The conference room fell silent for a moment, then someone slowly nodded.
Then more people nodded.
No one openly objected.
No one in Sunagakure dared question Ebizo's decision yet.
"Then it's settled."
Ebizo stood up.
"Send someone to notify Gaara. Tell him to prepare to take over as acting Kazekage."
"At the same time, send someone to Hidden Xuan Village to sound out Uchiha Xuantou."
"Find out exactly what he wants."
"If it's a ransom, we can negotiate. If he has other demands..."
He did not continue. Leaning on his cane, he slowly walked out of the conference room.
Everyone exchanged looks, their faces filled with complicated emotions.
Compared to Sunagakure, Iwagakure's reaction was more chaotic and intense.
Iwagakure, the Tsuchikage Office Building.
The conference room doors were tightly shut.
The entire conference room was in utter chaos.
A group of Jōnin and elders sat on both sides of the long table, talking over one another, their voices growing louder as none would yield.
Clearly, Iwagakure currently had no veteran with enough seniority to keep everyone in line the way Ebizo could.
"The Third Tsuchikage has been captured! We must organize a rescue immediately!"
A young Jōnin waved his fists in agitation.
"A rescue? How? Do you know how strong Madara Uchiha is? Do you know how many ninja Hidden Xuan Village has? You don't even know where they are. How are you going to rescue them?"
An older Jōnin sneered.
"But we can't just sit here and wait for death! Are we supposed to watch Lord Tsuchikage rot in the enemy's prison?"
"I'm not saying we should abandon him. I'm saying we need to stay calm! Find out what's going on first, then make plans."
"Acting rashly will only make things worse."
"Worse? How could things get any