Jiraiya spotted Hizashi and the others the moment they entered. He secretly nodded at Duke, then signaled for the guards to lead Hizashi's group to a side room to wait. He still had matters to discuss with the Staff Department.
"Judging from the current situation, we're locked in a stalemate with the Sand Shinobi. They've shifted from their initial all-out offensive to partial defense. If we organize a large-scale assault soon, seize the Land of Rivers in one push, and drive the front into the Sand Shinobi's homeland, the Land of Wind, then even if Sunagakure still has the strength to fight, the Feudal Lord of the Land of Wind will submit a letter of surrender... unless he no longer wants to remain feudal lord." Jiraiya presided over the war meeting and laid out his views. He was not the kind of person to act arbitrarily. Even though the commander-in-chief had the authority to make unilateral decisions, he was still willing to consider everyone's opinions.
No one liked war, and Jiraiya was no exception. Aside from death, destruction, and pain—those negative things—what else could war bring? Money, fame, power? Sorry, only politicians were fascinated by such things. They were not within Jiraiya's considerations. He wanted to end this war as quickly as possible.
"Forgive me for speaking bluntly, Lord Jiraiya. Your analysis is very reasonable, but I have a few thoughts of my own." Shikaku, seated at the head of the staff, spoke up.
Once Shikaku spoke, the other staff officers wisely chose to keep quiet. Their insights would always get demolished by Shikaku, and no one wanted to serve as a foil. Over time, this established Shikaku's unshakable position within the command center.
It was obvious. The future commander of the Allied Shinobi Forces in the Fourth Great Ninja