Konoha Notes

Chapter 368 Spores
From the moment Miyajo En gave up resistance and explained his own value, not only the people of Takigakure Village, but also Asuma's squad, thought that Shuji would at least spare Miyajo En's life for the time being.

After all, living prisoners are always more valuable than dead enemies.

As for what the people of Takigakure thought? At this moment, apart from the few people around Asuma, the other hundreds of villagers and ninjas were all bound to the spot by the gnarled tree roots.

No matter how much resentment and misunderstanding there was, it could not interfere with Konoha's judgment and actions.

It was precisely because he understood this that Miyajo En made the choice that had the highest survival rate in his calculations.

So when he was executed, all that remained in his eyes was astonishment.

Shuji didn't look long at the body in the air that was gradually losing its temperature.

"Shushi."

Asuma took out a cigarette, put it in his mouth, but didn't light it. He led Shibuki and Fu to Shuji.

"Thank goodness it was you who came."

Asuma didn't waste any time on pleasantries and went straight to the point, gesturing for Shuji to look at Fu: "When we retreated just now, something white grew on Fu's body."

"Their appearance is similar to half of Zetsu's body in the intelligence. They absorbed some of Fu's chakra and then disappeared."

Shuji listened, his dark eyes fixed on Fu. She looked somewhat weak, but she was still alive.

So, they only took away some of the Seven-Tails' chakra...?

"Mr. Shuji."

Shemu stepped forward, his young face a mixture of gratitude, lingering fear, and self-reproach.

"Thank you so much for Konoha's help. If you hadn't arrived in time, Takigakure would probably be in trouble today..."

Before he could finish speaking, his gaze swept over the unrecognizable Takigakure, and his trembling pupils said it all.

“I have already arranged for mobile reinforcements,” Shuji said. “They will assist Takigakure in rebuilding its defenses and handling the aftermath, and will arrive no later than noon tomorrow.”

"Now, please do what you need to do first, Mr. Shibuki."

Having said that, Shuji released his Wood Release.

In the square, the thick tree roots that had bound and entangled the villagers and ninjas began to writhe like living things, quickly loosening and shrinking back to the ground, leaving only bent grass and a few wood chips on the ground.

Shibuki snapped out of his daze, suppressed his surging emotions, and began to command the Takigakure ninjas who were still able to move, in a voice that was still trembling but trying to remain calm.

"Those who are still able to move, go and help the wounded first!"

"Demon Wolf! Take two teams and seal off all entrances to prevent any remaining enemy forces!"

As orders were issued one by one, the Takigakure ninjas struggled out of the chaos and dispersed according to Shibuki's commands.

At this moment, three figures rose from the lake.

“No other signs of enemy activity have been found within a five-kilometer radius.” Genma walked up to Shuji and reported concisely, “The reinforcement order has been issued. According to the planned route, the first batch of support teams will arrive at the outer perimeter within six hours.”

"As for the first batch of reinforcements... we found signs of battle in the woods three kilometers to the northeast. Bloodstains and traces of explosions..."

The words were not finished, but the meaning was already clear.

As for the person who claimed to be Ozaki, he had already given up struggling after Shuji used his shadow clone to scout ahead and had been dealt with.

"Genma, your team will assist Takigakure in post-disaster recovery."

Genma's squad quickly dispersed.

At this moment, Izumo and Kotetsu exchanged a glance and stepped forward as well.

"Shuji, let's go help too," Izumo said. "The more hands we have, the sooner the wounded can be treated—"

"and many more."

Shuji interrupted them.

His gaze returned to Asma.

"Asuma, tell me the details." Asuma took the unlit cigarette from his lips and held it between his fingers.

He first briefly recounted the whole story of why he decided to retreat to Takigakure.

They then started talking about what happened after they entered the village.

"After we retreated into Takigakure, we immediately assisted Shibuki in arranging the defense. At first, it was very calm, and the enemy did not pursue us."

"But about an hour later, the defected Takigakure Jonin, Suiken, led a group that invaded Takigakure."

As he spoke, Asuma lit a cigarette with a wry smile and took a deep drag: "Although I killed the hookah and the others, the blond man's abilities were troublesome, and in the end I had to retreat with Shibuki and Fu first."

He actually felt somewhat guilty, but he had a mission to fulfill for the village. Asuma had already figured out what was truly important to Konoha after his shift at the border.

"Later, Fu lost control of her emotions because the villagers were constantly being detonated, and her chakra exploded. Then those white things grew on her body... and disappeared after taking away some of her chakra."

His narration was concise, but he didn't omit any crucial details.

After saying that, Asuma took another drag of his cigarette, waiting for Shuji's reaction.

However, Shuji said nothing; he simply looked at Asuma quietly.

A few seconds of silence.

Izumo and Kotetsu also sensed something subtle and unusual. The two unconsciously straightened up, warily observing their surroundings, their hands quietly reaching for their ninja tool pouches.

Is something wrong?

Asma quickly recalled the report in his mind.

What was overlooked? A misjudgment? Or...?

Suddenly, Asuma's eyes widened slightly.

The white, humanoid objects on Fu's body appeared suddenly. But why did those things grow on her body in the first place?

That was an enemy technique. When and under what circumstances did Kof fall for it?
If Fu was unknowingly affected by the spell, then those who had been with Fu—Asuma himself, Izumo, Kotetsu, Himon, and even Shibuki—were also likely exposed to the same risk.

"Fire Gate, can you see what's wrong with us?" Asuma said in a deep voice.

Hyuga Hido had already activated his Byakugan.

He glanced at Asuma, Izumo, and Kotetsu one by one, and finally even looked at himself.

"No..." Himon's voice was filled with confusion and gravity, "At least for now, I can't see any abnormal chakra attachments or parasitic traces."

Shuji finally spoke again.

"Don't split up," he said. "Everyone stay where you are and wait for the village's reinforcements to arrive."

His gaze swept past Asma and landed on Shibuki in the distance, who was directing the villagers to move the wounded.

If Fu fell for the trap early on, it means that Jue already knew their location.

But after such a long delay, they ended up leaving Miyajo En alone.

If I had to explain the reason, it wouldn't be necessary.

The more likely explanation is that he wanted to use Asuma's status as a Konoha Jonin to reach people who are now difficult to contact.

For example, the jinchūriki of a tailed beast.

Of course, this is under the premise that Asuma and others have been confirmed to have been infected.

According to his memory, there are ways to make the spores appear earlier.

It involves injecting magical energy, or rather, natural energy.

But this is an opportunity to try and see if we can find a way to identify white zodiac animals.

Therefore, he had to wait for the people from Konoha to arrive.

(End of this chapter)