The command tent fell into a brief silence where even a pin dropping could be heard.
Everyone's eyes were fixed on Uchiha Chiya, their faces filled with shock and disbelief.
Use money...
To redeem them?
Putting a price on the value of a Kage?
It was simply unheard of!
The rules of the ninja world had always been that the victor claimed the spoils, while the loser paid the price.
That price was usually land, resources, village commissions, secret techniques, or humiliating political treaties.
But directly putting a price tag on a Kage...
This...
This was practically grinding Kumogakure's and Iwagakure's last bit of dignity into the ground!
It would undoubtedly become a scandal that would shock the entire ninja world.
The Raikage and Tsuchikage would become the first Kage in history to be redeemed with money. That humiliation would forever remain in their records, and their villages would also be disgraced.
However, after the initial shock...
The veteran ninja present, especially those who truly understood the nature of war, such as Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo, and the heads of the major clans, all began to show thoughtful expressions.
What was war really fought for?
In the end, it came down to resources, ninja, and the economy!
Although Konoha had won this war...
The cost of fighting had been enormous, and the village's finances were far from abundant.
Compensation for the fallen, rebuilding homes, developing new techniques, maintaining a massive ninja force...
Every single one of these required enormous amounts of money.
If they could squeeze a huge amount of wealth out of the defeated villages...
Thinking of this, quite a few people began breathing a little faster.
It was not out of greed.
It was for the village's long term future.
With that money, Konoha would not only recover quickly, but could even enter a golden age of rapid development!
Uchiha Chiya noticed every change in their expressions.
The amused smile remained on his face as he slowly stood up. His voice was calm, yet carried unquestionable conviction.
"Do you think it's ridiculous? Do you think it lacks dignity?"
He looked around the tent with sharp eyes.
"But think about it carefully. Why did we wage this war and make so many sacrifices?
Was it for some meaningless pride?
Or was it for Konoha's real interests and long lasting peace?"
He paused before continuing, directly addressing the heart of the matter.
"Keeping the two Kage imprisoned seems like holding powerful bargaining chips, but in reality, it is a double edged sword.
With Iwagakure and Kumogakure left leaderless, internal chaos and even civil conflict are inevitable.
A chaotic neighbor may seem harmless in the short term.
But in the long run, uncontrolled chaos could give birth to even more extreme factions, or allow other ambitious forces to take advantage of the situation, creating unpredictable dangers along our borders.
What we need are neighbors who have been beaten into submission, who are capable of honoring treaties, and who remain relatively weak and stable.
Not two powder kegs that could explode at any moment."
"Secondly, keeping the two Kage imprisoned for a long time will constantly provoke the emotions of both villages.
Their sense of humiliation will continue to grow.
Their hatred will continue to accumulate.
Right now, they submit because they fear our strength.
But who can guarantee that in a few years, or even ten years from now, extremists will not appear under the banner of rescuing their Kage, willing to sacrifice everything to take revenge on Konoha?
Are we supposed to maintain maximum military readiness forever, constantly guarding against desperate retaliation from two great ninja villages?"
Danzo's expression became serious.
He completely agreed.
Back then, when their teacher had led them to Kumogakure, they had witnessed a coup with their own eyes.
"But what if we agree to let them redeem their Kage?"
Chiya smoothly changed the subject.
"First, we will obtain an enormous amount of money, far beyond ordinary war reparations.
Enough to support Konoha's rapid development for the next ten or even twenty years.
That money can provide generous compensation to the families of our fallen ninja, ensuring that the heroes' loved ones never have to worry again.
It can improve the welfare and equipment of every ninja.
It can invest more resources into education, medical care, and research, strengthening Konoha's very foundation.
Clan Heads, your clans will also receive their share of those resources, allowing you to recover and grow much faster."
His gaze swept across the representatives of the Nara, Yamanaka, Akimichi, Hyūga, and the other clans.
His words carried obvious temptation.
The representatives of the major clans visibly reacted.
War had weakened every clan.
If they could receive such a large amount of compensation...
"Second!"
Chiya continued.
"By releasing the two Kage, it may appear that we are giving up our leverage, but in reality, we gain the strategic initiative.
