Gento took in everyone's expressions.
He knew that with Danzo's unintended assist, his political analytical ability had already gained the Hokage's initial recognition.
So he continued speaking:
"The war in the east against the Hidden Mist Village is likewise nothing to fear."
"Although the Hidden Mist Village has currently won victories on some local battlefields, how many shinobi does the Hidden Mist Village still have left to expend?
"The Mizukage of the Hidden Mist Village implements the 'Bloody Mist' policy, using an unconventional raising method to select shinobi. In the short term, this can indeed produce shinobi with outstanding abilities, but over the long term, it will inevitably cause the number of shinobi to shrink drastically."
"Therefore, I conclude that the Hidden Mist's offensive is already the final burst of a spent crossbow. Before long, the Hidden Mist Village will take the initiative to withdraw its troops!"
Gento's conclusion once again sparked quiet discussion.
On the battlefield, when had the side with the advantage ever taken the initiative to withdraw?
Yet, recalling the scene of Danzo being slapped in the face moments earlier, no one dared jump out to question him again.
Instead, Homura Mitokado pushed up his glasses and cautiously asked:
"According to what you're saying, the Lands of Lightning, Water, and Earth are all nothing to worry about. Does that mean Leaf doesn't need to do anything next, and the Third Great Shinobi War will simply end?"
Gento shook his head.
"No. There is still one major country's ninja village that threatens us.
"The Hidden Sand Village of the Land of Wind!"
"Pfft… hahahaha, do you even know what you're saying, Uchiha brat?"
"In your view, the powerful Land of Lightning and Land of Water pose no threat to us, yet the weakest Land of Wind does?"
After hearing Gento's speculation, Danzo finally could not hold back any longer and jumped out again.
"You're not worried about the other powerful ninja villages, yet you're afraid of the weakest Hidden Sand? Uchiha brat, are you talking in your sleep?"
It was no wonder Danzo lost his composure.
Among the Five Great Nations, the Land of Wind had the harshest environment. Combined with its lack of resources, the number of shinobi it could support was limited.
As a result, the Hidden Sand Village had always been regarded as a weak nation.
However, Gento, who knew the future storyline, understood that the most inconspicuous opponent could often become the most fatal variable.
In his memory, the landmark event marking the end of the Third Great Shinobi War was precisely the "Battle of Kikyo Pass," launched by the Hidden Sand against Leaf.
The so-called Battle of Kikyo Pass referred to the Hidden Sand Village launching a surprise attack on Leaf's Kikyo Pass outpost along the border.
The original work did not record the specific details of the battle.
Although the battle ultimately ended with Leaf's victory, Gento was certain that Leaf's victory had been a costly one.
Because the original story vaguely mentioned that the Hidden Sand Village had once pushed as far as outside Leaf itself.
Kabuto Yakushi was also sent to Leaf as a spy by Sasori of the Red Sand during this battle.
With the support of the original storyline, Gento spoke with great confidence.
He directly said to Danzo:
"You, Danzo, think the Hidden Sand Village poses no threat because of your ignorance and incompetence!
"I really wonder where all the funds the village allocates to your Root organization are being spent. How could such important intelligence be overlooked?
"If you ask me, Danzo, if you keep taking funding without doing your job, you might as well resign and let the village allocate that funding to the Uchiha. Our Uchiha clan would definitely do a better job than you!"
Danzo was so provoked by Gento's words that his chest heaved.
"You damn Uchiha brat! You… you…"
Gento gave him no chance to continue speaking and cut him off:
"I'm telling you, I, Gento Uchiha, am certain that the Hidden Sand Village will launch a surprise attack on our Land of Fire, and the location will very likely be the Kikyo Pass outpost on the border of the Land of Fire."
"If the defensive line collapses because of your negligence, Danzo, can you bear that responsibility?"
The moment Gento finished speaking, Hiruzen's pupils suddenly shrank.
Because just yesterday, he had indeed received an Anbu intelligence report: The shinobi who submitted the report claimed that traces of enemy shinobi had possibly appeared near the direction of Kikyo Pass.
However, due to the lack of further substantial evidence, the threat level had ultimately been classified only as C-rank.
Hiruzen had not paid much attention to it and had set the report aside.
Now, according to Gento's analysis, could there be some deeper truth behind it?
