Konoha Notes

Chapter 155 Entrustment
The Third Hokage has vacated his Hokage office and is temporarily working in a smaller room.

The familiar Hokage hat was casually placed on a shelf to the side, and it would not be officially handed over to the new Hokage until tomorrow's ceremony.

He will do this a second time.

The desk in the room was still piled with documents, but Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't look at them. He simply stood quietly by the window, a pipe in his hand, the white smoke slowly merging into the deepening twilight outside as he puffed on it.

A knock sounded at the door, and after receiving permission, Shuji pushed the door open and entered. Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't turn around, still gazing at the village outside the window.

He said, "Originally, I wanted to wait a little longer, even if Hyuga could join the police force."

"Even if Fugaku is able to suppress the opposition within the clan at the beginning, given his personality, the subsequent pressure will likely make him waver again."

"After all, those four people were just the beginning."

"As more and more non-Uchiha members join the police force, the discontent of the radical faction within the clan will probably not be suppressed by words alone."

"At that time, Danzo's existence may become necessary again."

"And I will ultimately bear the responsibility."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's thoughts drifted back to the day after the Chunin Exams ended, when Tsunade came straight to him.

"However, when Tsunade came directly to me and demanded that I take action against Danzo, I realized something."

"If I remain in this position, it will actually make it difficult for her to implement the policies she wants to promote later."

"Therefore, after confirming that the plan you have promoted has achieved initial success and has the foundation to continue to be implemented in depth, I have decided to hand over the position to Tsunade at this time."

The third generation finally turned around, tapped his pipe lightly on the windowsill, and walked to the chair to sit down.

"When Tobirama passed the Hokage position to me, I didn't realize that I was actually an incompetent person."

"It wasn't until I actually sat in this position that I realized that as Hokage, simply having the will to protect my comrades is far from enough."

“Ninjas from enemy countries, daimyo from our own country, and differing voices within the village.”

"I'm probably only barely good at dealing with the first type, but I don't have the means to handle the other two."

"Tsunade is more ruthless than me when dealing with enemies."

"But I don't know what kind of tactics she will ultimately display when faced with the more complex internal entanglements and the maneuvering with Daming Prefecture."

A faint commotion could be heard outside the window, but the room remained silent.

"Shuji, I'll be relying on you a lot from now on," Hiruzen Sarutobi said solemnly. "Whether it's dealing with external enemies, daimyo, or even matters within the village, you've demonstrated sufficient ability."

"Most importantly, Tsunade... trusts you a lot."

He picked up his pipe again and leaned back in his chair.

"I'm counting on you for the next era."
-
Hidden Mist Village in the Land of Water
After finalizing a preliminary plan with three trustworthy young ninjas, Elder Yuanshi did not rush to meet with the Mizukage to discuss funding matters. Instead, he proceeded with the village's daily affairs as usual.

He was waiting for the right opportunity.

It wasn't until the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura Karatachi, summoned him again.

Mizukage's voice came through the straw hat: "How's the funding situation going?" Genshi bowed slightly and explained in his usual calm tone: "Fourth Hokage, the funds allocated before were the maximum the village could currently draw upon. The request for new funds from the Daimyo has not yet been approved."

"The operation can't be delayed any longer." Yagura's tone sounded somewhat impatient.

“I have personally gone to the Water City,” Master Yuan continued, lowering his voice, “but the Daimyo does not seem satisfied with my explanation. He believes that the funds spent by Kirigakure this year have far exceeded the established standards.”

He paused slightly, as if choosing his words carefully: "Furthermore, the delayed arrival of daily operating expenses and personnel subsidies for some departments within the village has already caused some discussion. Fourth Generation, what do you think...?"

"No." Yagura interrupted him coldly. "This operation is of utmost importance and must be prioritized."

At this moment, Master Yuan slowly said, as if he had no other choice, "In that case... perhaps you need to go to the Water City in person and explain the situation to the Daimyo."

"With His Holiness the Mizukage personally intervening, the Daimyo may be able to better understand the difficulties that our Hidden Mist Village is currently facing."

After a long silence, Yagura finally agreed: "Okay."

"I will go and inform the Daimyo that the Fourth Hokage is going to the Water City." Genji leaned on his snake staff and retreated shakily.

Obito, watching from the shadows, wanted to use his Sharingan to directly control the elder of Kirigakure, saving himself a lot of trouble.

However, Yuan Shi needs to frequently come into contact with all sorts of people inside and outside the village, and if his behavior becomes abnormal, it will be easily noticed.

While White Zetsu can perfectly mimic the appearance of others, they cannot inherit memories and behavioral habits. Over time, the risk of being exposed is too great.

The situation with the Daimyo of the Land of Water is much easier. He's just a pampered ordinary person; controlling him with the Sharingan is effortless. We can simply get him to sign off on the funds.

After leaving the Mizukage's office, Master Yuan immediately began arranging various matters related to the Mizukage's trip and, following standard procedures, sent someone ahead to the Water City to inform them.

As for Qing, Yuan Shi cleverly arranged for her to work in a position near the Water Shadow Building.

According to the secretive principles that Kirigakure has always upheld, he is usually not allowed to activate his abilities in the core area of ​​the village, given his Byakugan.

But now that the coup plan has been launched, and with the Yuan Master's secret instructions, Qing no longer cares about those prohibitions. He focused his mind and quietly activated his Byakugan, its powerful X-ray vision penetrating the walls and directly hitting the Mizukage's office.

In the office, only Yagura sat quietly.

However, when Ao concentrated and carefully observed the subtle flow of chakra within Yagura's body, he couldn't help but widen his eyes, an expression of disbelief on his face.

"This is……"

"Why is there abnormal chakra in the Fourth Hokage's brain?!"

"And this chakra..."

Although unwilling to believe it, the facts were right in front of him, and Ao could only draw one conclusion—the Fourth Mizukage, Lord Yagura, had long been under the influence of a powerful genjutsu, and his will was likely being manipulated by someone for a long time.

The long-standing question seemed to have been answered in that instant.

Qing dared not delay for a moment and immediately set off to find Elder Yuan Shi as quickly as possible.

If the Fourth Hokage is a puppet controlled by illusion magic, then their original plan will likely need to be adjusted.

(End of this chapter)