svetikya Chapter 526 Warning
Chapter 526 Warning
Chapter 526 Warning
No matter how much Shuji fantasizes, and no matter how great Sasuke and Naruto's contributions are, they won't be chasing the Hokage position anytime soon.
Unlike him, the other two had far fewer people with whom he had genuine conflicts of interest, while he had far too many.
Therefore, Xiuji still has to do things one by one.
First, he went to see Hiashi and learned that only one member of the Bamboo Clan had come to visit. Then, after get off work, he treated Anko to dinner.
It was already night when I was able to go home.
The chill between winter and spring is at its deepest. A charcoal stove was lit in the front yard of the old house, adding a bit of light and warmth.
Temari and Kankuro were busy by the stove. To say they were busy was a bit of a stretch; they were really just baking some snacks: marshmallows, rice balls, and some vegetables.
Gaara sat to the side reading the letter.
When Shuji returned, Temari handed him a skewer of grilled vegetables.
Shuji took off his Hokage robe and casually tossed it onto the stone table beside him, then took the skewers of grilled meat.
A skewer of shiitake mushrooms, onions, and green peppers smelled good and tasted good too.
"Mr. Shuji, this is the symbol of the Hokage." Temari stood up, picked up the outer robe, and hung it up properly in the corridor. "Please take a little care of it."
Shuji said, "It's okay, if it's broken or can't be cleaned properly, we can replace it for free."
Then he sat down on the floor by the fire and asked Gaara, "Naruto and Sasuke are graduating early. What are your plans?"
Gaara looked away from the letter: "Me too."
"With the current education system in Konoha, anyone who has the ability to graduate early will choose this path," Kankuro said, holding up a string of caramel-colored marshmallows. "Graduating early allows you to take on D-rank missions to save money, and then go to the genin training school to learn new skills."
"You don't have to stay in the classroom and listen to things that you've already learned."
Temari sat down between her two younger brothers. Now a Chunin of Sunagakure, she spoke with much more competence than she had two years ago.
"I heard that not only Naruto and his classmates, but most of Gaara's team are planning to graduate early."
"Mr. Shuji doesn't know?"
Shuji said, "The Ninja Academy hasn't been paying much attention lately, so I'm not too sure."
However, he hadn't been entirely unprepared for this outcome.
The standards for rewards have changed. A genin who has spent a year on a mission outside the ninja a year ago stands next to his peers who have just graduated from the ninja academy, and the difference is not small.
In addition, the number of high-risk commissions has decreased sharply, and there are fewer decent bandit threats in the Joint Affairs Bureau's jurisdiction.
Instead of wasting another year or two in school, it's better to go out and gain experience sooner.
Shuji reached for a rice ball near the stove and placed it on the stove, asking, "Is it still their letter?"
"Yes." Gaara nodded. "We receive letters occasionally."
They are referring to Yura and his group.
Two years ago, when Shuji decided to purge the Joint Affairs Bureau, these spies, who were well known to the village leaders, had no reason to stay.
Chiyo, under the pretext of "assisting Sunagakure in expanding its overseas mission channels," packed up a group of people, led by Yura, and sent them to Jiraiya's side, where they went to sea with the Toad Sage.
Gaara contributed to this matter to some extent.
He wrote to Chiyo, explaining that some of these people were not in control of their own destiny.
After that, perhaps knowing the role of the One-Tailed Jinchuriki, or perhaps simply taking the opportunity to curry favor with the future Kazekage candidate, letters began to arrive intermittently through the Joint Affairs Bureau.
Some wrote about their experiences overseas, while others only reported on their current situation.
Gaara read every single letter carefully.
"When things stabilize in the future, some of them may have the opportunity to return to Sunagakure." Shuji flipped the rice ball, baking it until both sides were crispy. "At that time, they will be among the first people willing to stand behind you."
Kankuro was not convinced by this claim. Not all those exiled were clear traitors; some were merely suspects.
However, for the ninja village, such suspicion alone is enough to make loyalty seem unconvincing.
Gaara didn't respond to the questions about the supporters. He was simply stating what he had seen.
"It was Shuji who gave them one last chance."
The red-haired boy learned the whole story later and could see it clearly at this point. If Shuji hadn't persuaded the Iwagakure people to cooperate, the person responsible for stealing the Tailed Beast chakra scroll wouldn't have been an Iwagakure ninja.
