Konoha Notes

Chapter 268 Inside and Out
The faces of the Hyuga clan elders were filled with undisguised embarrassment and irritation.

Even if the person saying this is the one in front of you.

But being treated like this by someone decades younger, even if they can hold a grudge in their hearts, still leaves them with a burning sense of humiliation.

Hiashi Hyuga, on the other hand, appeared more composed, his expression remaining calm. After confirming that none of the clan elders raised any further objections, he lowered his head.

"The Hyuga clan, we understand."

The moment Hiashi made his statement, Shuji's imposing coldness vanished.

“The venue area outside the village is different.”

"The main stadium can currently accommodate 10,000 spectators, not even counting the permanent businesses and tourists that will inevitably gather around it..."

"The subsequent expansion plan has been put on the agenda. In the future, the spectators and participants gathered there will come from diverse backgrounds and be a mixed bag."

"From a security perspective alone, it is an inevitable trend that the police sub-stations stationed in the venue area will have a larger personnel than the headquarters in the village in the future."

He paused briefly, allowing the others in the room who were listening to process the information in his words.

"More importantly, with the massive influx of people, merchants, artisans seeking opportunities, and various service providers will entwine themselves like vines. The flow of funds involved there in the future will be astronomical."

"On the other hand, the village's police headquarters," Shuji said, changing the subject slightly, "is located in the core area of ​​Konoha, surrounded by the settlements of various ninja clans, ANBU strongholds, and important hospitals... The space for it to operate and expand is actually quite limited."

The anger that had been barely concealed on the faces of the Hyuga clan elders had completely vanished, replaced by deep thought.

If the police department truly has such a prospect, then the village's proposed distribution plan wouldn't be considered a case of crossing the river and then burning the bridge.

"It is precisely because of the prospects of the venue area that I am the one to play the bad guy first and draw a line in advance."

“At least,” his voice softened, but his tone became much heavier, “the outcome will be much better than if the village had to resort to more drastic measures to clean up the area in a few years, right?”

Hiashi Hyuga nodded again, this time with a more solemn gesture: "Lord Shuji is right, the Hyuga clan has learned a great deal."

Shuji glanced at him. Hiashi, the clan leader, was much more flexible than Fugaku, even though he would talk about how the Hyuga was a powerful clan in Konoha. He knew when to back down.

Working with people like that makes things much easier.

With him taking the lead, the previously tense atmosphere completely eased. Shuji then raised some minor issues and stayed at the Hyuga clan's residence for a while longer.

After the matter was concluded, they prepared to leave.

Just as he had arrived, he was respectfully seen off by Hyuga Hiashi and several elders of the main clan.

Outside the mansion gate, at the corner of the corridor, he saw a boy.

He was dressed in plain clothes, with a bandage wrapped around his forehead.

There was neither curiosity nor fear on the boy's face.

Upon seeing the main family members emerge, the boy silently stepped aside to the edge of the corridor, lowering his eyes.

Shuji did not stop walking, and his gaze only swept over the area.

Hiashi Hyuga and the others bowed slightly as they saw him off.

Hiashi Hyuga's voice rang out after he had taken a dozen or so steps.

"Neji, go in first."
-
For Chiyo, her days as Kazekage were nothing special, except that she had more worries than when she was an elder.

Raising children can be quite complicated.

Gaara's power is not a problem.

Despite being weak in physical skills, and lacking in both movement and strength, they are still able to skillfully use various weapons.

Having been assassinated by Rasa for many years, he had become very skilled in the ninjutsu of manipulating sand.

Even if his learning ability isn't as outstanding as his sand manipulation skills, he can still be considered a regular genius. Aside from his ruthlessness and cruelty, he is the kind of person Sunagakure needs most for the next ten years.

Chiyo stared at the scattered puppet fragments on the ground, wooden joints and parts broken everywhere. She didn't know what she was thinking at that moment; her mind was blank.

Now that I've decided to take this child in, I have to do something to try and guide him, based on the vague, fragmented experience I have with raising children.

"boring."

The child, with bright red hair similar to her grandson Scorpion's, carried an indifference even more thorough and colder than Scorpion's back then. He left the room with just those two words, without even glancing at the pile of shards.

After Gaara left, Temari hesitantly sidled up to him.

Rasa's eldest daughter appeared more mature and cautious than her actual age. She whispered in defense of her younger brother, "Kage-sama, I'm sorry... Gaara..."

Kankuro squatted beside the pile of fragments, trying to pick up a few larger pieces to piece them together, but to no avail.

"He was clearly a very good puppet, that Gaara guy..."

Chiyo, who is known for her impatient personality, did not lose her temper with the two children at this moment.

She just sighed, her voice hoarse: "What do you mean, Lord Fengying? Children shouldn't talk like adults."

She reached out and ruffled Temari's golden hair, her movements somewhat stiff, yet carrying a rare gentleness.

Then, she turned to Kankuro and took out a small puppet: "This is a good puppet, Kankuro."

After comforting Temari, who was forced to grow up quickly after losing her parents, and sending Kankuro, who was full of interest in puppets, away, Chiyo dragged her slightly tired body away from the three children's home.

As soon as she returned to the Kazekage's office, her younger brother, Ebizo, was already waiting there.

"elder sister."

"What happened again?"

"The naval fleet responsible for deploying and supporting air forces has been confirmed to be targeted by an unidentified force, and its flight path shows signs of being continuously tracked."

Chiyo's brows furrowed immediately.

"I have ordered the fleet to dive into deep waters and lie low for the time being, while sending out reconnaissance teams to investigate the origins of the trackers."

After Chiyo sat down, she said, "In that case, the revenue from the sea will have to be reduced, right?"

"Yes."

"This year's extra income can only be expected from the revenue sharing from that joint military exercise," she added.

"Yes."

"How are those special plants obtained from Muye doing now?"

"According to feedback from the experimental sites, the growth is good, but we need to collect the seeds ourselves, so we'll have to wait another two years," Ebizo replied.

“Land reclamation…” Chiyo looked at the Kazekage hat beside her, “That brat wants to deplete Sunagakure’s manpower and resources.”

But given the current state of the ninja world, what can Sunagakure do?

"What's the feedback from the Daimyo side?"

Ebizo hesitated for a moment, then said, "Your Excellency has shown interest in the oasis maintenance and land reclamation plan itself. However..."

He wanted a more specific commitment.

"Regarding the future investment direction of Sunagakure, he hopes that after receiving new assistance, Sunagakure will be able to truly put the money into this plan."

(End of this chapter)