Konoha Notes

Chapter 251 The Shadows
As the victors of the war, Konoha has its own matters to attend to, while Sunagakure, as the defeated party, also has its most pressing tasks.

It's not a foreign commission, and it's not about how to pay compensation to Konoha.

The question is, who should be the next Kazekage?

Within Sunagakure, no suitable candidate could be found to command respect.

Among the younger generation, there is no one more outstanding than Luo Sha, not even slightly inferior.

Maki is an excellent example, but if he were to become the Kazekage, given the current situation, he would likely struggle to gain equal standing in dialogue with the Kage of other ninja villages.

“Even I, an old woman, have to wear this thing now.” Chiyo weighed the slightly heavy Kazekage hat in her hand, her tone filled with self-mockery. “Sunagakure has actually fallen to this state.”

“It’s only temporary, sister,” Ebizo said. “After all, we still need to deal with the daimyo for the time being.”

"Even a strong place like Konoha has experienced a similar transitional period."

"It shouldn't cause too much controversy."

Chiyo tossed her straw hat aside and asked, "What did that old bastard Ohnoki say?"

Ebizo replied, "Iwagakure has left only a small number of early warning troops at the northern fortress; the rest have all been withdrawn."

"There has been no other official response."

Chiyo nodded. That's enough. Silence is sometimes the greatest kindness.

Ebizo continued his report: "In addition, thanks to the few warships we captured from the remnants of the Sky Ninja, coupled with the newly formed air force, our disadvantage at sea has been somewhat mitigated. Perhaps we can try to open up maritime trade routes and explore new sources of revenue."

"If we can get through the most difficult period of this year, Konoha will probably relax some of the restrictions on us."

"The financial pressure will gradually ease by then."

The old consultant meticulously calculated the accounts, one by one.

Chiyo's expression softened slightly as he spoke. She saw a glimmer of hope in solving her most critical income problem; she could hold on for a few more years.

"...Where is Gaara?"

Ebizo shook his head.

After Shuji returned Rasa's body, Sunagakure arranged a funeral.

At that time, Gaara made no other comment, and didn't even have the interest to continue watching.

Chiyo took a deep breath: "I will take care of him... cruel or ruthless, whatever, Sunagakure needs someone who can take on the position of Kage."

"Moreover, it's my responsibility that he's become the way he is now. If it weren't for my suggestion..."

Ebizo remained silent, offering no reply. Some sins can only be borne by the one who made the suggestion.

As news of Chiyo temporarily taking over as Kazekage spread throughout the ninja world, Iwagakure's military presence on the border of the Land of Grass further contracted, and the standoff with Konoha eased significantly.

Against this backdrop, Hiruzen Sarutobi embarked on his journey home, returning to Konoha.

He didn't head straight for the Hokage Building, but instead went to the Shimura clan's residence first, where he lingered for a long time in the courtyard with its charred marks.

"You've finally... come to this."

If we could have stopped sooner, at least when everything had settled down, we could have sat down together and talked about the past.

Now that the younger generation is capable of shouldering the future, why can't they follow their teacher's wishes and let go peacefully, Danzo...?

Hiruzen Sarutobi stared at the indelible burn mark on the ground, standing there for an unknown amount of time, until the shadows shifted and the light changed, before he slowly turned and walked towards the Hokage Building.

With Tsunade absent, the Hokage's seat is vacant.

He paid no attention to his disciple's absence, turning his gaze to the person behind another desk, and said with a hint of teasing, "You've been resting for half a year, so are you making up for it by working overtime now?" Shuji replied, "Because I have to ask someone for a favor, I have to stay here for a while, Third Generation."

Hiruzen Sarutobi let out a low, enigmatic laugh: "Since childhood, Tsunade's dream has been to travel the world. In recent years, she did manage to fulfill that wish to some extent by taking advantage of an opportunity."

"I suppose it's mostly because I'm such an incompetent old man that you were able to bring her back."

Xiu Si hesitated for a moment, then said carefully, "You have done everything you could in your position."

The Third Hokage let out a "hoho" laugh, his wrinkles smoothing out: "You're getting more and more impolite, Shuji."

“You are a tolerant old man, which is why I am so presumptuous.”

"To be praised like this by a young person, it seems this old man isn't such a complete failure." He changed the subject, his gaze sharpening, "You, really never thought of becoming Hokage, Shuji?"

"I don't want to, and I don't want to."

Xiu Si answered decisively, without the slightest hesitation.

Occasionally being a beast of burden is completely different from being a beast of burden all the time.

With his current strength and resources, there is nothing he can obtain only by becoming Hokage.

Even if a reliable administrative team is assembled in the future, just looking at the endless stream of activities and competitions right now... attending all kinds of meetings alone is enough to exhaust one's energy.

Although he was involved in driving many things, it did not mean that he was willing to personally sit in that position and bear all the trivialities and pressures that came with it.

“Although you’re not the most willful type, you still really feel the gap between the thinking of the younger generation and us old folks at times like this.”

“Since you have made it clear that you do not want to take the position,” Hiruzen Sarutobi said solemnly, “then, for a considerable period of time to come, ensuring that Tsunade does not resign is the responsibility you must shoulder.”

“If she runs away, then the village will not be able to respect your wishes.”

"After all, with your current reputation, apart from Jiraiya, even Kakashi can hardly compare to you for the time being. You can only rely on time to gradually build up your reputation."

"Can you accept this condition?"

Shuji nodded: "Agreed."

As for what people who aren't here think?
It's her fault for being absent at a crucial moment; in these situations, the person who wasn't there always takes the blame.

Having finalized this matter concerning the village's future stability, Hiruzen Sarutobi sat down on the sofa next to him, took out his pipe, slowly filled it with tobacco, and lit it.

He took a deep drag, and after a long while, slowly exhaled a grayish-white smoke. He repeated this two or three times, filling the office with a faint smell of tobacco.

"Sandaime."

"what happened?"

"I have some matters I would like to consult with you about."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze swept over the pile of documents on Shuji's desk, his pipe twirling between his fingers.

"I have other things to take care of."

Even if he doesn't mind working overtime, he's been doing it his whole life, so he doesn't care about a little extra time now.

However, Tsunade and Shuji take turns doing one person's work and are always thinking about slacking off.

Taking on more responsibility at a time like this would make Hiruzen Sarutobi seem exceptionally foolish.

It would be better to go see Naruto and help Konohamaru.

　I'm experiencing writer's block, but I'm still writing.
　　
　
(End of this chapter)