Chapter 11: Stand Tall
Inside the command tent, a large sand table stood in the center, covered with small flags representing troop positions.
Over fifty jōnin were gathered, every face etched with deep exhaustion and anxiety.
Uchiha Hachidai was the first to speak up. He slammed the table and roared: "Fugaku, you knew full well that Shinobazu Bridge is just a show! Why did you still agree to let Mimura Hamaki take 100 men there? How is that any different from sending them to die?"
The direct accusation ignited Uchiha Fugaku's anger. He slammed the table in response and shouted: "Enough, Hachidai! I am the overall commander. I'll say this one last time: the Shinobazu Bridge operation is a direct order from village higher-ups. We will not discuss it further. We should focus on how to survive the coming difficulties!"
Fugaku's forceful demeanor temporarily silenced the room.
But Kurama Unkai stood up next, raising an even more urgent issue: "Three days ago, our supply convoy was ambushed—everything destroyed. The village still hasn't sent replacements. Medicine in the outpost is almost gone; people are dying in the medical ward every hour! Weapons and ammunition will only last until tonight. What do we fight with tomorrow?"
Elder Kurama's words landed like a bomb, detonating everyone's pent-up anxiety.
Kazami clan head added with a mournful face: "Clan Head Fugaku, you have to think of something! We've held 8,000 against Iwagakure's 11,000 for a year and a half. Not counting the wounded and crippled, we've already lost over 3,000 dead. Now only about 4,000 still have combat strength. If this continues, we'll all die here!"
At these words, low murmurs spread among the jōnin. Some even spoke in despair: "We were already outnumbered. The village sends no reinforcements, and now they're even withholding supplies—they clearly want us all dead here!"
The more they discussed, the more chaotic the command tent became—accusations and complaints rising one after another.
Uchiha Fugaku's forehead veins bulged, his eyes nearly blazing. He slammed the table again and roared: "Enough about supplies! I will find a way. Next topic!"
Seeing Fugaku's fury, the room gradually quieted, leaving only heavy breathing.
Uchiha Hachidai broke the silence at an inopportune moment: "Sanpō, analyze the current situation."
Hearing Hachidai call on him, Uchiha Sanpō knew this was his chance to shine.
He scanned the room, stood up, and spoke: "I'm sure everyone has heard that the Third Raikage was ambushed and killed by a large force of Iwagakure ninjas. But the key question is: how could Iwagakure have so many people lying in wait ahead of time? There's only one answer... the Third Raikage's movements were leaked. The only people who could know a Kage's itinerary are high-level figures inside the village. In other words, there's internal trouble in Kumogakure."
The room erupted in shock. Some whispered, others showed sudden realization.
Uchiha Sanpō continued: "With the Fourth Raikage's brute personality, he'll first purge the traitors inside before declaring war on Iwagakure. Also, according to Kumogakure custom, he must hold a three-day vigil for his father—and the Third Raikage has been dead exactly three days. So the earliest he can launch an attack on Iwagakure is tomorrow. That means the day after tomorrow, we should see Kumogakure ninjas near the Land of Waterfalls border."
His analysis was clear, logical, and well-supported. The room fell deathly silent; everyone held their breath, eyes locked on the young Uchiha, waiting for more.
Suddenly, a civilian jōnin interjected: "If Iwagakure is redeploying to the Land of Waterfalls to defend against Kumogakure, then why did the village order Mimura Hamaki-jōnin to take 100 men to guard Shinobazu Bridge on the border? Is it really just a show to let Minato steal credit?"
Hearing Shinobazu Bridge mentioned again, Uchiha Fugaku clenched his fists in silent fury. He knew full well this was the higher-ups grabbing glory and suppressing the Uchiha—but how could he say it aloud? Speaking out rashly would only damage frontline morale and make their situation worse.
Noticing Fugaku's gaze, Uchiha Sanpō smoothly replied: "If Namikaze Minato is going to Shinobazu Bridge, it means village higher-ups have already reached an agreement with Kumogakure. In other words, the Konoha-Kumogakure war has effectively ended."
This earth-shattering conclusion caused an uproar.
He turned and pointed to the map on the wall: "Once the Kumo front stops fighting, the Konoha ninjas stationed there can be redeployed. By my estimate, at least 2,000 to 3,000 can be freed up."
Kurama Unkai's eyes lit up as he interjected: "In that case, can we request reinforcements from the village? Even just 500 would greatly ease our pressure here!"
At Kurama's suggestion, whispers spread again—hope flickering back into eyes.
Uchiha Sanpō gently shook his head: "I suspect the village will send those reinforcements to the Kirigakure front. With them, by February next year, they can completely drive out Kirigakure's invasion. Once Kumo stops fighting and Kiri retreats, our remaining enemies will only be Iwagakure and Sunagakure."
Hearing this, Kazami clan head's mind flashed with insight. He murmured: "Then... the war would truly end!"
Those few words instantly drew everyone's attention.
After more than a year of war and so many deaths, many had grown weary of fighting.
"The Land of Wind is all desert—poor in resources, reliant on the Land of Fire for grain imports. If the situation turns bad, Sunagakure can only surrender. Meanwhile, Iwagakure's war with Kumogakure won't end easily. To avoid being attacked on two fronts, Iwagakure will likely take the initiative to seek peace with Konoha. At that point, the war naturally ends."
After hearing Uchiha Sanpō's strategic breakdown, the atmosphere in the command tent transformed. The earlier depression and anxiety gave way to surprise and excitement.
People began discussing quietly—some nodding repeatedly, others verifying the logic in hushed tones.
Uchiha Fugaku cleared his throat to quiet them: "Sanpō's analysis is insightful. It seems we're not fighting alone—the entire ninja world's situation is shifting in our favor. Everyone, hold on a little longer. As long as we endure these final hardships, victory is right in front of us!"
At these words, the jōnin in the room straightened their backs, light returning to their eyes.
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