Konoha Notes

Chapter 116 Dilemma
Rasa returned the day after Shuji and the others arrived, but he did not alert anyone.

Rather than personally mediating, he preferred to let Advisor Ebizo handle the negotiations with the Konoha envoy. In particular, the agreement that Ebizo negotiated last time had genuinely alleviated the situation in Sunagakure.

The only thing that Sunagakure didn't expect was that after suffering setbacks on Konoha's western front, Onoki so decisively shifted his strategic focus entirely to the west, vying with Sunagakure for control of those desolate lands.

While Sand Village ninjas are adept at fighting in sandy environments, they often find themselves at a disadvantage once they leave the familiar desert and enter the steep mountains familiar to Iwagakure.

The protracted tug-of-war is draining Sunagakure's already meager resources. What's even more worrying is that, even at a huge cost, all they might ultimately hold onto are the limited mission quotas for a few outposts along the border.

Luo Sha knew all too well what this meant—the village's fiscal revenue would shrink further, and the future would only become more difficult.

He had a meeting with the Daimyo of the Land of Wind not long ago, which was about the military expenses of Sunagakure.

This time, the daimyo directly ordered his men to lay out the accounts of the Land of Wind's financial revenue and place them in front of Rasa.

"Fourth Boss, please take a look. This is the tax revenue details of the Land of Wind over the past twenty years."

"The previous generation had already emptied the national treasury to support the wars that Sunagakure waged to expand outwards."

"The land is already barren, eroded by wind and sand, with scarce arable land and limited output. The continuous ninja wars have further blocked many trade routes, and the tax base is becoming increasingly weak... I am truly powerless to do anything about it."

"Forgive my bluntness, but with the current size of the Sand Village's ninja force, it should be more than enough to protect the Land of Wind's territory."

Rasa remained silent. The conditions in the Land of Wind were such that even if he killed the current daimyo and replaced him, he wouldn't be able to conjure up more money and resources. On the contrary, it might cause chaos, leading to an even greater shortage of funds.

This time, Ebizo's negotiations with the Konoha envoy did not yield any tangible benefits as they had last year; he only received a promise.

Luo Sha couldn't blame the old advisor. Times had changed, and Konoha was no longer in the same situation as last year, so it wasn't surprising that he couldn't get more benefits.

But is this all there is to it?
Is Sunagakure destined to remain trapped like this, bleeding out against Iwagakure in a barren wasteland for a pittance? Will it slowly crumble like this?

A dangerous thought uncontrollably surfaced in Luo Sha's mind: since war is unavoidable, why not turn our attention to lands with greater potential benefits?

The Land of Rivers is fertile and rich in resources, and there are no powerful ninja villages stationed there. If we can defeat the forces of Konoha stationed there and force the Daimyo of the Land of Rivers to hand over all tax revenue and mission commissions to Sunagakure, all our current predicaments can be easily resolved.

But the thought only flashed through her mind before Rasa suppressed it.

Given Sunagakure's current strength and its strained relationship with Iwagakure, it's unrealistic for them to seize the Land of Rivers.

Unless Konoha is plunged into a huge crisis and has no time to spare for anything else.

This requires greater strength; cultivating a new generation of ninjas is a long-term solution that cannot address the immediate need.

So, what are the existing forces that can be called "strategic" level...?

Jinchūriki...

Just as Luo Sha was lost in thought, a distant roar, the crashing of collapsing buildings, and exclamations outside the window interrupted him.

"Has it gotten out of control again..." Luo Sha frowned.
-
Inside the inn, Ako, Izumo, and Kotetsu were ready for battle. Shuji simply stood by the window watching Shukaku playfully destroy the buildings around him.

Yes, it's just playing around. Compared to the commotion caused by Kurama (the Nine-Tails), Shukaku's behavior of neither releasing Tailed Beast Balls nor throwing empty bullets after its emergence can be considered quite docile.

Moreover, the Sand Village ninjas seemed to have long been used to it. Looking out the window, although the residents quickly evacuated their homes and scattered in the open area, most of them just stared blankly, as if the battle in front of them was just a terrible drama that would be staged every now and then.

The two Sand Village ninjas guarding outside the inn did not even leave their posts.

One of them came to reassure them: "Everyone in Konoha, please stay indoors and don't panic. It's just a small disturbance, it will subside soon."

Red Bean's eyes widened; the people of Sunagakure called this kind of scene a minor disturbance.

Kamui Izuki murmured, "This, this is... a tailed beast, isn't it..."

It can only be said that these country bumpkins from Konoha are a bit ignorant.

Shukaku only has one tail, but it's one of the hardest to seal. In the past few decades, Shukaku was only quiet when Bunpuku was the Jinchūriki.

