The conference room of the Konoha Command was filled with smoke.
Fugaku sat at the head of the table, his hands clasped under his chin, his crimson Sharingan slowly scanning the clan heads present.
"Everyone, Kirigakure plundered forty billion Ryo from the Land of Fire. Now their military strength is depleted, and this is our best chance to counterattack."
Choza snorted, his corpulent body leaning slightly forward, "Counterattack? Clan head Fugaku, your Uchiha clan has already reaped enough benefits on the Iwagakure battlefield. Now you want to monopolize Kirigakure's wealth too?"
Shun chuckled, a hint of mockery flashing in his eyes. "Clan head Choza, if your Yamanaka, Nara, and Akimichi clans truly have the ability, you can also demand compensation from Kumogakure."
Shikaku narrowed his eyes, gently tapping his temple with his finger. "Captain Shun, you can't say that. Our Yamanaka, Nara, and Akimichi clans are responsible for tying down Kumogakure's main forces. Otherwise, how would the Uchiha clan have had the chance to show off their skills on the Iwagakure battlefield?"
Unkai sneered, "Tying down? How come I heard that Kumogakure's AB duo almost broke through your defenses?"
The atmosphere in the conference room instantly became tense.
Hiashi watched coldly, finally speaking, "Arguing is useless. The question now is, who will attack Kirigakure, and who will stay behind to defend?"
Tetsu immediately chimed in, "Of course, the clan with the strongest combat power should lead the attack. The Kazami clan excels at tracking, so we must participate in the offense."
Inoichi slammed the table and said, "Nonsense! How many people are in your Kazami clan? The Yamanaka, Nara, and Akimichi clans, working together, are enough to sweep through the Kirigakure remnants."
Fugaku's Sharingan rotated slightly, and the temperature in the conference room seemed to drop sharply.
"Actually, there's no need to argue at all."
Everyone was startled, their gazes all turning to the speaker, Shun.
Shun slowly said, "We currently have over seven thousand people, while the Kirigakure ninjas who invaded the Land of Fire only amount to about two thousand. Instead of arguing about who goes and who stays, it's better to first disperse our forces, encircle and suppress them for three days, and completely eliminate the Kirigakure remnants within our borders."
"And then?" Shikaku narrowed his eyes.
Shun's lips curved slightly. "All Genin remain on guard, while Chunin and Jonin attack Kirigakure."
Hiashi frowned. "Genin on guard? That's not according to the rules."
Because the Hyuga clan excels at reconnaissance, many of their Genin survived, and they naturally weren't willing.
Shun sneered, "Rules? During the Third Great Ninja War, the Genin casualty rate is 78.6%. Sending them to their deaths in Kirigakure is worse than having them guard at home."
The conference room fell into a brief silence.
Fugaku slowly nodded. "Shun's suggestion is very reasonable. First, clear out the enemies within our borders, then concentrate our elite forces to attack Kirigakure."
"I agree." Unkai immediately echoed.
Shikaku pondered for a moment, then finally nodded. "Alright, but the distribution of spoils must be agreed upon beforehand."
Shun said indifferently, "Distributed according to war merits. Whoever kills more enemies gets more."
Tsume snorted, "Your Uchiha clan are much more efficient at killing enemies than us."
Watching the clan heads argue fiercely over the distribution of spoils, their faces flushed.
Shun slowly stood up and said, "Everyone, since you all want more spoils, why don't we make a deal?"
Tsume's ninja dog let out a low growl, and she narrowed her eyes. "A deal? What kind of deal?"
Shun smiled slightly, his tone calm but carrying an undeniable power. "As long as you support Fugaku-sama, to become the Fourth Hokage after the war ends, then the distribution of spoils can all be discussed."
The conference room suddenly fell silent.
Hiashi's pupils constricted slightly, and the veins on both sides of his forehead faintly appeared. He activated his Byakugan, as if to confirm whether he had misheard.
The clan head of the Yamanaka, Nara, and Akimichi clans exchanged glances. Shikaku gently tapped his temple, his eyes gleaming with calculation.
Shun chuckled. "I am merely stating a fact. Konoha now needs a strong leader, and Fugaku-sama is the most suitable candidate."
Choza's corpulent body leaned slightly forward, his tone low. "The selection of the Fourth Hokage should be decided by the village's higher-ups, not by an exchange of interests from a war."
Shun raised an eyebrow mockingly. "Higher-ups? Are you referring to Hiruzen and his advisor team? Or are you saying that your Yamanaka, Nara, and Akimichi clans have already internally decided on Minato?"
Shikaku's eyes grew cold. "Captain Shun, please mind your words."
Fugaku remained silent throughout, but his Sharingan slowly rotated, observing everyone's reactions.
Hiashi suddenly spoke, "If we support clan head Fugaku, how does the Uchiha clan plan to distribute the spoils?"
Shun shook his head and said, "The spoils will first be used to pay compensation for casualties on the Kumogakure and Kirigakure battlefields. The remaining will be distributed among the clans according to war merits."
The conference room fell silent. This condition was much more generous than what they had expected.
Shikaku pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "This matter cannot be decided by just a few of us clan heads. The appointment of the Hokage requires a Jonin vote, and even the approval of the Daimyo."
Shun stared at him and asked, "So, do your Yamanaka, Nara, and Akimichi clans support or oppose it?"
Shikaku did not answer immediately, but instead looked at Inoichi and Choza. Their eye contact lasted only a moment, but it was enough for Shun to catch their hesitation.
"We need time to consider." Shikaku finally said.
Shun sneered, "War waits for no one. Kirigakure is weak now, and it's the best time. If we drag this out..."
He deliberately didn't finish, but the meaning was clear. The longer it dragged on, the more variables there would be.
Finally, Tetsu was the first to break the silence. "If the spoils are distributed as you say, I support clan head Fugaku."
Unkai also nodded. "The Uchiha clan's strength and achievements indeed qualify them for the position of Hokage."
The Yamanaka, Nara, and Akimichi clan heads remained silent, but their attitudes had softened.
Fugaku stood up, his Mangekyo Sharingan slowly rotating, his voice authoritative. "Everyone, Konoha needs a new leader. And I can lead the village towards a stronger future."
A moment later, Shikaku slowly exhaled. "We will consider it carefully."
Shun nodded in satisfaction. "Very good. Then, the plan to encircle and suppress the Kirigakure remnants is settled."
The meeting ended, and the clan heads left one after another.
Over 7,000 Konoha ninjas spread out like a tide, launching an encirclement and suppression campaign against the Kirigakure remnants within the Land of Fire.
The outcome was without suspense. The Kirigakure ninjas were already demoralized and powerless to resist against an enemy three times their number.
Three days later, battle reports came in.
731 killed, 409 captured, and the remaining remnants fled to the Land of Hot Water.