Konoha Notes

Chapter 39 Jirocho

Before leaving, Shuuji gave some instructions, so when Anko and Itachi met Shizune at Wasabi's house, they tacitly kept their distance and did not rush to talk to her or ask any questions.

Instead, it was Jingyin who took the initiative. Sensing the subtle distance between the two younger villagers, the young woman slowly approached.

“I am Shizune,” she said calmly. “I used to live in Konoha, but later I traveled with my teacher… It’s been seven or eight years since I left the village.” She first explained her background.

Upon hearing the other person's background, Anko's tense shoulders relaxed slightly. Since he was a senior from the village, a straightforward smile appeared on her face: "Senior Shizune is already a Jonin, right?"

“No,” Shizune quickly waved her hand, her movements serious. “I was a Chunin when I left the village, and I still am.” Her gaze unconsciously swept around before she lowered her voice slightly and added, “My ninja number is 010800.”

"Mitarashi Anko, Chunin." Since the other party could give a proper identification number, her credibility increased significantly, and the purple-haired female ninja readily introduced herself.

"Uchiha Itachi, a genin." The black-haired boy's response remained concise.

“Yes, Shuuji-kun mentioned you before he left,” Shizune nodded slightly, her expression warm. “I am skilled in medical ninjutsu, so if you are injured, don’t worry, you can come to me anytime.” She paused, her tone carrying a sincere assurance. “As for combat… although it doesn’t seem like it, I do have some self-defense and support capabilities.”

Shizune was not usually a woman of many words, but now, facing the younger generation from two villages, the long-lost connection she felt with Konoha made her talk more than usual. Under her gentle and honest influence, Anko gradually lowered her guard.

"Sister Shizune's teacher..." Hongdou finally couldn't help but speak, but immediately realized that she had asked something she shouldn't have. "Sorry."

"It's alright. It's just that my teacher has already retired, so as his disciple, I've also retired."

Just then, a suppressed commotion came from the direction of the Wasabi family's front yard. Jirocho hurried back, his face as dark as the sea before a storm.

"The city gates have been closed by the guards!" His voice was low and urgent. "They've declared martial law in the name of an emergency... Beastman Guard, it's time to make a move!"

Jingyin immediately stepped forward, speaking quickly: "Please move to the backyard immediately! Leave the front to us."

Anko and Itachi exchanged a quick glance. Without a word, Itachi silently retreated, disappearing into the shadows of the corridor—this was the team's established tactic: Itachi would remain hidden in the shadows to observe the battle and decide how to strike.

Jirocho shook his head firmly: "No. Their target is me. If I hide, they will come towards the back of the house." His gaze swept over Shizune and Anko, "Besides, for ninjas, being able to hide in the shadows and observe the enemy first gives them an advantage. If I hide, you will have to expose yourselves first."

Taking a deep breath, Wasabi Jiro said, "I will have men on standby in the front yard. When to make a move is up to you."

Wasabi bowed deeply to Shizune and Anko, then turned her gaze to the direction where Itachi had disappeared, offering the same solemn bow.

"I entrust everything to you all! For the sake of Akuta Port, for the sake of the Wasabi family... Jirocho will remember your gratitude. Please!" After saying this, he did not linger. He turned around and strode towards the front yard, his back straight and carrying a resolute determination.

Red Bean watched his retreating figure and couldn't help but whisper in admiration, "This Wasabi-san... is a nice person." "Yes," Shizune replied softly, "That's why he's the teacher's friend."

The air in the courtyard suddenly became thick and heavy. From the front yard came the hushed shouts of the Wasabi family guards, the soft scraping of metal, and the chilling sound of weapons being drawn. Tension, like invisible vines, quietly coiled around everyone's nerves.

Silent and silent, she opened her ninja tool pouch and checked its contents. She pulled back her right arm to examine the hidden weapon tube.

Hongdou also suppressed her smile, and quietly slipped her right hand into the wide, dark purple sleeve of her trench coat.

Time ticked by in the suffocating wait. The heavy breathing of the guards at Wasabi's house in the front yard was clearly audible, their knuckles white from gripping their weapons tightly. Every gust of wind that swept past the wall sounded like the approaching footsteps of an enemy.

suddenly!

"boom--!!!"

A deafening explosion ripped through the silence! The heavy front gate of Wasabi's house was struck as if by an invisible battering sledgehammer; the entire door panel, along with the wooden frames on both sides, instantly twisted, shattered, and burst inward! Countless sharp wood chips shot out like a torrential rain!

Amidst the billowing smoke and dust, three figures, stepping over the wreckage of a door panel, like demons emerging from a rift in hell, slowly entered the front yard.

The leader, a tall man, was none other than the castle garrison commander, Jubei! His white haori fluttered in the blast of the explosion, and although the samurai sword he always carried at his waist was not drawn, a chilling killing intent, as if it were a tangible force, was already overwhelming, causing the front-row Wasabi family guards to stagger backward, their faces turning ashen.

To the left of Jubei stood a terrifying figure. His left arm was tightly bound with layers of blood-soaked, filthy bandages, revealing five fingers that were an inhuman, bone-white color, sharp and unusually pointed. A dark red strip of cloth, seemingly soaked in blood, hung from his tattered sleeve. Most eerie of all was his left eye, a murky amber color, lifeless, like the eye of a dead fish, indifferently scanning the terrified crowd in the courtyard.

To the right of Jubei, he was shrouded in a large, moldy, and water-stained oilcloth cloak. The hood of the cloak was pulled down very low, revealing only a bluish-gray chin that looked as if he had been drowning for a long time, and two dry, cracked, and bloodless lips. He carried a huge brown gourd, about half a person's height, on his shoulder. The gourd's surface was also covered with slippery moss, making it look heavy and eerie.

The moment the three appeared, the temperature in the entire front yard seemed to drop ten degrees. The guards of the Wasabi family felt as if they had fallen into an ice cave, their hands gripping their weapons trembling uncontrollably, their courage crumbling rapidly in the face of absolute, inhuman pressure.

Jubei's gaze, like a cold razor, passed over the trembling guards and landed precisely on Wasabi Jirocho, who was surrounded by the crowd in the center. A cold, emotionless smile appeared on his lips, and his voice, though not loud, was like muffled thunder rolling across the courtyard.

“Wasagi Jirocho... your path has come to an end.”

His gaze slowly swept over the pale-faced guards, finally settling on Jirocho's face, his tone chillingly calm.

"And these insects, let's crush them all too."

(End of this chapter)