Konoha Notes

Chapter 240 After the War
Choosing to enter the land of rivers? That's really radical, Shuji.

This was Tsunade's first thought upon receiving the news, but after all, she had conveyed the order to "make a decision based on the situation" through Shikaku. Let the advisory group gossip if they want.

The Fifth Hokage quickly prepared a plan to send reinforcements. However, the subsequent news was so rapid that even she was surprised.

A direct confrontation with the Wind Shadow? Successfully establishing a forward camp?

Well, it's not entirely unexpected, considering that Shuuji has Wood Release and has also learned Sage Mode.

But what happened next completely exceeded her expectations.

What does it mean that "Konoha's forces are advancing all the way, and Sunagakure is finding it difficult to resist, and may soon be withdrawing from the Land of Rivers"?
When she saw the latest battle report clearly stating, "Our army has advanced to the border of the Land of Wind, the main force of Sunagakure has fully contracted its defenses, and large-scale battles within the Land of Rivers have basically ceased," her tense nerves, which had been taut for days, finally relaxed completely.

Won.

There was a gentle knock on the office door.

"Come in."

Koharu and Homura Mitokado walked in.

"Tsunade, is there any new news about the battle at the front?" Koharu Utatane asked first.

"Hmm." Tsunade pushed the battle report in her hand across the table. "Sunagakure has retreated. Shuuji and Shikaku have taken control of the main passages of the Land of Rivers. Our defenses have now been pushed to the border of the Land of Wind."

Mitokado Homura adjusted his glasses: "So, what are your plans for dealing with the relationship with Sunagakure next? Will you continue to exert pressure, or..."

“We’ll have to wait for a detailed assessment report from the front lines to decide on the specifics of how to handle things in Sunagakure,” Tsunade interrupted him, resting her chin on her hands. “Right now, there’s another, more pressing issue that needs to be decided immediately.”

"What should we do about the joint Chunin Exams in November?"

The room fell silent instantly.

The two advisors exchanged a glance, both seeing the seriousness and hesitation in each other's eyes.

If this had happened in the past, there wouldn't have been anything difficult to handle. At worst, we could have simply stopped the event or had the village handle it on its own.

After all, Konoha is a military organization, and the exam location is outside the village. Every time such a large-scale event is held, the security of the core area must be considered.

During wartime, when manpower is insufficient, it is natural to cancel activities that need to be canceled.

In recent years, the Chunin Exams have become deeply intertwined with massive financial flows. A single ticket costs tens of thousands of yen, and the new stadium, capable of holding tens of thousands, generates astronomical revenue from ticket sales alone.

As early as mid-September, all seats had been sold out.

More importantly, after the Sunagakure invasion of the Land of Rivers, the Hidden Cloud Village clearly stated that as long as Konoha did not cancel, they would definitely participate as scheduled. Behind this "support" lies substantial interests and credibility.

Koharu Tsurugi said, "If it's canceled, it will be a huge blow to the village's reputation. Besides, the ticket revenue has already been deposited into the accounts and planned for this year's budget. If it's fully refunded..." She didn't finish her sentence, but her furrowed brows said it all.

Mitomon Homura continued, "Since Sunagakure has been defeated, and although Iwagakure has deployed troops on the border, according to the intelligence sent back by Hiruzen, Onoki currently has no real intention of starting a war... The risks may be manageable."

The two people in charge of the Ministry of State Affairs had made a financial plan based on last year's revenue.

The two people in charge of the administrative department knew the village's current financial situation better than anyone else. Money was needed everywhere: the reform of the ninja academy, the genin training program, and the technical analysis and defense upgrade needs brought back from the front lines with the wreckage of air ninja equipment…

The event revenue, already included in the budget, had already been allocated to various locations. The thought of having to recoup it now, just imagining the financial hole, was enough to send chills down one's spine.

Even though they usually favored conservative approaches, they had to tip the scales in favor of "continuing to hold the event" on this matter. Tsunade's thoughts were unusually aligned with those of the two advisors.

The thought of refunding such a large sum of money made her fists itch.

"Let's talk to Iwagakure first," Tsunade decided. "Aren't they also organizing some kind of Western Ninja Exchange Conference?"

"Send another letter to the front lines and ask for Shuji and Shikaku's opinions."
-
The border between the Land of Rivers and the Land of Wind.

With the Sand Village gaining aerial power, Konoha established a defensive line there, making air defense a top priority. While ninjas could dodge objects falling from the sky, fixed barracks, warehouses, and fortifications couldn't. Even with barriers in place, they were still passive targets.

Shuji was inspecting a newly established mountain command post, confirming the stability of the internal support structure and ventilation system, when a frontline sentry appeared in front of him in an instant.

"Lord Shuji, a messenger from Sunagakure has arrived and requests a meeting."

Xiu Si brushed the dust off the rock wall without looking up: "Who's here?"

"The other party claims to be a Jonin from Sunagakure, Maki."

“Maki…I’ll go see him.”

The meeting place was chosen on a bare mountaintop, completely exposed. There were no tables or chairs, only the howling mountain wind. Konoha's vigilant ninjas were scattered around.

Before Maki could speak, Shuji cut him off from his prepared words.

"This time, let's skip all the useless embellishments."

"Whether it's a request from the daimyo of the land of rivers or something else."

“Maki, say something useful.”

"What price is Sunagakure willing to pay for its betrayal?"

Maki's throat bobbed; his prepared words seemed pale and powerless in the face of the other party's decisive attitude. He was silent for a few seconds before squeezing out, "Sunagakure did not invade the Land of Fire."

Shuji replied calmly, "Konoha's troops are currently stationed outside the border of the Land of Wind."

Maki took a deep breath of the cool mountain breeze: "Mr. Shuji, peace is beneficial to both sides."

“A fickle ally only brings hidden dangers.” Shuji’s tone remained firm. “Over the past few years, no matter what changes have occurred in the specific details of the aid provided by both sides, Konoha has never let its ally, Sunagakure, leave empty-handed. Sunagakure should acknowledge that, right?”

Maki pursed his lips. All the plans he had prepared beforehand seemed utterly meaningless in the face of this man who had defeated Sunagakure head-on.

This is not someone who can be swayed by words.

“Make peace today, betray tomorrow, talk again the day after, and easily abandon it in the future…” Shuji shook his head. “Maki, if Sunagakure is just trying to buy time for the next time they break the alliance, then there’s no need to say more.”

"If there is no guarantee that can truly bind the alliance, there is no need to say a word more."

"Go back and discuss it with Advisor Ebizo and the others before coming back."

He looked at Maki with a cold gaze: "Do you really think Konoha is completely unaware of what you're preparing?"

(End of this chapter)