Konoha Notes

Chapter 128 It's All Konoha's Fault
Konoha is the enemy; everything is Konoha's fault.

If it weren't for Konoha, the Land of Fire wouldn't be like this.

If it weren't for Konoha, we wouldn't need to leave our hometown.

His father's whispers, those obsessions mixed with ambition and resentment, became his only spiritual support.

Sitting empty atop the Box of Bliss, his lifeless eyes swept across the ruins of Hozuki Castle below.

Amidst the ruins, there is no longer any trace of life.

Overwhelmed by an indescribable sense of emptiness and resentment, he murmured, "If it weren't for Konoha, Father wouldn't have become a sinner of the Land of Fire..."

"If it weren't for Konoha, he wouldn't have been killed..."

"If it weren't for Konoha, I wouldn't be like this now..."

Sora transformed into a monster once more, grabbed the Box of Elysium, and flew towards the direction he remembered.

"It's all Konoha's fault, it's all the Hokage's fault..."
-
"Cough...cough..."

Wuwei slowly opened his eyes, as intense pain and exhaustion from excessive chakra depletion overwhelmed him at the same time.

Immaculate...

He struggled to get up.

"Your injuries haven't fully healed yet, so don't move around."

Wuwei looked in the direction of the voice and saw a blonde woman.

"Who are you...? Where is this place?"

"This is Konoha's hospital. You were brought here by Konoha ninjas. The boy and girl who were with you are in the next room. They are fine."

Wuwei's tense nerves relaxed slightly.

"Ghost Lantern Castle, what happened? Did you open the Chest of Elysium?"

Konoha did know, but there was no point in hiding it now. Wuwei told them everything, including Kusagakure's plan, their wishes, everything that happened after the Bliss Box was opened, and even his relationship with Ma and Sora.

"Really? That Kazuma, and that child, their ending is like this..."

After listening, Tsunade frowned, muttered something to herself, and then turned and left the ward. Things were far more complicated than she had imagined.

The Six Paths Tools were activated, Hozuki Castle was destroyed, the high-ranking officials of Kusagakure were almost wiped out, and the Nine-Tails' chakra container mutated into a terrifying monster...

Because the situation was too serious, Hiruzen Sarutobi summoned all the advisors and the Jonin class leaders. Kakashi and Shuji happened to be present, so they also attended the meeting.

The fact that the Box of Bliss has been opened is already established. The monster transformed from emptiness is powerful, and we need to consider how to deal with it.

Mitomon Homura pushed up his glasses and was the first to express a conservative opinion: "Hozuki Castle is located on an isolated island. Even if it is destroyed now, its impact may not reach Konoha in the short term. This is a bitter fruit that Kusagakure has brought upon itself. We have no reason to waste our precious combat power to clean up their mess."

Koharu Utatane nodded in agreement: "Until we can clearly determine the exact extent of the threat posed by the Box of Bliss and that monster to Konoha, we should focus our resources on ensuring the safety of our village and the smooth conduct of the Chunin Exams. Rashly intervening will only increase the risks."

Danzo Shimura was an interventionist, but he also acknowledged that a conservative approach should be taken at this time.

"The Root's initial intervention was to prevent Kusagakure from obtaining the power to make wishes. If the effect of the Box of Bliss is merely to release a monster, then there is no point in being overly involved."

A weapon that even its user cannot control is not worth taking. The only thing that Danzo felt sorry for was that Ku, the Nine-Tails' chakra vessel, was wasted by Kusagakure.

Nara Shikaku rested his chin on his hands and calmly analyzed the known information: "According to Kusagakure Jonin Mui, that monster 'Satoru' has the ability to fly, which means that its range of activity is definitely not limited to the Hozuki Castle area."

"It is unclear whether the destruction of Hozuki Castle was caused by Kusagakure, as the opener, or by the Box of Bliss intentionally distorting the opener's wishes, or because the Box of Bliss had a craving for living humans."

"If it's the former, its next target is likely to be the headquarters of Kusagakure; if it's the latter, then it will be a disaster that the entire ninja world will have to face."

"No matter which one it is, it will inevitably have an impact on Konoha, and we must prepare in advance."

After a moment of contemplation, Hiruzen Sarutobi said, "First, inform the leaders of the various allied villages currently stranded in the village—Elder Chiyo of Sunagakure, Mr. Tsuchida of Kumogakure, and others—about the situation regarding the Box of Paradise and Hozuki Castle."

