Konoha Notes

Chapter 271 Test Flight
The intelligence had already passed through Kakashi's hands, so he didn't need to guess what Shuuji wanted to do by inviting him over.

Therefore, he was not surprised when he received the order to inform Hiashi Hyuga of the situation from the Anbu and to prepare to send two teams to provide support in the stadium area.

The only thing that I was curious about was that after saying those two sentences, Shuji left his seat, looking like he was about to go out.

"Hey, has it gotten to the point where both of you have to leave your posts at the same time?"

"The stamps that should have been done here have been done." Shuji tapped his back. "Now let's go out and see the village's new achievements."

Kakashi nodded, showing no interest in the so-called new achievement, and prepared to leave.

Unexpectedly, Xiu Si's hand was a step faster and landed firmly on his shoulder.

"Kakashi-senpai."

Kakashi sighed, his shoulders slumping. "It was fine before you called me that, but now when I hear you call me 'senpai,' it sends chills down my spine, Shuji."

"Have you ever flown?" Shuuji ignored his complaint and asked another question.

"No. And I have absolutely no interest in it."

"The village has made some progress in replicating the flying equipment of the Sky Ninja." Shuji's hand on his shoulder did not loosen at all. "Even for experienced ninjas, truly relying on machinery to soar through the sky is a completely new experience."

“I’m past the age of having unnecessary curiosity about this kind of thing, Shuji.” Kakashi tried to make a last-ditch effort.

“It is precisely because you are a ‘Copy Ninja’ who has copied thousands of ninjutsu and have extensive experience in carrying out tactical missions in various extreme environments that the village needs your professional assessment.” Shuuji’s tone became businesslike. “Your practical judgment is crucial to the practicality, limitations, and potential tactical value of this equipment.”

"It's really hard to believe that Mr. Shuji, who personally destroyed the Sky Ninja Force with his ninjutsu, would say something like that." Kakashi gave up trying to break free of the hand on his shoulder.

"Just an assessment?" he finally confirmed.

Shuji nodded firmly.

Kakashi fell silent. He had already experienced this guy's occasional quirks of mischief during their first mission together.

Now other people can play with the Hokage's seal, but what can he, a mere ANBU leader, do?

There's no need to ask that question again.

Having resigned himself to his fate, Kakashi and Shuji walked together towards the outside of the Hokage Building, heading towards the high cliff above the Hokage Rock.

The technical staff had been waiting there for quite some time.

When the two arrived, several technicians in white lab coats were conducting final checks and adjustments around a device that resembled a hang glider.

Strictly speaking, calling it a hang glider isn't entirely accurate. It was a prototype made by copying and improving upon captured ninja equipment.

The technical department named it "Flying Bird". The main body of the device has a symmetrical wing-body structure, each about 1.2 meters long, and the front end is equipped with a handle and control stick for fixing the arm and for fine-tuning the direction.

Its wing structure differs from the original version of the Air Ninja. It is not a completely metal frame, but rather a specially made wing membrane with a certain degree of toughness and chakra conductivity is covered between the frames.

A researcher who appeared to be in charge saw Shuuji and immediately jogged over.

"Lord Shuji." He bowed respectfully and began to report, "This prototype of the 'Asuka' is based on a flight principle similar to that of the flying ninja tools used by the Sky Ninja."

"It does not have its own independent, sustainable lift. Takeoff requires an external projection device to provide initial velocity, or, as we have chosen, a glide start from a high vantage point such as a cliff of sufficient height."

The researcher pointed to the device and explained, "After the wings are deployed, the ninja needs to continuously output chakra to the device."

"Chakra flows through the wing membrane, interacts with the air, thereby maintaining flight attitude and providing a certain amount of propulsion."

"In theory, instantly increasing chakra output can provide higher lift or burst speed in a short period of time, but it will rapidly deplete the user's chakra reserves and significantly shorten the maximum endurance and distance of a single flight."

Kakashi had his hands in his pockets, seemingly lazy, but actually listening intently to every word, his gaze carefully scanning every part of the "flying bird".

"It sounds like it has a lot of limitations, and it's probably not very practical in actual combat," he bluntly commented.

