Sometimes, the truth is simple.
But when people who lack critical thinking follow the crowd, they get trapped in a cycle of limited perspectives. Only those who break free from this pattern can accomplish great things.
Uchiha Itachi was clearly one of those individuals.
After all, he had once made the ruthless decision to execute his own parents.
Of course, this was deeply tied to the Uchiha clan's long history of ideological extremism and the curse of hatred that had plagued them for generations.
But even so, Itachi's way of thinking was distinct from others.
That was precisely why Bai Ye had chosen him to answer Sarutobi Hiruzen's question.
At the village gates, a crowd had gathered.
Among them, only a select few truly grasped the deeper implications of today's events.
"It might seem like Captain Bai Ye acted recklessly today, but in reality, his decision poses no risk to Konoha," Itachi analyzed, his voice steady and unwavering. "In fact, his actions may bring great benefits."
The crowd listened intently.
"There is precedent in the ninja world for a Kage appearing in person for negotiations," Itachi continued, "but such decisions always come with great risks."
"For instance, consider the fate of the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama."
A ripple of tension spread through the audience.
Senju Tobirama—the legendary leader who had elevated Konoha to the status of the strongest village.
Everyone knew how he had met his end.
Confident in his strength, he had personally led a delegation to the Land of Lightning, hoping to secure a treaty. But on his return journey, he was ambushed by Kinkaku and Ginkaku of the Hidden Cloud and ultimately sacrificed himself so that Sarutobi Hiruzen and the others could escape.
His death had been a devastating blow to Konoha.
This incident alone was proof of how dangerous it was for a Kage to take the lead in negotiations.
But perhaps, at the time, Tobirama had no other choice. Konoha had been depleted by war, and capable leaders were scarce. Even his decision to pass the Hokage mantle to Sarutobi Hiruzen had been made out of necessity rather than preference.
"In the same way," Itachi continued, "Fourth Raikage's decision to come to Konoha personally was a foolish one."
He let out a sigh before continuing.
"His confidence in his own strength blinded him. Even upon arriving in Konoha, he recklessly provoked the Guard, disturbing the peace and damaging village property."
"Worse yet, he severely underestimated the strength of the Uchiha Guard."
A murmur of agreement spread through the surrounding ninja.
"And now, he's paying the price for it," Itachi stated.
"But what does that change?"
Mitokado Homura scoffed, clearly unwilling to accept Itachi's argument.
"Even if Raikage is now a hostage, the Hidden Cloud is full of war fanatics. What if they retaliate with an all-out war?"
Itachi turned his gaze to Homura, a glint of disappointment in his eyes.
"His life is in our hands," Itachi said flatly. "You understand that, don't you? The shinobi of Cloud Village follow Raikage's commands without question. His capture puts them in a position where they must act carefully."
The weight of his words hung in the air.
Itachi's remark also carried an unspoken message—one that Hiruzen Sarutobi understood all too well.
Compared to Raikage, Hokage's prestige in Konoha was… questionable.
Sarutobi's face darkened.
He had trained Itachi as his loyal pawn, yet now, in front of everyone, that very pawn was exposing the flaws in his leadership.
"And even if Raikage himself isn't able to control Cloud Shinobi Village's response," Itachi continued, "do they really have the resources to launch a full-scale war?"
His words were now directed at Bai Ye, his expression slightly complicated.
This was not something Itachi had realized on his own.
During his time in the Guard, Bai Ye had once casually mentioned this exact scenario.
"Cloud Shinobi Village suffered heavy losses in the Third Great Ninja War," Itachi recalled Bai Ye's words. "They clashed frequently with Iwagakure, and though they emerged with fewer casualties than Konoha, they still endured significant depletion."
"But unlike Konoha, they don't have the same level of economic and military recovery."
Itachi let that sink in before continuing.
"So why would Cloud Shinobi Village insist on negotiations, despite their aggressive stance?"
The answer was clear.
"They know their village can't afford another war," Itachi stated.
"But if they want to gain leverage in negotiations, they have to pretend otherwise."
Itachi's gaze swept over the crowd.
"Their arrogance, their provocations—these are all tactics to create the illusion that they are willing to go to war."
"But if you look at their actual behavior, it's obvious that they never intended to leave Konoha without a treaty."
"They tolerated the Uchiha Guard's resistance time and time again because they had no choice."
"Konoha cannot afford war," Itachi concluded, "but neither can Cloud Shinobi Village."
"This is a battle of psychological warfare."
"Which is why Captain Bai Ye's actions were not reckless—they were strategic."
At this point, the gathered shinobi were nodding in agreement.
Even those who had initially doubted Bai Ye were beginning to see the logic in his approach.
The only one who seemed increasingly agitated was Sarutobi Hiruzen.
His fists clenched at his sides, his face contorted in frustration.
It was no wonder he looked so humiliated.
After all, one of the undercover agents he had planted in the Guard had just dismantled his entire argument—right in front of him.
And worse still…
In the eyes of the crowd, Bai Ye had just gone from being a controversial figure to a Konoha hero.
He had single-handedly turned a potentially disastrous situation into a massive political advantage.
With Raikage as a bargaining chip, Cloud Shinobi Village would be forced to offer reparations.
The risk of war had not only been neutralized but flipped in Konoha's favor.
A tactical masterstroke.
People's gazes toward Bai Ye changed.
No longer skeptical—now, they were filled with admiration.
But Bai Ye himself?
He didn't seem to care.
"Well said," Bai Ye remarked casually.
"Detailed enough."
"But this captain still has one more thing to add."
Itachi stiffened slightly.
Did he miss something?
Had his response been incomplete?
He tensed, awaiting Bai Ye's words.
"I didn't just beat him for strategy," Bai Ye said, his voice calm yet unwavering.
"I beat him for another reason."
He turned slightly, his cloak billowing behind him.
"No one breaks the laws of the Uchiha Guard."
His voice carried throughout the village entrance.
"The Konoha Ordinance explicitly forbids combat in public areas."
"Violators are to be detained for 10 to 30 days."
With a swift wave of his hand, Bai Ye issued his final command.
"Take the prisoner to the detention center."
His voice was indifferent, but his authority was absolute.
As he strode away, the gathered villagers and shinobi stood in silent respect, watching his retreating figure.
He had spoken not as a rogue element, nor as a rebel against the Hokage.
But as the Captain of the Uchiha Guard.
And in that moment, there was only one thought in their minds—
This man truly ruled the battlefield.
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