Konoha Notes

Chapter 292 Bullying
"Personally, it's always better to communicate and understand each other's intentions beforehand than to have a public talk without any preparation."

Shuji simply smiled at Mei Terumi's words, stepped forward, and Mei Terumi followed in his footsteps.

She said, "Shuji-kun, you really go to great lengths for your work."

"The first mission I carried out involving other ninja villages was to Sunagakure."

The stalls on both sides of the street were brightly lit, and crowds surged in and receded like a tide. Shuji's voice stood out clearly amidst the noise.

"I still remember what Advisor Ebizo said at that time."

"Covenants mean nothing in the face of survival and interests."

"That's roughly it." Shuji continued walking forward, his gaze sweeping over the balloon vendors by the roadside. "Since the Warring States period, the conflicts and betrayals between villages have never stopped. No matter how strong the friendship is, you never know when it might suddenly shatter."

"As ninjas from different villages, we don't have to draw our weapons immediately when we meet. Even if we only talk about village affairs, it's enough to make me feel satisfied."

Mei Terumi stopped in her tracks.

When they meet again, won't they have to fight to the death...?

For Blood Mist, this was an even deeper longing. Even as a comrade, she could not fully entrust her life to him, let alone a ninja from another country.

"Xiusi-kun..."

“I hope that next time…” Mei Terumi paused, “I hope that every time we meet again, it will at least be like this.”

"Whether it's drinking tea or eating..."

“I still owe you a cup of tea, so I can at least promise you next time,” Shuji replied.

“Then I won’t waste the opportunities that belong to the future today. Please let me pay for your drinks later, Shuji-kun,” she said happily.

"That's two times."

"Yes, Mr. Shuji."
-
Onoki made his decision almost on the same day he received the message from Wenya.

When Wenya returned to Shuji with the brief reply, the Konoha Jonin was outside the arena, looking at a vacant lot that was being leveled.

"Lord Tsuchikage has agreed." Wenya handed over the document. "Regarding the meeting location, Iwagakure hopes to discuss it."

Shuji didn't look at the document; instead, a ninja next to him took it from him.

"The location has been decided, it's right here."

Wenya's expression stiffened.

"Just outside Konoha Village? But..."

"The other villages have already agreed, and the meeting place will be built in the near future. Don't worry, it will be quick."

"As for security... Mr. Wenya, aren't you right here? It just so happens that during the joint martial arts exercise, the participating teams and representatives from each village can conduct inspections in advance."

"But--"

"Mr. Wenya, you don't think that entertaining the Kage and their guards from other ninja villages outside of Konoha is something that poses no threat to Konoha, do you?"

Shuji finally withdrew his gaze from surveying the area and turned to Wenya.

“If Konoha has any other intentions, even Kumogakure will not approve, let alone Sunagakure, which fought against Konoha last year.”

Once the words were spoken plainly, Wenya could no longer question Konoha's considerations.

So he asked, "When is the meeting?"

"For two weeks after the joint military exercise concludes, the other four ninja villages will be allowed to send representatives to the meeting venue to make preparations," Shuji said to Bunya. "Iwagakure can begin planning and inspections now."

Wenya was silent for a moment, then finally nodded.

"Regarding the competition format..."

"This is something to be done at the Five Kage Summit, but in terms of content, it's fair to all the participating ninja villages, which Iwagakure would probably like to see," he said. "The host venue will rotate, and with Iwagakure's capabilities, getting the hosting rights shouldn't be a problem."

“In fact, Iwagakure will be the biggest beneficiary of this Five Kage Summit, while Konoha will be the one that needs to make concessions,” Wen Ya said, his brow furrowing.

"Mr. Shuji, those words..."

"Konoha can remain unchanged. Even if it continues like this, Iwagakure can maintain itself by relying on its western exchange activities and the revenue shared by us. It won't be too bad."

"The reason for requesting talks is that we hope the five great ninja villages can still find room for profit and development under the current circumstances."

After speaking, Iwagakure, a man accustomed to long-term battles, said, "Iwagakure's question is merely a matter of routine consideration."

"If Konoha still has any interest in the future, they can inform us, and Iwagakure will be happy to cooperate."

"Definitely next time."

After receiving a reply, Wenya left. Despite his goodwill gesture, the arrangements for the venue inspection still needed to be made.

After Wenya left, two figures walked over from the other side of the venue area.

One is Kakashi, and the other is an Anbu member wearing an animal mask.

"Afraid of being chased by fans? Yamato, you still won't leave the Anbu."

“Senior Shuji, please don’t laugh at me. It was a mission you and the village authorized to take the Chunin Exams,” Yamato said with a wry smile. “Besides, one such experience is enough.”

“That won’t do, Yamato,” Kakashi said. “As a ninja who just participated in the Chunin Exams and was promoted two years ago, the village might need you to step in again.”

"Kakashi-senpai, didn't the village say it didn't intend to..." Yamato suddenly became a little nervous and turned to Shuji, "Shuji-senpai, this was something you promoted."

"Don't scare him, Kakashi-senpai," Shuuji said.

Kakashi immediately looked uncomfortable: "You can just call me by my name, Shuji."

Yamato breathed a sigh of relief: "Shuji-senpai, what did you call me here for?"

Shuji pointed to the open space: "The Five Kage Summit will be held here next month."

"Should I be on alert?"

Xiu Si shook his head: "Please help me build the venue. We can't just use the Four Pillars Family Technique. After all, while the houses built with that technique are good for camping, they're not very respectable as a clubhouse."

Yamato was stunned: "Huh? Then, this is..."

"Time is tight, Yamato. A designer will be coming, so please try to come up with some solutions."

"But...but..."

"We only have one month left. The village can't afford to lose face in a place like this."

"What Senior Shuji said is also..."

Shuji stared straight at Yamato: "In that case, shall I stay and do these things?"

Yamato finally lowered his head: "I understand."

He was left behind, gazing at the open space as he began to conceive his ideas. Shuji and Kakashi, on the other hand, turned and walked back into the village.

After taking a few steps, Kakashi slowly spoke, "You did this on purpose, didn't you?"

“It’s necessary, that’s why,” Shuji replied.

"This is workplace bullying, Shuji."

"You're guilty of the same crime for bringing people here, Kakashi."

"I was forced."

"I have no official position, so how could I coerce the head of the Anbu, Kakashi-senpai?"

(End of this chapter)