"Who are you?"
Uchiha Yuan lifted his head slightly, looking at the middle-aged man who had spoken with a faint, disdainful smile.
"I am Shimura Ichizō, Captain of the First Division."
Yuan curled his lip in contempt. "So the Captain of the First Division is just a fool, then."
Hearing this, Shimura Ichizō's face twisted in fury, killing intent flaring as he prepared to strike.
At that critical moment, Jiraiya's voice cut sharply through the air.
"That's enough."
Jiraiya's gaze first landed on Ichizō as he barked, "Ichizō, how can you release killing intent toward one of your own comrades?"
Shimura Ichizō immediately bowed his head. "My apologies, Lord Jiraiya. I was out of line."
Jiraiya's eyes then turned to Uchiha Yuan. Seeing the boy's arrogant expression, his brows creased slightly.
What a troublesome brat… a textbook Uchiha—arrogant, domineering, and utterly self-centered.
"Captain Yuan," Jiraiya began, "as Captain Ichizō said, pursuing the Cloud-nin right now is not a good idea. Too many of our men were injured in today's battle."
Uchiha Yuan met Jiraiya's gaze head-on, his tone firm. "Lord Jiraiya, yes, our forces suffered heavy casualties—but the Cloud-nin did as well. Otherwise, with their reputation for aggression, do you really think they'd retreat so easily?"
"Don't be naïve, Uchiha Yuan," Shimura Ichizō snapped. "The Cloud still has two jinchūriki. If we pursue them recklessly, we'll only bring more losses upon ourselves!"
Ignoring Ichizō, Yuan continued speaking directly to Jiraiya. "We won't be launching a full-scale pursuit. What I propose is short, harassing engagements—keeping them constantly on edge."
"Oh?" Jiraiya raised a brow, intrigued despite himself. "And what exactly do you mean by that?"
A bold smile spread across Yuan's face. "This ambush from the Cloud was meant to cripple or even destroy our stationed forces here. They even secretly sent the Two-Tails' jinchūriki from the Iwagakure front line. That means their forces there must now be weakened."
"Our pursuit is meant to stall them—buy time. Meanwhile, we'll send word to our comrades at the Iwagakure front, telling them to regroup and spread rumors among the Iwa-nin."
"With the deep-seated hatred between Iwa and Kumo, Iwagakure will definitely launch a large-scale assault on them once they catch wind of this. Regardless of who wins between those two, both will suffer losses. For Konoha, that's the best possible outcome."
Hearing this, many of the surrounding Konoha shinobi looked at Uchiha Yuan in surprise. Some even withdrew the dismissive looks they had worn moments ago.
Jiraiya was silent for a moment, then broke into laughter. "Captain Yuan, I finally understand why Orochimaru values you so highly. You're sharp."
He paused, then added, "Seems you've learned quite a bit under him. You're not just thinking about this battlefield—you're thinking on a strategic, global scale. Unfortunately, I still can't approve your plan."
"Why not?"
"In my view, your plan has maybe a sixty-percent chance of success. But there's a critical flaw—you're underestimating the two Cloud jinchūriki." Jiraiya's tone hardened. "Even with reinforcements from one division, we still lack high-tier combat power. Both of the Cloud's jinchūriki are perfect hosts—they can completely control their tailed beasts. You all saw the Two-Tails' Tailed Beast Bomb today—its power is cataclysmic.
"If both jinchūriki unleash such attacks simultaneously, our forces wouldn't stand a chance. The casualties would be catastrophic."
Hearing this, Uchiha Yuan didn't reply. His expression remained indifferent as he stepped back into silence.
Moments later, Jiraiya declared the meeting adjourned, and the assembled captains filed out of the command tent.
When they had all gone, Jiraiya exhaled quietly and murmured to Sarutobi Shinnosuke beside him, "Shinnosuke, I almost agreed with Uchiha Yuan's plan just now."
Shinnosuke nodded thoughtfully. "To be honest, Lord Jiraiya, I was tempted too. If his plan succeeded in holding off the Cloud forces, it could very well break the stalemate between the three great nations—and on terms favorable to Konoha."
Jiraiya sighed helplessly. "I really don't understand why the old man didn't send Orochimaru here. If he were with us, I'd have the confidence to execute Yuan's plan. Between him and me, we could handle the two jinchūriki."
Meanwhile, outside the command tent, Uchiha Yuan walked toward his division's encampment, surrounded by several jōnin—leaders of the smaller squads under his command.
Suddenly, a group of shinobi appeared, blocking their path. At their head stood none other than Shimura Ichizō, Captain of the First Division.
Uchiha Yuan stopped, his sharp gaze locking onto Ichizō. "Shimura Ichizō, what do you want?"
Ichizō strode forward step by step until his towering frame cast a shadow over Yuan.
A cruel grin spread across his face. "You're a proud little brat, Uchiha. I wonder if your strength matches that arrogance of yours. Don't wet yourself on the battlefield and embarrass yourself, eh? Hahaha!"
Yuan's eyes turned cold. "Funny. When the Two-Tails' jinchūriki unleashed her Tailed Beast Bomb earlier, I don't recall seeing you anywhere near the front lines, Captain Shimura."
Ichizō's expression froze—because at that time, he had already retreated a safe distance away.
With a snort, he turned on his heel and walked off.
Yuan watched him go, his face unreadable.
Just then, footsteps approached as several more Konoha jōnin came up beside him.
"Uchiha Yuan," one of them said sternly, "your conflict with Shimura Ichizō has caused quite a stir among the senior officers. Don't think that just because Lord Orochimaru favors you, you can act without restraint. This isn't the Suna front where he commands."
The speaker—a man in his thirties—was Iwamoku Sumero, overall commander of the reinforcements and current Captain of the Fourth Division.
Yuan looked at him calmly. "So, Captain Sumero, are you saying I was in the wrong?"
Under Yuan's gaze, Sumero felt a strange, almost suffocating pressure. He stiffened, then said coldly, "Shimura Ichizō is still Captain of the First Division—your senior, with higher rank and status. You ought to show him respect."
A short-haired young jōnin beside him added, "Captain Yuan, Ichizō has a powerful backer—one of Konoha's elders. You'd best avoid further conflict with him. Otherwise, it could cause trouble for Lord Orochimaru himself."
Yuan crossed his arms over his chest, sweeping his gaze over them all with frosty arrogance. "Gentlemen, don't forget—it wasn't me who started this. Shimura Ichizō was the one who provoked me first.
"He questioned me, mocked me, and made it clear he doesn't take me seriously. How could I tolerate that? If I backed down, that would be the real disgrace to Lord Orochimaru's name."
At his words, Iwamoku Sumero and the others were left speechless.
With a cold snort, Uchiha Yuan turned and strode away without another word.
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