Konoha Notes

Chapter 72 Receiving the Order
The Jonin were urgently awakened, and the entire Hidden Leaf Village was also jolted awake.

The Hyuga clan was unusually quiet. Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu led the ANBU to Hyuga clan territory to handle the entire incident.

Shuji didn't go to see what was going on over there, nor was it his place to go. Currently, only those with permission from the village are allowed to enter the Hyuga clan's territory.

Shuji went home to pack his things and was just about to gather his squad when he was called back to the Hokage's office by the Anbu.

Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shikaku Nara are the two people.

“Shuji, the village needs to send a messenger to Sunagakure to explain the current situation to the Kazekage,” the Third Hokage said. “Shikaku recommended you to me.”

Nara Shikaku nodded slightly to Shuji. Theoretically, there was no problem with going to Sunagakure, but in reality, they might face difficulties from their allies.

After all, if just three Cloud Village ninjas caused such a big incident, not only would the ninjas of their own village doubt the Anbu's capabilities, but their allies would also question Konoha's strength.

The leader of the Jonin squad believed that a mission to Sunagakure required someone with sufficient ability to handle the situation.

After reviewing Shuji's resume again, and considering what happened at the meeting, Shikaku concluded that even though Shuji was not very old, he was capable of undertaking this task.

"I understand. Is the fifth group the only one departing?"

“I will send another squad,” Hiruzen Sarutobi said in a deep voice. “Special Jonin alone are not enough to deal with Sunagakure.”

"Special Jonin Shuji, you are now promoted to Jonin and will be in charge of this mission."

"You are allowed the power to make decisions on the spot."

Xiu Si's merits have always been sufficient, his loyalty is sufficient, his strength is sufficient, and his background check is correct.

Previously, it was only given to special Jonin; it was more of a protection than a suppression.

Konoha's special Jonin have a very high ceiling and a very low floor. The lowest level is the Chunin elite in actual combat, who are outstanding in certain areas and are promoted exceptionally.

Special Jonin are neither easily suppressed by others using their authority nor too conspicuous. Even Minato Namikaze wasn't promoted to Jonin so quickly back then, unless the situation was urgent...

He suppressed all his guilt once again. This was not the first time Hiruzen Sarutobi had been forced into this situation, nor would it be the last. He was prepared to bear everything.

"Yes!" Shuji replied. A Jonin, his arrival was truly unexpected, but there was nothing he could do about it.

Since the mission to go on a diplomatic mission has been arranged, one cannot rush to set off, nor can one sleep—in this godforsaken world, how can a fourteen-year-old child have to stay up all night to work overtime?

In the Hokage's office, he confirmed the specific tasks the team needed to undertake, the potential problems they might encounter, and the extent to which his discretionary decision-making authority allowed him to make decisions.

When Anko and Itachi arrived at the Hokage Building, it was already daylight.

"We're heading to Sunagakure. We'll discuss the details on the way."

Shuji gave instructions to the two team members.

Then, looking at the other team that had arrived with them, it was a small team of three—Genma Shiranui, Raido Namiashi, and Deivashi.

These three are quite experienced. Genma Shiranui, Raido Namiashi, and Deivashi were once the bodyguards of the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze.

The term "guards" doesn't mean they can protect Minato Namikaze, but rather that the Fourth Hokage had high hopes for these three and was keeping them under his wing to train them.

Deivashi is the youngest member of the Hokage Guard; he is a contemporary of Shuji and Anko.

If Shuuji remembers correctly, Genma Shiranui, Raido Namiashi, and Deivashi could use the Flying Thunder God Technique together, but it was a modified version of the Flying Thunder God Technique by Minato Namikaze.

In terms of the characteristics of the squad deployment, it can be considered that they have left a way out for Sunagakure, so that they can evacuate in time if something really goes wrong.

"Genma Shiranui, Special Jonin." "Raido Namiashi, Special Jonin."

“Deivashi, Chunin.” Finally, the slightly shy boy nodded to Shuuji and Anko, “Shuuji, Anko, long time no see.”

Both sides gave brief self-introductions, with the focus shifting to Shuji's side. The word "special" was removed from his "Special Jonin," leaving only "Jonin."

Genma Shiranui laughed and said, "Another genius like Kakashi."

"Then, this mission will be led by Jonin Shuji from Team 5. The Hokage has instructed us to cooperate with all your actions."

After the basic pleasantries, the two teams immediately set off.

The entire village of Konoha was mobilized again in the form of war.

The news spread like wildfire: the Cloud Village envoy harbored treacherous intentions, infiltrating the Hyuga main clan with malicious intent. The Hyuga clan head, fiercely protecting his daughter, killed him on the spot. A conspiracy against Konoha was thwarted.

With their hopes for peace dashed, the sense of loss and resentment in the entire village was palpable, and rumors quietly began to circulate.

However, none of this mattered to the ninjas who had set off to leave.

Inside the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi gazed out the window at a column of soldiers heading out to war, a deep sense of weariness washing over him once more.

The door was pushed open, and Danzo Shimura walked in silently.

“The Root has begun its operation.” His voice was icy. “All grain merchants have been warned again that the food blockade against the Land of Lightning will remain unchanged. Izuku Port has been completely sealed off, and the Land of Lightning’s only remaining source of food is the overseas islands.”

After reporting his plans, Danzo changed the subject, his tone becoming firm: "Hiruzen, this incident doesn't seem to be the work of Kumogakure."

Hiruzen Sarutobi did not turn around, but continued to gaze out the window.

The Dark Division's dereliction of duty in this incident was too serious, so the key investigative authority was transferred to the Root Division.

Danzo continued his statement clearly: "I personally inspected the inn. There was no trace of departure, not even any trace of it. Kumogakure does not possess such means."

"All the clues point to one thing—just like when the Fourth Hokage died, there is someone who has mastered space-time ninjutsu manipulating things behind the scenes."

"According to the report from the Jonin escorting the Cloud Village delegation, there was a brief disturbance upon their entry. When they arrived, Akai claimed that they had been attacked and had repelled the enemy."

"Similarly last night, the surveillance footage from the Dark Side showed that Akai's chakra experienced a momentary abnormal fluctuation before returning to normal."

"The Cloud Village delegation's activity area is strictly controlled. It is impossible for them to know the exact location of the Hyuga clan's territory, let alone accurately avoid all the outer guards."

"Hyuga Hiashi admitted that he acted too violently in his eagerness to protect his daughter, but in retrospect, he also noticed that Akai's movements were unusually stiff. According to him, under the Byakugan's vision, Akai's brain seemed to be wrapped by some kind of foreign chakra."

"To prove his point, he voluntarily accepted Yamanaka Inoichi's 'mind-reading technique'."

"Inoichi confirmed that Hiashi Hyuga's judgment was correct—Akai was indeed under the control of a powerful genjutsu before his death."

As for why Akai's head wasn't opened, as an envoy sent by Kumogakure, he already had a cursed seal in his head, which would cause him to self-destruct if Konoha opened the box.

In order to allow for further negotiations, Konoha cannot use its brain search on them.

Danzo concluded sharply, his gaze as piercing as a knife: "In conclusion, there is only one answer: the problem lies within the village itself."

"Moreover, just like when the Fourth Hokage perished, it could only be—the Uchiha clan."

(End of this chapter)