Because this was a top-secret mission, the Jonin who had received intelligence related to it had all gathered together, watching Granny Chiyo approach.
It could be said that within the village, her status carried even more weight than the Fourth Kazekage's. There was no helping it—Chiyo's seniority was simply too great. The aged powerhouse before them spoke in a hoarse yet resolute voice that reached every ear:
"Everyone, this upcoming mission concerns the survival of the village! You were summoned to protect the Fourth Kazekage and to demonstrate the strength of our village."
"This enemy differs from the Five Great Shinobi Villages. They have already infiltrated our ranks and taken root. Therefore, during the upcoming 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 off all pretense, Sunagakure would suffer as well.
That was why Chiyo needed to restrain their tempers and prevent a large-scale conflict. At the very least, they could not be the first to make a move.
They could intimidate the other side with the number and strength of their shinobi; all of that was a means of negotiation. Resorting to force was equivalent to tearing away the final veil of civility, leaving the situation beyond control.
The shinobi exchanged glances. They were not worried about the enemy's strength, but they had never imagined that a commercial organization from back then would come to control the entire country and now seek to take over the village. They understood that this was truly a matter of survival or death. Yet this death was not the literal loss of life—it was the village's future ownership being firmly seized by