Because this was a top-secret mission, all the jōnin who had received related intelligence gathered together and watched as Granny Chiyo approached.
It could be said that within the village, her status carried more weight than even the Fourth Kazekage's. There was no helping it—Chiyo's seniority was simply too great. The aged yet formidable woman before them spoke in a hoarse but resolute voice that reached every ear:
"Everyone, the next mission concerns the village's very survival! You have been summoned to protect the Fourth Kazekage and demonstrate our village's strength."
"This enemy is unlike the Five Great Shinobi Villages. They have already infiltrated our ranks and taken root. Therefore, during the coming banquet, everything must follow the Fourth Kazekage's orders. Do not act on your own under any circumstances!"
Even if the Land of Wind Weapons Shop lost, it still controlled every aspect of the village's economy. If they truly tore away all pretense, Sunagakure would suffer as well.
That was why Chiyo needed to restrain their tempers and prevent any large-scale conflict. At the very least, they could not be the ones to strike first.
They could use the size and strength of their shinobi force to intimidate the other side. All of this was a means of negotiation. Resorting to force would be like tearing away the final veil, leaving the situation beyond control.
The shinobi exchanged looks. They were not afraid of a powerful enemy, but they had never imagined that a commercial organization from years ago would seize control of the entire nation and now seek to take over the village as well. They understood that this was a true struggle for survival. Yet this death was not the death of their lives in name—it was the village's ownership in the future, being firmly controlled