Konoha Notes

Chapter 363 Top Card
The tea gradually cooled in the cup.

Mei Terumi's green eyes, which always held a smile, now appeared somewhat vacant.

Beyond understanding.

Yes, it completely exceeded all her previous ideas and cognitive boundaries.

Her open blueprint for Kirigakure was to transform the village into a hub connecting maritime trade between countries, allowing ninjas to find new ways to survive by protecting merchant ships and maintaining order along shipping routes.

These plans, which she once considered bold enough, cutting-edge enough, and which she would occasionally feel a little proud of when thinking about them alone late at night... suddenly seem very conservative.

The Jonin from Kirigakure stared blankly at the young yet excessively calm face opposite him, trying to find even the slightest trace of a joke or exaggeration in those deep black eyes, but he failed.

He was serious, so serious that it sent a slight shiver down her spine, a mixture of indescribable longing and anxiety.

“Shuji-kun…” Her voice was drier than she had imagined. She cleared her throat to regain her usual tone, her voice filled with cautious inquiry, “What exactly does the ‘unified whole’ you’re talking about look like?”

"Will they... erase the names and flags of each village?"

She was trying to understand what the other person was saying.

Shuji didn't return immediately. Instead, he got up and poured the now-cold tea from Mei Terumi's cup into a nearby wastewater container, then replaced it with hot water.

This simple action interrupted her frozen thoughts and brought Mei Terumi's attention back slightly.

"Appearance?" Xiu Si put down the teapot and sat back down. "Perhaps it won't be as unrecognizable as you imagine."

"Ninjas who train among the mountains can still stand tall and proudly proclaim that they come from Kumogakure, wear Kumogakure headbands, and use Kumogakure swordsmanship."

"The ninjas who take root on the reddish-brown rock walls do not shy away from mentioning their Iwagakure origins just because they are part of a group. Their unwavering and steadfast will to stand firm remains their spiritual guide."

"Ninjas, honed by endless sandstorms and scorching sun, can still skillfully manipulate puppets and study poisons and mechanisms."

"And the ninjas of Kirigakure will always be the ninjas of Kirigakure."

"The glory of the past, the unique heritage, the ninja style shaped by the region and environment... these precious parts that constitute our identity will not fade because of the move towards unity. On the contrary, they may shine even more brightly in the process of communication and interaction."

Mei Terumi listened quietly as her gentle voice narrated the story of the future.

"The only thing that will change is that when ninjas with different headbands stand side by side on the battlefield and face a difficult project together, the difference in the headband patterns in their eyes will no longer automatically turn into suspicion."

"We will face disasters together, whether it is an organization that suddenly gains great power or a threat that is beyond the boundaries of our understanding."

"We will explore a way out together. As the years of peace gradually lengthen and the traditional mission delegation model quietly changes with the times, how should ninjas redefine their value and find a new path that allows them to both make a living and contribute to the world?"

"Ultimately, we will create the future together." His tone did not rise, but remained unhurried and gentle, "a world where children can grow up safely in the sunlight, without being instilled with hatred and killing from a young age."

"The power of ninjutsu is not only used for destruction and defense, but also for exploring wilderness, building bridges across natural barriers, curing diseases, and exploring the mysteries of the earth beneath our feet and the stars above our heads."

She remained silent, her thoughts drifting into the captivating scene described by Shuji.

That was the happiness she longed for, a light and hopeful future after shedding her heavy burden and escaping the blood mist curse.

I really want to see that kind of world with my own eyes.

The thought arose so naturally and strongly.

However, just as this anticipation was about to overwhelm her reason, another weight, stemming from responsibility, pulled her back.

The future of the village rests on her shoulders; however beautiful the blueprint may be, it is merely a blueprint at this moment. Is entrusting the village's fate to a nascent idea dominated by powerful figures from other villages truly a responsible choice?
Mei Terumi's lips twitched slightly, as if she wanted to say something. Perhaps it was a test, perhaps a condition, or even... an impulsive statement, unburdening all reservations: "If that's the future you've envisioned, I'm willing to go see it with you."

But in the end, all the words that had been brewing in his chest turned into a deeper silence the moment they touched his tongue.

Just then, Shuji raised his hand and tapped the table twice with his knuckles.

A crisp sound broke the silence.

The shoji door was silently pulled open a crack, and a waiter's respectful figure appeared outside.

"We can prepare to serve the dishes now," Xiu Si said, his tone having returned to its usual calm.

"Yes." The waiter bowed and quickly withdrew.

Mei Terumi was stunned by the interruption, then saw that familiar, calm smile with a hint of reassurance appear on Shuji's face.

He didn't press further or try to persuade him, as if his earlier, powerful words were just part of casual conversation.

He stopped talking about that topic and instead started talking about some interesting things that had happened in Konoha recently. For example, there was a child in Konoha who, even though he was still a minor, had developed a very interesting ninjutsu.

Its absurdity raises suspicions about loopholes in Konoha's age rating system for certain publications; he also casually inquires about the Kirigakure exchange students' journey and their initial impressions of the venue area.

The conversation became light and trivial until the moonlight filled the courtyard and the banquet came to an end.

Shuji escorted her back to Kirigakure's residence in Konoha. The stadium area was still brightly lit at night, and the faint sounds of laughter and conversation from tourists from all over could be heard, creating a lively atmosphere compared to the daytime.

At the entrance of the residence, Terumi Mei turned around, ready to say goodbye.

“Miss Terumi Mei,” Shuji spoke first.

She looked up at him.

In the moonlight, his silhouette was clearer than indoors. Black hair, calm brows and eyes, and that expression that always seemed too serene.

"There is no need to rush into making any decisions, nor should you feel pressured about it."

His gaze went over her shoulder and towards the brightly lit stadium area in the distance, which had become another bustling center outside Konoha Village.

“A road is not paved by one person, nor is there only one road.”

"It will gradually become clear as we—all those who are aware of the change and willing to try to move forward—walk together, constantly try and fail, and inevitably experience setbacks and corrections."

He withdrew his gaze and looked at her again; her dark eyes appeared exceptionally clear in the moonlight.

"And the future you have planned for Kirigakure, the attempt you are currently undertaking to integrate Kirigakure into a wider world."

"This does not conflict with the direction I just mentioned."

"Like streams originating from different mountain ranges, their paths may differ, and they may encounter various obstacles, but ultimately..."

"They will eventually merge."

He said it with absolute certainty.

(End of this chapter)