Although they had long suspected it, hearing such a definite conclusion still made Hiruzen Sarutobi and Nara Shikato's brows knit tightly.
The air seemed to grow heavier still.
Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately shifted into action and analyzed the situation.
"Then the emergency plan we drafted earlier must be activated at once and put into operation.
Border defenses need to be raised to the highest level. The transport routes leading east must be kept absolutely clear, and war supplies must begin moving secretly toward several key eastern positions."
Nara Shikato picked up the thread, his voice carrying his usual calm along with a faint, barely perceptible worry.
"There is no problem with activating the plan.
But the key issue is that our previous negotiations with the daimyo followed a strategy of 'securing convenience while leaving room to maneuver.'
At present, we have only obtained a general promise that, in an emergency, we may swiftly pass through the Land of Fire and use its eastern ports.
The formal authorization documents, detailed transit routes, and supply-point agreements are all still in their final negotiations and approval procedures.
If we want to mobilize our main forces on a large scale, in full units, across the Land of Fire's borders to the waters around the Land of Whirlpools, there are enormous legal and procedural obstacles.
It would be easy for conservatives within the Daimyo's Palace or spies from other nations to seize on this as leverage. It might delay us instead, or even trigger diplomatic disputes."
Kumoi unconsciously tapped his fingers against the tabletop.
This was precisely the hidden danger left by his earlier decision—to avoid alerting the enemy.
And to avoid excessively provoking the four great nations or the daimyo while intelligence remained unclear, he had chosen a relatively prudent but incomplete contingency plan.
Now