Konoha Notes

Chapter 130 Follow-up
Wu is not weak. With his special ability to read malice, his powerful physique, his ability to fly, and his ability to release chakra bullets, as long as he doesn't expose his abilities and doesn't go to Amegakure to confront Pain, he can basically roam freely in the current ninja world.

Even if their own information is leaked, there are still very few people who can completely suppress Satoru in a one-on-one fight.

However, when it faces a large ninja village that has made preparations in advance, and is further supported by powerful members of the Kage-level team, the situation is completely different.

Unable to move while trapped under the wooden cage, its chakra gradually weakened due to the absorption of wood release, but its massive body still emitted unsettling energy fluctuations and was not completely silent.

Just then, the giant mouth in relief on the surface of the Box of Bliss slowly opened once again, generating a strange suction force, targeting the trapped Wu—it wanted to reclaim him.

A figure suddenly appeared beside the Box of Bliss; it was none other than the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi. His expression was solemn, and his hands moved swiftly, forming hand seals.

Si-wei-wu-mao-you-yin

Sealing Technique: Destroy Weapon Sealing Spell!
He slammed his palms heavily onto the Six Paths Ninja Tool, and countless incantations instantly spread from his palms, quickly covering every corner of the Box of Bliss.

Hiruzen Sarutobi held his breath, not entirely confident that this sealing technique, specifically designed to counter powerful ninja tools, would work on this legendary Six Paths Ninja Tool.

If that fails, he will continue to try using the contract seal to see if he can sever the connection between the void and the Box of Bliss.

Fortunately, the curse on the broken weapon still worked.

The light of the incantation stabilized, firmly binding the box. The gaping maw on the Box of Bliss reluctantly and slowly closed.

At the same time, in the huge wooden cage behind him, Wu's last signs of struggle completely disappeared, and his massive chakra reaction rapidly weakened.

With a slight thought, Xiu Si caused the layers of wooden cages to retract into the ground in an orderly fashion, leaving behind a scene of utter devastation.

The boy named Kong lay there quietly.

Yamato stepped forward to check and shook his head at Shuji.

"This child is a sacrifice for Kusagakure and Kazuma's ambitions." With a sigh, the Third Hokage ordered his men to put away Sora's body.

He was, after all, the vessel for the Nine-Tails' chakra, and even though he has lost his vital signs, his body cannot be disposed of at will.

"Hang, take your men back to the village and give a detailed report on the situation here. At the same time, have the sealing team immediately send someone to receive and transfer the Box of Bliss."

"The remaining squads, centered on the Box of Bliss, shall establish a perimeter and begin patrols to ensure absolute safety."

After dealing with the most urgent matters, the Third Hokage looked at Yamato and said, "Tenzo, thank you for your help."

"Yes, Hokage-sama."

Yamato accepted the order and slapped the ground with both hands.

"Wood Release: The Four-Pillar Family's Technique!"

With a deep rumble, a simple house made of sturdy wood rose from the ground, its ingenious structure providing shelter from the wind and rain.

This scene made Shuji raise an eyebrow slightly. Come to think of it, he had learned so many ninjutsu, yet he had forgotten this one.

Xiu Si approached Tian Zang and asked about the hand seals and precautions for this technique.

"Eh? Senior, you... don't know this technique?" Yamato was somewhat surprised, but he directly told Shuji the key points.

“I hadn’t paid much attention to this before,” Shuuji said, stroking his chin.

Just then, the Third Hokage's voice came from the side: "Mori, come here for a second."

Shuji walked over.

Hiruzen Sarutobi gently rubbed his lower back, his face showing an undisguised weariness. "This time, I really owe you a lot. Otherwise, with my old bones alone, it would have been difficult to subdue that monster, and there would have been even more casualties."

"There's something I'd like to hear your thoughts on."

"Have you considered spending some time officially in the Dark Division?"

"This is not an order, but merely a consultation regarding your plans for the future. If the Uchiha clan issue can be resolved peacefully, I will retire early."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's continued tenure is, to some extent, a buffer for Tsunade and even for the worst-case scenario that might occur in the village.

If the problems of the Uchiha clan ultimately require drastic measures or even dishonorable methods to resolve, the Third Hokage hopes to do so during his term.

To avoid damaging the reputation of the new Hokage before he even takes office.

After all, the plan promoted by Tsunade and Shuji seems feasible now, but everything is still unknown until members of other ninja clans are actually stationed in the police force.

"No need to reply to me immediately." The Third Hokage smiled. "Think it over carefully after you go back. Even if you choose to refuse, it's fine. No one can deny your outstanding contributions to the village as a Jonin."

After that, the Third Hokage stopped mentioning the Anbu, but Shuuji asked him about sealing techniques and curse seals.

The more you learn, the more you discover how vast the potential for development of sealing techniques and curse seals truly is.

