Konoha Notes

Chapter 159 Lost
The news of Tsunade's official inauguration as the Fifth Hokage made the old house in the western suburbs much more lively. By evening, Shuji had just woken up, and Granny Momoka had already dealt with several groups of people who came to visit.

They came to celebrate, but because Shuuji was still sleeping, they only stayed for a short while before going back.

After waking up, Granny Momoka told him that they had arranged to meet at the Mountain House that evening, and asked Shuji to go there after he woke up.

"Don't drink alcohol."

Grandma Tao Hua gave her instructions, her eyes particularly sharp as she spoke.

Xiu Si obediently agreed. After a quick wash, he left the old house in the afterglow of the setting sun.

A relaxed atmosphere, like that after a celebration, permeated the streets, and the villagers' faces still held the excitement of the day. As he passed a familiar confectionery shop, he heard a familiar greeting coming from inside.

Turning my head, I saw my three old classmates, Izumo, Kotetsu, and Tokuma, sitting around the window with dumplings and tea on the table.

Shuji paused, thinking that he only needed to pop in briefly at the Mountain House gathering and wouldn't mind wasting time.

So he turned around and went into the dumpling shop.

"Oh, where are you headed, Captain Shuji?" Izumo asked.

“The Mountain House.” Shuuji pulled out an empty chair and sat down.

Upon hearing this name, both Izumo and Kotetsu displayed expressions of polite refusal.

Gangzi looked at Xiuji with sympathy: "Where is it? Was it Uncle Hayami who called you again?"

"Ah."

"As expected of a Jonin, you're already able to attend the adults' gatherings." Izumo Kamui said disdainfully, "Go on, go on, you're no longer with us."

Shuji ignored him and ordered a serving of dumplings.

Izumo Kamui didn't seem to mind. Seeing that Shuji really wasn't in a hurry to leave, he said, "Speaking of which, Shuji, you know that someone from the Hyuga clan has joined the police force, right?"

"know."

"Tokuma is one of the four newly transferred in."

"I really don't know," Shuji said, glancing at Hyuga Tokuma, noticing that he didn't look too good.

It looks like he's been mistreated inside.

Gangzi Tetsu said, "Those Uchiha are really arrogant. Tokuma and the others were really put through their wringer."

Hyuga Tokuma sighed softly, his tone relatively calm: "The work itself is fine, and Captain Fugaku's attitude towards us is also quite kind."

“But the others…” Tokuma looked tired. “Before Lord Hiashi sent us there, he specifically instructed us to be extra cautious and to avoid acting alone as much as possible, lest…”

"To avoid causing trouble."

I was bullied.

This wasn't surprising to Shuuji; it was precisely because he anticipated the severe bullying that Hyuga chose to go first. Others, going while their fighting spirit was still high, could easily fall under the influence of Sharingan genjutsu.

"Well, after all, they've built up the police force for so many years. It's normal for them to have some emotional reactions when an outsider suddenly gets involved." Izumo Kamizuki tried to ease the tension by patting Tokuma on the shoulder.

"Just get through this period, and you'll get used to it."

"Maybe things will get better after a while."

Hyuga Tokuma managed a weak smile and said nothing more.

Just then, the dumplings Shuuji ordered were served. He had barely picked up the bamboo skewer when a figure wearing an animal mask silently appeared at the confectionery shop's doorway. It was the Anbu.

Izumo and Kotetsu exchanged a glance, and Tokuma sat up straight. When the Anbu come looking for someone, it usually means there's an urgent mission.

"Jonin Shuji," the Anbu's voice came through the mask, "The Hokage requests your immediate presence at the Hokage's office."

Shuji put down the bamboo stick, nodded slightly to the three classmates, and then got up and left with the Anbu.
-
"Three died?"

Tsunade put down the scroll; trouble had already struck on her very first day in office.

The loss of three Uchiha who had awakened the three-tomoe Sharingan in one fell swoop is a particularly glaring figure in the battle on the eastern front against the mercenary ninja army.

According to Kakashi's report, there were skilled ninja mixed in among those mercenary ninja. The Uchiha squad suffered a targeted surprise attack, which, on the surface, appeared to be an unfortunate but justifiable loss of personnel.

As long as it doesn't involve conspiracy, the Uchiha clan has nothing to say.

After all, once on the battlefield, there's no situation where others can die but the Uchiha can't.

What concerned her most were the details in the report: the attackers were even able to forcibly take a corpse with them and leave after Uchiha Shisui provided support. This level of strength was far beyond that of ordinary rogue ninja.

After Shuji arrived at the office, Tsunade tossed the scroll to him and told him to take a look for himself.

"You will lead the reinforcements to the eastern defense line to relieve them. Your mission is not to stay behind, but to confirm the situation on the ground and then escort the remains of the fallen Uchiha back to the village."

"Also, let Uchiha Enjin come back to rest as well."

Although they were radicals of the Uchiha clan, they were fighting for the village after all, and they couldn't be prevented from returning at a time like this.

That would be too harsh. If they cause trouble when they get back, we'll deal with it then.

Then, Tsunade solemnly said, "Tell Kakashi to conduct a cleanup of the surrounding area of ​​ninja."

Even if Kirigakure was behind the attack on Konoha, it's not something that can be easily dismissed.
-
There are a total of six squads to be rotated this time. The actual number of casualties on the front line is not that many. Apart from the Uchiha Anbu squad that was almost completely wiped out, most people only suffered minor injuries.

The team set off that night and arrived at the base before dawn.

Shuji exchanged a few words with Kakashi, who was waiting, and learned about the general situation of the battle.

Then, Uchiha Shisui walked to his side and whispered, "Shuji, over here."

The two walked toward the tent where the bodies were temporarily kept. Shisui's steps were slightly heavy, and his voice was very low: "I'm sorry, Shuji, it was my oversight."

"The attacker, I'm afraid, was someone you told me about before..."

"Orochimaru?"

“Yes.” Shisui nodded. “His target is very clear: the Uchiha.”

Just then, a low growl, suppressed with pain and rage, suddenly erupted from the tent where the corpses lay:
"Their eyes! Their eyes are gone!"

Immediately afterwards, the tent curtain was suddenly flung open, and Uchiha Enjin rushed out with bloodshot eyes, scanning his surroundings before finally fixing his gaze on Kakashi, who was arranging the handover not far away.

"Kakashi Hatake!" Enjō's voice trembled with excitement as he pointed at Kakashi, "It's you! You must have stolen the Sharingan!"

This sudden accusation plunged the once bustling yet orderly camp into a deathly silence.

Everyone who heard these words, whether they were the Konoha ninjas in the midst of the handover or Shuji and Shisui, froze in place.

Kakashi himself was utterly astonished: "Eyes...me?"

(End of this chapter)