As Veigar spoke with unwavering logic, everyone present fell into deep thought.
Before they could even process what he had just said, Veigar continued:
"Right now, we are facing the forces of Sunagakure, and from the very beginning, we've been outnumbered. Every battle we've fought on the frontlines, our numbers have always been inferior."
"If we want to seize absolute initiative at this point, we must do everything in our power. That's the only way we'll be ready for what's inevitably coming."
The word "inevitably" was spoken with such gravity that everyone felt its weight.
"The situation has become extremely precarious, and our options are limited."
"If we fall back and fortify at Mount Kikyo, denying the Suna-nin the chance to break through our line, we can hold our ground and wait for the right moment. This is our best option."
"First, we preserve more of our forces. Second, we force the enemy to overextend their supply lines. When the time comes, that will be our moment, our chance to strike, leaving Sunagakure with no path to retreat."
"This war won't end in a matter of days. If we relinquish the barren land along the border, we may lose some territory for now, but our logistical support and supply lines from the village will become much more efficient."
"This is only a temporary setback. As long as Mount Kikyo doesn't fall, the final victory in our war with the Sand will be ours."
"The Land of Fire's national strength is far superior to that of the Land of Wind. They don't have the stamina for a prolonged campaign."
"Now, tell me, do you all understand why I propose we withdraw?"
After Veigar finished speaking, even Orochimaru, Shikaku, Tsunade, Minato, and the other jōnin present remained silent in thought.
These strategies, they had never heard them laid out like this before. The freshness of Veigar's ideas hit them like a storm; not something one could absorb in an instant.
At first, it was tempting to argue. But the more he spoke, the more convincing he became. It left them no room for rebuttal.
Orochimaru's eyes, filled with wicked cunning, bore into Veigar. What Veigar displayed today was precisely the kind of quality every hidden village was starving for.
Power? Konoha never lacked that.
Whether it was Hiruzen Sarutobi himself, the Legendary Sannin, or Minato Namikaze, all possessed overwhelming strength. And that was only the surface, beneath it, the village hid many formidable forces like Shimura Danzo and Uzumaki Kushina.
What it lacked was strategic brilliance, true tacticians. And such individuals were exceedingly rare across the entire shinobi world.
Today, Veigar had proven he possessed that rare gift.
"He's really only ten years old?"
"How does a mind like that even exist?"
Those questions echoed in the minds of Tsunade, Shikaku, Minato, and all the other elite jōnin present.
Minato, as Veigar's teacher, was especially shaken. Even he was beginning to doubt what he thought he knew of the boy. The impact Veigar's words had left on them was beyond imagination.
Orochimaru's stare was so intense it made Veigar's skin crawl. His eyes held something dangerous, something terrifying.
"Everyone," Orochimaru rasped at last, seeing that some had begun to stir from their daze. "What are your thoughts on Veigar's proposal?"
As the field strategist on the frontlines, Shikaku was the first to speak:
"Orochimaru-sama, withdrawing at this point… is unrealistic."
"Personally, I agree entirely with Veigar's analysis and logic. But even if he manages to persuade everyone here—"
"The Third Hokage will never approve a retreat. Neither will the Daimyō."
And Shikaku was right.
Hiruzen wouldn't approve it, not when he'd have to explain to the Fire Daimyō why they were surrendering territory.
And the Daimyō? Absolutely not. A nation's land is sacrosanct, every inch must be defended.
"Exactly. Hokage-sama won't agree."
"It's true. The Hokage definitely won't approve."
The jōnin nodded in agreement with Shikaku's assessment.
But Veigar merely shook his head, unconcerned.
"We'll have a reason to retreat. Soon, we won't even have a choice. Whether we want to or not, we'll have to."
Tsunade, ever curious, leaned forward.
"What reason?"
Veigar turned to meet her gaze and answered calmly:
"Suppose Sunagakure throws everything they have at our frontlines."
"Suppose the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa himself, along with Elder Chiyo and Sunagakure's ultimate weapons all take the field to launch a full-scale assault."
"Do you really think we could hold the line?"
Tsunade reacted like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. She slammed her palm against the table and snapped:
"What nonsense is that?! Why would Suna do such a thing?"
"They just lost over a thousand shinobi a few days ago! They're still licking their wounds! How could they dare strike again so soon, let alone send all their top brass?"
Veigar's eyes turned distant, deep and calculating.
"They will come."
"Because they have no choice."
"Don't forget… what I've done."
"The shinobi of Sunagakure are desperate to vent. They want revenge. That's a tidal force no one can stop, not even the Kazekage."
"So, when the time comes, the Fourth Kazekage will have no option but to approve the attack. Not only that, he'll fuel the flames."
"Because what he needs isn't peace. What he needs is control. A stable Sunagakure where his authority is absolute, not one where power is scattered among revered elders."
"People like Chiyo and Ebizō, those siblings still hold tremendous influence."
As Veigar finished, he saw the stunned look in Tsunade's eyes. She wasn't slow, she understood perfectly what he meant.
He looked around the room and, seeing everyone's shaken expressions, declared with absolute certainty:
"Chiyo won't give up her chance at revenge."
"And the Kazekage needs us to help him eliminate internal threats. He'll use our blood to forge his authority."
"So yes, he will show up on that battlefield."
"And just to be safe, Sunagakure's war machines will likely be there too."
What Veigar had just outlined, his strategic insight, political acuity, and sweeping vision, stunned everyone present.
"Such terrifying intelligence, strength… and cunning."
Shikaku Nara couldn't help but feel a sliver of dread. If Veigar already possessed such mastery of strategy at just ten years old…
If he ever rose to power as an enemy, he would be far too dangerous.
"Unless… we never let him hold that kind of power."
Shikaku stared at Veigar, silently making a decision.
It was the only solution he could think of.
But could it even be done?
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