Shinsuke carefully observed everyone’s expressions.
He knew that, thanks to Danzō’s unintentional assistance, his political analysis had already earned the Hokage’s initial recognition.
So he continued,
“As for the war against Kirigakure in the east, there is nothing to fear there either.”
“Although Kirigakure has gained the upper hand on part of the battlefield for now, just how many shinobi do they still have left to expend?”
“The Mizukage’s Bloody Mist policy uses a survival of the fittest system to select shinobi.
While this can indeed produce exceptional ninjas in the short term, in the long run it will inevitably lead to a drastic decline in their overall numbers.”
“So I conclude that Kirigakure’s offensive is already running out of momentum.
Before long, they will withdraw their forces on their own initiative!”
Shinsuke’s conclusion once again stirred quiet discussion throughout the room.
On the battlefield, when had the side holding the advantage ever voluntarily retreated?
However, after witnessing Danzō being proven wrong moments earlier, no one dared to openly question him again.
Instead, Homura Mitokado adjusted his glasses and cautiously asked,
“If that’s the case, and the Lands of Lightning, Water, and Earth no longer pose a threat, are you saying Konoha doesn’t need to do anything else, and the Third Shinobi World War will simply come to an end?”
Shinsuke shook his head.
“No.
There is still one great nation’s hidden village that remains a threat to us, Sunagakure of the Land of Wind.”
“Pfft…
Hahahaha!
Do you even realize what you’re saying, Uchiha brat?”
“According to you, the mighty Lands of Lightning and Water aren’t threats to us, yet the weakest nation, the Land of Wind, is?”
Unable to hold himself back any longer after hearing Shinsuke’s analysis, Danzō jumped in once again.
“You’re not worried about the other powerful villages, yet you’re afraid of the weakest Sunagakure?
Uchiha brat, are you dreaming?”
It was no wonder Danzō reacted so strongly.
Among the Five Great Nations, the Land of Wind had the harshest environment, and its lack of resources severely limited the number of shinobi it could support.
As a result, Sunagakure had always been regarded as the weakest of the Five Great Villages.
However, Shinsuke, who already knew the storyline, understood that the most inconspicuous opponent often became the deadliest variable.
He clearly remembered that the decisive event marking the end of the Third Shinobi World War was Sunagakure’s Battle of Kikyō Mountain against Konoha.
The so called Battle of Kikyō Mountain was a surprise assault launched by Sunagakure against Konoha’s Kikyō Mountain outpost while Konoha was caught off guard.
The original story never described the battle in great detail.
Although Konoha ultimately emerged victorious, Shinsuke was certain it had only been a pyrrhic victory.
The original work had vaguely mentioned that Sunagakure’s forces had once advanced all the way to the outskirts of Konoha.
It was also during this battle that Sasori of the Red Sand sent Kabuto Yakushi into Konoha as a spy.
Backed by his knowledge of the original story, Shinsuke spoke with complete confidence.
He looked directly at Danzō.
“The reason you think Sunagakure isn’t a threat is because of your own ignorance and incompetence!”
“I really have to wonder where all the funding the village allocates to your Root organization is actually going if you can overlook intelligence this important.”
“If you ask me, if you keep wasting the village’s budget without accomplishing anything, you might as well resign and let the funding be transferred to the Uchiha.
We’d definitely do a better job than you!”
Shinsuke’s blatant provocation caused Danzō’s chest to heave violently with rage.
“You damned Uchiha brat!
You…
You…”
Shinsuke didn’t give him the chance to continue and cut him off directly.
“I’m telling you this right now.
I, Uchiha Shinsuke, firmly conclude that Sunagakure will launch a surprise attack against the Land of Fire, and the target will most likely be the Kikyō Mountain outpost on our border.”
“If the defensive line collapses because of your negligence, can you bear that responsibility?”
The moment Shinsuke finished speaking, Hiruzen’s pupils contracted.
That was because only yesterday he had actually received an ANBU intelligence report stating that enemy shinobi had possibly been spotted near Kikyō Mountain.
However, due to the lack of solid evidence, the threat had ultimately been classified as only C Rank.
Hiruzen hadn’t paid much attention to it and had simply set the report aside.
But judging from Shinsuke’s analysis, could there be more to it than he had realized?
