The domineering Uchiha drove the Third Hokage mad!

At dawn, outside the Leaf Village outpost on the border of the Land of Grass.

More than 5,000 prisoners of Iwagakure were imprisoned within a makeshift barrier.

When Onoki's figure appeared on the horizon, the prisoners stirred, their eyes igniting with hope.

"The Third Tsuchikage... has arrived."

"He's here...to save us!"

"The Third Tsuchikage... he really won't abandon us!"

Cheers rose and fell; although these Iwagakure ninjas had been defeated and captured, their morale had not completely collapsed.

They believed their leader would find a way to bring them home.

However, hope comes quickly and goes even faster.

Onoki entered the central tent and emerged less than half an hour later with a gloomy face. He immediately used the Light-Heavy Rock Technique to fly away without even glancing at the prisoner camp.

"The Third Tsuchikage...has abandoned us?"

"300 billion ryo... So even the Tsuchikage... can't come up with that?"

"We...we've been used as expendable pawns..."

Despair spread like a plague. Some began to pound on the barrier, some cursed under their breath, and many more slumped to the ground, their eyes vacant.

The commotion escalated, and the Konoha ninja on guard gripped their kunai tightly in fear. The news quickly reached the central tent.

A Uchiha ninja knelt on one knee and reported, "Clan Chief Fugaku, there's a disturbance in the prisoner-of-war camp. They seem to think Onoki has abandoned them."

Fugaku Uchiha was reviewing the details of the ceasefire agreement when he said in a deep voice, "Mitsubone, go and handle this matter."

"clear."

A few minutes later, Uchiha Mitsunori walked to the front of the prisoner camp.

He crossed his arms, cleared his throat, and said, "Gentlemen of Iwagakure! The Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, just went to the Land of Earth to apply for war reparations from the daimyo. The 300 billion ryo will be delivered in full by noon, at which time you will be able to return safely."

Whispers arose within the barrier.

"Liar! How could negotiations end so quickly? 3 billion taels, not 300 million taels! How could Daimyo possibly give that up so easily?"

"You evil Uchiha...you're definitely up to something again!"

"They won't even give us breakfast...are they trying to starve us to death?"

Despite these doubts, Uchiha Mitsunori's smile remained unchanged.

He had anticipated this reaction. The war had lasted for more than a year, accumulating countless blood feuds. How could a few words easily resolve such a conflict?

Then, in a serious voice, he shouted, "The war has lasted for more than a year, and both sides have suffered casualties. It's perfectly normal to have grudges. But please face reality... Now it is our Konoha... who has defeated your Iwagakure."

Some Iwagakure ninja shouted defiantly, "Haha~ Is Konoha out of talent? We'll let you, you baby-faced guy, have your way!"

Uchiha Mitsumine wasn't angry. He changed the subject: "The fact that you've survived this war to this day proves that you are no ordinary people. We Uchiha have a tradition of respecting the strong, so even though you are now prisoners, we haven't mistreated or insulted you. Because we know... this defeat... is not your fault!"

He paused deliberately, making his words, like a spinning shuriken, precisely strike the prisoners' most vulnerable spot.

Seeing that many people's expressions relaxed, he continued, "If it weren't for your Iwagakure killing the Third Raikage three days ago, the Fourth Raikage wouldn't have declared war on you. If you weren't facing the pressure of fighting on two fronts, you wouldn't have risked attacking our Konoha stronghold last night, and you wouldn't have fallen into our ambush."

Uchiha Mitsunori raised his right hand and exclaimed emotionally, "Actually, we in Konoha... based on the death of the Third Raikage... predicted in advance... that you would launch a sneak attack last night. Therefore, this defeat was inevitable, a mistake by the decision-makers, and has nothing to do with the bravery of the soldiers on the front lines."

The atmosphere within the barrier subtly changed.

The prisoners whispered among themselves, and many of them showed expressions of relief.

Yes, they fought valiantly until now, how could they suddenly suffer such a crushing defeat? It turns out it was due to a misjudgment by the higher-ups...

Uchiha Mitsunori sneered inwardly; he had already prepared this explanation long ago.

In my past life, when I lost a game, people would often blame my teammates.

