CHAPTER 148
At the Konoha main encampment on the Land of Rice Fields front, the main Konoha force had already retreated, but Orochimaru was not among them. Halfway back, he had already taken Roshi's corpse and impatiently headed for the rear command headquarters. He departed swiftly and decisively. Akimichi Torifu watched the direction Orochimaru had gone without saying another word. He knew that at such a critical moment, Orochimaru would not truly leave the battlefield. He had merely gone to deal with that priceless corpse first.
After returning to the encampment, Akimichi Torifu immediately issued several orders. He instructed every unit to strengthen its defenses and enter a state of maximum alert. Afterwards, together with the pale-faced Inoichi Yamanaka, who had only just regained consciousness, he summoned all twenty-five survivors from Outpost No. 8 into a separate tent.
Before entering, Might Guy hurriedly swept his eyes across the camp. He spotted Kurenai Yuhi, Shikuro Nara, and Asuma Sarutobi. The three had remained on duty at the main encampment and had not accompanied the reinforcement force earlier. Guy simply nodded toward them from a distance in greeting. Kurenai and Shikuro immediately noticed him, their expressions filled with concern and silent questions. However, everyone understood that this was not the time for conversation.
Once inside the tent, Akimichi Torifu motioned for everyone to sit before turning toward Uchiha Feiquan with a solemn expression.
"Captain Feiquan, there are no outsiders here now."
"I need the complete truth about the battle at Outpost No. 8."
"Every detail."
Uchiha Feiquan drew a deep breath.
This time, he concealed nothing.
He recounted the battle exactly as it had unfolded, including Roshi specifically demanding Might Guy, Ebisu, and Shiranui Genma by name, as well as how Guy had released the massive quantity of seawater from a high-level sealing scroll and how Ebisu and Genma had coordinated with their twin swords, Hiramekarei, to severely injure Roshi and create the opportunity to defeat the Four-Tails Jinchuriki.
He also honestly explained why he had deliberately concealed those facts earlier.
It was because he feared that if the truth became public, Iwagakure would direct all of its hatred over Roshi's death toward Might Guy, Ebisu, and Genma, launching relentless retaliation against the three of them.
"So that's what happened..."
After hearing everything, Akimichi Torifu silently observed the expressions of every surviving Uchiha inside the tent.
None of them showed surprise.
Instead, every one of them silently acknowledged their captain's explanation.
Might Guy, Ebisu, and Genma also remained quiet.
Clearly, everything Uchiha Feiquan had said was the truth.
"So it really happened that way..."
Akimichi Torifu took a long look at the three young Ninja before shifting his gaze back to Uchiha Feiquan, finally understanding everything.
"No wonder the usually proud and exclusive Uchiha Clan has shown such rare acceptance and even taken the initiative to protect these three young Ninja from outside the clan."
He slowly drew a breath before speaking.
"I understand."
"I'll keep this matter confidential for the time being."
"It will remain limited to everyone inside this tent."
He paused before emphasizing his next words.
"At least until the direction of this war becomes clear, the official account will be..."
"Captain Uchiha Feiquan led the defenders of Outpost No. 8 through a desperate battle..."
"...and ultimately slew the Four-Tails Jinchuriki, Roshi."
Upon hearing those words, the tension on Uchiha Feiquan's face finally eased somewhat.
He nodded solemnly.
"Thank you, Commander Torifu."
Akimichi Torifu then dismissed everyone else, informing them that the camp would arrange new quarters for the survivors from Outpost No. 8.
One after another, everyone stood and left.
Only Uchiha Feiquan hesitated before remaining behind.
After the others had exited the tent, he lowered his voice and looked toward Akimichi Torifu.
"Commander Torifu... what exactly was the intelligence hidden inside Roshi's memories?"
"Kitsuchi's reaction... and yours, as well as Captain Inoichi's..."
"Is it really that serious?"
Akimichi Torifu looked at him quietly.
After a long silence, he still chose not to answer directly.
Instead, he spoke in a heavy voice.
"Captain Feiquan, you don't need to know the specifics."
"You only need to understand one thing."
"From this point onward..."
"We will very likely face the fiercest retaliation Iwagakure has ever launched."
"The Land of Rice Fields front may even become one of the bloodiest battlefields of this entire war."
"You and every member of your unit must prepare yourselves for the worst."
Uchiha Feiquan felt his heart tighten.