First, assign responsibility to Kusagakure, absolve Konoha of responsibility, and avoid potential trouble later.

"Shikaku, you immediately begin drafting a combat plan targeting the Box of Elysium and that monster. For the specific combat data needed, you can ask Wuwei at the hospital." "Understood." Nara Shikaku stood up and immediately turned and left the meeting room.

"Yan, Koharu." Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the two advisors, "I'll leave the communication and coordination with our allies to you two." The two advisors nodded and got up to leave.

Finally, his gaze fell on Tsunade and Danzo.

"Tsunade, you are fully responsible for the safety of the village and the emergency preparations for the Chunin Exams."

"understood."

Finally, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Danzo Shimura: "Danzo, take over the intelligence gathering outside the village and preemptive action when necessary from Root."

Danzo Shimura silently rose, leaning on his cane, and disappeared through the doorway.

Only Tsunade, Kakashi, and Shuji remained in the Hokage's office.

At this moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi said, "Shuji, I'm very sorry, but this time, I'm afraid I'll need your strength."

"That Gosho is a monster created by the Box of Bliss absorbing the Nine-Tails' chakra. Wood Release might produce different effects."

"Please temporarily revert to your identity as a member of the Dark Division and come with me to monitor the monster's movements."

Existing intelligence indicates that the monster named Satoru is far beyond the capabilities of a Jonin-level ninja. Faced with an enemy possessing air superiority, Tsunade is also struggling to exert her full strength, and Jiraiya is absent. Only his personal presence can provide a timely and effective response.

"Yes."

Afterwards, everyone dispersed. Kakashi's task was to stay behind. He didn't have any means to deal with this unconventional enemy, and the village needed to have sufficient fighting power.

As Shuji was preparing to go to the Anbu to change his equipment, Tsunade called him back.

"Be careful."

Shuji paused slightly and turned his head: "I'm always very cautious during battle."

"Don't argue with me at a time like this!" Tsunade's eyebrows shot up immediately. "You went through so much trouble to bring me back and did so many things, don't let me die so easily!"

After a brief silence, Shuuji nodded slightly.

"I see."

"...Anyway, that's it. Go and get ready." Tsunade seemed a little uncomfortable and waved her hand to urge him to leave.

Following the emergency meeting, Konoha's actions did not escape the notice of the astute ninjas from other villages. Soon, led by Chiyo of Sunagakure and Tsuchida of Kumogakure, the leaders of each village were invited to a hastily arranged meeting room.

Koharu Utatane, representing Konoha, gave a brief report on the upheaval at Hozuki Castle and the information regarding the Box of Paradise. The report was carefully crafted, with a focus on Kusagakure's unauthorized actions and their disastrous consequences.

After a brief silence, Chiyo spoke first: "The Box of Bliss? Kusagakure has done something foolish, actually pinning the village's strength on a ninja tool with unknown functions."

Neither the two Jonin leading the teams from Amegakure nor Takigakure made a statement.

The leader of the Hidden Cloud Village, Tsuchida, said with a serious expression: "I see, so that's how it is. If Konoha needs it, I am willing to represent the Hidden Cloud Village and provide the necessary assistance in this matter."

As he spoke, he looked at the two advisors of Konoha: "Of course, for such an important matter, I also ask Konoha to assist me in transmitting the information back to Kumogakure as soon as possible, so that Lord Raikage can make the appropriate judgment and preparations."

It wasn't that Tsuchikage was particularly kind-hearted, but rather that he judged that, regardless of Go's intentions, geographically speaking, Konoha would be the first of the five great ninja villages to be affected.

The Box of Bliss sounds like something with only side effects, and it has no value to Cloud Village.

Given the extremely low potential gains and the potentially high losses, controlling the potential battlefield within the Land of Fire is undoubtedly the option that best serves the interests of the Hidden Cloud Village.

Mitokado Homura politely replied, "Thank you for your kindness, Mr. Tsuchida. It is only right that we assist in delivering information, and we will arrange it immediately."

"As for dealing with the Box of Bliss, Konoha is still in the evaluation stage, so there is no need to trouble you all for now."

Regardless of how much of a role Tsuchidae can play, if someone from Kumogakure dies while participating in Konoha's Chunin Exams, who knows what kind of turmoil that will cause.

This unexpected trouble is something that Konoha must bear on its own for now.

(End of this chapter)