Konoha Notes

Chapter 132 Caution
The Chunin Exams began, while Shuuji wasn't paying much attention.

He took a vacation and submitted a formal application to Tsunade, asking for a period of leave while discussing Naruto's situation.

The reason is very solid: Shuuji has some ideas for his own development and plans to use the time during the Chunin Exams to train.

For a Jonin like Shuji, there's no stronger reason. He's a high-ranking fighter in Konoha, and it's perfectly reasonable for him to spend some time honing his skills.

The practice mainly revolves around natural energy, and he is trying to digest natural energy to strengthen himself.

The conventional Sage Mode training focuses more on learning how to integrate Sage Chakra into one's own combat system. What interests him more is whether humans can permanently absorb a portion of natural energy to improve their basic stats.

Judging from the three great sacred sites of summoning, this is quite possible. The native training system of the ninja world is quite adept at health preservation. The Toad Sage has clearly lived from the era of the Sage of Six Paths to the present day, which is indeed quite remarkable in terms of physical survival alone.

While they can't compare to the Otsutsuki who can plant trees among the stars, they're still better off than the Hagoromo and Hamura brothers—if we disregard the fact that these two brothers aren't actually dead, but rather likely just don't want to live anymore.

As always, during cultivation, one doesn't casually experiment on the main body. First, one uses a clone to test the waters, check the data, and identify any problems. Then, one uses the slug to ask it for any important points to note.

Shuji doesn't need it much when fighting, but he definitely needs a little bit when training.

Even live slugs are patient and will tell you what they know.

The conclusion is that it is feasible to improve oneself by absorbing natural energy, but there are two points: 1. The environment must be good and the concentration of natural energy must be relatively high, such as the three holy sites.
2. It requires maintaining a state of meditation for a long time, with both body and mind in stillness, because digesting natural energy is a very dangerous thing, even more dangerous than regulating sage chakra itself.

Most importantly, even if the above two points are met, the improvement that can be obtained is very limited due to the body's efficiency in converting and absorbing natural energy, even if a long time and huge risks are paid.

From the perspective of pure combat power growth, it is not as good as the current ninja system.

Especially given the intensity of competition in the ninja world, the benefits of someone spending several years digesting natural energy are far less than the benefits of researching and learning a new ninjutsu.

Given Shuji's situation, he can't even say that it would be a loss to invest in the native training system of the ninja world when he has already fully developed his current body.

Even with Hashirama cells, Shuji will have to continue down the old path until he figures out how to significantly improve energy conversion efficiency.

Just as Shuji had temporarily abandoned his serious ambition to cultivate immortality in the ninja world and was preparing to plan the next stage of regular training, Anko excitedly came to his door.

"Shushi! Shuji! Itachi..."

"You've made it into the Chunin Exams after passing the preliminary rounds?" Shuji asked casually as he opened the door for her, before Anko could finish speaking.

The girl's excitement froze instantly, and then she collapsed.

"What a spoilsport! You should at least have let me finish speaking."

"The results of the first two rounds are usually not announced, right? How did you find out?" Xiu Si asked.

Red Bean grinned, looking around, "I'm so hungry~ I want to eat barbecue~"

Xiuji reached out, but Hongdou dodged.

I failed to hide...

She covered her cheek in frustration: "If you keep pinching it, it'll really swell up, Captain."

Seeing the boy raise his hand again, Hongdou hurriedly said, "It's Shenyue and Gang. They were taken to patrol the exam site, and they told me when they met them on the way."

After saying that, Hongdou started muttering to herself, saying things like how nice Xiuji was last year, but now he's so cold to the old team members.

"By the way, they said that Kusagakure also sent people to participate."

"Ok?"

Hongdou's emotions surged again: "You don't know?"

Then he started babbling, "Only two genin from Kusagakure participated in this Chunin Exam."

“Their names are… Immaculate and Dragon Tongue? Yes, those are the two names!” She tried hard to remember.

"It is said that both of them performed well, achieving outstanding results in both the written test and the survival elimination round."

"In comparison, it seems that neither Amegakure nor Takigakure has anyone made it to the final tournament this time."

Shuji wasn't surprised; usually, the Chunin from those two villages could only be assigned by their own superiors after returning to their own villages.

This time, I'm just here in Konoha as a supporting character.

Especially when Sunagakure and Kumogakure were also participating. As for Kusagakure, it was just a lucky accident, although it's unclear why the village let those two participate.

These two are probably the few named characters from the original story who appeared in Kusagakure, so it's normal for them to make it into the main tournament.

Red Bean leaned forward, getting closer: "The main competition is next month, does Shuuji want to go watch?"

"Yeah, if you're free, I'll go check it out." "The captain doesn't care about the team members? Unqualified!" Hongdou crossed her arms in front of her chest. "Shouldn't we all be involved in a situation like this?"

“…That makes sense.” Xiu Si nodded. “I understand. I’ll go then.”

"Hehe, it's a deal then! I'll come find you to go together!" Hongdou smiled contentedly.
-
After the Chunin Exams began, things in the village suddenly became much less hectic.