Meanwhile, Danzō, who had been about to scold Shinsuke, noticed Hiruzen’s expression and immediately felt a bad premonition.
What did that look mean?
Could that troublesome Uchiha brat have been right again?
Sure enough, Hiruzen slowly spoke.
“Yesterday, I did indeed receive an intelligence report from the ANBU stationed near Kikyō Mountain.
It mentioned traces that appeared to belong to enemy shinobi in the surrounding area.”
The meeting room instantly fell silent once again.
Danzō’s face turned ashen.
The way everyone looked at Shinsuke changed from contempt to seriousness and even wariness.
After all, while the Uchiha were renowned for their combat ability, most of them weren’t known for their political insight, so they were never considered particularly threatening.
But now a young Uchiha with such extraordinary intelligence had suddenly appeared, making it impossible for them not to be cautious.
Even Hiruzen couldn’t help feeling somewhat helpless.
Was this child named Shinsuke really an Uchiha?
If he hadn’t personally seen Shinsuke’s Sharingan, he would have suspected the child had accidentally been switched at birth with someone from the Nara Clan.
…
The meeting ultimately ended in a rather subtle atmosphere.
The leaders of the various ninja clans hurried off to verify whether everything Shinsuke had said during the meeting was actually true.
Walking home, Shinsuke’s thoughts raced.
By now, he had undoubtedly left a deep impression on Konoha’s leadership.
The next step was simply to wait for events to unfold before taking advantage of the situation to accumulate enough achievements to support his bid for the position of Uchiha Clan Head.
Of course, before the Battle of Kikyō Mountain fully erupted, what he needed most was to improve his own strength.
To earn military merit on the battlefield, personal strength was indispensable.
To become the leader of the Uchiha Clan, he would need power at least approaching the Kage Level.
At present, he was only an ordinary Jonin.
And for now, the fastest way to increase his strength was still by completing the system’s missions.
‘Which female ninja would be willing to cultivate together with me…?’
Thinking about that, he returned home.
The moment he arrived, another knock sounded at the door.
An ANBU stood outside.
“Uchiha Shinsuke, Lord Hokage requests your presence.”
Shinsuke fell into thought.
‘A summons from the Hokage?’
Not daring to delay, he immediately headed toward the Hokage’s office.
“Uchiha Shinsuke greets Lord Hokage!”
“Oh, Shinsuke, you’ve arrived.”
Hiruzen set aside the intelligence report in his hands.
“Your analysis during the meeting earlier was truly impressive.”
“You’re too kind, Lord Hokage.
Political analysis has always been one of the Uchiha Clan’s specialties.”
Despite Hiruzen’s composure, the corner of his mouth couldn’t help twitching slightly after hearing that reply.
He praised the kid twice, and now he was getting carried away?
If someone from the Nara Clan had said that, he might have believed it.
But the Uchiha?
Not a chance.
Deciding not to continue the pointless conversation, Hiruzen took out a mission scroll and solemnly handed it to Shinsuke.
“Since you were the one who pointed out the hidden danger around Kikyō Mountain, I’ve decided to send you there to conduct a detailed intelligence investigation.”
“This mission is classified as S Rank!”
Shinsuke’s expression became serious as he accepted the scroll with both hands.
“Of course, considering you’ve only just become a Jonin and don’t yet have a proper squad, I’ve already arranged a partner for you.”
As he spoke, Hiruzen turned toward the doorway.
“Come in.”
The door slowly opened.
A female ninja with a graceful figure stepped inside.
Shinsuke looked toward her, and his eyes immediately lit up.
She wore a form fitting combat outfit that closely followed every curve of her body, the fabric rising and falling gently with each breath as her alluring silhouette was subtly outlined beneath it.
The outfit was neatly cinched at the waist, emphasizing her slender figure even further.
A fitted short skirt hugged the curves of her hips, its hem ending at mid thigh and revealing a pair of long, fair legs with every step she took.
Most captivating of all were her eyes, bright crimson pupils carrying both a gentle charm and a hint of lazy elegance, their subtle movements naturally exuding a unique allure.
The entire woman resembled a blooming crimson rose.
Suppressing the ripple in his heart, Shinsuke thought,
‘Looks like the target for unlocking the Many Children, Great Fortune Module…
has just arrived.’