The turmoil surrounding the Starry Sky Altar had temporarily subsided, but the atmosphere within the Iron Country Capital was even heavier than before.
Half a day after the Five Kage Summit had been forced to adjourn, it reconvened in the Land of Iron daimyo's council hall. This time, the number of guards inside had tripled. Every samurai gripped the hilt of his blade, sharp eyes sweeping every corner. The air still carried the scent of blood and taut hostility.
Hyuga Xiao sat in a side seat Mifune had specifically arranged for him. It was inconspicuous, yet gave him a clear view of the entire hall. He had changed into a clean dark-blue shinobi outfit, his forehead protector deliberately lowered to conceal the faint pale-gold markings that had appeared after the Tenseigan Prototype awakened. Kurenai Yuhi and Samui stood behind him on either side, both bearing bandaged wounds, their gazes unwavering.
"Everyone is here."
As the host, Mifune spoke first. His voice was steady, though it carried exhaustion he could not conceal—the battle at the altar had left nearly a hundred Iron Country samurai dead or wounded, while the Maple Clan's rebellion had dealt an even harsher blow to the nation's stability.
Raikage A was the first to slam his palm onto the table. His rugged face was filled with fury. "Hyuga Xiao must give an explanation! The Starry Sky Altar is sacred ground of the Land of Iron, and a shared legacy of the Shinobi World. He trespassed without authorization, triggered the anomaly, and slaughtered the entire Maple Clan—"
"Lord Raikage."
Xiao calmly interrupted him. His voice was not loud, yet the entire hall fell silent in an instant.
He slowly raised a hand and took a scroll with a dark silver sheen from his robes. Its material was neither