Orochimaru looked at Uchiha Shin with burning interest.
That technique… I want it.
Unfortunately—
Without the Magnet Release bloodline limit, it was impossible.
Otherwise, it would be a divine ability for him.
—
Tsunade noticed Orochimaru's gaze and snorted coldly.
Then she stepped in front of Uchiha Shin.
"What, Orochimaru? Trying to steal my person?"
Orochimaru widened his eyes slightly, then gave a helpless smile.
Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at Jiraiya—
Who was scratching his head, completely oblivious.
Orochimaru sighed inwardly.
Hopeless…
Then he turned back to Tsunade.
"No, no. I'm just interested in Uchiha Shin-kun's detection technique."
"And besides, he was chosen by Mito-sama for you. Why would I steal him?"
"Hmph. You'd better not."
In Tsunade's eyes—
Uchiha Shin was priceless.
Dual bloodline.
Strategic genius.
Selfless.
Always thinking for her.
He was practically the perfect support gifted by heaven.
—
Uchiha Shin scratched his head awkwardly.
Talking felt wrong.
Not talking felt worse.
—
Suddenly—
Tsunade grabbed his arm, pulled him to the main seat—
And pushed him down into it.
Orochimaru: !!!
Jiraiya: !!!
Nawaki: !!!
Uchiha Shin: !!!!
This seat… is not for me!!!
This was the seat of the supreme commander.
The one who would take most of the credit if they won.
Uchiha Shin immediately tried to stand—
But Tsunade used brute strength.
His face turned red—
He couldn't move at all.
"Tsunade-sama! Didn't we agree before?"
"I'm only assisting this time—I don't want the credit!"
Uchiha Shin hurriedly said.
"That was before. This is now."
"Just now, Jiraiya proposed that the three of us confront Hanzo directly."
"I think it's a good idea too."
"But if we do that—who commands the army?"
Tsunade smiled.
Orochimaru immediately understood and chuckled.
"Exactly. Uchiha Shin-kun, we need a capable commander to lead the troops."
"To defeat the rest of the Rain ninja."
Jiraiya laughed loudly.
"That's right! Tsunade said you're brilliant with strategy."
"So you're the best choice!"
—
Uchiha Shin froze.
Then frowned.
"Tsunade… who proposed fighting Hanzo?"
He looked directly at Jiraiya.
His expression… strange.
Orochimaru's eyes lit up.
Ah… so that's it.
Jiraiya blinked.
What's wrong with my plan?
Tsunade looked between the two.
—
Uchiha Shin tapped Tsunade's arm lightly.
She released her grip.
He leaned forward, resting his chin on his hands.
"Why fight him?"
Jiraiya scratched his head.
"Because intelligence says aside from Hanzo, the Rain forces are basically rabble…"
"So we—"
"So you three stall the main force," Uchiha Shin interrupted coldly,
"And let the army clean up the rest to achieve heavy damage?"
Jiraiya nodded instinctively.
Orochimaru fell silent, thinking.
Something had felt off earlier—
Now it was becoming clearer.
Tsunade listened quietly, eyes fixed on Uchiha Shin's back.
—
"Jiraiya-sama," Uchiha Shin said calmly,
"What does Hanzo want?"
"He wants expansion."
"He wants to prove his strength and authority to other nations."
"If you fight him—"
"If you lose, it's humiliating."
"If you win—he fought three of you alone."
"Either way, his reputation grows."
"So why fight him?"
—
Jiraiya frowned.
"Then… if we don't fight, how do we win this war?"
Uchiha Shin suddenly looked straight at him.
"If we follow your plan and win—don't forget…"
"We're not the only ones in the Land of Rain."
"Iwagakure. Sunagakure."
"They're watching."
"If we exhaust ourselves winning—"
"And they strike afterward, wiping us out—"
"Did we win?"
"…Or lose?"
His fingers tapped rhythmically on the table.
—
Silence.
Jiraiya froze.
Orochimaru's eyes lit up.
Yes… that's it.
With Ōnoki's personality—
He would definitely make a move.
Orochimaru looked at Uchiha Shin with clear admiration.
—
Tsunade spoke at the perfect moment.
"Uchiha Shin-kun… then how should we fight?"
—
Uchiha Shin looked at the map.
The Land of Rain—
Bordered Earth to the west.
Wind to the south.
Fire to the east.
Then—
A plan formed.
—
"Tomorrow—we advance."
"Target: the capital of the Land of Rain—Amegakure City."
"Tsunade-sama leads the Senju forces to surround the east gate."
"Jiraiya-sama takes the south gate."
"Orochimaru-sama takes the north gate."
"Each day, we cut off supply lines."
"Destroy food routes."
"If they deploy troops—we retreat."
"When they withdraw—we surround again."
His eyes gleamed.
—
Jiraiya frowned.
"What about the west gate?"
Orochimaru looked at him strangely.
As if seeing him for the first time.
"The west gate?"
"That's the Land of Earth."
"What does it have to do with us?"
"We surround three sides."
"When they're desperate, they'll break through the west."
"And Ōnoki will be the one taking the hit."
Orochimaru smiled.
Tsunade nodded.
"This preserves our forces…"
"And achieves our goal."
—
Uchiha Shin added calmly:
"War isn't just about strength."
"It's about logistics. Resources. National power."
"If we cut off their food for two months—"
"They either surrender…"
"Or break out west as desperate beasts."
"And even for Earth Country…"
"Fighting starving enemies won't be easy."
—
After finishing—
Uchiha Shin leaned back in his chair.
Closed his eyes.
Thinking.
—
The room fell silent.
Tsunade.
Orochimaru.
Jiraiya.
All stared at him.
—
Uchiha Shin opened his eyes, feeling uneasy.
"…Why are you all looking at me like that?"
"Is this plan good or not? Say something!"
—
Orochimaru smiled.
"Good?"
"It's excellent."
"I'm just curious…"
"With such strategic brilliance…"
"Who taught you, Uchiha Shin-kun?"
Tsunade nodded.
"That's right."
"You turned a manpower war…"
"Into a resource war in our favor."
Jiraiya scratched his head and laughed.
"Uchiha Shin-kun… I'm convinced."
—
Uchiha Shin froze.
…Crap.
I overdid it.
This strategy… probably doesn't exist in this world yet.
I was supposed to hide my abilities…
…and I failed.