Koharu Utatane remained silent for a moment before exchanging a glance with Homura Mitokado, then she looked back at Shinichi and spoke.
"Shinichi, I generally understand your analysis and deployment. Abandoning Rinkai City, exchanging space for time, luring the enemy deeper inland, and seeking opportunities for annihilation through mobility, strategically speaking, there is indeed logic to it."
"However, Rinkai City is ultimately a major city on the southeastern coast of the Land of Fire. Abandoning an entire city involves not only military considerations but also the Daimyo's attitude. We must first report the matter to the Hokage. Only after receiving the Hokage's approval can we explain the situation to his highness the Daimyo."
Homura Mitokado nodded in agreement from the side. "That is indeed the case. This matter cannot be decided unilaterally by us. In addition, how to safely evacuate the citizens of Rinkai City is also a massive undertaking."
Shinichi calmly nodded. "The two elders may decide as they see fit."
"Then let it be so for now. You four should go and rest first. Afterward, Homura and I will immediately communicate with the village. Once there is news, I will notify you immediately."
"Yes!"
The four captains responded in unison and turned to leave the command headquarters.
...
More than ten minutes later, at Konoha, inside the Hokage's office.
A classified document jointly signed by Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane was delivered through the communications division's encrypted channel and placed on the Hokage's desk at the fastest possible speed.
The third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, set down the pipe in his hand and carefully read through the detailed report and strategic analysis.
After finishing, he remained silent for a moment, then he picked up his pipe again, lit it, took a deep drag, and began writing a document to be submitted to the Fire Daimyo.
That afternoon, the capital of the Land of Fire, in the Daimyo residence.
The Fire Daimyo sat upright in the seat of honor, reading the letter and strategic report urgently sent by the third Hokage.
He read very carefully. At times his brows furrowed tightly, and at times they relaxed slightly, his expression changing several times.
After putting down the papers, the Fire Daimyo fell into silence, his face somewhat unpleasant.
This was only natural.
After all, the fundamental purpose of Konoha's ninja was to protect the nation and defend every inch of the Land of Fire's territory.
Yet now they were being asked to voluntarily abandon a city.
Emotionally, that was difficult to accept.
Moreover, Rinkai City was the key overland gateway along the southeastern coast of the Land of Fire, a prosperous coastal city.
Before the war broke out, merchants gathered there in great numbers, and the taxes it contributed every year were considerable.
Once abandoned, not only would there be immediate economic losses, but postwar reconstruction would also require enormous amounts of manpower and resources.
However, the Fire Daimyo was ultimately a man who had weathered twenty years of political storms.
Upon further thought, the country was currently in a state of war, and surrounding trade had essentially collapsed. The economic value of Rinkai City was now little more than a name.
Rather than letting it become a field of ruins during this war, it would be better to cooperate with Konoha's strategy and end the war as soon as possible.
Cities could be rebuilt after the war, but if the people were all lost, that would be the real damage.
Moreover, the person who proposed this strategy…
The Fire Daimyo's gaze once again fell upon the name written on the document, Shinichi Higashino.
He remained silent for a long time before finally setting down the document and slowly speaking.
"Very well. We shall do it this way."
Turning toward the elderly minister standing beside him, he said, "Sosho, pass down the order. Have officials at every level fully cooperate with all of Konoha's actions. There must be no mistakes."
"Yes, your highness!"
Sosho bowed and accepted the order before quickly leaving the hall.
That evening, in Konoha's southeastern headquarters, at the command center.
Koharu Utatane once again summoned the four brigade captains.
"The Daimyo-sama has already approved our request."
Getting straight to the point, her gaze fell upon Shinichi.
"Then the evacuation of Rinkai City and the surrounding regions will be entrusted to you for overall coordination, Shinichi."
As soon as she finished speaking, Shinichi appeared fully prepared. He took several documents that had already been organized from within his robes, first presenting them to the two elders before distributing copies to chief strategist Shikaku Nara and the three captains.
Seeing this, Koharu Utatane nodded inwardly; this child was always so well prepared.
She accepted the documents and carefully reviewed them.
The contents were clear and orderly.
From the scheduling of evacuation waves and the grouping methods for residents in various regions to the segmented planning of retreat routes… to contingency plans for unexpected situations, every item was accompanied by detailed implementation methods and suggested personnel assignments.
The more Koharu read, the more satisfied she became.
After a moment, she set down the documents and looked around at everyone.
"I think this plan is already very comprehensive. Does anyone have any objections?"
"I have none."
Homura Mitokado adjusted his glasses and was the first to speak.
"Neither do I."
Shikaku Nara followed.
Although his answer was straightforward, inwardly, he could not help but complain helplessly. Ever since arriving at the southeastern front as chief strategist, Shikaku increasingly felt that his position had little purpose.
Shinichi handled predictions.
Shinichi handled strategic deployments.
Shinichi handled tactical arrangements.
Even something as intricate as civilian evacuation, which required coordination from multiple parties, already had a complete plan prepared by Shinichi.
It felt as though there was nothing left for him to think about.
Whenever he wanted to contribute by finding overlooked details, he discovered that the things Shinichi produced were usually so flawless that all he needed to do was read them and nod.
Compared to a true chief strategist, he felt more like a tool whose purpose was simply to say: "I have no objections."
"None!"
"Good!"
Seeing this, Koharu Utatane nodded and said, "Since none of you have objections, we will proceed according to this plan. Shinichi will oversee the overall operation. You three captains will assist from the side. Ensure that every defense zone properly coordinates its connections, cover operations, and contingency responses for any unexpected situations that may arise during the evacuation."
"Yes!"
Everyone answered in unison before turning and leaving the command headquarters.
As they stepped outside the tent, dusk was gradually deepening.
Walking among the group, Fugaku Uchiha maintained a calm expression, but an uncontrollable excitement surged within him.
He had made the right bet.
From the undisguised trust and responsibility that the two elders had just placed in Shinichi… Shinichi Higashino was almost certainly the leading candidate in Konoha's upper ranks for the next generation's Hokage.
Next, he would need to find a suitable opportunity to have Itachi become Shinichi's student.
Even if it's not Itachi…
At the very least, there had to be a Uchiha Clansman who could establish an official master-student relationship with Shinichi.
Such a bond would further strengthen relations between the two sides and could even provide access to relevant political resources in the future.
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