Konoha Notes

Chapter 372 Arrangement
Top floor of the Joint Military Training Bureau building in the Konoha stadium area.

The view here is superb; through the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, you can see the bustling activity of the entire stadium area and the tranquil silhouette of Konoha headquarters in the distance.

Kakashi sank into the soft leather sofa, his body relaxed, but his right eye, which was exposed, showed no signs of laziness.

The suggestion from Iwagakure was relayed by Kakashi to Konoha, and then spread within the Joint Martial Arts Training Bureau.

The initial idea within Konoha was that they agreed. Kakashi believed that Shuuji, who had not yet returned, would be very enthusiastic about this matter, just like his fondness for bringing all the major and minor ninja villages into the alliance system.

However, when Shuji returned from the land of Takigawa, weary from his journey, his reaction after hearing his report was unexpectedly indifferent.

"You're not tired of Iwagakure, are you?" Kakashi asked.

Shuji was standing by the window, his back to the room. Upon hearing this, he turned around, his face expressionless except for a slight twitch of his eyebrows.

“It sounds like I’m not only having problems with my personal relationships, but my professional conduct is also starting to give a bad impression?” He walked to the other side of the sofa and sat down, then said, “No, not at all.”

"Simply because, in my opinion, this is most likely to be just an ordinary meeting."

"Ordinary?" Kakashi repeated. It involved two Jinchuriki being attacked, so it couldn't be considered ordinary at all.

“Yes, it’s normal,” Shuji affirmed.

"First, the level of the attendees. Apart from Sunagakure, would the Kage from other ninja villages easily leave their villages during this sensitive period?"

"Secondly, and more importantly—what is the fundamental purpose of Iwagakure's proposal to convene this meeting?"

Kakashi pondered, "Naturally, we should seek ways to deal with the Akatsuki threat, protect the Jinchuriki, and try to discuss the possibility of finding Roshi."

“That’s right.” Shuuji nodded. “But what’s the specific direction for finding a method? Can the five great ninja villages concentrate their main forces to attack? Even if Iwagakure agrees, the other ninja villages won’t agree.”

"They learned their lesson the hard way last time, and they won't fall for it easily this time."

"So what they really hope for is to obtain a plan or promise to enhance their own protection capabilities through the meeting, without changing the premise that the Jinchūriki must be controlled by the village."

Kakashi listened and had to admit that Shuuji's analysis hit the nail on the head.

Since the establishment of the Joint Affairs Bureau, the various ninja villages have indeed made progress in areas such as intelligence sharing and event operation. However, once they touch upon areas such as military command and core combat force deployment, the resistance increases exponentially.

Every village is willing to have others help them, but finds it difficult to accept having their fighting force commanded by others.

Otherwise, each village wouldn't have a person in charge stationed in the affairs bureau, both participating in the cooperation and each guarding their own line of responsibility.

Shuji concluded, "Therefore, unless the meeting can lead to a breakthrough result."

"For example, if all parties agree to temporarily concentrate the human jinchūriki in one location for unified protection, otherwise, it will be difficult for the meeting itself to produce any substantial progress."

"So, you mean we shouldn't take this meeting too seriously? We should just take a passive approach?" Kakashi looked at him. This wasn't like Shuji; even when he saw through the limitations, he usually tried to extract the maximum value from them.

“It’s not about being passive.” Xiu Si shook his head. “Of course, we’ll hold meetings. We need to follow the procedures, maintain the right attitude, and fully express the respect and willingness to cooperate that are due.”

"This is both a necessary gesture to maintain the joint framework and a way to reassure Iwagakure and other villages that may be equally anxious."

"However, the focus of solving the problem is not in this meeting, but in the laboratory, at the technical level."

"You mean... that white spore?" Kakashi immediately realized.

Shuji affirmed, "Yes."

"The 'better protection methods' that Iwagakure wants to seek through the meeting are contingent on their own protection system being able to reliably perform as intended."

"But what if the enemy's techniques can infiltrate key personnel without being detected by any conventional means of perception?"