This technique still works very well in the Naruto world.

Seeing that the commotion had gradually subsided, Uchiha Mitsunori nodded in satisfaction and left.

Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of three familiar figures walking toward the central tent.

"Minato Namikaze, Kakashi, Rin Nohara, what are they doing here?"

Minato Namikaze bowed deeply and sincerely apologized, "Clan Chief Fugaku, regarding Obito... I'm very sorry... I failed to take good care of him."

Kakashi Hatake and Rin Nohara behind them also bowed... especially Rin Nohara, whose eyes were red and swollen, clearly having just cried.

Fugaku Uchiha, already accustomed to life and death, coldly stated, "Life and death on the battlefield are predestined, Minato-kun... there's no need to blame yourself... it was Obito's bad luck!"

Minato Namikaze looked up, his azure eyes filled with remorse: "But... if I could have defeated the enemy faster... and if my plan had been more meticulous..."

Upon hearing these words, Uchiha Mitsunori stormed into the tent and sneered, "Namikaze Minato, stop pretending! As the commander-in-chief of the eastern front, you've fought the Fourth Raikage so many times, how could you not know his character?"

Minato Namikaze was stunned: "Mitsumine-kun, what do you mean by this?"

"Iwagakure killed the Third Raikage, and the Fourth Raikage will inevitably seek revenge for his father and declare war on Iwagakure. Therefore, Iwagakure has deployed troops on the border of Takigakure to defend against an attack from Kumogakure. Under these circumstances, the Kannabi Bridge mission offers no benefit to Konoha! You knowingly carried it out, aren't you just trying to steal our Uchiha's credit and pave the way for your becoming the Fourth Hokage?!"

When someone brought the words to light, the tent fell into a deathly silence.

Kakashi Hatake's eyes widened, and his breathing became rapid.

He recalled Obito's dying words, that idiot who was always late, and his radiant smile at the end... Was it all just a political charade?

"What you're saying... is it true?"

Rin Nohara covered her mouth, tears welling up in her eyes: "No... Obito... he..."

Minato Namikaze's face instantly turned pale: "Mitsubin-kun, you've misunderstood... I never thought that way..."

Uchiha Mitsunori sneered, "The war has been going on for over a year, and our Konoha is facing a severe shortage of supplies. If Iwagakure really wants to transport supplies across the Kannabi Bridge, then you'll be tasked with seizing those supplies, not blowing up a bridge!"

"To cooperate with your show, they sent Jonin Mimura Yozaki with 100 ninjas to guard the border of Takigawa Country. Moreover, Hiruzen Sarutobi gave you the Kannabi Bridge mission, which you were to carry out alone. But you brought three disciples with you, which slowed down your march, resulting in 96 of the 100 ninjas who were supposed to cooperate with your show dying in vain."

Minato Namikaze staggered backward, his face pale, and said, "I...I didn't know the truth...really!"

Uchiha Mitsunori, undeterred by his initial advantage, pressed on relentlessly: "Iwagakure is already adept at Earth Release; building a bridge wouldn't even take a minute. Besides, we ninjas can jump through trees and run on water; what's the point of blowing up a bridge? Blowing up a bridge is such a lame excuse, isn't it laughable!"

Fugaku Uchiha stood up, his eyes sweeping over the crowd: "Enough! The war is not completely over yet, and internal disputes are meaningless."

Uchiha Mitsunori reluctantly took a step back, but still glared fiercely at Namikaze Minato.

Fugaku Uchiha walked up to Minato Namikaze and calmly said, "Obito sacrificed himself for Konoha, and the Uchiha are proud of him. I believe you didn't mean it..."

Minato Namikaze bowed deeply and led two dazed students out of the main tent.

Uchiha Mitsumine said indignantly, "Clan head, you're too lenient! That Minato Namikaze clearly..."

Fugaku Uchiha interrupted him: "Mitsubone. Remember, a true strong person doesn't need to prove themselves by criticizing others."

Outside the tent, Kakashi was still in shock.

He mechanically followed Minato, the words of the Uchiha Mitsuru echoing in his mind.

If the Kannabi Bridge mission is truly insignificant, then what about Obito's sacrifice?