Land of Fire, Konoha.
The afternoon sunlight streamed through the wooden lattice windows of the Hokage Building, casting dappled shadows across the conference table. Unease and tension hung in the air.
Tsunade wore her Hokage cloak, clutching a secret letter that had just arrived. Her knuckles had gone slightly white from the pressure.
"We just received intelligence-Yemu has issued an announcement."
There was a barely perceptible strain in her voice, but it was enough to put everyone on edge.
Shikaku Nara's laid-back demeanor was long gone, replaced by gravity and caution. He gently rubbed his chin, his eyes moving over the scroll line by line. "Lord Yemu... intends to consolidate all power and establish an absolutely centralized system."
Inoichi Yamanaka did not rush to speak. He simply exchanged a silent glance.
Hidden inside his sleeve was another letter-a command sent personally by Yemu: the Yamanaka Clan was to send some of its members to the Land of Iron to construct a Perception Barrier around its central region.
Tsunade sighed and looked out the window, as though she could see the distant Land of Iron. "With Yemu's power, he doesn't need something like this to assert his authority."
Shikaku Nara picked up the thread, his voice low and measured. "Then this is more likely an assessment of strength. He's using the selection of the 'Empire's Ten Strongest Generals' to reevaluate the balance of military power among the great nations."
Tsunade nodded slowly, her tone growing firm. "In that case, Konoha can't show weakness. We have to participate, and we have to secure a good number of those positions."
Shikaku Nara's brow furrowed slightly. "If the elites of the entire Shinobi World really are gathering, we have to send our very best. But for an occasion like this... who can represent Konoha?"