Konoha Notes

Chapter 212 Sasuke and Naruto
The interactions between Konoha and Kumogakure have become a regular and stable process. Now that things are on track, and Shuji has other important matters to attend to, the position of leader for the practical exchange activity in August of this year has naturally been changed.

He made this clear during his meeting with Samui.

"Mr. Shuji, you've been quite lazy this year."

“Miss Samui, I also have a job.”

“Normal ninjas don’t take leave for more than six months, Mr. Shuji,” Samui pointed out. “Even the Raikage occasionally goes out on missions.”

Shuji retorted, "Miss Samui, ordinary Kage don't go out of their way to do field missions. As a Kage, there are more important things to do."

Upon hearing this, Samui thought for a moment and said fairly, "The atmosphere in Kumogakure is different. Using the Raikage as an example is indeed not appropriate."

“That makes sense,” Shuuji continued. “In Konoha, it’s customary for high-ranking ninjas to take on more complex internal management and strategic planning responsibilities. So-called vacations are often just theoretical. For example…”

He thought for a moment and realized that although Jiraiya was out gathering intelligence, he was also collecting information along the way, so it was not appropriate to use him as an example.

Furthermore... Tsunade left the village to do nothing, and Orochimaru, before his defection, often went out and didn't seem to do anything good either.

So he changed the subject, saying, "For example, Mr. Kirabi from your village is also on long-term leave, but that doesn't mean he's lazy."

Samui frowned slightly: "Mr. Shuji, please don't try to find out where Lord Killer Bee is in this way."

"Furthermore, it is true that Lord Killer Bee has devoted more of his energy to matters other than his identity as a ninja."

"Gentlemen," Nara Shikaku, who had been quietly listening, cleared his throat at the opportune moment, bringing the conversation back on track, "Regarding the specific details of the exchange competition, if there are no further objections, may we move on to the next topic?"

Shuji readily agreed and got to the point: "Regarding this event, Mr. Shikaku will serve as the overall leader for Konoha's team. During the event, Mr. Shikaku will have the authority to make temporary decisions regarding any unforeseen circumstances."

Samui turned to Nara Shikaku and bowed slightly: "I have also heard of the name of Konoha's strategist in Kumogakure. I hope Mr. Shikaku will give me your guidance in this collaboration."

Lu Jiu waved his hand: "It's not a matter of giving advice; everything can be handled according to the agreement and regulations."

The subsequent talks lasted for nearly two hours, during which both sides confirmed details on personnel allocation, venue usage rules, medical and logistical support, and other trivial but crucial matters.

Finally, Nara Shikaku stood up first: "Then, let's proceed with the specifics as discussed today."

He turned to Shuji and nodded: "Shuji, the follow-up reception of Jonin Samui is entrusted to you."

After saying that, he took the documents and left the meeting room.

The room quieted down, leaving only the increasingly deafening chirping of cicadas outside the window, stirring up the oppressive summer air.

Samie silently tidied up the scattered documents on the table, his movements swift and efficient.

"Miss Samui, would you like to try Konoha's tempura?" Shuji invited.

Samui continued what he was doing: "Since we're in Konoha, you can arrange our itinerary, Mr. Shuji."

After putting away the last document, Samui took out an inconspicuous small cloth bag from her ninja tool bag, placed it on the table, and pushed it toward Shuji.

"A batch of ocean-going merchant ships recently arrived in Leiyunjin."

"These are some...useless seeds that we brought with us on the ship."

"It is said that it was originally intended to be cultivated as an ornamental flower, but it only grew branches and leaves and never bloomed."

Shuji took it, his fingertips able to feel the subtle friction of the particles inside. He looked up at Samui: "Thank you, Miss Samui, for your trouble."

"It's just making the best use of them." The female ninja from Kumogakure's tone remained flat. "It's better to be put to other uses than to be discarded by caravans as waste."
-
The demon is said to possess boundless power, but the claim that it was ultimately sealed away by a priestess has been proven false. Furthermore, the story of the Box of Elysium demonstrates that no matter how powerful an uncontrolled evil entity may be, it is ultimately meaningless.

Evil gods are ultimately too ethereal and unreal. The power to control death sounds appealing, but which person wielding a weapon cannot control the life and death of another?

The legend of the Sage of Six Paths is too ancient, and no usable trace can be found in a short period of time.

Only the Dragon Vein contains the mission records, and the seal was personally executed by Minato Namikaze.

The immense energy hidden within the earth...

Danzo, as the former leader of Root, was naturally familiar with the techniques frequently used by the Fourth Hokage.

So, is the Four Symbols Seal that he will use to seal the dragon vein...?

Danzo closed the file.

Furthermore, there are the remnants of the Loulan Kingdom, who are said to be able to influence the power of the dragon veins...

It's time to act. Kakashi's investigation into Root has begun to deepen, and sooner or later he will touch upon the true core that they have hidden. Time is not on his side.
-
Time slipped away quietly amidst official documents and experiments, and the transition from July to August felt like just a blink of an eye.

The lingering heat of late summer still lingers in Konoha; the sun is blazing, the air is scorching, and it's hard to tell whether this moment or the peak of summer is more unbearable.

Outside the ninja academy, there was a bustling crowd. The day of the entrance exam for new students had arrived.

Shuji stood in the dense shade of a huge beech tree next to the school building, leaning against the rough trunk, his gaze calmly sweeping over the crowd gathered at the school gate.

Most of them were children about to start school, their faces showing excitement, nervousness, or curiosity. And almost all of them were accompanied by their parents or elders from their families who had high expectations for them.

Amidst the hustle and bustle, one figure stood out as out of place.

His golden hair was almost blinding in the bright sunlight. He stood alone in a corner at the edge of the crowd, his hands deeply tucked into his pockets, head slightly bowed, stubbornly staring at the tips of his shoes.
Fugaku and his wife appeared at the school gate, accompanied by Itachi Uchiha, with Sasuke Uchiha in the middle of the three.

Fugaku was talking to the teacher in charge of receiving them, while Sasuke was taking in his future classmates and surroundings.

Itachi saw Shuji standing under the tree. Shuji whispered something to his parents, then strode through the crowd and walked over.

"Senior," Itachi greeted softly.

"Did you come to accompany Sasuke to the test?"

"Yes." Itachi nodded, following Shuuji's gaze, and saw the blond figure. His eyes flickered slightly, but he said nothing.

Sasuke noticed his brother's sudden departure. He looked in the direction Itachi had gone and saw Shuji under the shade of a tree.

Sasuke's face tightened instantly, and his lips unconsciously pursed. It's that guy again... His brother is always calling him "senpai, senpai," and he doesn't even have time to train with him anymore.

Perhaps feeling the long-term gaze, Naruto raised his head and looked around the crowd blankly.

Sasuke gave a slightly disgruntled snort and looked away from Shuuji.

In that instant, blue eyes and black eyes briefly met across the throng of people.

Instantly separate.

Sasuke unconsciously frowned.

Who is that guy who looks...like an idiot?
(End of this chapter)