Diplomatic Pressure Through Transaction Records and a Memorandum on Joint Law Enforcement
In Hokage's Office, it was almost dusk outside the window, but the lights were not turned on inside, making it seem a bit dark.
Baishi sat in Hokage's seat, tapping his fingers rhythmically on the table. On the table in front of him, there was only one document, which was the final analysis report on the capital flow that General Staff Headquarters rushed out overnight.
Shikaku Nara stood aside with a serious expression.
"Withered Cicada Smuggling Transit Station is located in the gray area on the border between Land of Wind and Land of Fire. It is an abandoned inn in name, but in fact it is quite a tourist attraction on Underground Black Market. The famous puppet parts workshop." Shikaku's voice was very clear in the quiet office, "The controller is unknown, but he is inextricably linked to the puppet master army inside Sunagakure."
Baishi's fingertips stopped.
Puppet workshop.
This seems to be two unrelated threads to the "Life Cradle" technology mentioned in the Kakuzu information. But that 900 million tael of funds is like an invisible thread, forcibly stitching them together.
"Capital's funds went around in such a big circle and finally flowed into Sunagakure's sphere of influence." Baishi's tone was very calm, and there was no hint of emotion or anger. "This matter is very interesting."
Shikaku did not answer the call. He knew that when Lord Hokage said "interesting", it usually meant that someone was going to be in trouble.
"Our investigation has stopped here." Shikaku stated the facts, "Without Sunagakure's permission, ANBU cannot launch large-scale operations within the territory of Land of Wind. Regular Diplomatic Note will only be delayed indefinitely by them on the grounds of sovereignty."
"So, we can't take the conventional route."
Baishi stood up, walked to the window, and looked at Hokage Rock, which was dyed red by the sunset in the distance.
"Ask Foreign Affairs Department to send a letter and ask Mr. Baki, the representative of Sunagakure in Konoha, to come over."
He turned around and gave instructions to Shikaku.
"Let me just say that I personally would like to exchange views with him on some recent bilateral trade issues."
Shikaku nodded and followed the order.
An hour later, Baki, the person in charge of Sunagakure's liaison office at Konoha, walked into Hokage's Office.
He was wearing Sunagakure's iconic Jonin Flak Jacket, and his face bore the unique perseverance of the Land of Wind ninja that had been tempered by the wind and sand, and his expression was neither humble nor arrogant.
"Lord Hokage." Baki bowed slightly and used diplomatic etiquette.
"Your Excellency Baki, please sit down." Baishi pointed to the chair opposite and motioned to ANBU to offer Tea.
The lights in the office have been turned on, and the atmosphere seems formal and peaceful.
Baishi did not get to the point immediately, but asked Sunagakure about the recent climate and grain harvest like an old friend reminiscing.
Baki answered each one appropriately, but secretly guessed the true intention of the young Hokage. Konoha and Sunagakure are allies, but they are also competitors. Hokage summoned him in person, and he would not just do it to make things happen.
After some preparation, Baishi picked up the tea cup and blew the hot air gently.
"Your Excellency Baki, Konoha recently discovered a little trouble when investigating some economic issues left over from history, which may involve our allies."
Baki's heart tightened, but his face remained calm.
"Oh? I don't know what the trouble is. Do you need Lord Hokage to ask it personally?"
Baishi put down the tea cup and did not answer directly. Instead, he glanced at Shikaku Nara on the side.
Shikaku understood, pulled out a thin account list with only a few pages from the folder, and placed it on the coffee table in front of Baki.
"This is part of the flow of funds we seized from a Rogue Ninja smuggling network." Baishi said in a casual tone, "We are a little confused about the final flow of some of the funds."
Baki Pick up that list.
The list was made very "clean" and all sensitive information about Orochimaru and Capital was hidden, leaving only a record of funds being transferred from several Shell Companies accounts and finally being transferred to an account pointing to "Withered Cicada Workshop".
The amount is 900 million taels.
Baki's pupils shrank almost imperceptibly when he saw the four words "Withered Cicada Workshop".
