Konoha Notes

Chapter 115 Guarding the Crane
Ebizo's posture made Izumo and Kotetsu instinctively hold their breath, while Anko's gaze shifted subtly between Shuji and Ebizo—based on her previous experience, they were about to get down to business.

Shuji sat upright, his fingertips lightly tracing the rim of the teacup.

Ebizo's anxiety indicates that Sunagakure is facing considerable pressure. Whether this pressure stems from the aggressive stance of Iwagakure to the west or the increasingly strained finances of the Land of Wind, it signifies that Sunagakure needs something more substantial than anticipated.

They do need the potential benefits of this joint exam, but Konoha and Sunagakure have completely different needs.

Konoha's focus is on redistributing mission quotas based on the strength demonstrated after the exams to attract long-term investment; while Sunagakure probably hopes to immediately obtain financial or material support to alleviate its immediate crisis.

So, can we provide them with support? Strategically speaking, yes. Keeping Sunagakure engaged in a tug-of-war with Iwagakure on the western front serves Konoha's interests.

Appropriate resource support will enable Sunagakure to better serve as this barrier.

But can this strategically motivated support be tied to participation in the Chunin Exams and used as leverage at this moment?
Xiu Si shook his head inwardly, deciding to keep things separate.

The Chunin Exams were a platform established by Konoha to showcase strength and reshape order. Sunagakure's participation itself could benefit them—observing the new generation of ninja from other villages, enhancing the reputation of their own ninja, and thus gaining opportunities to secure more high-level missions. It was, in essence, a fair trade.

Therefore, this matter should not be confused with the material support that Konoha later provided for strategic purposes.

Such concessions will only embolden Sunagakure's appetite.

During the last mission, Konoha was in dire straits, so they spared no effort to stabilize Sunagakure and prevent a complete collapse.

The situation has changed. The fighting on the western front has subsided, and an alliance has been signed on the eastern front, giving Konoha a much-needed respite.

Currently, Konoha wants to open up a new chapter through the Chunin Exams; but Sunagakure seems to be in greater need of external resources to alleviate internal pressure.

Since it's not Konoha that's in a hurry, there's no need to rush into negotiations.

Having made up his mind, Shuji's face showed the same expression that Ebizo was already quite familiar with and disliked.

He stood up: "We will always remember the hospitality of Advisor Ebizo. I have also truly felt the sincerity of Sunagakure."

"It's getting late, and we've had a long journey, so we'll take our leave now."

Shuji turned to the three team members: "Let's go."

Red Bean immediately followed. Izumo and Tetsuo were stunned for a moment, then hurriedly got up and followed closely behind.

Ebizo's eyes widened in disbelief. He had prepared a feast and personally entertained the guests, and this kid had eaten and drunk his fill, only to think he could just walk away so easily? Without even a proper reply?
"Jonin Shuji!" His voice rose, tinged with a hint of fierceness. "Is this how Konoha requests assistance from its allies?"

Shuji stopped at the doorway, turning slightly to the side, the shadow of the corridor falling on half of his face: "Advisor, Konoha's attitude has always been positive and sincere. But precisely because we value our alliance with Sunagakure, we must be even more cautious in our words and actions. To rashly make promises that we cannot be sure of fulfilling would be the greatest irresponsibility towards our allies. What do you think?"

He gave Ebizo no more chances to lash out, and led the three of them straight out of the dining room, leaving behind the silence that suppressed his anger.

On the way back to the inn, Hongdou leaned closer and whispered, "Xiu Si, are you just leaving like that? That old man's face turned blue with anger."

"Hmm." Shuji responded, his gaze sweeping over the gnarled buildings of Sunagakure that were faintly visible in the sandstorm. "Let him weigh things carefully. Right now, it's not us who need this meeting to yield results."

Back at the inn, Xiu Si did not discuss the negotiations, but simply told everyone to rest.

The next morning, Shuji asked the Sand Village ninja in charge of guarding the village if he could wander around freely.

The ninja's expression immediately showed difficulty, and he refused decisively: "I'm sorry, Jonin Shuji, there are rules in the village that ninjas from other villages are not allowed to move around at will."

Without disappointment, Xiu Si simply nodded and said, "If that's the case, then forget it."

Then she made no further comment, as if what she had just said was just a casual remark.

For the rest of the day, the Konoha squad actually stayed at the inn and didn't go out. Shuji flipped through the scrolls he carried with him, while Anko idly wiped her ninja tools.

Unsure of the situation, Izumo and Kotetsu could only pass the time—this was quite different from what they had imagined an envoy to be.

This almost passive response left the Sunagakure faction somewhat bewildered.

In the afternoon, a Sand Village ninja came to deliver a message, saying that Advisor Ebizo wanted to invite an envoy from Konoha to come over.

Shuji didn't even lift his eyes from the scroll: "To Advisor Ebizo, we are feeling a bit unwell and need to rest. We'll call it a day. Please forgive us."

