Stand Tall

Inside the command center stood a sand table covered with small flags representing troop deployments.

More than fifty jonin had gathered together. Every face was unusually grim, marked by exhaustion and anxiety.

Uchiha Yashiro was the first to challenge him. He slammed his hand on the table and roared, "Fugaku, you knew Kannabi Bridge was nothing but a show. Why did you still agree to let Mimura Hamaki lead a hundred men there? How is that any different from sending them to their deaths?"

Enraged by the blunt accusation, Fugaku slammed the table and barked, "Enough, Yashiro! I am the commander-in-chief. I'll say this one last time: the Kannabi Bridge operation is an order from the village higher-ups, so stop discussing it. We should be thinking about how to get through the coming crisis!"

Fugaku's forceful attitude temporarily subdued the room.

Uchiha Fugaku

But then Kurama Unkai stepped forward and raised an even more urgent issue. "Three days ago, the logistics squad was attacked, and all transported supplies were destroyed. The village still hasn't sent replacements. The medicines at the outpost are nearly gone, and people are dying in the Medical Department every moment! Our weapons and ammunition will last at most until tonight. What are we supposed to fight with tomorrow?"

Elder Kurama's words were like a heavy bomb, detonating everyone's anxiety.

Clan Head Kazami also chimed in with a mournful expression. "Clan Head Fugaku, you have to think of something! Our eight thousand men are fighting Iwagakure's eleven thousand. We've held out for a year and a half. Not counting the wounded and crippled, more than three thousand have already died. Only a little over four thousand can still fight. If this continues, we may all die here!"

As soon as he said that, the surrounding jonin began murmuring. Some even said despairingly, "We were already outnumbered. It would have been one thing if the village didn't send reinforcements, but now they're even withholding supplies. They clearly want us all to die here!"

The more they discussed it, the more chaotic the command center became. Doubts and complaints rose one after another.

Veins bulged on Uchiha Fugaku's forehead, and his eyes nearly spat fire. He slammed the table again and roared, "That is enough about the supplies! I will find a way to solve it. Move on to the next matter!"

Seeing Fugaku's expression, everyone gradually fell silent, leaving only the sound of heavy breathing.

Uchiha Yashiro broke the silence at the wrong moment and said, "Sanpo, analyze the current situation for us!"

When Uchiha Yashiro called on him, Uchiha Sanpo knew this was his chance to prove himself.

His eyes swept across everyone in the room before he stood and said, "I believe everyone has heard that the Third Raikage was surrounded and killed by a large number of Iwagakure shinobi. But the question is, how could Iwagakure have prepared such a large ambush in advance? There is only one answer... the Third Raikage's whereabouts were leaked. The only people who could know the movements of a village's Kage are its upper ranks. In other words, something has gone wrong within Kumogakure."

The entire room was shocked. Some whispered among themselves, while others showed looks of sudden realization.

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Uchiha Sanpo continued, "With the Fourth Raikage's brutish temperament, he will definitely purge the internal traitors before launching a war against Iwagakure. Furthermore, according to Kumogakure custom, he must keep vigil for his father for three days. It has now been exactly three days since the Third Raikage died. Therefore, the earliest he can wage war on Iwagakure is tomorrow. In other words, by the day after tomorrow, we will see Kumogakure shinobi near the Land of Waterfalls."

The analysis was clear, logical, and well supported, gradually drawing everyone in. The meeting room became eerily quiet. Everyone held their breath, their gazes fixed tightly on the young Uchiha as they waited for him to continue.

Suddenly, a civilian jonin interrupted, "If Iwagakure is deploying defenses in the Land of Waterfalls to guard against Kumogakure's attack, then why did the village send Jonin Mimura Hamaki and a hundred men to defend Kannabi Bridge on the Land of Waterfalls border? Could it really just be a show and an attempt to steal credit?"

When someone brought up Kannabi Bridge again, Uchiha Fugaku clenched his fists, fury boiling inside him. Of course he understood that the village higher-ups wanted to seize credit and suppress the Uchiha Clan, but could he say that aloud? A careless remark would only damage the front line's morale and make their situation even worse.

Noticing Fugaku's gaze, Uchiha Sanpo cooperatively responded, "The fact that Namikaze Minato can go to Kannabi Bridge proves that the village higher-ups have reached an agreement with Kumogakure. In other words, Konoha's war with Kumogakure has effectively ended."

This earth-shattering conclusion threw the entire room into an uproar.

After saying that, he turned and pointed at the map on the wall. "Once the Kumogakure front reaches a ceasefire, the Konoha shinobi originally fighting there can be reassigned. By my estimate, at least two to three thousand shinobi can be mobilized."

Kurama Unkai's eyes lit up when he heard this, and he interjected, "In that case, can we apply to the village for some reinforcements? Even five hundred men would greatly ease the pressure here!"

At Kurama Unkai's suggestion, whispers once more spread through the command center, and hope rekindled in everyone's eyes.

Uchiha Sanpo gently shook his head. "I suspect the village will send those reinforcements to the Kirigakure front. With those troops, Kirigakure's invasion can be completely driven out by February next year. By then, Kumogakure will have ceased fighting, and Kirigakure will be retreating. That will leave us with only Iwagakure and Sunagakure as enemies."

At those words, a flash of insight crossed Clan Head Kazami's mind. He said softly, "Then wouldn't the war be ending completely?"

Those few words immediately drew the attention of everyone around him.

The war had lasted for more than a year and claimed so many lives. Naturally, many had begun to grow weary of it.

"The Land of Wind is covered in yellow sand, poor in resources, and relies entirely on imports from our Land of Fire for food. Once the situation turns against them, Sunagakure will have no choice but to surrender. As for the war between Iwagakure and Kumogakure, it likely will not end easily. To avoid being attacked on two fronts, Iwagakure will take the initiative to seek peace with Konoha. When that happens, the war will naturally end."

After hearing Uchiha Sanpo's strategic assessment, the atmosphere in the meeting room changed completely. The earlier oppression and agitation were replaced by surprise and excitement.

Everyone began discussing in low voices. Some nodded repeatedly, while others leaned close together to verify the logic.

Uchiha Fugaku coughed, signaling everyone to quiet down. "Sanpo's analysis is highly insightful. It seems we are not fighting alone. The situation across the Ninja World is developing in our favor. Everyone, please hold on a little longer. As long as we endure this final hardship, victory will be within sight!"

At that, the jonin present straightened their backs, and light returned to their eyes.

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