Konoha Notes

Chapter 262: Old
In Konoha, who could possess Wood Release? Considering how much Tsunade trusts him, he's most likely a member of the Senju clan.

At this age, having achieved fame and power, yet lacking even the right to use his ancestral surname, Onoki originally intended to retaliate by provoking the other side in this way.

However, judging from his nonchalant expression, those words were probably of no use at all.

So Onoki didn't bother with that effort anymore.

He continued condescendingly, "Konoha sent you, so you should know what to do next, right?"

"Konoha came at the invitation of Iwagakure. Lord Tsuchikage, you may go back and review your village's memorandum," Shuji replied with a smile. "If this decision was not made by you, I may return first and come back after you have discussed it with your subordinates."

Having said that, he casually waved his hand: "Although I have no shortage of time to chat with you, how about we stop with this little trick for now, Lord Tsuchikage?"

"I thought that Iwagakure had recognized the current state of the ninja world, which is why they took the initiative to invite us to a meeting. They even praised Onoki, who was known as stubborn, as a man of flexible methods."

There was no provocation in his dark eyes, only a calm stillness: "So, were my expectations too high?"

Deidara, watching from the side, almost burst out laughing, but he managed to hold it in, though his shoulders kept twitching.

Even the old man who used to bully everyone in the village has his day. Even if nothing gets blown up today, this trip was still worthwhile, hmm!

Onoki Hana's eyes, beneath her white eyebrows, narrowed into slits.

He wasn't angry; he simply re-examined the young man before him.

"Let's get down to business and resolve this trouble caused by Luo Sha's recklessness."

"Iwagakure and Konoha withdrew their troops from the border at the same time, and the Land of Grass returned to its previous state."

"In exchange, if Konoha holds the Chunin Exams next year, Iwagakure is willing to participate."

The withdrawal of troops was an outcome desired by both sides. The Land of Grass itself served as a buffer zone, and given that Iwagakure still retained its full military strength, it was appropriate to allow it to continue playing its original role.

As for the latter, Iwagakure wanted to escape its isolation, but didn't want Konoha to make exorbitant demands because it offered to participate. So Onoki cleverly packaged it as compensation from Iwagakure to Konoha.

But for Konoha, this is not a problem.

So Shuji nodded: "Okay."

“Well then, let’s leave the serious stuff here.” Onoki changed the subject. “Let’s talk about something else.”

"Regarding the practical exchange activities between Konoha and Kumogakure."

"Iwagakure also organized exchanges among the western ninjas."

Deidara squinted; it hardly qualify as a conversation. Because many of the participants were wandering ninjas forced into the competition, the Iwagakure ninjas were quite ruthless when they exchanged blows.

Basically, it's like someone accidentally spilling something all over the place, in a physical sense.

Compared to the battle between Konoha and Kumogakure, although the fighting was lively and bloodshed occurred, it was ultimately harmless and resulted in no deaths.

Ignoring what Deidara was thinking, Onoki continued, "These two activities should be standardized."

The Third Tsuchikage's true intention was to discuss staggered event times: "Considering the overall benefits, the events should be held at different times. This way, the events in Konoha and Kumogakure can attract spectators from the western countries."

"And Iwagakure is also able to gain attention from audiences in the central and eastern regions."

"This is a win-win situation for both sides."

Shuji gently shook his head: "For Konoha, this is not a win-win proposal."

He further corrected the other party's statement: "Moreover, it is no longer an exchange between Konoha and Kumogakure. Sunagakure has now joined, and the event has been renamed the New Elite Joint Martial Arts Tournament."

"Therefore, the 'Western Ninja Exchange Activities' mentioned by Lord Tsuchikage probably does not fully represent the wishes and current situation of the Western Ninja World."

The promotion for next year's event hasn't even started yet, and news of Sunagakure's inclusion in the event hasn't spread throughout the ninja world; even Onoki is unaware of it. "Since the Tsuchikage has realized that there is greater potential for development in turning competitive events into something that can benefit the entire ninja world, why not join the joint martial arts competition?"

He met Onoki's gaze: "The conflicts in the ninja world, the confrontations between ninja commissions, are essentially a manifestation of the conflicting needs between different countries and groups."

“It is understandable for ninja villages, which accept offerings from various countries and make a living from them, to act in this way.”

"But nowadays, ninjas, who were originally driven by people's wishes, have begun to fight for their own grudges and interests, and even start one war after another."

"Such a ninja war no longer represents the wishes of people from all countries; it may even only affect exchanges between countries and cause development to stagnate."

"In fact, war itself has become a way for ninjas to wear each other down, and it can't really change anything."

"Lord Tsuchikage, you must have begun to realize this as well: the balance of power in the ninja world cannot be changed by war."

"That's why we're following in the footsteps of Konoha and Kumogakure, launching various tournaments to seek ways to survive outside of war."

Onoki stared at him and said, "Young man, that's very well said."

"But nice words alone can't solve any problems."

Shuji stood up and dusted himself off: "Konoha has the strength to put its words into practice, and the determination to explore a new order that is better than war."

"Lord Tsuchikage, the conversation is merely to inform you of the current situation."

"Too many people have already realized that war is not feasible and have suffered greatly from it."

"If you remain stuck in the past and lack the strength of Lord Hashirama, you will be crushed by the combined desires of others."

"Now that the main business has been agreed upon, as for the conditions you added—"

"Konoha does not agree."

"I don't think we need to discuss the details with each other."

"Let someone else do it."

Shuji released the earth-遁 (earth-遁 is a technique that allows one to escape from earth), and with a rumbling sound, the stone platform sank, allowing him to return to the front line of the Konoha camp.

Deidara watched the man's departing figure, wanting to mock the old man's current dejected state once more.

"Old man..."

Before he could finish speaking, he noticed that Onoki's face was frighteningly gloomy.

Deidara immediately fell silent.

Am I... dwelling on the past...?

Onoki, who lives on two scales, will be run over...

Onoki lowered his head, looking at the ground beneath his feet, and suddenly felt a little disheartened.

He looked at Deidara beside him and cursed, "Idiot, when will you learn from others? All you do is blow things up, what kind of art is that?"

Deidara looked completely bewildered.

What did he fry today? He didn't even mention art.

　I can't stay up late anymore. I've been doing this for two or three months, often until 3 or 4 in the morning. My liver is starting to hurt.

　　So I can only write in my spare time during the day and at night, but I really can't stay up all night anymore. There will be updates, but I can't do them as regularly as before.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)