Konoha Notes

Chapter 140 Isolation
Instead of setting off immediately, Shuji returned to the old house.

As a ninja who is always on missions, his gear is checked every day, and before setting off, he only needs to do one more check.

"Shuji? Do you have a mission?" Hongdou was chatting with Granny Taohua in the corridor when she noticed him organizing his equipment. She subconsciously stood up and prepared to set off as well.

"It's an emergency mission, I can go alone." Shuuji checked his ninja tool bag without looking up.

"Oh...I see." Hongdou stopped in her tracks upon hearing this.

"For the time being, let's continue to stay here. Someone will keep Granny Taohua company, so she won't be bored by herself."

From the moment he deduced that Orochimaru's appearance was related to Danzo, Shuji felt that the village's safety was assured. However, some things were uncertain, and it was safer for Anko to stay at the old house.

Hongdou gently scratched her cheek, as if she wanted to say something: "Well..."

Shuji tied up the last bundle and looked at her: "Consider it the captain's order."

Upon hearing this, Hongdou immediately straightened her back and smiled brightly: "Since Xiuji says so, as his subordinate, I can only obey!"

Shuuji nodded: "Okay, thank you."

Without further farewell, his figure blended into the light and shadow outside the courtyard and left silently.

Meanwhile, near the gates of Konoha, another farewell was taking place.

The ninjas from Kumogakure and Sunagakure finally embarked on their journey home. Because Elder Chiyo of Sunagakure held a higher position, as a matter of etiquette, advisors Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado personally saw them off.

As the group of ninjas from other villages gradually moved away and disappeared into the forest, a silent confrontation in the Hokage's office came to a temporary end.

With a somber expression, Shimura Danzo left the Hokage Building accompanied by several Anbu members.

Nominally, he was going to carry out an urgent, classified mission assigned by the Hokage; in reality, he and most of his Root mobile forces had been temporarily isolated from the village's decision-making core and operational circle.

Tsunade stood by the window, her gaze following the group of people as they disappeared around the corner of a distant building. Her shoulders, which had been slightly tense, finally relaxed a little.

She certainly wasn't naive enough to think that this would completely trap Danzo. Root had been established for many years, and even disregarding the intelligence agents who had been lurking outside for a long time, Danzo definitely had a secret mobile squad on standby.

However, these actions will at least limit Danzo's ability to directly intervene in the crucial period ahead, and significantly delay the efficiency and scope of his influence on the external situation.

Even if anything happens later, Tsunade can react more quickly and control the situation.

"You must have something else to say to me, Tsunade," came Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice.

The Third Hokage sat back down in his chair and lit his pipe. He could guess that Tsunade's insistence on restricting Danzo was not merely for defense; there must be a follow-up plan.

Tsunade turned around, her expression regaining its usual decisiveness: "Yes. I must accelerate the reform process of the Uchiha Police Force; we can't delay any longer."

She began to clearly articulate the core of some of the proposals previously put forward by Shuji—from broadening employment opportunities for the Uchiha clan to subsequent personnel adjustments and integration steps.

Hiruzen Sarutobi listened quietly, the smoke blurring the wrinkles on his face and making it difficult to see the full thoughts in his eyes.

Only after Tsunade finished speaking did he slowly begin to say, "The matter of mobilizing new Uchiha clan members into the Anbu is highly sensitive and involves many aspects. To be on the safe side, it is best to wait until all the dignitaries from various countries have left and the village has returned to normal before convening the high-level officials to discuss and implement it in detail."

"However, preparations for recruiting administrative and teaching staff for the Ninja Academy can begin immediately. This is just a normal personnel change within the village, with a relatively small impact and much less resistance. I will notify the administrative department to begin preparations immediately."

"You will announce the official news that the village has allowed the Uchiha clan to participate in this year's Ninja Academy selection, Tsunade." Tsunade nodded in agreement; this was exactly the result she desperately needed. She immediately got up and headed to the Uchiha clan compound without delay.

Fugaku Uchiha was slightly surprised by Tsunade's sudden visit, but when he heard about the opening of the Ninja Academy to the Uchiha clan, his usually serious expression finally softened considerably.

Just as the police force was not open to outsiders in the past, other departments of Konoha were also not open to members of the Uchiha clan.

Although he viewed the teaching or clerical positions at a few schools as insignificant, it was undoubtedly a positive sign that the village was extending goodwill.

When outsiders are allowed into the police force, the opposition within the tribe may be somewhat reduced.

Regarding Tsunade's suggestion to potentially form a second ANBU squad primarily composed of Uchiha members, Fugaku cautiously expressed his willingness to cooperate and support.

The combination of these two elements signifies a further step forward in the connection between the Uchiha clan and the village.

As for Tsunade's suggestion that Itachi need to go to the Hokage's office to complete the procedures for his promotion to Chunin, Fugaku naturally had no reason to object. He quickly summoned Itachi and instructed him to cooperate with Tsunade's arrangements.

There are no special procedures involved in the promotion to Chunin; it's just a matter of receiving a notification and having a photo taken.

After completing these procedures, Tsunade finally spoke to the quiet boy who had been silent the whole way: "Shuji has gone out to carry out an urgent mission. Before he left, he believed that you were trustworthy and should know some of the current situation."

She succinctly told Itachi Uchiha about Shuuji's speculation that the Uchiha ANBU squad outside might have been attacked, Danzo's possible role in it, and Orochimaru's situation.

Itachi listened quietly to the complex information that had suddenly changed overnight, his black eyes as calm as a deep pool.

After a moment of silence, he said in a calm but firm tone, "Lady Tsunade, I request to join the Anbu."

Tsunade paused slightly, looking at Itachi; this request was somewhat unexpected.

Itachi continued, "If the previous squad might encounter misfortune, then my joining the Anbu will be the fastest way to stabilize the emotions within the clan."

He really liked the atmosphere of Class 5, and he also enjoyed eating and drinking with the captain and Hongdou while on missions.

Itachi Uchiha didn't have much of a desire for food; aside from his fondness for dango, he had no other obsessions. He simply found joy in it.

But as a ninja, he had to make choices and do what was necessary.

Tsunade looked at the child, her heart filled with complex emotions. No wonder he received such high praise; Itachi Uchiha's talent and strategic vision truly far surpassed those of his peers. He could even propose a countermeasure that, while different in perspective from Shuuji's plan, was equally incisive in a short period of time.

But she still shook her head: "I will consider your application. However, you are Xiu Si's subordinate. Regarding whether you should join the Dark Division and in what way, I hope you will discuss it with Xiu Si in person after he returns from his mission before making a decision."

Upon hearing this, Itachi did not insist, but simply nodded obediently: "I understand. I will wait for my senior to return and await his decision."

“Then, about another matter,” Tsunade changed the subject, “about the next batch of people who may be transferred to the Anbu or other departments, and the list of Uchiha members who, in your observation, have a relatively neutral attitude and a relatively peaceful personality.”

"I need you to compile and provide me with detailed information about these as soon as possible."

"Yes, Lady Tsunade," Itachi replied respectfully.

While Tsunade and Itachi were having this conversation, news that the Ninja Academy would be open to the Uchiha clan had already quietly spread within the Uchiha clan's territory.

(End of this chapter)