Konoha Notes

Chapter 162 Tea

"You're in charge of handling things with the Uchiha clan."

Tsunade handed over the authority to handle Uchiha Enjin to Shuji. Seeing that the matter to be discussed was almost over, she casually closed the document in front of her.

I'm not watching anymore, I can't finish it anyway, time to go home.

Shuji glanced at the documents on her desk.

You didn't have this attitude when you dragged me to work overtime on official business.

Tsunade seemed to read the meaning in his eyes and explained somewhat reluctantly, "The most urgent part has been dealt with, the rest... we can talk about it tomorrow."

As she spoke, she took out a wine jug and a cup, two pairs of chopsticks, a plate of red bean jelly, a plate of edamame, and a plate of cold tofu salad from the low cabinet next to her desk.

"Don't just stand there, come and lend a hand," Tsunade called out, adding, "The old man smokes to stay awake, and I use it to stay awake too!"

She placed the wine jug, cups, and edamame on the coffee table next to her, while Shuji naturally took over the remaining desserts and tofu.

The clear, cool liquor was poured into a glass, and Tsunade picked it up and took a small sip. Much of the day's work seemed to dissipate with that one sip.

Xiu Si doesn't drink alcohol; he gets the millet jelly.

Tsunade said, "Since signing the alliance, Kumogakure has been much more well-behaved. Now, only Kirigakure remains in the east, and they still cause trouble from time to time."

"What's really worrying is the situation in Iwagakure."

Shuji listened quietly, found himself a cup, and poured himself some tea.

Swirling the wine glass in his hand, the Fifth Hokage continued, "The support for Sunagakure has been arranged."

"According to intelligence from the Anbu, Iwagakure has clearly slowed down its offensive during the Chunin Exams. I wonder what that old man Onoki is thinking again."

“If Iwagakure stops, the situation on the western front will become even more unpredictable.”

Based on Tsunade's past experience, whenever Konoha enters a period of stable development, another ninja village will prepare to stab Konoha in the back.

The Sand Village hasn't done anything like this for several years since the Third Shinobi World War, but it's hard to say for sure.

However, the positive trend shown in this joint Chunin Exams did give her a glimpse of a different direction than before.

“The eastern region is relatively wealthy. If we can establish lasting peaceful relations, we will have more leeway to deal with the problems in the west at our own pace,” Xiu Si replied.

“Speaking of which,” Tsunade said, as if she had remembered something, “We have received a letter from Kumogakure, officially bringing up the matter of the new Chunin Exams.”

"They will be hosting next March. As agreed, we need to send a team to participate."

Next year? Apart from Itachi Uchiha, it seems that Konoha hasn't had any particularly outstanding individuals in the past two years who haven't yet been promoted to Chunin.

After all, the village had been fighting for almost three years since the Nine-Tails' attack. Those who were supposed to be promoted had already been promoted, and those who couldn't were limited in strength.

Now we can only hope that some outstanding genin will emerge this year and next.

At least in his memory, he couldn't find any particularly outstanding, named individuals.

We can't just throw that perennial genin old man, Maruboshi Kosuke, over there.

Tsunade clearly understood this better than he did. She had already scanned the list of eligible candidates when she received the letter from Kumogakure.

"Since it's Cloud Village's home turf, it's inevitable that they'll get to show off a bit." Although it might not be Cloud Village's intention, they've certainly played a supporting role for Konoha this time.

"Even so, we can't lose too much face." Tsunade took a swig of her drink. "There are still a few months left. We'll see if there are any suitable candidates then." Shuji stayed with Tsunade for a while, listening to her complain about official duties, before getting up and leaving the Hokage's office.

Before leaving the building and going home to sleep, he deliberately took a detour to the direction where the interrogation room was located.

Uchiha Itachi was standing guard at the door when Shuji waved to him.

"senior."

"Your team is responsible for looking after him," Shuji instructed. "There's only one requirement: before we receive official orders from the Hokage tomorrow, do not let him contact anyone else."

"Apart from that, food and water should be supplied as usual."

Itachi nodded, indicating that he understood.

This matter is not yet completely over. The remains of the Uchiha warriors who died in battle need to be properly disposed of, and since Tsunade entrusted the matter of Uchiha Flame Blade to Shuji, there is another matter that he must also handle.

Therefore, early the next morning, Shuji set off for the Konoha Police Force's headquarters to visit Uchiha Fugaku.

When the head of the Uchiha clan saw Shuji taking the initiative to visit him at the police station, he was momentarily taken aback.

The last time Shuji reached out to him was last year, when Shuji had just become Itachi's captain.

After that, all private meetings were either initiated by Fugaku Uchiha himself or he was summoned to Fugaku's home.

However, the news that Shuuji brought this time was not something to be happy about.

"Dead? Only Flameblade is left?"

"When they were fighting the mercenary ninjas at the border, their squad was targeted by the enemy," Shuji explained briefly. "One body could not be recovered, but the bodies of the other two have been transported back to the village and are temporarily placed in the hospital."

"It was only while they were waiting for the rotation of troops that their Sharingan was stolen."

Fugaku Uchiha remained silent. Having experienced the Third Shinobi World War and personally led his clansmen to the front lines, he was not unable to accept the news of his clansmen's deaths.

Even with Orochimaru's protection, Tsunade's younger brother, Nawaki, would not have escaped death on the battlefield.

It's not uncommon in the ninja world for ninja clans with bloodline limits to be targeted for outstanding performance on the battlefield, or even for their remains to be stolen by the enemy.

However, after the body was successfully brought back, the eyes were mysteriously stolen from the camp, which inevitably led to many unpleasant speculations.

He asked, "Where is Yanren now?"

"At the Hokage Building. He was extremely agitated at the time and publicly accused Kakashi of being a suspect," Shuji reported truthfully. "He is currently being guarded by Itachi."

Hearing Kakashi being unjustly accused, especially in public, Fugaku was unable to refute the temporary house arrest of Enjin.

Kakashi holds a high position in the Anbu, second only to the Captain-Commander.

Since Uchiha Enjin has been incorporated into the Anbu, his act of openly offending his superior commander is bound to be punished.

The fact that the village is now having its own weasel guard the village already signals that it doesn't intend to investigate further.

"Regarding the eyes, the investigation is still ongoing, and Kakashi has not yet reached a clear conclusion."

"As for Uchiha Enjin, considering the Uchiha clan's recent contributions and sacrifices, he will be placed under house arrest and will not be subject to any further punishment."

(End of this chapter)