Konoha Notes

Chapter 302 The Hidden Mist Ninja
Passing the resolution is only the most basic part. How much authority this joint body can obtain, how many people the five great ninja villages should send, and who will be in charge of this part of the affairs all need to be discussed and refined over time.

On the contrary, the tournament reforms that were intended to bring together the Five Kage were temporarily put aside.

After a temporary recess, the five Kage left, leaving the remaining matters to their respective deputies or those who had been there all along.

For Zabuza, this tedious struggle was more of a test of his patience while standing guard.

But he still chose to stay, because everyone who came with the Kage, except for the Kage, stayed, even the seemingly impatient blond boy from Iwagakure.

He couldn't get a word in edgewise, nor did he intend to. Instead, he followed the rules of ninjas and didn't disturb his comrades who were on a mission, so he just watched, even as his mind was still processing the unfamiliar terms that had popped up during the meeting.

Zabuza Momochi was not stupid.

But after the meeting, his somewhat groggy mind told him that his academic ability was indeed not outstanding.

On the way back to the stadium area, Mei Terumi was still talking to Shuji from Konoha. The woman didn't seem tired at all. The demon realized that he had underestimated her. She was doing something that was even more energy-consuming than infiltration and assassination, yet she could still persist for so long.

Even now, he can still negotiate on behalf of the village with a smile.

Even after reaching the main building of the venue, Terumi Mei still showed no sign of leaving.

Zabuza stopped a few steps away. Leaving alone now might arouse suspicion from outsiders about the internal relationships within Kirigakure. He chose to stay and watch her talk with the Konoha ninja.

After a while, Mei Terumi turned around: "Zabuza, I need a little more time."

The ghost nodded silently.

"You can go back first," Mei Terumi added.

Zabuza Momochi stood still.

“The venue area is safe.” Mei Terumi’s voice was soft, but her words were clear. “The Mizukage may want to know the aftermath of the meeting. Please… go back and report first.”

What would that puppet want to know?
As this thought flashed through my mind, Yagura's words on the ship also echoed in my mind.

So he decided to return to the Hidden Mist's base first.

Yagura Karatachi was watching the Kirigakure genin train at the base. He stood upright with a serious expression.

When pointing out mistakes, they don't yell or scold, but gently tap with the stick in their hand.

Having gained a general understanding of the current ninja world and listened to some of the content of this meeting, he knew what Kirigakure's presence would depend on in the future.

Doing such a thing within the village would only stir up trouble again in Kirigakure, which had just returned to peace, so Yagura chose to do it in this place.

He didn't expect it to have much effect; whatever it could do, that would be fine.

Therefore, when Yagura saw Zabuza return, his attention remained on the genin until the demon approached.

"Continue training."

After saying that, he went inside the compound.

Listening to what happened after he left, Yagura's eyes remained devoid of emotion.

After Zabuza finished speaking, there was a five-second silence in the room.

“The information related to the joint military exercise,” Yagura began, “is already prepared by Mei and is in the archives room on the second floor.”

The ghost suddenly had a bad feeling.

"Starting tomorrow, you will be involved in the negotiations."

Zabuza asked instinctively, "Where is that woman?"

"To listen in on the reunion."

With his lips pressed down beneath the bandages, Zabuza Momochi felt a chill run down his spine as the words he had heard during the negotiations flooded his mind.

But he still said, "...I understand."
-
The interior of the main building was so spacious that you could hear your own breathing.

Mei Terumi knew this was an illusion.

There were at least a dozen ninjas patrolling, and no matter how light their footsteps were, they couldn't escape her senses. But at this moment, walking in the dimly lit passage, it was indeed only her and the person beside her. She watched as Shuji pushed open an iron door, behind which was a staircase leading straight up into the darkness.

"please."

The figure of the Konoha Jonin disappeared into the darkness first. Mei Terumi walked over, looked up, made a quick estimate, and without climbing, she simply teleported away, and the wind immediately filled her vision.

This is an observation deck located outside the main structure of the venue, surrounded by railings, with the entire venue area unfolding beneath your feet.

“The view is excellent.” Mei Terumi walked to the railing, the wind blowing her long hair behind her, the strands shimmering with a deep brown light in the twilight.

“Theoretically, this place is semi-classified,” Shuuji said beside her.

“I’m glad that Shuuji-kun leaked the secret.” She turned her head to the side, her eyes curving upwards. “Even if it shouldn’t have been.”

"That's only in theory. The venue will be expanded, and this area will be demolished soon."

“Shuji-kun should have said that after I handed the information over to the village.” Mei Terumi turned back, watching the sunset gradually sinking below the horizon. “Now that you’ve said it, I can’t pretend I don’t know, and I can’t take this place back as a diplomatic achievement.”

"Comparatively speaking, I also have one less credit for misleading important officials."

Mei Terumi laughed out loud, but her voice quickly dissipated in the wind.

She suppressed her smile, but her tone still carried a light lilt: "One day, I will definitely get Konoha's secrets from Shuuji-kun."

"Then Miss Terumi Mei will need to work extra hard."

"I'll try my best to show you." She raised her fist in a gesture of encouragement, then lowered it. "But before that... could you please go easy on me tomorrow, Shuuji-kun?"

"After all, someone new will take my place at the negotiating table."

"Momochi Zabuza." Shuji uttered that name.

“Yes, it would be terrible if Shuji-kun took something from me,” she said. “Then I would have to be even more ruthless in trying to get it back.”

"Is Kirigakure trying to embarrass him by suddenly replacing the person in charge of the negotiations?"

“No.” She shook her head, the playful look fading. “The focus of this negotiation wasn’t on Wuyin to begin with. What needed to be settled has been settled; the rest are just the details.”

“Zabuza has deep feelings for the village, so under these circumstances, he would probably rather be cautious than express his opinion casually.”

"As the one who controls the pace of the negotiations, if Shuji doesn't want him to embarrass himself, he can also protect the interests of the village."

"I... want to give it a try."

Mei Terumi didn't elaborate, and Shuji simply nodded.

As dusk deepened, the lights of the distant woods merged into a warm yellow halo.

"Shuji-kun." Terumi Mei suddenly spoke.

"Ok?"

"If you ask now, I might leak the secret."

“Then I will have to bear the guilt. Whether it’s betraying the village or betraying those who trust me, it’s a heavy psychological burden, Miss Terumi.”

“If I miss this opportunity, Shuji-kun might have to pay a heavy price to find out more.” Mei Terumi straightened up and left the railing. “However, I can’t give Shuji-kun a chance to back out. I should go back now.”

"See you tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow, Shuuji-kun." She walked toward the stairwell, then turned back before stepping into the shadows. "By the way, this request can't offset the tea you owe me."

"I thought it would at least count as one time."

“No, that won’t do.” The green eyes still held a smile in the dim light. “However, in exchange… I’ll treat you to tea next time.”

As soon as she finished speaking, her figure disappeared into the shadows of the stairs.

　I'm back, and I'm writing Chapter Two.
　　
　
(End of this chapter)