Iwagakure and Kumogakure will pay an enormous economic price.
That amount of money will drain years of their accumulated wealth and greatly slow their recovery.
For a very long time, they will no longer be capable of posing a real threat to Konoha.
At the same time, they will have bought back their own Kage with money.
That very transaction places them in a lower psychological position.
It will become difficult for them to confidently regard Konoha as their mortal enemy.
Because it was we who allowed them to redeem their Kage.
In a sense, we hold the initiative because we are the ones granting them this opportunity."
"Third, and most importantly!"
A trace of cold mockery entered Chiya's voice.
"The act of buying back their Kage with money is itself a devastating blow to both the Kage's authority and their villages' prestige.
The authority of the Raikage and Tsuchikage will be greatly weakened.
Every decision they make in the future will be followed by whispers saying, 'That was the decision made by the Kage who had to be redeemed from Konoha.'
That will plant seeds of distrust within their own villages.
It will consume their attention and energy, leaving them unable to focus elsewhere.
Meanwhile, Konoha gains real benefits without shedding another drop of blood.
We weaken our enemies.
And we even gain a slight moral advantage.
After all...
We agreed to their request to redeem their Kage.
That makes us appear merciful."
His explanation peeled away every layer of the issue, fully revealing the far reaching benefits and strategic thinking hidden behind what had first sounded like the absurd idea of redeeming prisoners with money.
The tent fell silent once again.
But this silence was completely different from before.
It was no longer filled with confusion and disbelief.
Instead...
It was filled with deep thought, growing excitement, and increasing agreement.
"Brilliant!"
The head of the Nara Clan was the first to clap in admiration.
Wisdom shone in his eyes.
"Clan Head Chiya's plan may appear absurd, but it is truly farsighted.
Using economic interests to secure long term strategic safety, maximizing our gains from the war while weakening our enemies from within...
Remarkable!"
"That's absolutely right!"
The representative of the Yamanaka Clan nodded in agreement.
"This way, we gain the money we desperately need, avoid the long term risks of keeping hostages, and deal a psychological blow to our enemies.
We gain multiple advantages at once!"
"I support Clan Head Chiya's proposal!"
The head of the Akimichi Clan spoke with a booming voice.
"With that money, the village can accomplish so many things! The brothers who sacrificed their lives will also receive much better compensation!"
Hyūga Sakusei also gave a slight nod.
"This plan benefits the village's long term development.
The Hyūga Clan has no objections."
Even Danzo, who had originally advocated overwhelming pressure, had a sharp light flash through his single eye.
He realized that although Chiya's method seemed gentler on the surface...
The damage and control it would create could actually be far deeper and longer lasting than simple military oppression.
Compared to his own methods...
This approach killed without spilling blood.
It was gentler, more sinister, and far more effective over time.
After remaining silent for a moment, he finally spoke in a hoarse voice.
"...If the amount is large enough to cripple Kumogakure and Iwagakure for several decades, then I have no objections."
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at everyone, who had so quickly reached a consensus.
Then he looked at Chiya, who still wore a calm smile, as though everything had always been within his expectations.
The last trace of hesitation in his heart disappeared.
He had to admit...
Chiya saw much farther than he did.
Taking a deep breath, he firmly struck his pipe against the table.
"Good! We'll do exactly as Chiya suggested!
Immediately send Konoha's decision to Kumogakure and Iwagakure.
If they want their Kage back...
Fine.
Then let them show enough sincerity to redeem them!"
The atmosphere inside the tent instantly became lively.
Everyone immediately began discussing how to draft this unprecedented ransom list.
How much should they demand?
How should payment be made?
What additional political conditions should be included?
Every face was filled with hope for the future, along with admiration and respect for Uchiha Chiya's deep wisdom.
This young Clan Head possessed not only overwhelming power...
But also political wisdom and strategic vision far beyond ordinary people.
Konoha's future...
Would surely rise to an entirely new and unprecedented height because of him.
Looking at Uchiha Chiya, Hiruzen Sarutobi could not help but sigh inwardly.
'Uchiha Chiya truly is Konoha's future.'
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