Meanwhile, Danzo, who had originally intended to scold Gento, noticed Hiruzen's expression and suddenly felt a bad premonition arise in his heart.
What did that look on Hiruzen's face mean?
Could it be that this damned Uchiha brat had guessed correctly again?
As expected, Hiruzen slowly spoke:
"This old man indeed received a report yesterday submitted by an Anbu shinobi guarding the area near Kikyo Pass. The report mentioned that traces of enemy shinobi were suspected to have appeared near Kikyo Pass."
The meeting room fell silent again.
Danzo's face turned ashen.
The looks others cast toward Gento also changed from earlier contempt to seriousness and even wariness.
After all, although the Uchiha possessed formidable combat power, most Uchiha were not particularly sharp-minded, so they did not need to be feared.
Even so, now a young Uchiha with such a keen mind had suddenly appeared, and they could not help but treat the matter cautiously.
Even Hiruzen felt somewhat helpless.
Was this child named Gento really an Uchiha?
If he had not personally seen Gento's Sharingan, he would have suspected that a child from the Nara clan had been mistakenly switched at birth.
…
The meeting ultimately ended hurriedly in a rather subtle atmosphere.
The major ninja clans could not wait to verify the truth of what Gento had said during the meeting.
Walking along the road back home, Gento's thoughts raced.
By now, he had surely already left a deep impression on the Leaf high officials.
What he needed to do next was wait for the matter to ferment, then seize the opportunity to obtain merits that would support his bid to become the Uchiha clan head.
Of course, before the Battle of Kikyo Pass fully erupted, the most important thing for him was still to improve his own strength.
If he wanted to earn military merit on the battlefield, personal strength was indispensable.
If he wanted to become the clan head of the Uchiha clan, he would at the very least need power approaching Kage level.
At present, his strength was only that of an ordinary Jonin.
And right now, if he wanted to rapidly improve his strength, he still could not do without completing system missions.
"A Kunoichi willing to cultivate with me… who should I look for?"
With this thought in mind, he had already returned to his home.
Just as he arrived, a knock sounded outside the door.
An Anbu stood outside.
"Gento Uchiha, Hokage-sama summons you."
Gento pondered upon hearing this.
A summons from the Hokage?
He did not dare delay and headed to the Hokage's office.
"Gento Uchiha greets Hokage-sama!"
"Oh, Gento has arrived."
Hiruzen set down the intelligence report in his hand.
"Your analysis during the meeting earlier was quite brilliant."
"You praise me too much, Hokage-sama. Political analysis is precisely what we Uchiha excel at."
Even with Hiruzen's cultivated composure, he could not help the corner of his mouth twitch when he heard Gento's reply.
Praise him a little and he starts bragging already?
If the Nara clan had said something like that, he might have believed it.
The Uchiha? Better forget it.
He no longer chatted idly with Gento. Instead, he took out a mission scroll and handed it to Gento with a solemn expression.
"Since you raised the potential threat concerning Kikyo Pass, I have decided to send you to the vicinity of Kikyo Pass to conduct a detailed intelligence investigation.
"The rank of this mission is: S-rank!"
Gento's heart tensed as he received it with both hands.
"Of course, considering that you have only recently become a Jonin and have not yet formed a suitable team, I have arranged a partner for you."
As he spoke, Hiruzen turned toward the door.
"Come in."
The door was pushed open.
A Kunoichi with a graceful figure stepped inside.
Gento looked over, and his eyes could not help but light up.
This Kunoichi wore a tight combat outfit, the fabric closely hugging every curve of her body. The material rose and fell gently with her breathing, full contours faintly visible beneath it.
The outfit cinched neatly at the high waist, outlining a slender waist that seemed graspable with one hand, making the curve appear even more alluring.
Below, a tight hip-hugging short skirt clung to the line of her waist and hips. The hem ended at mid-thigh, revealing long, fair legs as she walked.
Most striking were her eyes; crimson pupils, clear yet carrying a hint of charm and languor. As her gaze shifted, it revealed a natural and captivating allure.
Her whole person was like a vivid rose, making one unable to resist the urge to ruthlessly ravage it.
Suppressing the ripples in his heart, Gento thought to himself: The target to unlock the Many Children, Many Blessings… hasn't it just arrived?
...
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