As for the others? Shukaku breaks its seal from time to time. As long as Gaara, the current Jinchūriki, falls asleep, there is a chance that Shukaku will manifest to breathe.

Suddenly, a torrent of golden sand surged forth, entangling Shukaku's massive body.

One-Tailed roared angrily and struggled desperately. But gold dust was obviously heavier than ordinary sand. No matter how Shukaku twisted and turned, the golden shackles tightened, gradually pressing its massive body back to the ground.

Shukaku's voice gradually weakened until it disappeared completely. Then, the gold dust receded like the tide, silently vanishing from everyone's sight, leaving only a messy street as proof of what had just happened.

"It's over just like that? Those guys from Sunagakure are really something." Kotetsu muttered, truly amazed.

“This is a technique of the Fourth Kazekage,” Shuji said calmly.

Rasa has returned. And it seems he's been back for a while, yet he hasn't shown his face. Is he doing the same thing as last time, letting Ebizo handle the negotiations while he remains hidden behind the scenes?

In that case, perhaps I should prepare to meet the Kazekage tomorrow? Shuji pondered to himself.

Xiu Si had prepared himself mentally and told the team to go back and rest.

However, to his surprise, Rasa still showed no intention of appearing until they left Sunagakure the next day. Even when he bid farewell to Ebizo, the latter made no mention of the Kazekage's return.

Needless to say, both sides tacitly avoided mentioning Shukaku.

Thus, the mission to Sunagakure came to an end.

But Shuji knew in his heart that the chain reaction brought about by the strategic relocation of Iwagakure was far more profound than it appeared on the surface.

Upon returning, I must report this matter in detail to Tsunade as soon as possible. The movements of Sunagakure need to be closely monitored.

Having left the Land of Wind, their next destination is Kusagakure. Following the usual route, the fastest way from the Land of Wind to the Land of Grass is through the Land of Rain.

The Land of Rain, Amegakure (Hidden Rain Village), Akatsuki's stronghold...

After thinking it over, Shuji decided to take a detour, going through the Land of Rain, then the Land of Rivers, back to the Land of Fire, and then on to the Land of Grass.

As for the reason.

He's the captain, isn't it easy for him to find an excuse?

“Let’s return to Konoha first,” Shuji said. “Report to the village as soon as possible the news that Sunagakure has agreed to participate in the exam, as well as related information, especially regarding the One-Tailed Beast and the Kazekage.”

The Sand Village, which we need to win over the most, has already agreed to send someone to participate, so the matter with the Grass Village will not be a big deal if we delay for a day or two.
-
Cloud Hidden Village, Raikage's office.

"The Chunin Joint Selection Exams?" The Fourth Raikage, A, had little interest in such events, but he still maintained basic courtesy towards Shizune, who had once saved his subordinate. "There's no need to send Kumogakure ninjas to another country's examination hall to be judged."

He changed the subject: "I heard Tsunade has returned to Konoha? How is she doing?"

"Thank you for your concern, Raikage-sama." Shizune maintained a polite smile. "Tsunade-sama is well."

“Really? That’s good. Those symptoms are the most fatal for a medical ninja.” A nodded, then seemed to suddenly realize something, “The Hokage of Konoha is still the Third Hokage, isn’t he?”

"Uh, yes..."

"Tsunade is going back... then she'll soon be taking over as the Fifth Hokage, won't she?"

Shizune was startled by his words, her smile froze slightly, and she did not reply.

Seeing her expression, Raikage immediately knew he had guessed correctly.

“If that’s the case…” Raikage leaned forward slightly, falling into a brief moment of contemplation.

The war with Konoha was his first large-scale external operation after succeeding as Raikage, and it was also a lesson that made him deeply aware of the geographical disadvantages of Kumogakure and the limits of warfare.

The Land of Fire possesses the most fertile land, making it naturally advantageous for radiating influence. If a decisive blow cannot be delivered to Konoha, a prolonged peace would be a more favorable option for Kumogakure.

The Land of Lightning is a thriving commercial center, from which the Hidden Cloud Village has greatly benefited. War will only sever all of this.

Tsunade is someone who is willing to keep her promises, heal enemy ninjas and even Kage, and does not secretly do anything wrong.

Her composure and principles were truly impressive. If someone like her were to become the Fifth Hokage, it wouldn't be impossible for Konoha and Kumogakure to forge a new and more stable relationship.

After a moment, A raised his head and made a decision: "Alright. Kumogakure can participate in this Chunin Exam."

Upon hearing this, Shizune's face immediately lit up with surprise.

But Ai immediately added, "There's just one condition: the next joint Chunin Exams must be held in Kumogakure, and Konoha must also participate."

(End of this chapter)