Konoha Notes

Chapter 288 Featured Projects
Following the convoy from the City of Wind to the Land of Fire was a rare experience for Shuji.

The desert is characterized by high temperatures, large temperature differences between day and night, and dryness...

Most importantly, speed. He couldn't speed up; he had to accommodate the slow pace of the ordinary people in the convoy.

Even for a ninja, this was a terrible guard mission.

Fortunately, the person being escorted was the daimyo's younger brother, and the person undertaking the task was also quite influential, so at least they didn't have to rely on walking the entire way.

The advantage was that Shuuji, who hadn't been out and about for a while, was able to leisurely travel around after leaving the Land of Wind.

The younger brother of the Daimyo of the Land of Wind once attempted to negotiate a deeper request. To some extent, Ebizo's concerns were not unfounded. The Daimyo's dissatisfaction with Sunagakure reached its peak last year, and he did indeed intend to shift some of his requests elsewhere.

The recent land redevelopment plan is only one part of the reason.

Rasa's rash decision to wage war had two main impacts: the Sand Village itself and the Land of Wind. Their normally functioning trade activities were also forced to a halt.

Even because of Konoha's punishment of Sunagakure, caravans from the Land of Wind traveling to the Land of River are subject to strict scrutiny and surveillance. This is an unprecedentedly severe measure.

After Konoha provided support to Sunagakure, the Daimyo of the Land of Wind invited Shuji to discuss this very issue.

At the very least, if caravans heading to the Land of Rivers were to entrust their escort to Konoha, could some obstacles be reduced?

"If you are concerned about Sunagakure's attitude, our caravan escort can be limited to reaching the border outpost between the two countries. The part entering the Land of Rivers can perhaps be handed over to you?" The daimyo's younger brother proposed a compromise.

This was feasible, but it was rejected by Shuji.

Konoha is not lacking in such requests. They have already put enough pressure on Sunagakure in all aspects. Now that they have confirmed that even the Daimyo of the Land of Wind can become part of their balancing strategy, there is no need to push them too far.

"Regarding the issue of caravan passage," Shuji, who once served as Konoha's frontline commander in the Land of Rivers and still retains influence, promised, "after our review and confirmation, there will no longer be as many restrictions on entering and leaving the Land of Rivers as before."

This was considered a way to appease the younger brother of the famous man.

The convoy traveled at this leisurely pace for quite some time, finally arriving in the City of Fire around the end of June.

Considering that the joint military exercises are about to begin, some people might be dissatisfied if I don't go back soon.

He originally planned to return to Konoha immediately on the day the mission was handed over.

That's how it was originally.

"I heard that Lord Xiu Si is on a guard duty and has arrived in the City of Fire."

"It's really tough. After defeating the monsters, we still have to keep going."

"I was just planning to watch the martial arts tournament in Konoha, so let's set off together in a carriage and rest for a while."

He was approached by the daimyo of the Land of Fire, who extended such a warm invitation to him.

"Let's consider this a commission as well. Although the country is peaceful, I can watch the games with peace of mind with Mr. Shuji by my side."

So when Shuji finally returned to Konoha in the daimyo's extremely comfortable and incredibly fast luxury carriage, he was greeted by a pair of bright brown eyes that seemed to be spitting out real flames.

"Oh dear, Lord Shuji has finally returned."

Tsunade leaned against the doorframe of the Hokage's office, arms crossed. Her brilliant blonde hair looked somewhat frizzy from lack of styling, with a few unruly strands sticking up.

"Going to Sunagakure could be considered a proper business. We were leisurely crossing the border in a carriage, and there were so many ninjas who could have taken over the escort duties! Yet you... you actually dragged your feet until the day before the martial arts competition started before you finally came back!"

She suddenly stood up straight: "I haven't had a full night's sleep in days!"

"Yes, yes..." Shuuji sidestepped past the door god who exuded a low-pressure aura and slipped into the Hokage's office.

Surprisingly, the imagined scene of mountains of documents did not materialize. While there were still files on the desk, they were far from overwhelming the surface.

"Hmph, after all, you, Lord Shuji, are busy. By the time you come back, the stadium area will have already exploded."

Tsunade followed behind him, and as she passed by, she lightly bumped his shoulder, then let out a snort. She walked behind her desk and slumped into her chair.

"There are not enough seats available. All five villages have submitted applications, and all countries have submitted applications, hoping to reserve a certain number of seats for the games."

"People who can't buy tickets are complaining bitterly, putting immense pressure on public security. Meanwhile, the police headquarters is constantly criticizing the branches for their inadequacy..."

She rambled on and on, pouring out all the frustration that had been building up over the past few days.

As she spoke, Tsunade's voice suddenly stopped.

"what happened?"

“Speaking of which,” Tsunade stared sharply at him, “you went to Sunagakure again, didn’t you?”

"You're only just finding out?"

"A gift?" Tsunade said, enunciating each word clearly, as she reached into a drawer and took out a delicate little glass bottle—a "return gift" that Shuuji had received two years ago and which he had delayed sending for two whole years.

This is now the fourth year.

Because it may have been past its expiration date when she received it, she never used it.

"Since you went again, why didn't you bring back a new gift to make up for your mistake?"

"You bought a new one?" She shook the small bottle, the liquid inside reflecting a faint light as it moved.

……

Shuji paused for a moment before speaking: "I only stayed for two days."

During the day, I have to do serious business, and at night, in addition to doing serious business, I also have to receive that uninvited red-haired little guest.

Tsunade glared at him.

“Theoretically speaking,” Shuji tried to argue, “perfume can have a long shelf life if stored properly. And judging from spoilage, one should refer to whether its color and smell have changed…”

The Fifth Hokage immediately grabbed a scroll from the side and threw it over without any hesitation.

Shuji caught it.

She threw away another one.

This time, Shuji dodged by turning his head to the side.

Then several scrolls were thrown out as projectiles until one of the thicker ones hit Xiu Si squarely on the forehead with a "thud," at which point she finally felt a little relieved and stopped.

"The document you have is the meeting application from the Cloud Village Envoy."

"And..." she sneered, "the Hidden Mist Village has sent a female ninja to lead the team."

"so what?"

"They even made a special 'inquiry' to see if our busy Lord Shuji was in the village."

"Now that Lord Shuji has finally returned, let's go see him. Oh, and don't forget to greet him separately from that ninja from Kumogakure."

Shuji opened the scroll in his hand and looked down at it.

"Have I been turned into some kind of hospitality item?"

Then, he took a solid hit to the head with a scroll. The scroll bounced off his forehead and fell limply to the ground.

With a blank expression and a flat tone, Tsunade announced, "Congratulations, you've become a must-try specialty of Konoha, the lovable Shuuji-sama."

(End of this chapter)