Department simultaneously in the dual names of my, Fifth Hokage and Konoha General Hospital deans."
"The content of the official letter is as follows: In view of the recent continuous detection of many malignant cases involving Forbidden Jutsu biological contamination in border areas, in order to completely trace the source, prevent the spread of unknown infectious diseases within Capital, and ensure the safety of Daimyo and Capital people, Konoha plans to take the lead in setting up a 'transnational infectious disease joint traceability investigation team' and will set off today to go to Capital to assist relevant departments in their work."
Shikaku picked up the pen and quickly wrote down the key points on the notepad. The tip of his pen scratched across the paper, making a rustling sound.
"Capital has no reason to reject this proposal." Shikaku analyzed, "Rejecting it is equivalent to admitting that there is something evil inside them and not paying attention to Daimyo's safety. No one can bear this responsibility."
"Not only can they not refuse, but they must also cooperate and even show great importance." Baishi added, "Otherwise, if something goes wrong with Capital in the future, this official letter will be ironclad evidence that we, Konoha, gave early warning and they neglected their duties."
With a piece of official document, the offensive and defensive momentum changes instantly.
Konoha has jumped from a passive defender to a proactive investigator with righteousness in mind.
"The plan is perfect." Shikaku finished writing the last line and raised his head, but his expression was still solemn, "It's just that Lord Hokage, this investigation team, although nominally medical, is actually operating on Capital's heart, and the pressure it faces is extraordinary."
"The leader of the investigation team must be someone from us. Moreover, this person's level must be high enough, otherwise he won't even be able to get through the door of the Finance Bureau when he gets to Capital."
"At the same time, he must have a tactful personality and know how to mediate politically. He must not be a pure military fool, otherwise it will be easy for the Capital gang to take advantage of him and trigger a greater diplomatic conflict."
Shikaku looked at Baishi and asked the most critical question.
"So, who will lead this team?"