Konoha Notes

Chapter 298 (early stage)
For three years, Yagura Karatachi had been silent. As the Mizukage, he had handed over his straw hat and remained a Jinchuriki and a nominal figurehead, at the mercy of the village.

"The Five Kage Council?"

“Ming believes that Kirigakure should participate.” Genji placed the straw hat back in front of Yagura. “Attend as a Kage, Fourth Hokage.”

Yagura reached out and picked up the straw hat.

The edges felt cool to the touch, and the worn areas of the inner lining were still familiar. He silently rose and pulled the straw hat back onto his head.

The long-awaited weight came down.

He walked out of the Water Shadow Building accompanied by Master Yuan.

Outside the building, a team of ANBU and Zabuza the Demon were already waiting.

Even though he lost his authority as Kage, Yagura still earned basic respect from the other ninjas in the village as a Jinchuriki who could control the power of the Tailed Beasts.

Even Zabuza did not show any unusual attitude.

Since the objective was to attend the meeting, not to go out on a mission, Kirigakure arranged for the ships to depart.

Yagura did not enter the cabin.

He stood at the bow of the ship, holding onto the railing, watching Kirigakure gradually shrink and blur in his field of vision, until it was finally swallowed by the sea fog, leaving only a gray outline.

Seawater churned beneath the ship, cutting white wakes. Seagulls circled above the mast, their sharp cries piercing the wind.

"The Yondaime."

The demon appeared behind him, its tall body casting a shadow that completely enveloped Yagura.

"Zabuza." Yagura didn't turn around.

“Three years have passed.” Zabuza lowered his voice. “Having proven that you are not the problem, are you still willing to be a puppet?”

“Your question is meaningless.” Yagura’s purple eyes reflected the undulating sea. “I am still alive because the village needs me.”

"As for Zabuza, the one who once wanted to kill me the most, what are you seeking? Have you figured it out yourself?"

Zabuza Momochi said, "I will reform Kirigakure."

“That’s exactly what Ming is doing too.”

"That woman went too far."

Yagura remained silent for a moment.

The cries of the seagulls faded into the distance.

He said, "Ming has a place he wants to go and something he wants to do."

Having a large number of missions and killing many enemies for the village only means you are qualified to compete, but it does not mean you deserve recognition.

"He only told his companions that they should become his tools, but he never explained what he would do specifically or what kind of future he would bring."

"Zabuza, the ninjas of Kirigakure, we've heard those words far too many times."

Yagura turned around and faced Zabuza directly.

He was very short; standing in front of the ghost, he had to look up to meet its gaze.

But at that moment, Zabuza felt as if he were being looked down upon.

"You are no different from the me you once fought against."

The sea breeze suddenly intensified, and Zabuza's pupils contracted slightly.

Yagura turned around and looked at the increasingly bright sea.

The ship continued forward, cutting through the deep blue.
-
Entering Konoha Village is probably the common ultimate goal of all the village leaders after so many years of war.

It has only been two years since the ceasefire with Konoha was established and they became de facto allies.

The Fourth Raikage never imagined that he would enter the Land of Fire so quickly with a new identity.

Behind them were Hsi and Darui, and in front of them was the already cleared venue area.

Tsuchidai and Samui waited at the crossroads with the participating ninjas from Kumogakure, while there was another person at the edge of the crowd.

"The Fifth Hokage is waiting in the village, Lord Raikage." Shuuji nodded slightly as a form of greeting. Ai hummed in response, his gaze sweeping over Shuuji's shoulders, arms, waist, and legs.

"You haven't grown much muscle, Shuji."

“I’m training my strength,” Xiu Si replied, “but it’s not showing.”

"Is this the type...? Since Tsunade is waiting, let's not waste any more time and go."

Darui waved to Shuuji and received a nod in response before joining the group behind Tsuchikta.

Ai took a step, and the Cloud Hidden troops followed suit.

Shuji was to his side in front.

Upon reaching the village entrance, one can see Tsunade, who is rarely seen wearing the Hokage hat, and behind her are Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado.

"You really know how to put on airs, Raikage."

Ai stepped past Shuji and took two steps forward: "Tsunade, it's been a long time."

Mitokado Yan stepped forward at the opportune moment: "Lord Raikage, you must be tired from your journey. Konoha has prepared a place for you to rest."

"No need for that," Ai interrupted. "Let's get straight to business."

"Is the meeting room ready?"

"Ready." Shuuji walked to Tsunade's side. "We can begin at any time."

"Then let's go."
-
"Konoha has put forward a grander vision, and Kumogakure has responded to its allies' expectations for the future," A said immediately after sitting down. "So, in the future of the five-village alliance, how does Konoha intend to protect Kumogakure's interests?"

Tsunade chuckled.

The laughter was soft, but everyone in the conference room heard it.

"They actually intend to rely on Konoha to protect their own interests..." She raised her eyes, "Then let Konoha and Kumogakure stand on the same side at the Five Kage Summit and push forward all the plans together."

She leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table.

"Whether it's profit distribution or the timing of the event—whatever you want, Konoha will fight for it for you."

"How about it?"

Ai stared at her.

“In that case,” he said in a deep voice, “it can hardly be called sincerity, Tsunade.”

"You should be asking for candy like a child," the Fifth Hokage said without looking away, "Isn't it good that Konoha is giving it to you like this?"

The Kage of Konoha and Kumogakure immediately clashed.

On either side of the long table, Tsuchida and Samui stared at the surface, their expressions unchanged. The two advisors from Konoha frowned slightly, but remained silent.

Darui watched quietly.

Shuji flipped through the documents in his hand.

Ai leaned back in his chair and said, "Then let's talk about Konoha's specific plans."

Shuji then closed the document and said, "Since it's a five-village alliance, even if we want Kumogakure and Konoha to gain more benefits from it, we need to proceed from reality."

"Under this system, the first thing Yunyin needs to deal with is the issue of outside tourists. This is limited by objective conditions and security factors, since the venue area is located outside the village."

"The Cloud Village's Earth Release techniques are not particularly outstanding, and they struggle somewhat with modifying the terrain and environment. Konoha can provide corresponding support."

"The second question is about the demonstration of a ninja's strength."

Xiu Si looked at Ai.

"Although joint training exercises are more commercialized, they also serve as a platform to showcase the strength of the villages. Under the limited rules, Konoha is willing to exchange training methods, tactical designs, and even the adaptation and improvement of some ninjutsu with Kumogakure on how to improve the competitiveness and combat performance of their own ninjas."

He rejected Konoha's plans.

"This is Konoha's idea. To fundamentally solve the problem of competitiveness."

(End of this chapter)