Konoha Notes

Chapter 318 Letter of Departure

Ai stood alone in front of the floor-to-ceiling window of Raikage's office.

Shuji had no reason to lie.

But that guy designed a blockade plan from the beginning. What he did later, like bringing in the Sand Village's air force and fighting a battle himself, was all just to show that Konoha was willing to fight for Kumogakure.

The most suitable solution to deal with the Snow Country is not a speedrun, because that is not the enemy's stronghold at all. Throwing a punch in that direction will only result in missing.

After going around in circles, he returned to the plan he had proposed at the beginning: strengthen the blockade, exchange intelligence on caravans, and strangle the Snow Kingdom with time and supply chains.

And the one who contributed the most to this plan was none other than Yunyin.

The biggest stakeholder involved in the rise of the Land of Snow is none other than the Hidden Cloud Village.

However, there are two major obstacles to advancing this plan: Iwagakure and Kirigakure.

Shuji has already set off to deal with one of them. As for the remaining, even tougher one…

Ai turned around.

"Mabuyi."

"Yes, Lord Raikage."

"Prepare a letter. In my name, invite Onoki... to a meeting."
-
The ninjas became performers, and the village constantly sought to expand its arena area; the change came suddenly. Onoki, who had been playing competitive games for decades, suddenly began to incorporate new gameplay.

Old Zi wasn't very used to the above parts, but he didn't hate them too much either.

However, being over forty years old, it's inevitable that some confusion will arise.

As a Jinchūriki, one becomes the vessel for a Tailed Beast, binding one's life to the colossal creature within, using its power, enduring its rage, and ultimately, both accepting their own existence.

Day after day, year after year.

Is this the whole meaning of his existence?
"What nonsense are you talking about? There's no place where you can't do something like cultivation."

"Don't you know what's been happening lately? The Land of Snow suddenly jumped out to challenge the Land of Lightning. It's not peaceful enough for you to do such leisurely things right now." Onoki rejected Rōshi's request.

"I'm here to submit an application. Whether you agree or not is your business," Old Zi said with annoyance.

He had heard far too many reasons like this and that; the conflict with Konoha was over, and the confrontation with Sunagakure had long since ended.

As for the Land of Snow, what is that?
He was willing to fight for the village, but now the old man was just using that as an excuse to keep him tied to the village.

Onoki roared angrily, "I will absolutely not allow you to do this, Rōshi!"

Lao Zi put down the application and completed the final procedure.

Carrying a wooden stick and his own bag, he walked out of Iwagakure. There were no orders, no mission.

The moment I stepped out of the village, the sky seemed completely different.

"Are you leaving, Lao Zi?"

A muffled voice came from the side. Han, wearing heavy steam armor, stood there, the Five-Tails' jinchūriki, one of his few companions who could understand each other's situation.

"It's just cultivation."

“Me and the Four-Tails,” Old Purple said.

He walked a little further when a small figure descended from the sky.

"You know what kind of crime it is to leave the village without permission, right, Old Purple!" the Third Tsuchikage shouted sternly. "As a Jinchūriki, have you forgotten your duties?"

"Before you kill me, find a successor." Old Purple didn't even look at Onoki. "Without this determination and preparation, you won't be able to bring me back, Onoki."

Then it went away.

Onoki hung in the air, his face flushed with anger, his hands behind his back, watching Rōshi walk away step by step.

He was angry for a long time, but then he found it boring.

On his return, he didn't go straight back to the Earth Shadow Building. Instead, he took a detour and went first to a cliff near the village.

Deidara is there.

The blond boy sat on the edge of the cliff, his left eye squinting and his right eye closed, practicing focusing his gaze on a tree in the distance.

Onoki hovered not far away, watching his disciple train diligently.

After watching for a while, the Tsuchikage turned off the fire, and at least Deidara looked much more presentable.

Back at the Earth Shadow Building, he first added the annotation "long-term away for training" to Old Purple's file, then summoned the Anbu and ordered a team to follow him from a distance and report back weekly. Having done this, he sat back down in his chair and rubbed his stiff back. He pulled out this year's tournament schedule, and just as he opened it, there was a knock on the door.

"Lord Tsuchikage." A ninja pushed open the door and entered, holding a scroll in his hands. "Urgent message from Kumogakure. The Raikage wishes to meet with you."
-
sea.

The boundless deep blue shimmered with tiny golden scales in the afternoon sunlight.

A small wooden boat bobbed gently on the calm waves. There were no sails, no oars, and not even any obvious propulsion device on board.

Shuji lay on the bottom of the ship, his hands behind his head, enjoying a rare moment of leisure during the mission.

A person can sail a boat without even rowing. The boat itself grows and adjusts, moving towards its destination with the ocean current.

When he finished his voyage and arrived at the coastline that was shrouded in fog year-round, it was nearly dusk.

The setting sun tinged the mist with a pale golden-red hue. The dock was deserted, save for a tall figure standing alone at the end of the pier.

Her long, dark chestnut hair swayed gently in the salty breeze.

Green eyes watched the small boat approaching.

Mei Terumi watched as the small boat silently rested against the pier, and watched as the man lazily sat up.

"Shuji-kun, you look like you're sleeping very comfortably." She chuckled. "Although I said we would come by small boat, I didn't expect it to be in this way."

"After trying it once, I felt that this way of traveling is also very good."

Shuji stood up and stepped onto the pier. The wooden planks creaked slightly under his feet.

"After I retire, I want to wander around like this for a while."

"That sounds very enviable."

Mei Terumi crouched down, rested her hand on the edge of the pier, and looked down at the small boat.

"If I have the chance, I'd like to try it too."

Shuji stretched, his bones making a soft cracking sound. Then he stepped aside, making room for him.

Please make yourself at home. It might be a bit chilly though.

Mei Terumi landed lightly on the boat.

She lay down.

The spot was exactly where Shuuji had just lain. A trace of body heat still lingered on the wood. His long hair was spread out on the bottom of the ship, the dark chestnut strands cascading like seaweed.

Close your eyes.

The sound of water filled my ears. Waves gently lapped against the hull of the boat, making a rhythmic sound.

"Did Shuji-kun use a mission as an excuse to embark on this journey?"

"I have something important to do."

"If you don't think I've been rude, please say it like this."

A sea breeze swept by. The fog thickened, blurring the last rays of the setting sun into a hazy halo.

"If it won't spoil your mood."

Shuji said.

"Lord Mizukage was once controlled, wasn't he? By the Sharingan."

Mei Terumi opened her eyes.

Her green eyes shone brightly in the mist. She didn't get up immediately, but lay there, watching the sky above gradually darken.

After a while.