Konoha Notes

Chapter 321 Rain and Sand

rain.

The rain that never stops falls on a country shrouded in gray year-round.

On this day, shadows denser than raindrops appeared in the rain curtain surrounding Amegakure Village.

Konoha ninjas appeared from the east, Sunagakure forces occupied the high ground to the south, Iwagakure ninjas in the west used Earth Release to raise observation posts, and even Kusagakure sent out troops to block the road to the north.

There was no declaration of war, nor was there an ultimatum.

The allied forces of the four ninja villages completed the encirclement of the closed country while most of Amegakure was still asleep.

Several pairs of Byakugan had already scanned the surroundings. They were not carrying any chakra in the rain, and the defensive measures were just routine sentry posts.

Some of the Rain Village ninjas responsible for guarding the area noticed something amiss.

But the insects of the Aburame clan had already burrowed into their sleeves. The puppets of Sunagakure emerged from the shadows. Before the alarm could sound, all the sentries had fallen silent.

It's six o'clock sharp in the morning.

The sky was just beginning to brighten, but it remained a hazy gray, like a rag that could never be washed clean. The rain lessened, turning from a downpour into a light drizzle.

The residents of Amegakure Village gradually woke up.

The housewife who had opened the window for ventilation froze. The elderly woman who was about to go out to buy breakfast stopped in her tracks. The teenager who was training early in the morning stared wide-eyed—

The streets were filled with ninjas from other villages.

The headbands from Konoha, Sunagakure, and Iwagakure. These ninjas didn't enter civilian residences; they simply occupied all major thoroughfares and high ground.

Panic began to spread.

Someone screamed and slammed the window shut. Someone tried to escape through the back door, only to find ninjas guarding the alley entrance. Children were pulled back inside by their parents, peeking through the crack in the door at the unfamiliar faces.

But soon, ninjas were already announcing along the streets:

"Everyone in Amegakure, we are not here to start a war."

The sound was transmitted through a loudspeaker and sounded somewhat distorted in the rain.

"This operation is solely for investigating the current situation in Amegakure. Please remain indoors and cooperate with the investigation. To reiterate—please stay indoors and do not go out. Food and water will be distributed at noon."

The rain stopped at 7:20 a.m.

A tiny bird, folded from a piece of white paper, flew across the gloomy sea and finally landed in a slender hand on the deck.

The ninja known as "Angel" read every single word above.

"The village has been occupied by the Allied forces."

Xiao Nan looked in the direction of Yu Yin.

"No large-scale battles have occurred. Jiraiya led a team to search the village, looking for information related to us."

A deep, resonant response came from deep within the ship's cabin, carrying a kind of inhuman resonance:
"……Yeah."

"God will remember this day."
-
After confirming that Nagato was not in Amegakure and making arrangements for subsequent defenses, Shuji followed Maki to Sunagakure.

"There have been quite a few special circumstances this year." This was the first thing Ebizo said to people he met. "Even Sunagakure doesn't need to pay for your door-to-door service."

“So last year I at least set a precondition: Advisor Ebizo,” Shuji said. “Caution is a virtue.”

Chiyo cut straight to the point: "The last time you came, you asked Sunagakure to borrow their air force."

“This time, Sunagakure can no longer borrow people. The Land of Wind is vast, and the existing manpower is far from enough to deal with the retaliation from the Land of Snow.”

She laid out the unpleasant truth upfront.

The last time someone was lent out was as a fair reward for Konoha's handling of the Kumogakure personnel disappearance incident last year, plus the fact that although someone spoke harshly last year, their actions were generally beneficial to Sunagakure.

Shuji smiled and said, "Lord Kazekage, Advisor Ebizo, if you will allow me to be so forward." Chiyo's face fell.

“Sunagakure is indeed very likely to become the target of the attack, after all… Konoha has never asked Sunagakure how they contacted the Sky Ninja.”

"But... that flying fortress is a product of aerial ninja technology. Perhaps you two have already guessed that."

Chiyo and Ebizo remained silent. Ever since they learned that Akatsuki might be behind the Land of Snow, they had shared similar concerns.

"The Sand Village may have made improvements to the Sky Ninja's fleet and equipment, but in terms of fortresses alone, the Sky Ninja still possesses superior technology."

"Moreover, based on my understanding of the Akatsuki organization and the current situation of Sunagakure, even if they become the target of their revenge, they are powerless to fight back."

"So, why not try a different approach?"

"In the name of the Military Affairs Bureau, Sunagakure dispatched air combat units to assist Iwagakure, Kirigakure, Kumogakure, and Konoha in building their air defense systems—not on loan, but as 'technical support and joint exercises'."

"The other four ninja villages will have to pay Sunagakure a fee for this. It's not a one-time payment, but a long-term technical service fee."

"In the future, when Sunagakure may become a target of the enemy, all ninja villages will have the obligation to provide immediate support."

Ebizo said, "The so-called obligation to provide support is nothing but empty talk."

“When we really face an attack,” he said, looking at Shuuji, “you know best how many days it takes for Konoha to get to Sunagakure.”

"Even with Onoki's full support, it would take at least two days to get here from Iwagakure."

"Not to mention the process of seeking help; given the destructive power the enemy possesses, Sunagakure is no more."

Shukaku was disobedient, Gaara was still young, and Sunagakure was indeed powerless to resist such an attack.

Since the opponent is not one of the Five Great Ninja Villages, we are not afraid of the Sand Village ninjas swarming out to fight to the death.

"Unless you intend to stay in Sunagakure, this promise may not be fulfilled."

But that's simply impossible.

Shuji said softly:
"If the Sunagakure headquarters suffers heavy losses in subsequent attacks, it should receive free financial and manpower assistance for reconstruction."

"When that time comes, ensure the safety of personnel. As long as the Sand Village ninja are still around, the only loss will be some buildings."

"The more Sunagakure refuses to unite, the more difficult it will be for them to cope with the challenges ahead."

"The more Sunagakure accepts the alliance, the more likely Konoha and Kumogakure will become its allies."

Chiyo turned her head and looked out the window at the village.

Last year, we were planning the oasis and calculating this year's profits. But just a few months later, we've found that even preserving the village itself may require relying on outsiders.

Ebizo remained silent for a moment, then forced himself to speak: "What can Konoha offer as a guarantee?"

Shuji's answer was simple:
"The Land of Wind is our guarantee. As long as there are people living on this land, they need to be safe."

“If it’s not Sunagakure now, it will be another Sand Village that uses the name of Sunagakure—or even changes its name—the same Sand Village.”

"Another village will rise here. So why would Konoha choose a new village filled with resentment?"

Very realistic. Very cold-blooded.

It's also very realistic.

Chiyo closed her eyes, and after a long while, answered in a hoarse voice:
"...Sunagakure has agreed."

Shuuji nodded. But he didn't get up; instead, he said:
"And one more thing."

"Can Sunagakure protect Shukaku?"

Before the two could answer, he continued:
"The exchange student program agreed upon last year is about to begin. Let's include that child... Gaara too."

(End of this chapter)