Konoha Notes

Chapter 244 Dragon Veins
"We'll continue with the melodramatic parts when you get back."

"The information about your appearance in Yakushi Nonou's mind has long been replaced."

Shuji first said a few words to Kabuto Yakushi, whose face seemed to be showing a variety of emotions, and then pointed to the boy in front of Nono Yakushi.

"This is Yakushi Kabuto."

It's not like she's on her deathbed. Even if Yakushi Nonou was fooled by fake photos for several years, she shouldn't be completely oblivious to the signs.

It's not like the situation is beyond repair. No matter how shaken Kabuto is, he won't immediately break down and lose himself.

All it takes is for someone to point it out and make things clear.

Shuji's attention shifted to the red-haired mother and daughter.

Although they share similar hair color, Sara is far stronger in personality, both as an individual and as a mother. As for Loulan's decline from its peak to its eventual demise amidst war under her rule, it can only be said that after the Dragon Vein was sealed by the Fourth Hokage, everything gained based on the Dragon Vein's power was lost.

“We have cooperated with your operations as requested,” Sara said, her hand gently stroking her daughter’s back, her expression resolute. “What else does Konoha want now?”

"To be precise, the so-called demands of Konoha only came about after I arrived," Shuji corrected. "As for what you and your daughter experienced before, it was just someone's personal plan acting in the name of Konoha."

Sarah's expression changed slightly: "Then, what about the people of Loulan?!"

"Please rest assured, they have been located by Konoha. Considering the consequences that have already occurred, and the fact that your cooperation will still be needed, the promise to find a place for the residents of Loulan to live in the Land of Fire remains valid."

Although Sara is called Queen, her title of King is more based on the dragon vein of Loulan. After Loulan was destroyed, the remaining tribespeople were not many, and compared to the value of the dragon vein, Konoha was not incapable of settling them.

Xiu Si's words were cold and calculating, driven only by self-interest, which reassured Sarah somewhat.

"Yakushi Nonou, if you've calmed down, please tell me about my current situation in Loulan."

"Also, is there another person here?"

Nonou's gaze shifted from the increasingly familiar silhouette of the boy, and with a hint of hesitation, she gave him a reassuring smile before pointing to a hidden passage deep within the stone chamber: "Di Jiu is there. He disappeared after Orochimaru appeared."

"He was a subordinate trusted by Danzo."

She had heard of Shuji's name; he was the Konoha Jonin who had once appeased Sunagakure. As for his latest movements, she hadn't heard anything about them since she had been staying in Loulan.

Since he could make Orochimaru back down, he naturally didn't need to deceive her.

Nono followed orders as if she were a commander at the front.

Shuji gestured to Kabuto Yakushi: "Go and handle it."

Kabuto nodded immediately and strode towards the passage. A few minutes later, he returned, dragging an unconscious ninja, without any further restraint.

“He’s just unconscious,” Kabuto reported, his gaze still lingering on Nonou. “I’ve already severed his tendons in his hands and feet with a chakra scalpel.”

Shuji nodded. As expected of Kabuto, he was cautious enough.

"Loulan has now been partially rebuilt by Sunagakure," Yakushi Nonou said, organizing the information. "The exterior is still dilapidated, but the internal conduit system connecting to the dragon vein's energy has been repaired."

To what extent has the dragon vein been unsealed?

"Orochimaru opened a channel, and the Sand Village's sealing team continued to expand on the foundation, but the core seal remained."

Sarah said, "Because the power of the dragon veins has been continuously used, I have regained the ability to influence the dragon veins."

It's already been developed to this extent; if it continues for a while, it will really become troublesome.

Shuji said, "You should have a plan for infiltrating the core area of ​​the Dragon Vein, Yakushi Nonou." "Yes, there is an abandoned ancient pipe that can bypass the main guards and reach the core area."

“I surveyed that passage just yesterday…”

Nono hesitated before revealing her speculation.

"However, since Orochimaru knows our location, it is still unknown whether this passage is safe."

Xiu Si thought for a moment: "Lead the way."

"Since Orochimaru already knew everything, he's actually safe now. But it'll be hard to say what will happen once he changes his mind."

"Even if he temporarily added guards before he came today to deal with your traps, the strength would not be enough."
-
The ruins of Loulan are located here.

The puppet troops of Sunagakure moved through the area.

Luo Sha stopped in front of a newly completed dragon vein puppet.

"How long will it take to expand production?" he asked.

"If the energy supply is stable and the materials can keep up, we should be able to..."

Before the words were even finished, the entire underground space suddenly trembled. The deep purple light in the pipes flickered violently, becoming unpredictable.

"what happened?!"

"Unstable energy flow! Abnormal fluctuations are coming from the core area!"

Luo Sha's face darkened: "Activate the defense system."

After giving the order, he instantly teleported towards the core area of ​​the dragon vein.

When they arrived at the scene, the sealing team next to the dragon vein sealing array had all fallen to the ground, and the puppets guarding the side had all turned into scattered parts.

Beside the Flying Thunder God kunai that sealed the key node of the dragon vein, a familiar black-haired youth crouched, his body surging with purple dragon vein energy. Four people stood beside him.

Luo Sha's gaze was immediately drawn to the red-haired mother and daughter.

"The Loulan royal family, Xiaoshuo knows nothing about their situation, and there's no trace of the Loulan tribe left in the surrounding area... yet they're still alive..."

As Luo Sha arrived, dragon vein puppets appeared one after another around him, and even the scattered parts were swaying and trying to reassemble under the pull of the energy threads hanging down from the pipes.

Kabuto Yakushi brandished a brilliant blue chakra blade, swiftly severing the energy threads approaching the group and kicking away the puppet parts. These objects were too hard for him to destroy with his abilities; this was the only way he could handle them.

"Choosing to handle the dragon vein matter personally, aren't you being too arrogant, Xiu Si?" The gold dust beneath Luo Sha's feet began to float.

Shuji’s attention was drawn away from the seal left by Minato Namikaze.

The legend of the dragon vein originates from the earth's energy, which is gentler and easier to guide than natural energy. This is especially true when Sarah is involved.

The dragon vein did not show any resistance to having its energy absorbed by him. Whether this overflowing energy was used by the Sand Village or absorbed by others, it seemed to make no difference to the dragon vein itself.

"I've been pondering a question lately, Lord Fengying."

"How should the incident in Sunagakure be resolved?"

"Originally, I only wanted to deal with the dragon vein first, and then make further plans. Now that you are here, things seem to have become much simpler."

(End of this chapter)