Although Akimichi Torifu had not revealed the actual intelligence, his meaning was already unmistakably clear.
Iwagakure's retaliation would be far more terrifying than anyone had anticipated.
As the man who personally killed Roshi, he, Uchiha Feiquan, and the entire Uchiha unit that fought at Outpost No. 8 would inevitably become Iwagakure's foremost target for revenge.
Yet no fear appeared on Uchiha Feiquan's face.
Instead, he straightened his back proudly.
"I understand."
"But I have no regrets."
"If Roshi hadn't died that night..."
"...everyone at Outpost No. 8 would already be dead."
Immediately afterward, he looked directly at Akimichi Torifu.
"However, Commander Torifu..."
"I have one request."
"Transfer Might Guy, Ebisu, and Shiranui Genma out of my unit."
Akimichi Torifu paused briefly.
He instantly understood Uchiha Feiquan's intentions.
"...Agreed."
He knew Feiquan was trying to protect the three of them.
From now on, wherever Uchiha Feiquan was stationed would undoubtedly become the eye of the storm.
It would become the highest-priority target of every Iwagakure assault.
If Guy and the others remained by his side, even if Feiquan risked his own life protecting them, they would still be dragged into the most dangerous battles.
Moving them elsewhere...
...was the safest way to protect them.
"Thank you."
Uchiha Feiquan gave a respectful nod before turning and leaving the tent.
Only Akimichi Torifu and Inoichi Yamanaka remained inside.
The two men exchanged a glance.
Neither needed to say a word.
They both understood the other's resolve.
Regarding the core intelligence extracted from Roshi's memories...
The secret plan to ambush the Third Raikage...
It absolutely...
Absolutely...
Could not be leaked.
Especially not among the ordinary Ninja stationed on the front line.
If Iwagakure truly launched its coming offensive...
There could be only one official explanation.
It was retaliation for Uchiha Feiquan killing the Four-Tails Jinchuriki, Roshi.
This was not an attempt to shift blame or make the Uchiha shoulder responsibility.
It was all for one reason.
Morale.
If the Ninja of Konoha learned...
That Iwagakure's unprecedented offensive was not simply revenge for Roshi's death...
But because Konoha had uncovered Iwagakure's secret plan to ambush Kumogakure, forcing them to redirect their strategic objective toward Konoha...
Then regardless of how fiercely they fought or how many comrades died...
Many soldiers would inevitably begin to question everything.
They would feel...
That this catastrophe had been brought upon them unnecessarily.
That it was a disaster resulting from decisions made by the higher authorities, such as refusing to return Roshi's corpse and probing his memories.
Such thoughts would deal a devastating blow to morale.
However...
If the coming great battle...
Was instead presented as Iwagakure's mad retaliation against Konoha after their hero, Uchiha Feiquan, killed the Four-Tails Jinchuriki Roshi...
Then everything would be different.
This would become the enemy's revenge against a hero of Konoha.
Proof of Iwagakure's cruelty.
A battle fought to defend Konoha's honor and protect their comrades.
Konoha Shinobi had never feared retaliation from their enemies.
Such a narrative would unite the army far more effectively.
It would ignite everyone's determination to fight with one heart against a common enemy.
"Inoichi."
Akimichi Torifu looked toward Inoichi Yamanaka, his voice resolute.
"Immediately use every communication channel available."
"Spread the news that Captain Uchiha Feiquan led the defenders of Outpost No. 8 in a desperate battle last night..."
"...and personally killed the Four-Tails Jinchuriki, Roshi."
"Spread it across the entire front line as quickly as possible."
"I want everyone to know before tonight is over."
"I want every Konoha Shinobi to know..."
"That one of Konoha's heroes has slain an enemy Jinchuriki."
Although Inoichi Yamanaka was still exhausted from using his clan's secret techniques, his eyes remained sharp as he nodded heavily.
"Understood."
"I'll handle it immediately."
After speaking, he forced himself to remain conscious and quickly left the tent to carry out this extremely important mission of controlling information and guiding morale.
Only Akimichi Torifu remained inside.
He slowly walked toward the entrance and lifted a corner of the tent flap.
Looking into the distance beyond the encampment, toward the direction from which the Iwagakure army might arrive...
Even his usually unwavering expression could no longer completely conceal the faint trace of worry lingering within his eyes.
"Iwagakure..."
"For this retaliation..."
"...who will you send next?"