Although I often met with the third generation in the past, it was either for task reports or high-level meetings, and I rarely had such an opportunity to ask them in-depth questions.

Now that he was guarding the Box of Bliss, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally had some free time. He generously shared his knowledge without reservation, explaining everything in detail, from basic theory to advanced applications, and even some of his own insights into sealing techniques.

The temporary teaching session only came to an end when additional reinforcements sent by the village arrived.

"If you have any further questions, feel free to come to me anytime," the Third Hokage said gently.

After this battle, even without being explicitly stated, the Third Generation realized that Shuji's current strength was among the best in the village.

There are probably very few people stronger than him.

The threat to Wu has been eliminated, but the matter of the Box of Bliss is not over yet.

Returning this ninja tool to Kusagakure is impossible; Kusagakure has already demonstrated through its actions that they are not qualified to continue keeping this legendary ninja tool.

We can only leave the items in Konoha Village for safekeeping for now.

Another issue is how to deal with Kusagakure.

Their purpose was to act as a buffer between Konoha and Iwagakure, and the incident involving the Box of Bliss revealed their restless side.

Fortunately, almost all of Kusagakure leader Tsutakawa and his core followers who orchestrated the incident perished in the rampage of the Box of Bliss.

Apart from the lord of Hozuki Castle, there is no one else.

“Kill him.” This was Danzo’s opinion. “Wuwei is the gatekeeper of the Box of Bliss. With that ninja tool still in the village, letting him leave is a dangerous thing.”

"I personally set up the new seal on the Box of Bliss, and it will be handed over to the sealing team for further processing. Wuwei has lost control of the Box of Bliss." Hiruzen Sarutobi calmly refuted Danzo's argument.

Tsunade picked up the conversation, her opinion equally clear: "I've spoken with him, and based on what we know, Wuwei is probably the most trustworthy person among the high-ranking members of Kusagakure we know."

"Konoha has done Wuwei a favor and saved his son. If we can get him to cooperate and return to Kusagakure to clean up the mess, it will be more beneficial than harmful to Konoha in maintaining border stability."

After ruling out the possibility that Wuwei still had the ability to manipulate the Box of Elysium, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado were even more supportive of Tsunade's view.

They have always preferred a conservative, neutral, and more prudent approach.

"I will speak with him personally later," the Third Hokage concluded, then asked, "How are the two children who were with him?"

"Wugou and that female ninja named Longshe have recovered quickly from their injuries and are no longer in serious condition."

"In that case, let them participate in the Chunin Exams as representatives of Kusagakure."
-
After returning the Anbu equipment, Shuji changed back into his ordinary ninja attire.

As he was about to leave the Hokage Building, his gaze inadvertently fell upon a red-haired woman at the end of the corridor, wearing a plain long-sleeved robe, who was carrying a stack of documents with some difficulty and moving her feet carefully.

"Are you adjusting well to life in Konoha?"

The sudden question startled Hagi Uzumaki, and the documents in her arms nearly slipped from her grasp. She turned her head somewhat flusteredly, and when she saw it was Shuji, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes. She then subconsciously lowered her head slightly, and her habitual shrinking seemed to lessen a little, with a bit of the color returning to her face from recent exercise.

“Shu… Mr. Shuji.” Hagi answered softly, clutching her things, “Life in Konoha… is very good, Lady Tsunade takes good care of me.”

During this period of time, no injured ninjas have suddenly knocked on the door.

For the first few days, she would wake up in the middle of the night in terror. Every day after that, before falling asleep, she would wonder if she was dreaming, and when she woke up, she would find herself in that dark wooden hut, waiting to be used again.

"That's good. Is there anything bothering you?"

"Do not……"

Actually, she does need to buy things herself; Hagi hasn't bought anything in a long time. Before, food and clothes were delivered daily by the people of Kusagakure.

Now, when she shops on her own, the enthusiastic greetings from shop owners in Konoha make her feel awkward, and explaining her background is an even bigger problem. She always carefully hides the teeth marks on her arm, afraid of being looked at with curiosity.

"What about Karin? How is she?" Shuuji changed the subject.

Hagi smiled and said, "She's doing well. Lady Tsunade gave me some books, and every day when I go back, I teach her to recognize the characters in them..."

She glanced at Xiu Si secretly, and upon closer inspection, she realized that the young man's expression was not actually cold.

"Karin...sometimes asks about you..."

At this point, Hagi Uzumaki gently placed the documents in her arms on the windowsill, straightened up, faced Shuji, and bowed deeply and very solemnly.

"Thank you very much, Mr. Shuji."

Her forehead almost touched her knees, and her voice carried a barely perceptible sob.

"You said at the time...it was robbery...but..."

"You were actually saving us, weren't you?"

(End of this chapter)