As Dodai voluntarily took responsibility for the defeat, relations among Kumogakure's upper ranks eased once more. However, a rift had ultimately formed, and it would not be easily erased. Not everyone was as selfless as Dodai. The higher-ups who had previously stood behind him in opposing A now felt uneasy, deeply afraid that A would settle scores with them afterward.
"Everyone, the situation is difficult right now. We must unite and give our full support to the commander-in-chief as he leads Kumogakure out of this crisis! I trust that, given the commander-in-chief's broad-mindedness, he will not hold those small misunderstandings against anyone!" Dodai stated his position, signaling A with his eyes to respond.
Naturally, A understood Dodai's intentions. He said generously, "Everyone was acting for the sake of the village. There is no need to dwell on past misunderstandings. Our foremost task now is to overcome this crisis together!"
After receiving A's assurance, the Kumogakure higher-ups who had previously challenged him all breathed a sigh of relief.
"Our forces now number only sixty thousand, and our logistical supplies have been cut off. What do you all think we should do?" Having stabilized morale, A immediately turned to the real matter at hand.
Killer B directly voiced his view. "Konoha is far stronger than we are. We should not confront them head-on. I think we should break out of the encirclement and return to the interior as soon as possible, then resist through guerrilla tactics!"
In truth, he was voicing A's actual thoughts on his behalf. The two understood each other with just a glance. At this moment, A could not state his position himself if he wanted to preserve his authority, so he could only let Killer B speak up.
"Not appropriate!" A Kumogakure higher-up shook his head in objection.