Konoha Notes

Chapter 161 Testing
Yagura Karatachi would rather be dead than learn what had happened in Kirigakure during the time he was under control.

The increasingly severe Blood Mist policy, the near-complete exodus of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, the overspending budget, and the complete loss of the ruling party's credibility.

"Fourth Generation, the village still needs you."

What the master said was precisely the reason why Yagura was still alive.

Yes, he cannot fall yet, much less seek liberation easily. He is the Three-Tails Jinchuriki, the nominal Kage of Kirigakure; his life and death no longer belong to him personally.

Until the next Mizukage is able to stand on his own, he must live on as a symbol, as a cornerstone of the village's stability.

"I understand. From now on, just let me know the matters that require my involvement."

"Elder, I'm sorry to have disappointed you and the village."

Yagura handed the Mizukage's hat to Genji; from now on, he would only be a figurehead.

Master Yuan sighed and took it in his hand.

"Those mercenary ninjas have failed and fled. Let's end the conflict with Konoha here."

"The secret service managed to capture several remnants of the army and identified the person who had been in contact with them for a long time and was responsible for recruiting them. He was wearing a black cloak with red cloud patterns."

"Control your eyes, Sharingan... Why would Konoha's bloodline limit cause trouble for their village? The motive is still unclear."

"But right now, we don't have the energy to investigate further, nor should we get involved any more."

As for revenge? For the already battered and ravaged Kirigakure, that's not a priority. Besides, the fact that the village's Kage is under control isn't something to boast about.

Alone in his office, Yagura had not returned home since being controlled by the illusion, and now that the control had been broken, he had no intention of going back.

Stepping out of the Water Shadow Building, Master Yuan looked up at the sky, perpetually shrouded in thick fog. Dispersing the blood mist, guiding the village towards rebirth, and nurturing the next generation of Water Shadow… it seemed his old bones would have to persevere for quite some time to come.
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“Shisui believes you wouldn’t do such a thing, and I trust his judgment.” Shuji looked at Uchiha Enjin, “but that doesn’t mean you’re cleared of suspicion.”

"You will return to the village with me for further investigation and questioning."

"It's fine if you want to keep biting Kakashi."

"Let me see just how ugly Itachi's clan, the so-called Uchiha elites, will become in order to survive."

Shuji left behind a dazed Uchiha Enjin and walked out of the confinement room.

Outside the gate, Kakashi had already completed the first round of rapid checks inside the camp.

"No obvious signs of external infiltration were found." Kakashi's voice carried a hint of helplessness. "The sentry posts and patrol routes have also been confirmed to be without any oversights."

“I’ve come to the same conclusion.” Shuuji nodded. “So, this is the most troublesome situation—a trace without a trace.”

Shisui, who was standing to the side, walked over with a hint of worry on his face: "Shuji, what did you do to Yanren just now...?"

“I told you, I trust your judgment, I just want him to stop causing trouble,” Xiu Si replied.

With this combination of moves, at least after returning to the village, Uchiha Enjin shouldn't easily utter those thoughtless words again.

As for the truth behind the Sharingan's theft, after this investigation, it's likely that Obito Uchiha was responsible. He either used Kamui or Zetsu's Mayfly Technique.

With soft soil beneath their feet and dense forests all around, this place is simply the perfect stage for such beings to roam.

We'll need to think of other solutions for that thing.

"Any recent developments in the Land of Waves, or in Kirigakure?" Shuuji changed the subject.

Kakashi replied, "They've been completely quiet since the last battle."

"According to the reconnaissance team's report, the previously gathered rogue ninjas have dispersed and disappeared. It seems that Kirigakure has abandoned its plans to continue the offensive." Even hiring rogue ninjas has been abandoned? Did Obito believe that continuing the operation was pointless, or had the internal opposition within Kirigakure become so strong that he had to temporarily back down?
"Let's get ready," Shuuji decided. "This afternoon, I'll take the replacements and Uchiha Enjin back to the village."

"I'll leave the rest of the work, especially the surveillance of the Mist Village direction, to you for now."

Arrange the handover properly, because a considerable proportion of the evacuees are wounded, and the return speed to the village is not as fast as when they came.

Uchiha Enjin was placed in the middle of the group, his expression somber, but the sharp hostility he had shown earlier was gone, as if he was still thinking about Shuuji's words.

Based on his law enforcement experience accumulated in the police force, Xiuji's logical reasoning... seemed... not entirely without merit.

With no trace of external intrusion found, he, as the primary caretaker, is the prime suspect.

It was already late at night when we returned to the village.

The bodies of the two Uchiha were sent to Konoha Hospital for temporary storage, while Uchiha Enjin was taken to the Hokage Building by Shuji.

Inside the building, as expected, Shuuji saw Itachi Uchiha on duty.

"Itachi, take him to the interrogation room and wait for the Hokage's orders."

Shuji's call of the name made Uchiha Enjin, who had been looking down, suddenly raise his eyes. Uchiha Itachi... had actually joined the Anbu, and in such an important position as guarding the Hokage Building? Had the clan leader's plan succeeded?

In that case, their sacrifice would have been meaningful.

As for his own situation, Flame Blade felt somewhat relieved that Itachi, a member of his clan, was guarding him. He was confident that he could find an opportunity to communicate through his Sharingan, clarify his oversight, and assure everyone that he had never harmed his comrade's remains.

Itachi responded softly that as someone who guards the Hokage, he shouldn't obey orders from others, but Shuuji was different after all.

Given the current situation, he will likely explain it to Tsunade.

Shuji entered the office, and Tsunade had obviously already heard the commotion outside.

"Who is locked up?" she asked directly.

"Uchiha Flame Blade".

"Hmm?" Tsunade was somewhat surprised. "I asked you to bring him back for rest and recuperation. Although his return might affect the Uchiha clan's attitude, he did risk his life on the front lines for the village after all."

"It is precisely because of this that we need to do this."

Shuji gave a report on the situation on the eastern front: the theft of the Sharingan, Uchiha Enjin's accusations, and the movements of Kirigakure.

Tsunade crossed her hands and rested them under her chin, lost in thought for a moment. The theft of the Sharingan was a problem, but compared to that, properly dealing with Uchiha Enjin, who was emotionally agitated and could potentially cause internal conflict, seemed more pressing at the moment.

As for the movements of the Hidden Mist Village...

"What are they planning now?"

“On this point, perhaps we can formally request negotiations with Kirigakure,” Shuji said.

As for Kirigakure, whether Obito has given up or what happened, we might be able to find out some clues by testing the waters through official and formal channels.

"Hmm...we can consider it. We'll decide on a specific plan after a detailed evaluation."

"What do you plan to do with that Uchiha Enjin?"

“Let him stay in the interrogation room for a day,” Xiu Si replied. “Consider it punishment for his rash accusations against the frontline commander and his disruption of morale.”

“Then,” he paused, “I’ll go and have a proper talk with him.”

(End of this chapter)