Konoha Notes

Chapter 307 Neji and Sasuke
The Cloud Village guys are not weak, especially the guy named Omoi. Although he also looks lazy, Sasuke felt the pressure during the actual combat training.

This gave him a sense of urgency.

Although he had achieved first place in his grade, just like his brother, it seemed that this first place was not so secure after the people from Yunyin joined in.

Sasuke arrived in the corridor again, where he could see the training ground below, where a member of the Hyuga clan often trained.

That guy's name.

Hyuga Neji.

The situation on the training ground was a little different today. In front of that Hyuga clan member, three dark-skinned students lay dead.

The people of Kumogakure...

So he's already proving his status as the top student in his third year...? That Hyuga Neji.

Shouldn't I also put on a better performance in actual combat training?
Just as Sasuke was thinking this, an older-looking student appeared on the training field.

Sasuke judged from his clothes and style that he was a higher-level student from Kumogakure.

The student walked up to Hyuga Neji.

Do you want revenge? The people of Kumogakure...

Sasuke jumped down.

“Your moves are really hot!” said the blond senior. “Makui and the others are in their third year, and you are too, right?”

"In two more years, you'll be ready to graduate. Then I can participate in the martial arts competition for another year, and then..."

“If you want to fight, you can do it now.” Neji looked coldly at Atsui. “I don’t need to wait three years.”

Atsui's eyes lit up: "You're quite the hothead too, Konoha guy."

Atsui's knees bent slightly, and Neji once again assumed the Gentle Fist stance.

“Azii”.

The sound came from the entrance to the training ground.

Samui stood there, her face expressionless. Two Cloud Village students followed behind her.

The blond boy slowly straightened up: "Sister, I'm about to have a passionate encounter with a student from Konoha..."

“Take those three people back,” Samui said. “And you, Atsi, come with me.”

"But--"

"follow me."

Atsui's shoulders slumped. He glanced at Neji, then, along with two students from Kumogakure, helped the person on the ground to their feet. The group quickly disappeared outside the training ground.

The training ground returned to calm.

Neji turned to the wooden stake beside him and slammed his palm on it, causing a crack to appear in the stake.

"Aren't you planning to leave, Uchiha Sasuke?"

Neji's gaze remained fixed on the wooden stake in front of him.

"You...know..."

"You've watched long enough. Are you ready to fight me today?"

"The fighting spirit in your eyes cannot escape my notice."

Neji finally turned around, his pure white eyes looking at Sasuke.

"Or are you just here to see how the people from Kumogakure lost?"

Sasuke's fingers tightened slightly, then relaxed.

"next time."

Hyuga Neji just fought against three people from Kumogakure.

He won't take advantage of Hyuga's people.

"Hmph, whatever you want."
-
The Sand Village's reply wouldn't come so quickly, but based on the information Samui provided, Shuji began to pay attention to the recent mission reports again.

After scanning through the information, he found that there were no cases of Konoha ninjas missing or whose whereabouts were unknown recently. So he began to check the intelligence from overseas.

“Overseas missions? No, I don’t think so.” Kakashi leaned against the window, lifting his gaze from Icha Icha Paradise. “The village has been very busy these past few years, with large-scale events every year. We can’t spare any manpower for overseas assignments.”

"If I had to specify... a few years ago, I carried out a mission to protect a VIP."

"In the land of snow."

"However, I only completed the most basic part of that task."

"The ruler of the Snow Country, Kazahana Sayasu, was killed by his younger brother, Kazahana Noutō. I only brought out his daughter, Kazahana Koyuki."

"After settling her in the designated location in accordance with Kazaka Shoyuki's last instructions, I have no idea what happened after that."

The Snow Princess Ninja Scroll, Shuji also remembered this story, and Feng Hua Nu Tao was also a madman who wanted to rely on the so-called secret treasure to rise above the five great nations.

Shuji said, "It seems that Haseki Fuuka also anticipated the rebellion."

"Back then, the village was still at odds with Iwagakure and Kumogakure, and I was on a mission all by myself." Kakashi closed the book. Although he had completed the most basic requirements of the mission, it was still a failed mission for him, and it left a deep impression on him.

"However, it is unlikely that the disappearance of the Snow Country and the Cloud Village ninja is related. The Snow Ninja are not strong after leaving the Snow Country environment."

"So over the years, there have been no instances of Snow Ninja carrying out missions in other places."

Unable to obtain any useful information immediately, Shuji could only instruct Kakashi to pay close attention to the situation at sea.

Before Kakashi was about to leave, Shuji asked again, "By the way, has Yamato been free of anything else lately?"

Kakashi turned his head and said, "Does the village have any construction projects coming up? The stadium is supposed to be expanded, but the Chunin Exams are next month, so there's no way we'll have time for that."

"Don't bully him too much, Shuji."

He offered a word of advice.

“A clubhouse is not the same as a venue that can accommodate tens of thousands of people. I know that much,” Xiu Si said. “It’s a matter for the Joint Martial Arts Affairs Bureau.”

"Are you planning to send Yamato?" Kakashi asked after thinking for a moment. "Even without using Wood Release, Yamato's abilities are quite good."

“No, it’s about having you arrange for Yamato to take over the Anbu,” Shuji said. “The person who will be joining the Martial Arts Affairs Bureau is you.”

The silver-haired Jonin pointed to himself and received an affirmative answer.

"These are the opinions of the third and fifth generation leaders."

The position of head of the Anbu is sufficient for a short period. Given the current situation, future Hokage will likely frequently be involved in joint affairs with multiple ninja villages, so it's always good to have Kakashi stay for a while.

"Can I say no?"

“I don’t recommend you refuse without a good reason,” Xiu Si said.

“The appropriate range is…” Kakashi felt he could still try his best.

"Unless you are about to die, or you wish to become a Jonin instructor, please do not refuse."

"Isn't this leap a bit too big?"

Shuji compared the two and concluded that the difference wasn't significant. The former meant that Kakashi might not be able to become Hokage, while the latter would be beneficial for Kakashi to become Hokage. So he shook his head and said, "It's not a big difference."

"You've already given me enough, so why am I the only one left?"

“Because it’s best not to be me when it’s not absolutely necessary,” Shuji replied. “Besides, Kakashi-senpai, I’m already buying you time.”

Please don't push your luck.

"...That word is actually used in this situation." Kakashi sighed. "How much time do we have left?"

"It will take at least two months. The Joint Military Exercise Affairs Bureau is temporarily located in the meeting hall next to the venue area."

After Kakashi left.

Shuji gazed at the intelligence reports and fell into deep thought once more.

maritime……

Try asking Kirigakure if there's any news. If people are missing from Kumogakure and Sunagakure, what about Kirigakure?
The Hidden Mist ninjas also frequently operate at sea, so it's unlikely that the enemy is only targeting the Hidden Cloud Village and the Hidden Sand Village.

(End of this chapter)