Konoha Notes

Chapter 188 Return Gift
"It's him again in the end."

Having finished his Chunin Exams duties in Kumogakure and spent three days returning to Konoha, Shuji noticed something amiss as soon as he reached the village entrance. Hyuga Tokuma, who was guarding the gate, wore a strange expression—a mixture of wanting to laugh and feeling compelled to maintain a serious demeanor.

It seems that something happened in the village while he was away.

When he returned to the Hokage Building for his routine report, he learned the gist of what had happened from Tsunade.

"So, what happened to Uchiha Fierce Fire and the others?" Shuji asked.

"The Uchiha clan took matters into their own hands, and the members are now imprisoned in a special prison managed by the Anbu. The exact duration of their imprisonment still needs further consideration, since this crime... is not really suitable for public disclosure."

"Where is Uchiha Enjin?"

"The interrogation department is handling it, and Yamanaka Inoichi is there too." Tsunade's tone was slightly cold. "Hopefully, we can extract something useful from his mind."

Having learned what Tsunade had done, Shuji began to recount his experiences from the Chunin Exams.

When the Fifth Hokage heard that Kumogakure had offered to participate, he scoffed, "They weren't this decisive last time, but if they want to come, then so be it."

Shuuji nodded, then put forward the idea he had been thinking about all along: "Perhaps we can learn from some of the Cloud Village's model and try some reforms to the Chunin Exams in September."

"The competitive format of the competition itself contains extremely high commercial value."

"In terms of organizing such large-scale events, Konoha actually has an advantage that other ninja villages can hardly match."

"This is true both in terms of the convenience of transportation and the number of ninja villages in the surrounding area that can be invited."

Tsunade rested her chin on her hand, pondering the suggestion.

"That does sound interesting. However, if it's just a preliminary idea, that's far from enough."

She looked up and her gaze fell on Xiuji.

Shuji frowned almost imperceptibly.

Tsunade gestured with her chin toward the empty table in the corner of the office.

Shuji remained silent and did not respond.

"Process planning, specific rule formulation, potential risk assessment, and integration with the existing Chunin selection system... all of these require a detailed plan to support them," Tsunade said.

"I just got back from a business trip, and I haven't been home for two months."

"Go home?" Tsunade sneered. "Fine."

She shouted directly towards the door, "Mute!"

Silently, carrying TunTun, entered in response to the call.

"Have someone compile all the documents that may be related to the Chunin Exam reform, including records of the Chunin Exams over the years, financial statements for the past three years, and regulations for issuing missions."

"Take him with you." Tsunade stood up, looking at Shuuji whose expression was gradually stiffening. "Then, we'll take Shuuji, the Jonin, home."

“Um,” Shizune hesitated for a moment, glancing at Shuuji and then at Tsunade, “Lady Tsunade, perhaps we should let Shuuji rest for a day…”

"Shut up, mute! Work waits for no one." Tsunade clenched her fist, making a crisp sound. "Since you've come up with such a great idea, of course you should be responsible for implementing it."

Watching several members of the secret service skillfully stuff stacks of documents into specially made wooden boxes, Shuji was speechless. In the end, he had only himself to blame.
-
Being sent to the interrogation room did not mean that the surveillance on Uchiha Enjin had been relaxed. The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, still personally guarded the observation room next door, along with Shisui and Hyuga Himon of the Hyuga clan.

"Uchiha Madara..."

"There is another person named Jue."

With the Uchiha clan possessing the Mangekyou Sharingan and the combination of Yamanaka Inoichi, it's not like they couldn't extract any information at all.

The Uchiha who called himself "Uchiha Madara" and possessed the Mangekyou Sharingan was Hiruzen Sarutobi's primary focus. Confirming the existence of such a figure proved that his previous investigations into the Nine-Tails' attack and the conspirators outside the village were on the right track. This largely ruled out the possibility that the Uchiha clan within the village directly orchestrated the Nine-Tails' attack.

The next step is to find out this dangerous person hiding in the shadows.

As for that being named Zetsu, how was he able to infiltrate the village... was he brought in by "Madara," or did he break in on his own?

The number of issues requiring attention and prevention has not decreased. But ultimately, things seem to be turning for the better.

I should find some time to talk to Danzo again. Regarding the Uchiha, with Root's surveillance network... he should also have some intelligence.
-
The file boxes were neatly stacked in the corner of the living room.

After putting down her things, Shizune led the Anbu back, leaving behind Shuji, whose face was not looking too good, and Tsunade, who clearly did not intend to leave immediately.

Having briefly experienced what it felt like for Shimura Danzo to have his "house filled with official documents," Shuji sat down at the dining table and silently slurped up his noodles.

Grandma Taohua cooked some delicious ramen and then went back to her room to rest.

Tsunade slowly finished the noodles cooked by Senju Momoka, and then began to look with great interest through the travel bag that Shuuji had brought back from Kumogakure.

"What's this?" She pulled out a small, sealed jar from inside.

Protein powder.

"All of them?" She pulled out another can, then a third, a fourth... Finally, she saw the large metal can with a prominent "A" logo, weighed it in her hand, and casually put it aside. "Why did you buy so much of this stuff?"

"It's kind of a specialty of Kumogakure (Hidden Cloud Village)." Shuuji continued eating his noodles without looking up.

"A local specialty?" Tsunade raised an eyebrow, picked up a can, and carefully examined the instructions. "Why is protein powder a specialty of Kumogakure?"

Tsunade seemed to remember something: "Speaking of which, you went to Kusagakure before and brought back Hagi and Karin."

"Before that, didn't you go to Sunagakure? What were the local specialties of that mission?"

Shuji paused for a moment, holding his chopsticks, and thought for a few seconds before answering uncertainly, "It's been a while... I don't think I bought anything when I went last year."

"The year before last, I think I bought... perfume."

"Perfume?" Princess Thousand Hands looked at him suspiciously. "We can treat protein powder as a strange hobby for boys, but you're buying perfume?"

"Yes, I bought it while I was observing the situation in Sunagakure. I originally planned to use it as a return gift."

Xiu Si remembered, put down his chopsticks, got up and went into his room. After rummaging through the cabinet for a while, he came out with a small, exquisitely shaped glass bottle.

"A return gift? A gift that's been sitting unsent for two years? You really can't be trusted in some ways."

"This stuff's been sitting here for two years, I can't just give it away now," Tsunade muttered, taking the item and frowning as she carefully sniffed it. "It smells alright, though."

"Is that so? In that case, the gift is considered given." Shuji continued eating his noodles with his head down. "After all, I received a lot of help from you when we were in Izuku Port."

She paused, looked up at him, and asked, "Hmm?"

The Fifth Hokage pointed at himself with his index finger: "Returning the gift?"

"Ah."

Tsunade placed the perfume bottle on the table to the side, walked up to Shuji, her face darkening, and asked, word by word, "The return gift from two years ago?"

"Didn't you say it smelled pretty good?"

She took a deep breath, then suddenly grabbed his collar and flung him away: "Go buy me a new one, you bastard!"

(End of this chapter)