Konoha Notes

Chapter 334 is required.

Shuji's gaze, Gaara's attention, and Sasuke's eyes all focused on him for a brief moment when the technique was used.

Although I am still here, it seems that I am no longer needed or noticed.

I was the one who put in the effort for this in the first place.

He should be happy for Gaara; Gaara defeated Sasuke and was truly the most watched figure, and still is...

A bittersweet feeling welled up inside Naruto. He didn't know what this feeling was, but the joy he had felt before was gone, replaced by a deeper sense of loneliness.

After using ninjutsu continuously and expending too much energy on taijutsu, Sasuke was gestured to rest aside.

Naruto perked up and ran to Gaara in a few steps.

"It's my turn, it's my turn! Brother Shuji, Gaara, we..."

"Take a break for now."

Gaara glanced at Naruto: "I can still continue."

"No, the training is for the purpose of increasing your control. Continuing now is pointless."

After Shuji rejected the idea of ​​continuing, Naruto silently walked to the side and headed into the woods.

Anyway, after he rests, it won't be his turn to start again, since Sasuke can use very powerful ninjutsu.

The light in the woods suddenly dimmed, and a sense of melancholy welled up inside. The stubbornness and defiance I had been holding back were gone, replaced by a deep sense of grievance and depression.

The tips of my shoes unconsciously kicked at the dirt and pebbles on the ground, again and again.

He didn't know how much time had passed—perhaps only a few minutes, perhaps a dozen minutes—when a calm voice sounded above his head:

"That transformation technique, in terms of both precision and actual effect, is a successful variant ninjutsu."

"But... it just won't pass, right? I know what Brother Shuuji wants to say," the blond boy replied listlessly.

He expected to hear even harsher criticism, something Iruka had done many times before.

"You can perform that level of transformation, but not a regular one," Shuuji said. "Is it because ordinary transformations aren't eye-catching enough?"

"No...it's just that, no matter what..." Naruto finally raised his head, explaining somewhat flusteredly, "I just..."

Shuji continued, "You're not observing carefully enough; you don't realize you're becoming worse?"

"To achieve your current transformation technique, the level of observation and imagination required is no simpler than that of an ordinary transformation technique."

“Naruto Uzumaki.” He called him by his full name. “You want to train with Gaara so much, is it to help your comrade, or simply because you don’t want your own vision to be taken away?”

"I..." Naruto opened his mouth, "I... just..."

The boy was pondering, but Shuji wasn't in a hurry for him to come up with an answer. Instead, he said, "From the standards of transformation techniques, being able to transform in only one aspect is not up to standard."

"However, from the perspective of a 'ninjutsu developer' or 'practitioner,' the 'targeted specialization transformation ability' you have demonstrated is commendable."

"Based on this, I will give you a corresponding reward."

"Eh—?!!" Naruto suddenly sprang up from the ground, his eyes wide open.

"Multiple Shadow Clone Technique, Rank A, Forbidden Technique," Shuuji said. Rank A ninjutsu? Forbidden Technique? His reward?

A surge of ecstasy and belated astonishment rushed in at the same time, making his face look somewhat comical.

"Why... why?"

"Don't you want it?"

"I want to!" he shouted, all his previous disappointment and grievances vanishing instantly. "I will definitely learn this technique! I'll surpass Sasuke!"
-
After Sunagakure agreed to the joint investment plan between Konoha and Kumogakure, negotiations involving the three parties on specific terms began.

Kakashi, who works in the secret service, has been temporarily assigned a new task as the person in charge of the negotiation details project with Konoha. He has already spent two days in the conference room in the venue area.

He even misses his time on field missions, his life as a member of the secret service.

However, as a well-rounded ninja who was truly flawless in all aspects of ninjutsu, taijutsu, genjutsu, and sagehood, he still performed his job excellently.

Kakashi lowered his eyelids only after the people from Sunagakure and Kumogakure had temporarily left.

As I tidied up the documents, I moved from this meeting room to another.

There were only two people in the meeting room at the moment; the other person got up and left after Kakashi arrived.

Only Kakashi and Shuji remained in the room, sitting by the window and flipping through some documents in the last rays of daylight.

"You're not using work as an excuse to slack off, are you, Shuji?" The silver-haired Jonin said resentfully. "You and that Samui Jonin from Kumogakure don't look like you're discussing serious matters at all."

Shuji looked up from the file: "I'm also on the go, Kakashi-senpai. Besides training the village's new generation, I also need to handle these international joint public affairs." He closed the file and added, "Besides, it was you, Kakashi-senpai, who refused to become a Jonin instructor back then."

"Even if I become a Jonin instructor, I'll still be at your mercy under all sorts of 'reasonable' pretexts."

Kakashi pulled out a chair and sat down, getting down to business. "The initial framework and core terms for the fleet expansion have been basically agreed upon. Although Sunagakure still wants to negotiate on some aspects, such as the technology sharing ratio and subsequent maintenance responsibilities, the overall situation is settled."

Shuji nodded: "It would be best if this could be done as soon as possible. If Akatsuki was able to get to the Land of Snow, it means that they can also settle down in any overseas country."

"In fact, the other party has already found a second and a third overseas country."

“Traditional surface ships are too obvious targets. In the future, a blockade and patrol network composed of fleets with underwater navigation and combat capabilities will be the best way to deal with this kind of threat from overseas.”

"The other one is based on flying wing technology and the airship technology shown by the Snow Country."

"Faced with the threat posed by new technologies, the conventional tactical systems of the ninja villages in the past will be initially phased out."

"In fact, the enemy may come from overseas or from the air now, and in the future, it is unknown whether they will come from the sky or from outside this world."

Kakashi sighed: "...Aren't you thinking too far ahead, and a bit too exaggerated, Shuji?"

“I don’t need to think about that much, but you might not be so sure, Kakashi-senpai,” Shuuji said. “Kakashi-senpai, you have a long future ahead of you. Before I run away, please work hard and get used to it.”

Kakashi's lips and eyes twitched simultaneously. Was he now making no attempt to hide the fact that he could run away?

and many more……

Wasn't Shuji talking about training new people just now?

Shouldn't he go and take a look too?

(End of this chapter)