Peace Talks Conspiracy

More than a month quietly passed amid the dull, tense standoff at sea. The Sunagakure negotiation team led by Baki held several grueling rounds of talks with Hidden Mist Village representatives. The process was long and mentally exhausting. The weather at sea was unpredictable, with scorching sun one moment and raging winds and waves the next, but none of it was as anxiety-inducing as Hidden Mist Village's icy, stubborn, and indifferent attitude at the negotiating table.

Hidden Mist Village stubbornly refused to acknowledge an "invasion," vaguely calling it "a serious border conflict and misunderstanding." They scoffed at demands for an apology and reparations, their attitude contemptuous and unyielding. Relying on the natural barrier of the sea and the fact that Sunagakure lacked the means for a distant expedition, they had nothing to fear.

Baki repeatedly sent news of the deadlock back to the village through messenger hawks. The atmosphere in the Kazekage's office gradually shifted from the initial exhilaration of victory to a helplessness born of reality. Rasa's expression grew darker by the day. He knew that the longer this dragged on, the worse it would be for Sunagakure. The village's finances were in crisis every day, while Hidden Mist Village could clearly afford to wait.

Just as Baki was about to lose all patience with the negotiations and request permission to end this meaningless wrangling, the Hidden Mist Village representatives suddenly broke from their usual behavior and took the initiative to request another meeting.

This time, Hidden Mist Village seemed to have sent a representative of higher standing: an elder with sinister eyes and a heavy, restrained presence.

The meeting was held aboard a larger Hidden Mist Village warship. The sea wind swept across the deck, carrying its fishy salt tang. The atmosphere remained cold, but Baki keenly sensed