Konoha Notes

Chapter 329 Naruto's Busy Journey

Naruto promised Gaara he would find someone so he could participate in the training, but after leaving the school and wandering around for a while, Naruto realized something.

He seemed to have no idea where to find Shuji.

Whether it was at school, at a ramen shop, or in the stadium area, it was always him who bumped into people, not the other way around.

At this moment, Naruto chose to seek help from Shikamaru, who was in a park near the school with Choji.

"Huh?" Shikamaru looked puzzled. "You're looking for Lord Shuji? You haven't forgotten that silly thing you said?"

“Didn’t Iruka-sensei say that Gaara can’t participate in training because he can’t control his jutsu? It’s for everyone’s safety.” Choji added from the side, “Gaara can’t participate in training because he can’t control his jutsu. It’s for everyone’s safety.”

“But…but…” Naruto lowered his head, “Gaara is watching every taijutsu class or training session.”

"They must want to participate to do this."

Shikamaru sighed: "Even so, do you think such a big shot would listen to a ninja academy student?"

“Shuji-nii is different!” Naruto said earnestly, “He will definitely listen!”

"Even if he'd listen, you'd still have to see him first," Shikamaru said lazily. "To see someone of that caliber, you need to apply in advance. Ninja Academy students like us wouldn't even be on the meeting list—"

He suddenly stopped because Naruto was squinting and scanning his face.

That look made Shikamaru a little uneasy.

"Hey, why are you looking at me like that..."

"Shikamaru's father," Naruto said, emphasizing each word, "can he see Shuji-nii?"

"Hey...!"

Naruto clasped his hands together and said, "Please, Shikamaru, tell your father that I have something very important to discuss with Shuji-nii!"

"No!" Shikamaru refused without hesitation.

Because of the events in the Land of Snow, Shikaku has been very busy with work lately, and Naruto's request is unreasonable.

"Let's go, Choji."

Choji looked at Shikamaru, then at Naruto, and then followed Shikamaru.

Naruto watched the two figures disappear into the distance, biting his lip.

Gaara... He, like his former self, is lonely and alone, wanting to be part of the group but being rejected.

"and many more!"

Naruto shouted and chased after Shikamaru and Choji in the direction they had gone.

Shikamaru slowed down, and Choji took out a bag of potato chips and stopped as well.

“You don’t understand at all, Naruto.” Shikamaru turned around, his tone unusually serious. “This isn’t about asking anyone for help; it’s about Gaara’s dangerousness being beyond the teachers’ control.”

“Our training, no matter what, is possible because the teacher, as the instructor and guardian, is able to control the damage.”

“But Gaara is completely different, do you understand? Naruto, it’s not for any other reason, but because you, me, and even Sasuke are all considered to be unable to protect themselves in a fight against Gaara.”

Naruto argued anxiously, "Gaara isn't that kind of person."

“It has nothing to do with who he is.” Shikamaru looked at Naruto. “It’s just because we are too weak, and he doesn’t have the ability to control himself.”

Naruto's mind went completely blank.

Shikamaru scratched his head: "That's how it is, so let's give up."

He abandoned the idea of ​​leaving, put his hands in his pockets, and stood there. Choji offered Naruto a potato chip, but Naruto didn't take it.

"It's not entirely true that there's no room for change."

At that moment, a calm voice came from the park entrance.

The three of them looked over at the same time.

Nara Shikaku was standing there.

"Dad?" Shikamaru asked, somewhat surprised. "Are you free today?"

"Well, it's almost done for now." Shikaku walked over, nodded to Choji first, and then patted Shikamaru's head. "I was planning to come and pick you up to go home."

"But I accidentally overheard a little bit." Shikamaru pursed his lips. What did he mean by overhearing a little bit? He just wanted to see how he would handle this matter.

"Shuji just returned to the Hokage's office and is here at this time."

Naruto, however, hung his head dejectedly, making no other move: "But, what Shikamaru said..."

“That’s true, but if Gaara really couldn’t control himself at all, do you think he would be allowed to attend classes at the Ninja Academy? It was Shuji who made that decision.”

Lu Jiu stopped there, as he didn't like getting involved in children's affairs. He only interjected because his son's answer was so inflexible and considering the village's development plan.

"It's time to go home, Shikamaru, Choji, you come too."

After the three left, Naruto stood there, processing what had just been said.

Then, he ran towards the Hokage Building.
-
Entering the Hokage Building was quite simple, but upon entering the Hokage's office, Naruto saw two people inside.

One of them looked very familiar; it was the one on the Hokage Rock.

"Fifth Hokage... Sister?" Naruto's greeting earned a satisfied nod from the Fifth Hokage.

"What is it, Naruto?" Tsunade asked.

Naruto turned to Shuji: "I'm here to see Shuji-nii and ask him to give me permission to participate in combat training."

Shikaku's words gave Naruto hope, and he looked at Shuuji expectantly.

"No." Shuuji gave Naruto an answer he hadn't expected.

"Eh—?!" Naruto's expectant expression shattered instantly. "W-why?! Didn't Shikamaru's father say that Gaara got Shuji's permission to go to the Ninja Academy?"

“That’s right. Not letting him participate in training is also my order,” Shuuji said.

"..." Naruto opened his mouth, but no sound came out.

"However, since you've come for this reason, I'll give you an extra option."

“Gaara is unable to participate in training due to insufficient control,” Shuuji said. “Then, you will serve as his sparring partner until he can control his sand during normal physical exchanges.”

Naruto's eyes lit up again.

"Really?"

"This will take up your free time, but it's your own request, so is that alright, Naruto?"

"Yes! Absolutely no problem!" Naruto nodded vigorously, his blond hair swaying with the movement. "Thank you, Shuuji-nii-san!"

He received permission, turned and rushed out, but stopped abruptly at the door, turned back and shouted, "I'm going to tell Ai Luo this news right now!"

Then the door slammed shut, and the footsteps thumped away quickly in the corridor.

The office returned to silence.

Tsunade looked at the door, which was still trembling slightly, and raised an eyebrow: "Does he know where Gaara is?"

"You don't know, do you?" Shuuji said.

"You're really making a big fuss," Tsunade said. "You promised to do that training, so you can oversee it yourself. Anyway, didn't you just say you were planning to collect some of the Nine-Tails' chakra?"

This is what Shuuji told her just before Naruto arrived.

Other things were also mentioned at the same time.

"However, be careful when you're collecting the chakra of other tailed beasts in your experiment, or it will be difficult to clean up later."

"I know."

“Takigakure Village has always been closed off, so it’s not easy to get in. Under the guise of ‘Joint Affairs Bureau Defense Cooperation and Exchange,’ the village will first draft a formal negotiation document for you to sound out their attitude.” Tsuna pointed to a prepared document on his desk. “That’s a safer approach.”

"it is good."

The Fifth Hokage glared at him: "Say thank you. I'm helping you solve your problem."

"Yes, yes, thank you, Lady Tsunade."

Tsunade was finally satisfied.

(End of this chapter)