After adjusting his emotions, Jō said to Sakumo, "Go ahead and tell me the specifics of your reconnaissance mission."
Sakumo reported everything in detail, leaving nothing out.
Upon hearing this, Jō flew into a rage and scolded him, "You actually had the audacity to disobey my orders! I clearly gave you the task of scouting a designated location, yet you took it upon yourself to change the route?"
Sakumo replied, "Are you sure you haven't gotten too full of yourself? Didn't I just say that I found many enemy traces at the designated spot?"
"So what? Couldn't you just eliminate the enemy?" Jō didn't listen to his explanation at all and continued to reprimand him.
Thinking of how Shin usually behaved, Sakumo deliberately led the conversation. "If I engaged the enemy, wouldn't I be exposing myself?"
"Even if you're exposed, you still must follow my orders and reach the designated location," Jō insisted, focused only on asserting his authority, completely unaware that the people under his command were starting to change the way they looked at him.
Many of them had now realized, he was clearly targeting Sakumo and was trying to send him to his death.
This obvious targeting made many people feel deeply uneasy.
What's more, Sakumo was already quite well-known, and his impressive feats in recent times had earned him admiration. At this moment, those around him were seething with anger.
War was far more complex than most people imagine. Many military regulations have deep meaning. If someone who didn't understand starts making arbitrary changes or giving reckless commands, the result was often disastrous.
Here's a simple example: why is it that in war, you can't abandon even a single wounded soldier, no matter the cost?
Even when it's strategically advantageous to leave someone behind, why does no one ever suggest it?
Is it really just humanitarian concern?
No!
It's about morale, courage, and whether soldiers dare to fight with everything they have.
When a soldier sees that everyone is willing to risk their lives to rescue the wounded, he will feel confident when it's his turn to charge.
All I need to do is give it my all, kill the enemy with everything I've got. Even if I get hurt, it's okay. As long as I'm alive, my comrades will come save me.
But if he sees that injured comrades are ignored, or worse, deliberately abandoned, what will he think?
The next time he's sent to fight, he'll probably focus first and foremost on protecting himself and avoiding injury.
If everyone starts thinking that way, such an army cannot win any real battles. The moment they face a tough enemy, they'll collapse instantly.
What Jō was doing now, was exactly that. He had no idea what his actions or words truly meant.
This time it was clearly Sakumo being sent to die. What about next time? Will it be them?
Many commanders complain that their troops lack loyalty, that it was hard to lead them.
But they never considered that the reason for the lack of loyalty might be themselves.
"If you don't know how to lead, then get out of the way and stop pretending!" Sakumo finally lost it and snapped.
"If I recall, this mission was reconnaissance, right?"
"Even an idiot knows that the most important thing in reconnaissance is staying hidden."
"I discovered the enemy presence at the designated location, and you still insist I move forward, that's what I call irresponsible."
Jō was startled by Sakumo's imposing demeanor and took several steps back, asking, "Are you defying orders?"
But Sakumo remained completely unafraid and continued, "I would never defy orders. That's why I completed the reconnaissance mission properly. This is the terrain map I drew, including enemy positions, but up to now, you haven't even taken a single look."
Jō, still unwilling to back down, said harshly, "Even if you completed the reconnaissance, if it wasn't done the way I ordered, it's still disobedience."
"So you're saying you were deliberately trying to send me to my death?"
"I'm just dissatisfied with your disobedient behavior!"
"My mission was reconnaissance. So answer me loudly and clearly, which is more important: reaching the designated location, or scouting enemy movements?"
At that moment, several people secretly placed by Danzō saw that the confrontation was escalating, and quietly began surrounding Sakumo, ready to strike at any moment.
But several ninjas who had been saved by Sakumo also stood up, firmly taking his side.
"Sakumo, this is treason! Do you all intend to follow him and betray us too?" Jō shouted viciously. "Danzō-sama will not let any of you off!"
"Who's talking about treason?" Just as tensions reached a breaking point, a clear and authoritative voice rang out.
The next moment, Tsunade arrived with her own squad.
Because they were allies, the ninjas on watch didn't immediately intervene when the argument broke out; instead, they stepped aside respectfully and saluted Tsunade with admiration on their faces.
So it wasn't until she was right in front of them that everyone finally reacted, and then, their faces lit up with joy.
With her here, this crisis would surely be resolved.
"Tsunade?" Jō's eyes twitched violently, disbelief on his face.
But the very next moment, a large foot smashed into his face, kicking him straight off his feet and sending him flying.
A furious ninja who had delivered the kick glared at the stunned Jō.
"We're all Konoha ninjas, and instead of uniting against the enemy, you're causing internal strife. I'm deeply disappointed," Tsunade said coldly. "Now, someone explain, what exactly is going on here?"
The gathered ninjas began speaking one after another, and quickly laid out the situation.
"I get it now," Tsunade said, turning to Jō. "So what you're saying is, you deliberately sent Sakumo to his death. Now that he survived, you're upset and trying to punish him for it?"
"You're slandering me!" Jō protested immediately. "When did I ever say I wanted him dead?"
"Oh? So if you didn't want him dead, you admit to giving reckless orders instead?" Tsunade pressed.
"How I give orders is none of your business!" Jō snapped back.
"Looks like you still don't get it," Tsunade sighed. "I'll be taking over your unit. This isn't a negotiation. I'm informing you."
"Tsunade! Danzō-sama will—" Jō started to threaten, but before he could finish, Tsunade's fist smashed into his face.
With a scream, he flew through the air like a broken kite and then fell completely still.
A sensory ninja quickly scanned Jō's body, and his pupils suddenly contracted.
His reaction immediately drew attention from the others, and many looked over, only to find that Jō was unconscious.
Knocking out a military overseer over an argument, during wartime no less, this had never happened before.
It was thrilling to watch, sure. But… weren't there going to be consequences?
Tsunade then turned and said, "Anyone who doesn't want to follow me can stay behind and carry him back. Report exactly what happened here to Danzō, and if anyone twists the truth, I'll make sure they will have a nice time."
"As for those willing to follow me, come with me now. I'll take full responsibility for whatever happens."
With that, she strode off in the direction Sakumo had scouted.
The remaining ninjas looked at each other, and the vast majority followed her without hesitation.
Only those secretly placed by Danzō stayed rooted in place, their hearts filled with turmoil.