The Sand Village ninja who delivered the message was stunned, seemingly having never encountered an envoy from another village so bluntly rejecting the advisor's invitation. He opened his mouth, but ultimately, under Shuji's calm gaze, he stammered and retreated.

"Shuji, is this... really okay?" Kotetsu asked somewhat nervously.

The village's mission for them seemed to be to invite people from Sunagakure to participate in the Chunin Exams.

“It’s alright.” Shuuji turned his gaze back to the scroll. “Just wait.”

Sure enough, not long after, a series of slightly hurried footsteps came from outside the inn.

The door was pushed open, and Ebizo arrived in person. His face was unreadable: "Kid from Konoha, feeling unwell? It seems Sunagakure has been too negligent."

Xiu Si then put down the scroll, stood up, and said politely, "Advisor, you flatter me. It's just a minor issue, no need to worry about it."

Ebizo snorted and sat down on his own. "I've come in person. You should be feeling better by now, right? What exactly is Konoha's plan regarding the Chunin Exams?" Shuji didn't answer directly but said, "It's nothing really. I've just been indoors for a while and it's a bit stuffy. It seems your village has some kind of rule... I apologize for making you laugh, Advisor Ebizo."

Ebizo's cheek muscles twitched slightly. Is this your first time in Sunagakure? Why weren't you this dramatic last time?

Should we beat him up? Or kick him out?

Ebizo immediately suppressed this thought.

Konoha doesn't necessarily need Sunagakure to hold the joint exams. And Sunagakure doesn't have any other easy targets to take advantage of.

Silence spread, and after a long while, Ebizo suddenly stood up: "Alright! I'll personally accompany you for a walk, to get some fresh air! Let's see if the air in this village, filled with sandstorms, is really that effective!"

"Then... I'll have to trouble you, Advisor." Shuuji bowed slightly.

Thus, a peculiar scene unfolded on the streets of Sunagakure. A senior advisor of Sunagakure, with a gloomy expression, accompanied a young Konoha Jonin and three somewhat reserved Konoha ninja as they slowly walked through the village.

Shuji's gaze seemed to casually sweep over the streets, houses, and a few scattered pedestrians.

The village of Sunagakure remains the same size, but it does seem less populated than when I last visited. The few Sunagakure villagers I encountered mostly had faces roughened and indifferent from years of exposure to wind and sand.

In a sheltered alleyway, the faint sound of suppressed sobbing could be heard, but it quickly disappeared into the wind.

Ebizo clearly noticed this as well, and his expression grew even uglier. He quickened his pace, seemingly wanting to end this embarrassing accompaniment as soon as possible.

Shuji remained calm and observed everything. His suspicion that Sunagakure might have suffered significant losses recently gradually became a reality.

A quick, cursory stroll came to an end.

Ebizo stared intently at Shuji: "Now, is the Konoha Jonin feeling better?"

“Sunagakure is unique and impressive. Thank you for accompanying me, Advisor.” Shuji replied politely.

Another day passed, and when negotiations resumed in the conference room, the atmosphere was different.

Ebizo lost his initial composure and became too lazy to do much more groundwork.

Shuji brought up the Chunin Exams again, but it wasn't what Ebizo wanted to hear.

"The fact that Sunagakure is participating in this Chunin Exams is itself an excellent demonstration."

"At that time, daimyo, nobles, and wealthy merchants from all countries will pay close attention. Only a powerful ninja village can gain more trust and more commissions."

A hint of displeasure flashed in Ebizo's eyes; it was still the same old platitudes.

Shuji continued, "The ninja villages that perform exceptionally well are more likely to inspire confidence in their abilities, and they may reap unexpected rewards after the exam."

The old man and the young man stared at each other, and the coldness in Ebizo's eyes dissipated, replaced by helplessness.

Should we discuss material aid after the Chunin Exams?

Although we didn't get what we wanted immediately, getting this clear signal seems like a good result.

This brat is even more difficult to deal with than the last time he came.

If he had agreed to join forces with Konoha to attack Iwagakure last time, would he not be in such an embarrassing situation in front of a kid now?

Ebizo recalled the words he had spoken to Shuji before he sent him back last time.

He then put it out of his mind.

Sunagakure lacks the long-term resources and the same level of trust in Konoha.

"We've agreed to send someone to participate in the Chunin Exams," said the old advisor from Sunagakure.

Shuji replied, "Then, please discuss the rest after we arrive in Konoha."

"Hmph, so be it." This was a clearer signal, which Ebizo clearly understood, meaning that the person sent to Konoha would have to be someone with a sufficiently high status and authority.

The Konoha team stayed in Sunagakure for another two days, on the eve of their scheduled departure.

In the deep night sky, all was silent except for the ceaseless whisper of the wind and sand.

Suddenly, the tranquility of the night was shattered.

The four people in the inn were instantly awakened. Xiu Si quickly went to the window and saw a giant beast covered with cursed patterns roaring to the sky.

"That's... a Shukaku..."

"Runaway?"

(End of this chapter)