Konoha Notes

Chapter 333 Daily Life of Cultivation

Iruka was prepared to go to work the next day and, depending on the situation, appease Sasuke.

As a result, the person didn't need his comforting, and didn't even challenge Gaara again, but instead returned to his normal class routine.

It wasn't until Shuuji reappeared at the training session and took Gaara and Naruto away again, bringing Sasuke along with him, that he realized what had happened.

"Huh?! Why is Sasuke here too?!"

Naruto, who had been brought to the training ground by a teleportation technique, pointed at Sasuke and started yelling.

Sasuke snorted coldly, offering no explanation. He felt he was different from Naruto; he had joined because he bore a more significant responsibility.

"Although you made Raikou's sand fail to automatically defend against me several times yesterday," Shuuji said, ignoring Naruto's complaints, "that's because your taijutsu isn't threatening enough, Naruto."

"For Gaara to participate in training normally, we need to ensure that the sparring partner can fully trigger Sand's defensive mechanism, not just simple defense, but even counterattacks."

Naruto chirped at Sasuke a couple more times, glanced at Gaara, and then reluctantly muttered, "Okay, okay..."

However, he still managed to secure the right to be the first to fight, and he faced Gaara in the same manner as yesterday.

Sasuke watched the two men's movements. Compared to his own fight, Gaara was much clumsier when fighting Naruto. He was more distracted by controlling the sand and engaging in taijutsu, which made it more difficult for him than simply fighting.

After the two had been going back and forth for more than ten minutes, Xiuji called a halt.

"I can still keep going! Brother Shuji!" Naruto exclaimed in confusion.

"But I, Ai-Luo, have begun to gradually adapt to your rhythm."

"Sasuke, you come here." Shuuji looked at Sasuke. "Lighten your strength, increase your speed, understand?"

The former targets the sand detection mechanism, while the latter targets Gaara's rhythm of adapting to physical attacks.

Sasuke immediately understood Shuji's meaning and adjusted his mindset when he stood in front of Gaara.

At the start, his movements displayed a completely different style from yesterday. His movements became lighter and more elusive, and he chose offensive methods that could affect his movements rather than directly cause damage.

Gaara's gaze became even more focused.

As a result, his control over the sand decreased, and there were several instances where the sand blocked Sasuke's attacks. Even under these circumstances, Sasuke still managed to touch Gaara's body twice.

A smile involuntarily crept into his eyes.

If that's the case, then even in a real battle, he would have a way to achieve a breakthrough.

Naruto stood impatiently to the side, glancing at Sasuke every now and then, then at the focused Gaara, and then at Shuuji.

"Hey! It's my turn! Brother Shuuji! Isn't it time?"

“No, the situation is good now,” Shuuji said. “Sasuke, let’s relax the restrictions on ninjutsu from now on. You also have other powerful ninjutsu to master.”

"Gaara, you need to maintain control of the sand. You can defend, but you can't react to the attack."

“Brother Shuji! This isn’t fair, I can use ninjutsu too…” Naruto was about to speak when he was met with Shuji’s indifferent gaze.

"I know your ninjutsu grades, Naruto."

"For Gaara's training to be effective, those awkward ninjutsu techniques won't be enough."

"Isn't your goal to help Gaara?"

"The current situation is that Sasuke is better able to help Gaara."

Naruto opened his mouth, his face turning red.

"That arrogant Sasuke can't do anything else..."

Having received permission, Sasuke looked at Gaara and then distanced himself from Gaara by several meters.

"The game that follows won't be the same level as before."

He took a deep breath, his chest rising slightly.

"Art fire escape ho fireball!"

Blazing flames erupted from his mouth, rapidly expanding into a massive fireball over two meters in diameter, hurtling towards Gaara with a howling heatwave!

The scorching light illuminated the training ground and also Naruto's suddenly wide-eyed eyes.

He stared blankly as the fireball was blocked by the sand, a strong sense of resentment rising in his heart.

"If... if the teacher were willing to teach me too..." he shouted at Shuuji, "I'm sure I could learn this amazing ninjutsu!"

Shuji turned his head and looked at him. That gaze made Naruto involuntarily straighten his back.

“In that case,” Shuuji said calmly, “first make sure Iruka acknowledges your efforts and progress.” “The Ninja Academy has the authority to teach offensive ninjutsu.”

Naruto's face showed embarrassment, and he shouted again, "I already know the Transformation Jutsu, and it's perfect, but Iruka-sensei won't admit it."

"Then show it to me. If I approve, Iruka will too."