As a senior executive of Sunagakure, he certainly knew that place. It was some shady gray industry in the village, which provided some non-standard and taboo materials and transformation services to Puppet Corps, and was secretly controlled by the family of a certain elder in the village.
Now, this huge amount of money with unknown origins and this sensitive location are clearly put on the table by Konoha.
"Lord Hokage, this list..." Baki's voice was a little dry, "With all due respect, it seems that just an account of unknown origin cannot explain much."
"Of course." Baishi smiled, "That's why I said it because I was confused. Konoha never believed that our allies would be involved with Rogue Ninja's smuggling network. But the amount of money is real It's not small, and it ultimately points to the territory of Land of Wind. I think if this list is seen by the audit officials of the Land of Fire Daimyo government, I'm afraid it will cause some unnecessary misunderstandings and affect the hard-won trust between our two countries."
Baishi's words were very polite, but every word was like a small hammer, hitting Baki's heart accurately.
This is a naked threat.
He firmly took away the blame that may have caused a break between the two countries and even ruined the credibility of Sunagakure at the Daimyo conference.
Baki had a layer of cold sweat on his back.
He cannot admit it. If he admits it, it will be a diplomatic scandal, and he will become Sunagakure's sinner.
He cannot deny it. If he denies it, Konoha can completely bypass him and directly take this "evidence" to a higher level. By then, Sunagakure will be completely passive.
"Lord Hokage, this matter is serious, I need to report to Lord Kazekage immediately." Baki tried to delay.
"It doesn't have to be so troublesome." Baishi seemed to have seen through his thoughts and interrupted him.
"In order to eliminate misunderstandings and to demonstrate the determination of our two countries to jointly fight transnational crimes, I have a small proposal here."
Baishi signaled again.
Shikaku Nara placed another document in front of Baki.
It was an official document that had been drafted and neatly bound. On the cover, there was a clear and eye-catching line of large characters: "Fire Wind Bilateral Border Joint Law Enforcement Memorandum".
Baki's eyes were fixed on that memo.
"Joint law enforcement?"
"Yes." Baishi's expression was as candid as if he was helping a friend, "Konoha and Sunagakure jointly formed a joint law enforcement team to deal with 'Withered Cicada Workshop' and surrounding areas. Conduct a thorough inspection of the area. In this way, we can not only find out the truth and clear Sunagakure's suspicion, but also show our unbreakable alliance to Daimyo Residence and Shinobi World."
"This... is against the rules." Baki spat out a few words with difficulty. It is unheard of for Konoha's armed forces to legally enter Land of Wind's territory to enforce law.
"Rules are dead, people are alive." Baishi said lightly, "Now this black pot is here, Mr. Baki. Either Sunagakure pick it up. Or, we smash it together."
"Personally, I prefer the latter."
The office fell into a deathly silence.
Baki looked at the memo on the table. The document seemed to weigh a thousand pounds, making him unable to breathe.
He knew that he had no choice.
Signing this memorandum means losing part of our sovereignty and inviting a wolf into the house.
If you don't sign, Sunagakure will immediately face a huge political storm and diplomatic crisis.
Choose the lesser of two evils.
After a long time, Baki raised his head, his eyes full of exhaustion and humiliation.
"I need authorization from Lord Kazekage."
"Of course." Baishi nodded, "The effective date of the memorandum can be set in three days. I think this is enough for Mr. Baki to communicate with the village."
Baki picked up the memo, his fingers turning white from the exertion. He stood up, turned around and left Hokage's Office without saying another word.
Looking at Baki's lonely back, Shikaku said softly, "He will sign it."
"He must sign." Baishi's eyes turned to the window again, night had fallen.
Late that night, a copy of Scroll encrypted by Highest Level was sent from Konoha and sent to Land of Wind as quickly as possible.
Sunagakure, Kazekage Office.
Fourth Kazekage Rasa unlocked Scroll, looked at the dazzling clauses on the memorandum, and the detailed description of the mysterious account list attached by Baki, and his face turned livid.
He slapped Scroll heavily on the table, his eyes flashing with extreme vigilance and coldness.
Konoha, what do you want to do?