Konoha Notes

Chapter 343 Sasuke
maritime.

Shuji lay sprawled on the deck of a small boat, legs crossed. The boat was small; he had casually built it using wood-based techniques when he left the Land of Water. It was just big enough for one person to lie down, plus a little space for luggage.

The agreement reached with Mei Terumi resolved the issue of her future reason for coming to the Land of Water.

After enjoying two or three days of hospitality in Kirigakure, he set off for Kumogakure. Since he was already in the Land of Water, it was only natural to make a detour to the Land of Lightning.

It's a good opportunity to repeat the same thing.

As for Iwagakure, he can just send a message later. Anyway, he already has the chakra of the Four-Tails and the Five-Tails, so there's no need for him to make the trip in person.

So, what will happen after the notification?

Shuji could almost guess.

The Hidden Mist, Hidden Cloud, and Hidden Stone—none of these are Sand Village. They possess complete defensive systems, and their Jinchuriki are mostly adults with mature combat abilities. For them, the Tailed Beasts are not a "burden" to be entrusted to others, but rather important "strategic weapons."

These villages would never send their strategic weapons to Konoha until the Akatsuki actually begins its operation and achieves its intended results.

They will only do two things: stay vigilant and develop contingency plans.

Therefore, the main objective of the next action is actually very simple: to disrupt the other side and prevent them from accomplishing their goals.

As for their own side, with both Kirigakure and Kumogakure strengthening their control over Jinchūriki, the problem of not being able to steal chakra was actually easier to solve.

At worst, we can talk openly and honestly. We can always find a way. After all, it's not a tailed beast we want, just a little chakra. It's not like there's no room for negotiation.

The sea breeze carried a salty scent. Shuji closed his eyes again, letting the small boat carry him slowly towards the Land of Thunder.
-
The three children were constantly moving back and forth on the training field. Since Shuji wasn't there, someone else came to supervise their special training.

On the sidelines, Hiruzen Sarutobi sat on a tree stump, smoking a pipe, intently watching the three people in the arena.

He has been taking over from Xiuji, who left the village, and overseeing this special training for two days now.

Gaara's identity was something he couldn't ignore; at least in Shuuji's opinion, he was the most likely person to become the next Kazekage.

This person was training alongside the village's Jinchuriki and the children of the powerful Uchiha clan, so he couldn't help but pay attention.

What surprised the Third Hokage the most was that Naruto's talent after learning the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique showed a hint of Minato Namikaze's. Apart from still being a poor student in academics, he had made significant progress in combat ability, at least for a ninja.

“That’s enough,” Hiruzen Sarutobi announced after observing their condition.

The three people in the field stopped moving at the same time.

Gaara breathed slightly, and the sand around him slowly sank back to the ground. After these few days of training, his control over the sand had indeed improved—although he was still far from completely suppressing the automatic defense, at least the frequency and intensity of the sand appearing during physical combat were decreasing.

At the current pace, he will soon be able to participate in the regular training at the Ninja Academy.

Naruto dispelled all his shadow clones, plopped down on the ground, and gasped for breath: "I'm so tired..."

"That's enough for today," Hiruzen Sarutobi said. "Go back and get some rest. We'll continue tomorrow."

"Yes!" Naruto jumped up first, grinning at Gaara, "Let's go, Gaara! How about Ichiraku Ramen today? It's on me!"

Gaara looked at him and nodded slightly: "Okay."

The two boys left the training ground side by side. Naruto gestured and talked animatedly the whole way, while Gaara listened quietly, occasionally responding with a word or two.

Sasuke did not move.

He stood there, watching the two figures disappear into the distance, a complex emotion flashing deep in his dark eyes.

With Shuuji absent, he wasn't in a hurry to reclaim his victory—although his battle with Naruto that day ended in defeat, he was confident of winning the next encounter after activating his Sharingan. But now, another problem was troubling him.

A question belonging to the Uchiha clan.

Regarding the police headquarters and its branches.

From his perspective, the branch manager was Hyuga Hiashi, the headquarters manager was his father Fugaku, and the branch was subordinate to the headquarters—he couldn't see any problem at all. He also didn't know what problems needed to be solved.

"Are you asking our clan to take back its branch?"

When he asked Fugaku this question, he only received one reply: "Now is not the time for you to consider this issue. I will handle this matter."

As for Itachi, he simply said, "The existence of the branch is the will of the village."

Neither his father's nor his brother's answers resolved Sasuke's doubts.

And now, standing before me is the former Hokage.

Someone who might be able to give a different answer.

"Third generation sir."

"Is there a problem, Sasuke?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked gently.

"Mr. Shuji once said that the difference between me and Naruto is the Uchiha clan, and the problem that exists between us and the Hyuga clan."

“Please tell me,” Sasuke looked directly into the Third Hokage’s eyes, “what kind of result is needed to truly resolve the clan’s problem? Is it the disappearance of the branch, the complete submission of the Hyuga clan? Or… something else?”

"What was the result...?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi took off his pipe and tapped the wooden stake lightly. He didn't answer immediately, but gestured for Sasuke to sit down on the rock next to him.

The boy hesitated for a moment, then did as instructed.

"I already know what you are expected of."

Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke slowly. His gaze fell on Sasuke's face, as if he were examining him, or perhaps recalling something.

To be honest, he still doesn't understand why Shuuji values ​​Itachi's younger brother more than Itachi himself. Itachi's talent, strength, and temperament are all top-notch among the younger generation. But Shuuji chose Sasuke; there must be a reason.

"Sasuke, there is no problem that the Uchiha clan and the Hyuga clan absolutely need to resolve."

Sasuke frowned, clearly not understanding the meaning of those words.

“Or rather,” the Third Hokage continued, “the issue is not about who should obey whom between the two clans, nor whether the branches should exist at all.”

“If you keep thinking about how to face the Hyuga as an Uchiha, or about the positions between clans… then you may never become the person Shuji expects you to be.”

"The villagers are all comrades. To become Hokage, you must be prepared for this."

"Those who trust the village are also trusted by the villagers."

"Those who protect the village are also protected by the villagers."

"This is the Hokage."

(End of this chapter)