With Yura present, the first choice for action would naturally be someone from Sunagakure.
If those people had actually taken that step, they would never be in this situation, merely exiled overseas, yet still able to occasionally send back a few pages of letters.
Exile would be too lenient; they would have to be killed.
Shuji said, "Sunagakure is located by the sea. If we really let Yura and the others take charge of the final step, the other side will most likely choose to make contact overseas. There are too many variables. Once it gets out of control, the possibility of achieving our goal will be much lower."
"The area of Iwagakure is the best choice."
If Obito hadn't been so eager to seize the scroll containing the sealed chakra, the two Iwagakure squads responsible for luring the enemy could have easily withdrawn from the battlefield by simply putting on a show.
Of the eight people, not one of them might not come back.
Sending loyal Iwagakure ninja to exchange for traitors to get a second chance—Onoki wouldn't agree to this unless it truly required Iwagakure's intervention, and Shuji wouldn't have made this arrangement.
"I will remember," Gaara said.
Shuji nodded and turned to Kankuro.
"Is that thing any good?"
Upon hearing this, Kankuro excitedly summoned a sword-shaped puppet from the scroll. The sword was flat, and the guard had fine chakra channeling grooves embedded on both sides.
"Mr. Shuji will know once he takes a look."
He put the sword on the ground and jumped up with great force.
With a flick of his wrist in mid-air, he pulled the string, and the sword rose to his feet. When Kankuro stepped on it, with just a slight sway, the hilt of the sword converted chakra into airflow, lifting his body into the air, and then gliding forward.
"As long as there is a certain take-off height, by modifying the sword guard and the sword blade, it can convert chakra into wind-style power like a flight wing to support flight."
"However, there are still problems with the current direction adjustment."
As he spoke, Kankuro hesitated again: "However, for use in battle, it is still not as good as—"
Shuji said seriously, "Useful things will only be replaced by newer, cool things will last forever."
"Don't say such stupid things related to fighting."
"As a puppeteer, isn't the goal in life, besides manipulating puppets, to create a prototype puppet that everyone can use and is willing to pursue and continuously improve?"
Upon hearing this, Kankuro was pondering, but the memory of that scene stirred his emotions, and before he knew it, he was about to fall to the side.
Gaara raised his hand and threw up sand to hold him back.
Temari said, "Shuji-san always has his reasons."
"But as a ninja, practicality is definitely the best policy—"
Before she could finish speaking, Xiu Si was already eager to try out the sword.
These past two years, he's been so busy with work that the flight schedule had to be outsourced to Kankuro. He's more enthusiastic than anyone else about finally being able to come home and have some fun.
Seeing this, Kankuro also ran over to adjust the parameters. One of them slid forward unsteadily on the sword, while the other held the chakra threads beside him, ready to correct the trajectory at any moment.
Seeing this, the blonde girl couldn't help but sigh, "Really."
Leisure time is always fleeting. Things that are worth the Sixth Generation's attention always come knocking one after another.
As always, Taketori Yoichi's visit always occurred on the third day after the notification.
Four puppet attendants escorted the plain-colored carriage, which first arrived at the venue area. Hyuga Hiashi then led it directly towards the village.
After lifting the carriage curtain and inviting Hiashi into the carriage, he asked, "Won't entering Konoha Village cause trouble for the Hyuga clan?"
Hiashi sat upright in the car: "Since the Sixth Boss took office, the world has become more stable. The village's rules have also been relaxed. Besides, I had already informed them in advance."
"It seems that the lack of hospitality from Hyuga has still caused some resentment among the family."
He assumed the other person hadn't come along because of the previous incident.
Yu explained in a slow voice, "He simply prefers staying at home and isn't used to the noise outside."
"As for me, I'm actually more comfortable with the environment of the venue area."
"I would be extremely grateful if the accommodation could still be arranged within the venue area."
Hiashi said, "In any case, I would like to ask that Lord Taketori stay in Hyuga for one night."
Upon hearing this, Yu Yi no longer declined.
He was already used to all sorts of pomp and circumstance. Whether he accepted or declined, it was all just part of the etiquette to him. What truly bothered him were the less formal aspects.