Naruto's eyes lit up immediately, and he smiled: "Transform!"

A burst of white smoke exploded.

A tall, blonde woman appeared in front of Shuuji.

Gaara, who was completely focused on dealing with the aftershocks of the Great Fireball, glanced at it with a puzzled look, his pure eyes filled with confusion: This is... a transformation jutsu? An attack?
Meanwhile, Sasuke, as soon as the girl appeared, turned his head sharply as if he had been burned, his cheek and earlobes turning red at a visible speed, muttering "idiot loser" under his breath.

Shuuji said calmly, "The transformation technique is too conspicuous for infiltration. If there are no other changes..."

"Then, it's not up to standard."

Upon hearing this, Naruto deactivated his transformation, feeling a bitter taste in his mouth.
-
It also has a bitter taste, as does Maki.

But Maki didn't dare to say it, mainly because he was personally suffering.

The Jinchuriki of Sunagakure were very happy in Konoha. Leaving aside these personal subjective wills for now, it is possible to bring them back if one insists.

If the Joint Affairs Bureau speaks out, other ninja villages will also have opinions about Konoha's actions and will put pressure on them together.

The problem was that Shuuji offered a new option: the person could stay in Konoha to study, as previously agreed. Konoha and Kumogakure would help Sunagakure expand its current fleet, both to address the needs of the current ninja world and, within the context of the time, as a form of compensation and exchange for Sunagakure.

So, does the village want the money to expand the fleet, or does it want the Jinchūriki to return to the village immediately?

Based on the feedback he received, Sunagakure Village was more inclined to accept the former.

At least the money is real. As for whether the technology will be leaked after the investment from Kumogakure and Konoha, and how much will be leaked... The technology itself belongs to the Sky Ninja. Sunagakure only took the equipment and made improvements. They haven't fully mastered it yet, and they don't even dare to disassemble it casually.

We don't have the money, so we dare not. If we damage it, our fighting strength will be reduced.

When only Chiyo was left, she couldn't let go of anything that could contribute to the village's well-being.

The fact that the complete flight wing was handed over to the joint squad due to the urgency of the flying fortress means that this technology will not be locked for much longer.

We need to use our own funds to accelerate this research... We don't have the money. Military spending is already tight, and this year various events will be affected by the unstable situation, so the event revenue sharing will inevitably decrease.

The land reclamation plan will consume a portion of the funds, which is unavoidable, given the Daimyo's watchful eye. This is directly related to the Land of Wind.

It wouldn't be a problem if only the Daimyo was watching, but the problem is that Konoha seems to have reached a tacit agreement with the Daimyo of the Land of Wind to keep an eye on things from both sides.

Therefore, considering all factors, either Sunagakure should hold onto its fleet tightly and let others catch up little by little, starting with flying wings, or they should take the money from Kumogakure and Konoha, work harder on their own research, and use their personnel and initiative to accelerate their progress in this area. As for how much the other side can take, that's their business.

Since the person has decided to stay in Konoha as previously agreed, it is the task of those in the Martial Arts Affairs Bureau to keep an eye on him, and it is also Maki's task.

"Isn't Gaara here?" Maki asked as he arrived at Temari and the others' residence in Konoha.

“He’s still undergoing special training,” Temari replied. She and Kankuro had returned first because Maki had announced he would be visiting. As for Gaara…

Maki remained expressionless and said to Temari, "The reason I asked you to come to Konoha ahead of time was because the village was facing a dangerous situation and its safety could not be guaranteed."

"You saw that fortress a while ago, right? They even dared to attack Konoha directly. If the Tsuchikage hadn't arrived, Konoha would have been able to watch them leave safely."

"That's why I'm entrusting you, the future of Sunagakure, to Konoha."

Kankuro said, "In that case, can we go back now?"

He won't learn much here if his future career path is to become a puppeteer.

Temari remained silent. Gaara was there, and he seemed to be getting better and better. Originally, she was most worried about coming to Konoha, but now she had changed her mind and did not want to go back so soon.

“No, now that we’re here, let’s proceed with the agreed-upon exchange plan, as promised,” Maki said. “But…”

He was unsure how to proceed with what came next.

He changed the subject: "Another group of people will come in the second half of the year. As pioneers, you may need to take on some guiding or assisting work, so be prepared."

Having said what needed to be conveyed and explained, Machi stood up, preparing to leave.

"Remember, Temari, Kankuro."

"We will always be ninjas of Sunagakure."

"Never forget this point, no matter where you are or what situation you face."

He could only hope that the two siblings could convey this attitude to Gaara.

(End of this chapter)