Chapter 204: War is Merely a Struggle for Profit

It was unimaginable.

If what Veigar said was true, it would be a staggering boon for the Konohagakure, a monumental feat that would secure his name in history.

For Sunagakure, however, it would be a devastating blow.

Inside the war command center, the only one who managed to remain composed in that moment was Orochimaru. It wasn't that Veigar's words hadn't shocked him, they had, but that what he said was simply too difficult to believe. Even so, Orochimaru recovered his calm within seconds.

A commander must carry himself like a commander.

"Do you have anything that can prove what you're saying? Is it all true?"

Veigar shook his head. In that situation, he hadn't had time to gather concrete evidence. After killing Ebizō, his only thought had been retreat.

He had killed. That was all there was to it.

"No, I don't have proof. But the news will spread soon, there's no way to keep this under wraps."

With that many Sand Shinobi present, Veigar was sure of one thing: the assassination of Elder Ebizō on the battlefield could not remain a secret.

"Then tell us, how exactly did you kill Ebizō?"

Orochimaru already believed Veigar. This wasn't the sort of thing that could be fabricated, it would be far too easy to expose a lie.

"I've mastered the Flying Raijin Technique. That's how I was able to rescue Shimura Regan from enemy hands, I used the Flying Raijin."

As he spoke, Veigar drew an ordinary-looking kunai. As the Flying Raijin formula glimmered across its surface, the elite Konoha Jonin present watched in stunned silence.

Tsunade and Orochimaru immediately turned their eyes toward Minato, knowing he was the only confirmed user of the Flying Raijin Technique.

Minato, sensing their gazes, spoke up.

"Yes. That's definitely the Flying Raijin Technique."

Even though most of the Jonin present didn't fully grasp what the Flying Raijin was, they could tell from Orochimaru and Tsunade's expressions that it was something rare, something powerful.

Which meant that what Veigar had said... was true.

Uproar.

The room broke out in shocked murmurs.

"Veigar... are you telling the truth? You really assassinated Ebizō, elder of Sunagakure?"

Looking at Veigar, who had just demonstrated the Flying Raijin, Minato felt a wave of certainty wash over him.

Veigar nodded to him, answering calmly, "Yes, sensei. It's true."

"I have no reason to lie about something like this."

For a moment, Minato was at a loss for words.

It was... simply too unbelievable.

After the clamor died down, silence settled like a heavy shroud. Every gaze in the room focused on the ten-year-old Veigar.

Finally, it was Shikaku Nara who broke the silence.

"For now, let's set aside the issue of Ebizō's death. We'll revisit that shortly."

"Can you provide a strategic justification for retreat?"

Shikaku's sharp gaze fixed on Veigar, now colored with a new, subtle respect. His tone had shifted without anyone realizing.

In the shinobi world, strength reigns supreme.

Veigar understood well. He already had strength. He now had merit. But there was still one thing he lacked, the final piece that would secure his position.

Wisdom.

Strength earned him a voice.

Merit cemented it.

Wisdom would elevate it.

This was his moment, to take yet another step toward the goal he held in his heart.

"I understand. I'm very aware of the implications."

"If we retreat, it will damage Konoha's prestige."

"And during a time of open warfare, such a move could trigger a chain reaction. The other three Great Ninja Villages, already watching us like hawks..."

"No, it's certain they'll seize the opportunity to strike. It could be the spark that truly ignites the Third Great Ninja War."

"Right now, we face only Sunagakure. But soon, we could be facing Kumogakure, Iwagakure, and Kirigakure, four enemies at once."

Veigar laid bare the consequences of a retreat.

"You know that, yet you still recommend withdrawing?" Shikaku asked, now truly testing his judgment.

He was beginning to recognize Veigar's intellect, because these were the same conclusions he had drawn himself.

Veigar shook his head again.

"A retreat would cost us only face. Even if it does lead to attacks from all four villages, so what?"

"Don't forget: we are the First Great Ninja Village!"

"And even if we don't retreat, do you truly believe the other three will hold back?"

"They'll strike regardless. It's not a matter of 'if,' only 'when.' A delay changes nothing."

"Besides, the forces we've stationed on the front lines can't hold back the full force of Sunagakure. That would only waste our troops in a pointless effort."

"And if Sunagakure captures our forward bases, and heavy casualties follow, the other villages won't pass up the opportunity that presents."

Glancing around the room at the thoughtful expressions of the Konoha Jonin, Veigar raised his voice.

"Which is why withdrawing from the front and preserving our strength is our best option."

"From there, we regroup and fortify Mount Kikyo. We'll build up a massive force and then settle things with Sunagakure once and for all."

"And why not defend the current front lines? Because it's too vast. It's a national border, nothing more, there's nothing worth holding there."

"It's nothing like Mount Kikyo, which stands as the gateway into the heart of the Land of Fire. If Sunagakure wants to press further in, they'll have to take Mount Kikyo first."

"And if we fortify it with just three thousand troops, Sunagakure would need to throw at least eight thousand at it, and practically empty their entire village, to take it."

"And when that happens, they'll lose."

"Only by retreating can we turn this from a reactive defense into a proactive strategy."

"Besides, do you think Sunagakure dares to gamble everything? If they go all-in, they'll leave themselves wide open."

"The likes of Amegakure, Takigakure, you think they'll ignore the chance to rise and take Sunagakure's place?"

"Even if they can't, they'll still tear Sunagakure apart."

"And think, what will Iwagakure and Kumogakure do then? Will they fight us on the front lines, or strike at an undefended Sunagakure?"

"War is nothing more than a contest of profit."

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