"What if even the ANBU protecting the Jinchuriki might become the enemy's eyes or a bomb?"

Kakashi straightened his back unconsciously, which was indeed the real problem exposed in the Takigakure incident.

“I understand,” the silver-haired Jonin said. “So, besides appeasement and routine procedures, what else do you hope to achieve at this meeting?” “Only one,” Shuuji said, holding up a finger. “To try to push countries to further open up their border emergency access rights and establish a more efficient and faster cross-regional emergency support mechanism.”

"It doesn't involve military command, it only concerns traffic efficiency and information synchronization. This is the most practical assistance that can be provided for the word 'protection' within the existing framework."

He leaned back on the sofa, looking more relaxed: "Aside from that, we'll proceed with the preparations for the ninja village alliance as usual. We don't need to let the other side's actions disrupt our own rhythm."

Kakashi recalled the stealthy characteristic described in the intelligence report—a chakra perfectly synchronized with its host: "...Could it be that the high-ranking officials from various ninja villages who are about to attend the meeting, either themselves or their entourage, have already...?"

"Possibly," Xiu Si didn't deny it. "Therefore, security checks during the conference and subsequent health checks will be an important task. I'll find someone to help."
-
At night, Shuji left the building in the stadium area and entered the ninja apartment, going upstairs with practiced ease.

He raised his hand and knocked on the door.

A few seconds later, hurried footsteps came from inside the door, and the door was pulled open.

A surprised face peeked out. The dark purple ponytail was a little loose, with a few strands of hair sticking to the cheek, making it look like she had just come from the kitchen.

"Shuji?" Mitarashi Anko blinked. "When did you get back?"

"today."

"Wow, perfect timing!" Hongdou's smile immediately brightened. "Come in, come in! I just made some dumplings and tried out my new dipping sauce! Although I think the essence is the sweetness..."

“But I made a less sweet version.”

Shuji took off his shoes, walked into the apartment, and sat down at the low table.

He sat down at the low table. On the table was a plate of freshly cooked, steaming glutinous rice balls, round and cute, with several small dishes next to them containing dipping sauces of various colors, from dark brown soy sauce syrup to milky white yogurt-like sauce.

Soon, Hongdou came over with a pot of hot tea and two cups.

Shuji picked up a bamboo skewer, poked at a meatball, and dipped it in the yogurt-like sauce.

"Not bad, not sweet."

"Hehe!" Red Bean shook her head smugly, picked up a piece herself, and generously dipped it in a thick layer of sweet sauce. "I specially adjusted it to suit the captain's taste."

"So, the captain came to see me as soon as he got back. Could it be that he knows I've already prepared the flavor?"

Shuji poked another dumpling and started talking about what happened in Takigakure Village.

Hongdou listened while eating.

She said, "So, it's a user who needs natural energy, right?"

"Okay, starting tomorrow, you'll go help out at the Affairs Bureau. You've been practicing magic for a year now, and although you can't use it in battle yet, you can at least mobilize some natural energy."

Hongdou raised her hand: "Your subordinates, listen to my command!"

She then said, "That Itachi guy is also in the Joint Affairs Bureau, so I'll be working with him again."

"To be precise, he's Kakashi's assistant now," Shuuji stated calmly. "So, they're not colleagues; he's in a higher position."

"Huh?!" Anko suddenly raised her voice, "Assistant?! Kakashi's assistant?! This is too much! I'm the senior!"

She waved the bamboo skewer: "Captain! This isn't fair! I want one too! Give me one too... oh no, give me an assistant position too!"

"I want to be your assistant, Captain! That way, Itachi and I will be on the same level! We'll both be assistants!"

Shuji laughed and said, "I don't hold an official position. I can't compare to Kakashi-senpai, who is the de facto head of the Joint Affairs Bureau."

"However, if you want it, then so be it."

Anko immediately put down the bamboo skewer and bowed: "Yes! Assistant Mitarashi Anko is at the captain's service at any time!"

(End of this chapter)