"What about the safety measures?" Kakashi pressed.

The person in charge gave an awkward smile.

"This... the current prototype mainly focuses on verifying basic flight feasibility... safety redundancy design and emergency landing device are still on the list of subsequent development."

“Therefore, users need to find and determine a suitable landing location on their own before they realize that their chakra is about to run out.” Kakashi glanced at Shuuji.

"Can we start the trial evaluation now?" Shuuji asked the person in charge directly, seemingly ignoring his gaze.

"Yes, the equipment has been debugged and is ready to start at any time," the person in charge replied quickly.

Kakashi stood there, noticing that all the technicians around him, including Shuji, were staring at him.

"Didn't we agree that it would just be an 'evaluation'?"

Despite this, Kakashi resigned himself to his fate and, under the guidance of the technicians, slipped his arm into the restraint strap and gripped the control stick in front of him.

“Hands-on experience and collecting firsthand data are an indispensable part of the evaluation process, Kakashi-senpai,” Shuji said. “Originally, I was the one who was to conduct the first test flight.”

"However, considering that my chakra reserves may exceed the standard, I am unable to provide advice with universal reference value. Therefore, I entrust this important task to you."

The technicians stood by, repeatedly explaining the key points and precautions of the operation.

Kakashi stood on the edge of the cliff, the strong wind blowing his silver hair. Below him was a forest shrunk to a miniature model, and further away, the outline of the stadium area looked like a stack of building blocks.

So why did he ask that question today?
The next moment, he took a few steps forward, leaned his body forward, and leaped off the cliff.
-
Outside Konoha Village, the once simple stadium area has become increasingly bustling.

Next to the competition venue, various shops and a surging crowd gathered.

The police department is located at a key entrance to this area. The brand-new building reflects a light-colored light in the sunlight, and its scale and grandeur surpass even the police headquarters in Konoha Village.

Another significant difference lies in the emblem above the building—the central symbol is no longer the Uchiha fan, but a prominent emblem representing Konoha Village.

Hiashi Hyuga has been spending most of his time in this branch building lately. The large windows in his top-floor office offer a panoramic view of the crowds below and the distant stadium skyline.

A member of the branch family silently entered the office.

"Minister, the secret service has already sent people into the venue area and is making arrangements."

Hiashi's gaze did not leave the window. The counterattack from the police headquarters was obvious. Even though the village had not sent any ANBU to inform them, the Hyuga clan was prepared.

However, the village not only informed them in advance but also mobilized two secret task forces to cooperate in the operation, making the situation much simpler to handle.

Given that Fugaku Uchiha had already accepted the village's arrangements, any small actions he took were completely exposed in the face of the Byakugan.

It was precisely because Hiashi knew the role the village played in this that he had no objection to the boundaries drawn by Shuji.

What truly worried him were things at home.

The eldest daughter of the main family is too weak.

Regardless of their actual strength, there aren't many situations where members of the main family need to participate in battles, so as long as they can perform reasonably well, that's sufficient.

Being too weak in character is absolutely unacceptable.

His second daughter, Hanabi, is now two years old. According to the rules, only one of his two daughters can inherit the main family business, while the other will have to be kept in a cage.

However, Hinata has not shown the magnanimity to inherit the main family's legacy, and putting Hanabi in a cage would be self-destructive.

Especially now, the competition with the Uchiha clan is only just beginning.

The village will support Hyuga when the branch is just starting out. But what about a few years, a decade or more, when he gets old?

With the branch becoming a fait accompli, and the village still able to leave the Uchiha with a headquarters leader, will the Hyuga be able to maintain their current position in the future?
Hinata... can she shoulder this heavy responsibility?
However, if a successor is to be changed, a decision must be made within this year and the approval of the clan must be obtained.

Hanabi, who is not yet three years old, must defeat Hinata, who is five years older, before she can be placed in the caged bird house, demonstrating an undeniable gap in their abilities.

Japan cannot determine whether this is feasible, but training for Hanabi can only be put on the agenda.

We have to start now.

　I woke up late; I didn't get up until after six this morning, so I was late.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)