The Amegakure and Takigakure teams, having already been eliminated, left early. Meanwhile, in Kusagakure, Konoha's official notification had been sent, formally confirming Wuwei and his subordinates as temporary representatives of Kusagakure.

It wasn't until Konoha's messenger arrived that the high-ranking officials left behind in Kusagakure learned of the deaths of their leader, Tsutakawa, and others, the uprising at the Box of Paradise, and their fate of being sealed away by Konoha.

Following this came letters of accountability from other ninja villages or families who had entrusted the prisoners to Hozuki Castle for detention.

If they really wanted to kill, the ninja village wouldn't have sent people to Hozuki Castle in the first place. Now that those people are dead because of the responsibility of the Grass Village, the Grass Village must give them an explanation no matter what.

As for what explanation the Hidden Grass Village can offer...

They could offer no explanation, because the only person who could still bear this responsibility was Wuwei, the lord of Ghost Lantern City, who was responsible for the deaths of all the prisoners under his custody.

But now that Konoha has clearly decided to protect Wuwei, what can Kusagakure do, being right next to Konoha?
I had no choice but to play dead.

Fortunately, most of the villages that handed over the prisoners were small ninja villages or clans in the ninja world. As long as Konoha didn't make trouble, the trouble that Kusagakure needed to deal with wasn't too great.

Hiruzen Sarutobi is already handling this matter. Kumogakure is also involved in the conflict with Hozuki Castle. Therefore, while Kumogakure's Jonin Tsuchida is present, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado have brought Musou along to discuss compensation with Kumogakure.

The issues between the ninja villages are already being handled, but Tsunade is still having a headache.

She promised Shuji she would arrange things for Naruto. After thinking it over for a few days, she decided to take advantage of a high-level meeting to test the waters first.

Any issue concerning the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki is of utmost importance. Therefore, the advisory group gathered once again in the Hokage's office.

“Naruto’s identity is sensitive, and it happens to be during the Chunin Exams. We should order the other villagers to be careful about their words and actions during this time.” Tsunade chose a relatively safe approach and planned to start in this way.

Koharu Utatane nodded slightly: "Indeed, with more outsiders, the situation is complicated. Having the Anbu strengthen their surveillance of Naruto and keep him at home as much as possible, minimizing his outings, is a prudent move."

Mitomon agreed: "The security regulations regarding human jinchūriki already exist, but it is necessary to strengthen management during this special period. If outsiders enter the village, they must still be strictly guarded."

Tsunade's heart sank slightly. These two advisors couldn't possibly be unaware of her meaning, yet they still chose to avoid the topic of issuing orders to the villagers, shifting the focus to restricting Naruto's activities and strengthening security.

Danzo didn't even bother to open his eyes: "The Nine-Tails' chakra is the most evil and powerful among the tailed beasts. As the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki, dealing with malice is a basic ability."

"The villagers' attitude is insignificant compared to the Nine-Tails' malice."

"Tsunade, as Lady Mito's granddaughter, don't you even understand this?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi did not comment on this, and even stopped Tsunade from saying anything more.

He then asked, "Yan, Xiaochun, what is the attitude of the Hidden Cloud Village?"

"They are willing to accept compensation from Kusagakure and have handed over the secret technique of Fire Release: Heavenly Prison." Mitokado Homura pushed up his glasses. "In the end, they are just some prisoners. It's not worth Kumogakure making a big deal out of it."

"Once the problem with Kumogakure is solved, the other villages will only ask for some money. Kusagakure is already severely damaged, so we can squeeze out some mission quotas."

In the latter half of the meeting, the topic shifted to other trivial matters related to the exams. Afterwards, the three advisors left one after another, leaving only a displeased Tsunade and the silent Third Hokage in the office.

“Tsunade,” Hiruzen Sarutobi said slowly, “has Naruto encountered anything unusual recently?” He had reviewed the reports recently but had not found anything unusual.

“No, nothing special.” Tsunade sighed. “It’s just that the old man, Naruto and Grandmother, and Kushina are all different.”

When Mito Uzumaki became a Jinchūriki, she was already an excellent ninja. Kushina Uzumaki had Mito's help and later Minato Namikaze's wholehearted protection.

Only Naruto...

This is why Tsunade felt it was necessary to do something after Shuuji mentioned it.

"It's my fault for not doing a good job. I'm sorry for what the Fourth Hokage and Kushina entrusted to me." Hiruzen Sarutobi closed his eyes.

"However, Tsunade, prejudice and pain in people's hearts cannot be easily eliminated with a single order."

"Once you officially become Hokage, I'll spend more time with Naruto."

Tsunade frowned: "If we try to reveal part of the truth, such as that he is the son of the Fourth Hokage..."

“This matter needs further consideration, Tsunade,” Hiruzen Sarutobi interrupted her. “The Fourth Hokage is too outstanding.”

"Whether being the son of a hero will make Naruto better, or create heavier expectations and pressure, or even attract jealousy, is unpredictable."

"We still need to be more cautious, Tsunade."

(End of this chapter)