Land of Whirlpools, Our Beloved Friends and Family! (Please Vote!)

A perfect silence filled the meeting room, like the bottom of a lake where even the water stood still. People seemed able to hear their own breathing, even the faint sound of their heartbeats. "Everyone present knows that ever since Lord Hashirama founded Konoha, the Land of Whirlpools has been one of our important allies." After a moment of silence, Hiruzen Sarutobi was the first to break the deadlock.