Konoha Notes

Chapter 364 Contact
If Sasuke had to say what his biggest takeaway from the special training was, it would probably be seeing Neji Hyuga's true skill level.

The two were a grade apart. During the first week, the Jonin who was assigned by the village committee to take turns guiding the students in special training did not directly arrange a cross-grade duel.

Instead, they first arranged training programs and increased the intensity of the training.

However, even without a formal confrontation, just by observing Neji sparring with Sai and Rock Lee of the same grade, Sasuke clearly realized one thing: Hinata Hyuga's Gentle Fist and Neji Hyuga's Gentle Fist are completely different.

The difference between the two is not just in their aura.

Strength, speed, techniques... even when using the same techniques, there are differences that cannot be erased.

That is an enemy we must be prepared to deal with.

Even after his conversation with the Third Hokage, he was able to understand to some extent what the village—or rather, certain people—expected, and therefore chose to return to the Ninja Academy instead of taking a leave of absence for special training.

But understanding is by no means the same as acceptance.

Accept that, as an Uchiha, I will be defeated by the Hyuga.

Today marks the first official cross-grade practical training day. As planned, it will begin with the second and third grades, which have the largest number of students.

This is considered a relatively fair range – physical fitness has not yet created a decisive gap due to age, and the role of skills and experience will be amplified.

When Sasuke and Gaara arrived at the training ground, they found unfamiliar figures already there.

One was a boy with long blond hair, and the other was a girl with short black hair.

People from Iwagakure...

After all, the exchange student from Iwagakure entered the school today. It's just unexpected that they would be assigned to special training on their very first day of school.

Deidara noticed the newcomer.

He looked at the other person's clothes and hair.

"You're the Uchiha from that special training class, right?"

Sasuke didn't answer, but instead walked to the other side of the training field.

Judging from this week's special training, Gaara is an exception among the ninjas from other villages.
The other exchange students from Sunagakure and Kumogakure, while each possessing unique strengths and noteworthy abilities, did not exert any pressure on him that compelled him to go all out. The Iwagakure student before him would likely be no exception.

His indifferent attitude piqued Deidara's interest, and his gaze became more serious.

"Hey, I'm talking to you, Uchiha Sasuke."

As he spoke, Deidara threw three small white spiders at Sasuke.

Sasuke lightly touched the ground with his foot and slid to the side and back. The clay spider landed where he had just been standing.

"The reaction is not bad." Deidara chuckled.

However, Sasuke's reaction went beyond simply dodging. In the instant he slid away, he suddenly turned back and charged straight at Deidara.

He raised his right hand, clearly intending to teach this rude fellow a lesson the moment he got close.

Deidara, however, remained calm and composed. In fact, the moment Sasuke activated his attack, he had already pulled back to create some distance. At the same time, he threw out four or five more clay spiders.

After they landed, they blocked Sasuke's pursuit route from different angles.

Troublesome technique! Sasuke frowned slightly, slowing his charge. Although he didn't know what these things did, he clearly couldn't let them get close to him rashly.

The next moment, Sasuke activated his Sharingan, drew a shuriken from his waist, and prepared to use it to precisely eliminate those annoying spiders.

Unexpectedly, the clay spiders that were originally active seemed to lose their momentum the moment Sasuke activated his Sharingan, and they all stopped in mid-air and fell down.

Sasuke slowed his forward momentum and looked at Deidara with slight surprise. The expression of provocation and excitement on the blond boy's face quickly vanished, replaced by undisguised disappointment.

Deidara blinked his left eye quickly, and after confirming that there was no sign of him being trapped in an illusion, his disappointment was almost overflowing.

"Is this considered the Sharingan?" His tone was full of boredom. "So there's a version with one tomoe, huh."

"..."

Sasuke came to a complete stop.

At his age, awakening the Sharingan is something no one can judge as weak, even though there are many people in his clan who never awaken their Sharingan in their entire lives.

but……

"Do you know Uchiha Shisui?" Deidara seemed to remember something, his disappointment lessened, and he became more interested. "I've prepared a whole new art for him."

"He said that as long as I apply through the normal channels, the formal competition can be arranged, right? Hey, I've already come to participate in this kind of special training that looks so troublesome, can you help me ask when my application will be approved?"

at this time--

"Wow! This is the feeling of youth! They've already started chatting!"

A vibrant roar, accompanied by a green whirlwind, landed in the center of the training field, kicking up dust.

As the dust settled, Matt Kai revealed a row of white teeth.

"The proud blue beast of Konoha, Might Guy, your instructor for today's special training, reports for duty!"

He gave a thumbs-up to the four teenagers in the field.

"Seeing you all so eager to get to know each other and ignite your fighting spirit through the clash of youth before the formal courses even begin, I...I..."

His voice suddenly choked up, and he abruptly raised his arm to block his eyes, while his other hand stubbornly held up a thumbs-up.

"This burning passion, this boundless energy! It's so moving! Youth! This is the most beautiful rehearsal for youth!"

His gaze swept over Sasuke's still bloodshot eyes, then looked at the suspicious clumps of white clay on the ground, and at Deidara's "Who is this guy?" expression, and his smile grew even brighter.

"Great eyes! Great fighting spirit! Although it's a little early, this desire to compete and improve together is the most beautiful spark of youth! I can feel it!"

"However! A true battle of youth requires a more suitable stage and rules! Until everyone is here, let's keep this burning fighting spirit in our hearts for now!"

"Next, I will arrange battle combinations that will allow all of you to fully ignite your youthful passion!"

He looked at Deidara and Kurotsuchi standing in the shade of the tree, his teeth seemingly flashing again: "You are the exchange students from Iwagakure, right? I am Might Guy, and I am in charge of guiding this special training class today."

"Relax, just treat this as a stage to showcase your youthful energy! Oh, by the way, that clay over there... does the teacher need to help clean it up? It looks like some kind of failed sculpting material."

Deidara's eye twitched. Did Konoha actually have someone with this kind of style?

“…This is art.” Deidara took a deep breath and emphasized, a small lump of clay appearing between his fingers. “Thick-eyebrowed guy, would you like to experience its charm for yourself?”
-
At the same time, in the Hokage's office.

Uchiha Itachi silently entered the room and placed a scroll marked with an emergency symbol on Shuji's desk.

“Senior.” His voice was clear and cold, “The guard team that went to meet Shibuki, the leader of Takigakure Village, has sent back an urgent message.”

"The team discovered suspicious individuals who are not members of the Takigakure ninja group near the designated rendezvous point. Indications suggest that they may be organized and operating in a secretive manner."

"The guard team leader judged that there was a potential risk and, in accordance with emergency regulations, sent a distress signal back to the village while attempting to make covert contact with the target."

"The new reinforcement team has set off immediately and is expected to join the advance team as early as this evening."

(End of this chapter)