Konoha Notes

Chapter 261 Sit Down and Talk

The resolution to build a completely new defense system was passed without any suspense in the Hokage's office.

Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado had no objection to the fact that they needed money to go to the Fire City.

During the reign of the Third Hokage, the advisors and elders, including Danzo Shimura, all had their own affairs to attend to.

Danzo Shimura was responsible for handling missions that couldn't be carried out in the open, whether they involved Konoha, other ninja villages, or even the Land of Fire itself.

The other two advisors, in addition to handling village administration, are also responsible for communicating with the Daimyo of the Land of Fire on a political level.

Going out to raise funds is simply part of their job responsibilities.

In terms of results, both of them have done a good job. At least the Hokage and the Daimyo of the Land of Fire have never had a falling out over money.

After seeing off the two advisors and Nara Shikaku, Tsunade stretched her shoulders.

"When do you plan to leave?" she asked, her gaze falling on the figure by the window.

"I'll go down in a couple of days," Shuji replied, "to check the situation ahead of time."

The Chunin Exams just happened to end in the last two days.

"Although it was Iwagakure that initiated the meeting request, we should still be careful. After all, who knows if Onoki is planning to do something underhanded through the meeting?" she added.

"Ah."

Tsunade reiterated: "Onoki and Rasa are not the same thing."

"I see."

It was precisely because they knew the two were not the same person that they went down to prepare in advance.

Even ten years later, Onoki remains the pinnacle of the Five Kage.
-
The wind swept across the barren, rocky land, stirring up dry dust. A long-abandoned outpost stood alone on the open plain.

Around it, the forces of Konoha and Iwagakure were stationed in clear distinction, maintaining a tacitly agreed safe distance from each other.

The Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, arrived at the Iwagakure forces, accompanied by a blond-haired boy.

“This doesn’t look like a negotiation, hmm…” Deidara surveyed the scene. “Is this a war, old man?”

"Negotiations do not mean we are not preparing for war," Onoki said in a deep voice, "especially under the current circumstances."

“If an important figure is lost on our side, or if an important figure is lost on the other side, it will not be a simple matter.”

Deidara tilted his head, puzzled, and asked, "Why did you run out here, old man? Aren't you afraid of scaring them away?"

It goes without saying who is the most important person in Iwagakure and whom they cannot afford to lose.

The presence of Onoki, the Tsuchikage and the village's strongest fighter, is hardly a sign of goodwill.

The Third Tsuchikage snorted, "If it can scare them, that would be good."

That's what he said, but he came in person mainly because of the situation, and the matter involved the future development of Iwagakure.

Jiraiya never left Konoha.

He only had loess on his side, and after thinking it over, Onoki still felt it wasn't a safe bet.

What if Konoha has other ideas?

Even with both Jinchuriki alive, the opposing side still had a Wood Release ninja capable of killing the Kazekage.

Their quick agreement to the talks suggests they might have other plans in mind.

Huang Tu stepped forward.

"Lord Tsuchikage, the meeting place is the outpost ahead. The surrounding area has been cleared and sealed off by both our side and Konoha. It's confirmed to be safe." Huang Tu pointed to the cleared area in front of the outpost.

"As agreed, the talks will take place there. Both sides will use earth magic to raise two platforms one meter apart as negotiating seats."

Onoki hummed in agreement.

This would prevent either party from doing anything underhanded, and such an arrangement does seem to show some sincerity.

"A high platform... um... if we can't reach an agreement, blowing it up doesn't seem like a bad idea..." Deidara listened, his fingertips unconsciously rubbing the ninja tool pouch at his waist, a glint of excitement in his eyes, "Old man... um... can I blow it up?"

Since Onoki was right next to him, he still asked respectfully.

"Without my orders, you are absolutely not allowed to move!" Onoki immediately shouted sternly. "Do you think I brought you here so you could play your clay tricks?"

"Shut your mouth, look carefully, and listen attentively."

Deidara pursed his lips and didn't say anything more, but his eyes continued to dart between the open space and the outpost in the distance.

"The envoy from Konoha has arrived, hasn't he?" Onoki asked, turning to Koto.

"Yes, the representatives from Konoha for this negotiation have arrived at the camp."

Onoki narrowed his eyes slightly: "Send an envoy to inform the other side that negotiations can begin tomorrow. However," he paused, "do not reveal that I have come in person."

He planned to take advantage of this information gap to seize the initiative at the very beginning of the negotiations.

The next day.

At the agreed time, the two platforms were raised simultaneously and stood facing each other.

Shuji stood on the high platform on the side of Konoha, his gaze sweeping over the still empty stone platform opposite him, and he sighed inwardly.

Using such tricks is just blatantly telling everyone who's here, isn't it?
Sure enough, two small figures slowly descended from the sky.

The slightly taller one was a blond boy.

The shorter one was none other than the 1.3-meter-tall Third Tsuchikage, Onoki of the Two Scales.

"To be met with a young man like you is truly beneath Konoha's notice." After landing, Onoki stood with his hands behind his back, his voice carrying its usual authority.

Shuji's gaze naturally shifted slightly downwards as he said, "In that case, why don't you consider flying a little higher, Lord Tsuchikage? Speaking with your head down all the time puts a lot of strain on your cervical spine."

Upon hearing this, Deidara's eyes lit up instantly. It was the first time he had ever seen anyone dare to make fun of Onoki's height so openly.

The old man's dust escape technique not only hurts when he hits people, but his fists are also very hard.

In that case, a fight is about to break out.

As he thought about it, he placed his hand on his ninja tool pouch.

But his wrist was immediately held down by Onoki, who cast a menacing glare at him.

Deidara secretly curled his lip.

The old man across from me, who's mocking me, why is he angry with me... But it's rare to see someone dare to talk to Onoki like that, and the old man has to put up with it. This scene is quite unusual.

Thinking about it, he was actually quite happy again, and his gaze towards Xiu Si carried a strange kindness.

“If you don’t intend to go through the trouble of maintaining your height, and if you don’t mind the formalities, I can sit down and talk to you.” The person opposite spoke again, and then walked to the edge of the stone platform, sat down cross-legged, and instantly leveled off the height difference between them.

Onoki released his grip on Deidara, stared at the young man sitting cross-legged opposite him, and asked in a deep voice, "Are you Shuji? Is your surname Senju?"

“No,” Shuuji looked up and replied calmly, “It’s just Shuuji.”

(End of this chapter)