Fire Province.
Imperial Palace, Council Hall.
Early the next morning.
A massive round table stood in the center.
At its four corners stood four metal pillars covered in runes.
Four blue pillars of light lit up.
Amid the interweaving glow.
The images of the governors of the four major provinces were projected onto the four seats at the round table.
Governor of Wind Province, Rasa.
Governor of Earth Province, Ōnoki.
Governor of Lightning Province, A.
Governor of Water Province, Mei Terumi.
Along with the heads of the Major Clans seated around the table.
Fugaku Uchiha, Hyuga Hiashi, Shikaku Nara, Yamanaka Inoichi, and the others.
The Empire's core ruling class had all gathered here.
Chiba wore a black imperial robe.
He entered from outside at an unhurried pace and took his seat at the head of the table.
"Greetings, Your Majesty!"
Everyone present rose in unison.
The four governors in holographic projection also respectfully placed their hands over their chests in salute.
"Sit."
Chiba pressed his hand down.
Everyone sat, holding their breath.
Everyone knew that a high-level meeting of this scale could only mean something earth-shaking had happened.
Ōnoki floated in midair.
His wrinkled old face was filled with gravity as he stared fixedly at Chiba.
Rasa was equally tense, constantly guessing what might have happened.
Chiba did not beat around the bush.
His gaze swept across the room before he dropped a bombshell.
"Everyone."
"Deep within the Dragon Vein of Wind Province, I discovered a Spacetime Anchor."
"After preliminary investigation by the Scientific Research Department..."
"That passage connects to a parallel Ninja World."
Silence.
Dead silence.
Within the entire conference room, even the sound of breathing seemed to cease completely.
Within the holographic projections.
Ōnoki nearly fell from midair from sheer shock.
A's bell-like eyes widened round, his face