This familiar place name made Gekko Chizan involuntarily curl his lips.
That little curl of his lips was immediately caught by Nara Shikoku. Seeing that reaction, Shikoku couldn't quite understand it and immediately asked out loud:
"What's wrong? Chizan, do you have a better idea?"
"Or did I oversimplify it?"
"That's right, as the battlefield's intelligence expert, you must have a sharper insight. Come on, let's hear it."
Shikoku's sincere words left Gekko Chizan stunned on the spot.
What the hell was this?
Intelligence expert?
Konoha's intelligence expert is Jiraiya, okay??
"Indeed, Gekko Chizan's recent performance on the battlefield has been quite outstanding. His ability to gather and transmit intelligence is exceptional."
"Shikoku's strategic formation is correct, but clearly, there must be things we've overlooked."
"Gekko Chizan, tell us your thoughts."
Homura Mitokado pushed his glasses up, his face showing an expression of strong approval.
Beside him, Koharu Utatane and the others all nodded in agreement.
Even Shimura Danzo stayed silent, though his eyes were fixed firmly on Gekko Chizan, clearly waiting for his display.
Gekko Chizan: Damn it, why did I have to twitch my lips?! Really asking for trouble!
What now? The Kannabi Bridge battle is unavoidable—how the hell is he supposed to explain his way out of this???
Wait… something feels off. This situation doesn't quite match the original timeline...
Konoha's position isn't that bad, right?
Isn't it just the Four-Tails and Five-Tails pressing down at the same time?
For today's Konoha, that really doesn't seem so hard to deal with.
"I'd like to say that Shikoku-kun isn't wrong."
"But our situation right now isn't that dire, is it?"
"Four-sided war? Not exactly. Kumogakure and Sunagakure don't have the strength to wage war right now. Only Iwagakure and Kirigakure still hold fighting power."
"One against four, or one against two—our situation is completely different."
"And what's this about the Four-Tails and Five-Tails? We've got the Three Sannin! Who's bigger than Jiraiya's giant toads? Who's tougher than Tsunade's slugs? Who's slimier than my teacher Orochimaru's Manda?"
Good grief, with those words he dragged all three Sannin into it.
But he wasn't wrong. The toads really were massive, the slugs really didn't die, and Manda really was sleazy.
Of course, if the Sannin had been present, even ten lives wouldn't have been enough for him to dare say that.
After hearing Gekko Chizan's words, Shikoku fell into silence. With an IQ of over 200, he immediately caught on.
He had indeed fallen into a trap of thought. Since the start of the war, Konoha had always been on the defensive, surrounded on all sides.
But the current situation was entirely different. Just as Gekko Chizan said—it wasn't that critical anymore.
"You're right. I was mistaken. As expected of an intelligence expert."
"I've learned something today."
Nara Shikoku was already the heir of his clan. Attending this meeting in place of the current clan head showed just how high his standing was.
The others, seeing this, also nodded at Gekko Chizan—an acknowledgment.
"Then, what do you think we should do now?"
"Should we launch a direct attack on Iwagakure and Kirigakure, or stay on the defensive?"
Another huge question thrown his way. Gekko Chizan felt like ten thousand grass-mud horses just stampeded through his mind.
Why the hell are they asking him?!
At the head of the table, Sarutobi Hiruzen stroked his beard with a smile, his gaze fixed warmly on Gekko Chizan.
The more he looked, the more satisfied he felt. Truly, this was his grand-disciple.
"Our current fighting strength is sufficient. We can absolutely respond to Iwagakure's and Kirigakure's assaults."
"Immediately summon Jiraiya and Orochimaru back. Meanwhile, everyone else should enter full battle readiness, focusing first on Iwagakure."
"Still, Shikoku is correct. To bring this war to an earlier close, the Kannabi Bridge must be destroyed."
"However, this task will be extremely difficult. We must first analyze the battlefield carefully before choosing the personnel for the mission."
The group nodded again and began analyzing the situation.
Gekko Chizan finally let out a breath of relief. Please stop asking him—he was about to collapse under all these questions.
But someone wasn't ready to let him off the hook.
"Easy for you to say. During wartime, gathering intelligence is no simple matter."
"Since Gekko Chizan is our intelligence expert, it's only right for him to collect it."
"Iwagakure's force distribution, the location of their Jinchūriki—these should all be investigated as soon as possible."
Gekko Chizan's eyes locked murderously onto Shimura Danzo. If looks could kill, Danzo would already be riddled with holes.
But this was Danzo.
Unfazed by that deadly glare, Danzo spoke calmly: "This concerns the survival of the village. As a Konoha shinobi, surely you wouldn't shrink from it?"
Gekko Chizan sneered: "Easy for you to say, Danzo-sama. Why don't you personally go gather intelligence?"
Danzo's face didn't twitch.
"What's this? You, Gekko Chizan, are recognized as the intelligence expert. At a time of war, when your skills are most needed, do you intend to shirk responsibility?"
At that, Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke up:
"Danzo, this matter cannot be decided rashly. Chizan just gave several valuable insights into the battlefield. If we send him out to gather intelligence, it will be disadvantageous for our overall strategy."
Danzo tried to argue further, but Hiruzen waved his hand:
"This is settled. We'll assign someone else for intelligence gathering."
"After all, though war has begun, time is still on our side."
"Ōnoki won't recklessly storm into the Land of Fire. And besides, our borders are still guarded."
"Slowing their advance is entirely possible."
Thanks to the Hokage's decision, Gekko Chizan remained safely in the village. After all, he had already told his Hokage that he wanted to stay home for a while.
He was exhausted. He was still young. He needed rest!
He'd just gotten married! He needed a long time to recuperate!
As for the war? Let the other young people handle it!
...
By the time night fell, both the meeting and the matches were over.
In the team battle, Yugito Nii ultimately emerged victorious.
Back at home, Ebisu was gritting his teeth as Sayo tended to his wounds.
Meanwhile, Pakura was recounting the battle's details to Gekko Chizan.
The combination of Rin and Obito hadn't been able to pose any threat to Yugito at all. Her battle awareness, speed, and reflexes were simply too strong.
Even Pakura had to admit it.
Gekko Chizan only gave a faint smile in response.
"It's fine. Taking second place in the team battle is enough. Rin and Obito's performance clearly qualifies them for chūnin—no one will doubt that."
"As for Yugito, every village has its geniuses. Weren't you once Sunagakure's genius yourself?"
"As for tomorrow's individual competition, Yugito will probably take first place too."