Tonight, We Must Win, Not Lose

Tonight, We Must Win, Not Lose. Inside the command room, everyone whispered among themselves as arguments rose one after another.

At that moment, a civilian jonin stepped forward and said loudly, "How about we change the plan? I don't think these three defensive lines are very reliable!"

Hearing someone question it, an adult Uchiha jonin abruptly stood up and roared angrily, "As ninja, when have we ever carried out a mission without danger? We have such a good plan, yet you refuse to use it. Could it be that you're afraid of death?"

Seeing that an argument was inevitable, Uchiha Sanpo coughed twice. "Ahem, ahem!"

In an instant, the command room fell completely silent.

Then, with a smile on his face, he said slowly, "There are actually two more crucial steps. First, have Commander Fugaku use the Mangekyō Sharingan to activate Susanoo, then let him lead the pursuit of the Iwagakure ninja. Susanoo stands dozens of meters tall, and ordinary ninjutsu can hardly break through its defenses. The Iwagakure ninja will have just gone through countless traps and ambushes, and then they'll be hunted by a powerful, invincible monster. Their morale will definitely collapse. At that point, all you need to do is lead several thousand ninja and beat the drowned dogs."

Hearing that they still had the two trump cards of the Mangekyō Sharingan and Susanoo, many jonin began breathing more heavily.

After taking in everyone's expressions, Uchiha Sanpo—

Radiated powerful confidence as he said, "What comes next is the most crucial step. I suggest using the Uchiha Flame Formation to cut off the Iwagakure ninja's retreat. That way, we can capture these several thousand Iwagakure ninja alive. Then Iwagakure will have no choice but to surrender. I also suggest demanding 30 billion ryo in war reparations from Iwagakure!"

Hearing this, even the ever-dominant Clan Head Kurama seemed somewhat uncertain. "Capture several thousand Iwagakure ninja alive, force Iwagakure to surrender, and make them pay 30 billion ryo in war reparations... Is that really something we can accomplish?"

Uchiha Yashiro tugged at his sparse beard and explained, "You all know that we Uchiha excel at Fire Release. The Uchiha Flame Formation is extremely powerful. Four jonin working together can block a Tailed Beast Bomb. If more than twenty people cast it together, they can indeed trap several thousand Iwagakure ninja for a while."

Uchiha Yashiro

Uchiha Fugaku was not only the Uchiha Clan's head, but also the director of Konoha's Military Police Force. He knew something about the village's annual income, expenditures, and surplus.

He tapped the table with his fingers, organized his thoughts, and said, "Isn't 30 billion ryo too much? Konoha's annual income is around 13 billion ryo. After deducting all expenses, the surplus is about 4 billion ryo. Iwagakure is far worse off than Konoha. It would already be impressive if they could save 3 billion ryo a year. Thirty billion ryo is equivalent to their total income over ten years. They probably won't agree!"

Under normal circumstances, Uchiha Fugaku was right. Iwagakure definitely could not produce that much money, but...

Uchiha Sanpo exuded intense confidence as he said, "On the Iwagakure battlefield alone, 3,226 Konoha ninja have died. Including the battlefields against Kumogakure, Sunagakure, and Kirigakure, a conservative estimate puts the number of fallen Konoha ninja at around 11,000. Add several thousand severely injured and disabled Konoha ninja, and after the war ends, the village will need to pay more than 40 billion ryo in casualty compensation."

Hearing the figure of more than 40 billion ryo, the ninja present all sucked in a breath.

"Commander Fugaku just said that Konoha has an annual surplus of more than 4 billion ryo, but that was during peacetime. Now that more than half the village's ninja have been killed or injured, the village's income will decline over the next few years. By then, the village definitely won't be able to afford the casualty compensation. That's why I proposed demanding 30 billion ryo from Iwagakure. It's for everyone's sake. With this money, not only will the families receive casualty compensation, but those still alive will also receive the rewards they deserve."

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Uchiha Sanpo's analysis was logical and bold.

Clan Head Kazami exclaimed, "But... that's a huge sum of 30 billion ryo. How can we make Iwagakure pay it? Are we supposed to make them use mineral resources to settle the debt?"

In this war, the Kurama Clan had already suffered more than half its casualties. If they could not receive casualty compensation after the war, the clan would inevitably weaken.

Seeing an opportunity to obtain money, Clan Head Kurama quickly agreed. "The Land of Earth has the largest territory among the Five Great Nations and is extremely rich in mineral resources. Naturally, using minerals to settle the debt is feasible!"

A civilian jonin murmured, "It's feasible, but transporting those minerals back to the Land of Fire will be quite troublesome."

Uchiha Sanpo swept his gaze across everyone and said, "After we capture these several thousand Iwagakure ninja, Iwagakure will have only six to seven thousand ninja left. At that point, they definitely won't be able to withstand Kumogakure's attacks. Under the threat of their village and nation being destroyed, Iwagakure will have no choice but to obediently pay. As for the money, I'm afraid the pampered nobles of the Land of Earth will have to provide it!"

As soon as he said this, everyone revealed enlightened expressions.

"That's right. Iwagakure may not be able to afford it, but the nobles of the Land of Earth are filthy rich!"

Knowing there would be rewards after the war, the many jonin began rubbing their hands together, full of enthusiasm.

Suddenly, Uchiha Yakumi rushed into the command room and said urgently, "Report! Jonin Mimura Hamaki encountered fifty elite ninja led by Tōshito near Kannabi Bridge. Ninety-six of our men were killed, and the remaining four were rescued by Jonin Namikaze Minato."

Hearing that ninety-six of their side had died, the atmosphere in the room instantly grew tense.

Uchiha Sanpo checked the time and frowned slightly. Mimura Hamaki had led more than a hundred civilian ninja toward Kannabi Bridge only after ten in the morning, yet by a little after three in the afternoon, ninety-six had already died. They really delivered their heads from a thousand miles away—a small gift, but great sentiment!

Uchiha Yashiro sighed and asked, "Did Namikaze Minato return to the base with them?"

Uchiha Yakumi replied calmly, "No. Apparently, Namikaze Minato went to rescue his three disciples and did not return with Mimura Hamaki's group."

Hearing this, Uchiha Sanpo secretly mocked it in his heart. He knew this part of the story well. Uchiha Obito would have the right side of his body crushed by a boulder, then give his Two-Tomoe Sharingan to Kakashi. Finally, the cave would completely collapse, and only then would Namikaze Minato arrive to save them.

The command room fell silent again. Clan Head Kurama, Clan Head Kazami, Uchiha Yashiro, and the others exchanged glances.

Uchiha Fugaku lightly tapped the table and said, "Everyone, that will be all for the meeting! We'll proceed with the previously discussed layout of three defensive lines. It is now 3:21 in the afternoon, and there isn't much time left. Each group should quickly take its positions and prepare the traps and ambushes. Tonight, we will properly meet Iwagakure's night raid. In addition, the medical team and the wounded must be relocated properly. Everyone, tonight we must win, not lose. Let us encourage one another."

Hearing this, the many jonin straightened up and left to carry out their orders...

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