For example, those glimpses of everyday life that one might catch by chance.
He handled the elders' pleasantries and the evening banquet with ease. Only briefly did his attention fall on the two girls who had only appeared once.
Hinata and Hanabi.
The son is very fond of Japan's eldest daughter.
Perhaps it was because of my own words, or perhaps it was simply out of longing.
He wondered if he could talk about that matter again.
Before the thought could take shape, it was shattered by another figure.
Hyuga Neji.
Yoichi's senses were far more acute than those of ordinary ninjas. The moment the boy stepped into the tea room, something about him that could no longer be concealed was clearly imprinted on Yoichi's consciousness.
That is something awakening, something that should have remained dormant.
When only Hiashi and he were left in the tea room, Yoichi put down his teacup.
"His talent can no longer be concealed, Lord Hiashi."
"That child, in just two years, his fate has taken a completely different turn."
"I can sense what I'm saying."
It's obvious who this is referring to; Hiashi knows it very well. In the past two years, Neji Hyuga's progress has far exceeded his expectations.
Even compared to him, someone who had received complete family training since childhood, his progress paled in comparison.
Even disregarding Hinata, the gap between Hanabi and his talent was an insurmountable chasm.
What are the reasons that the village has not made public?
Are those white things?
Since those things caused a stir at the Joint Affairs Bureau two years ago, the other four ninja villages also obtained related materials. Originally, it was said that they were just studying how to break through its disguise, but later it was rumored that the four villages sent the materials back to their respective headquarters.
Hijiri was uncertain; all he knew was that he was not allowed to know the secrets behind it.
Neji has already directly connected with the highest levels of the village. Where exactly will the Sixth Hokage lead the Hyuga clan? Hiashi Hyuga is powerless to resist, and even unable to fathom it.
So, in front of his distant relative, Hiashi lowered his eyes and only replied, "He is indeed very outstanding."
After a moment of silence, he said, "My son is also far more outstanding than I am."
"But the future he faces is far heavier than mine."
"Takenori and Hinata, they once supported each other in the past." Yoichi's voice was exceptionally clear in the silence, "They can also have such a future."
"Lord Hiashi, please don't forget the kinship we once shared."
"The Taketori region possesses land that can protect the Hyuga clan. Every member of the clan is welcome to visit that land."
"We can accommodate any number of people."
Hiashi sat there motionless.
After a long while, he bowed slightly.
"The Hyuga clan will remember Your Highness's kindness."
Jiraiya was somewhat surprised to receive the letter from Konoha.
He has been overseas for two years, during which time he has been trying to get closer to Nagato and Konan.
This is not only due to the demands of the task, but also the result of a teacher's wholehearted dedication after discovering hope for saving a student.
That was where he once placed his hopes for the future.
Although his future rests on another person, he still cannot let go of his past.
Jiraiya's efforts did have some effect; Konan's attitude softened a bit, and she would occasionally show a helpless expression when he kept rambling on and on.
As for Nagato, he was probably quite satisfied with the available manpower and the chakra camera that Nagato brought, but he wasn't so enthusiastic about the novel manuscripts that Nagato brought every now and then.
So when Jiraiya appeared before him once again, Pain simply spoke coldly.
"If it's a manuscript about a new book, I don't have the extra time to comment on it, Jiraiya-sensei."
"I'll show you that story when you have some free time." Jiraiya sat down opposite him, his legs casually crossed. "I have important business to discuss today."
"The village wants me to tell you that a new overseas force is launching attacks on the coastal areas."
Nagato frowned: "Impossible."
"I also think it's impossible. But the information is right here." The Toad Sage shrugged. "It wouldn't hurt to investigate."
Nagato did not refuse.
Jiraiya also chose to return and wait for news.
He believed that with Nagato's abilities, there would soon be a result: whether the problem lay within Akatsuki or was unrelated to Akatsuki, he would have news to bring back to the village.
While Jiraiya was waiting, a ninja arrived.
The newcomer had green hair and was dressed in inconspicuous casual clothes.
Jiraiya recognized him as Midori Aoi, a Konoha ninja who had been exiled overseas during the purge two years prior.
"Please be careful, Lord Jiraiya."
After issuing the warning, the green-haired Chunin quickly disappeared.
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