Konoha Notes

Chapter 415 Jinchūriki (Two Combined)

The Jinchuriki were all sent to the Bureau of Affairs, and they continued to act in the name of their respective villages. This allowed them to maintain their affiliation while also enabling the ninjas of each village to directly see their own Jinchuriki.

This can be considered a final compromise.

After explaining all the details to Kakashi, Shuji did not return to the Hokage Building, but went straight back to his old house in the western suburbs.

After using the few things he had, he sat down on the veranda with his teacup, gazing absently at the gradually slanting sunlight in the courtyard.

Until the woman wearing a long green coat appeared in the courtyard.

She walked to the porch, put her hands on her hips, and looked down at him: "You know you can't escape, right?"

Shuji didn't move, but slightly turned his head, shifting his gaze from the courtyard to her: "Shouldn't you be here to praise me, Your Excellency the Fifth Hokage?"

“If you go straight back to the Hokage Building, I’d really like to praise you a bit.” Tsunade sat down next to him, the hem of her long robe draped over the corridor floor. “You actually managed to get Kumogakure and Kirigakure to willingly hand over their own Jinchuriki.”

"At least for the foreseeable future, we won't have to worry about being attacked from any side, and we won't have to be constantly running around putting out fires."

“It’s only temporary.” Shuji’s gaze returned to the courtyard. “If Nagato was serious about what he said.”

"You don't trust him at all."

“I don’t intend to give him the Jinchūriki, so the preconditions for the agreement don’t exist,” Shuji said. “Moreover, if Nagato insists, then sooner or later there will be a disagreement between him and the other person.”

Tsunade turned her head to the side: "That's not necessarily a bad thing."

"There will be some internal strife for a while."

Who do you think will win in the end?

“Another person,” Xiu Si answered without hesitation. “Once that person has complete control of the situation, the same methods will be used. At that time, they will probably be even more ruthless in their actions.”

Tsunade remained silent for a moment.

The light in the courtyard dimmed further, and the outline of the distant mountains began to blur into a bluish-gray silhouette.

A few birds returning home at night flew over the eaves, the sound of their wings fluttering clearly in the silence.

"How long?" she suddenly asked.

"How long?"

"From internal strife to one side completely winning, and then to them taking action again, how long do you estimate it will take?"

Shuji closed his eyes, as if he were mentally rehearsing something.

"After they've failed to find a breakthrough and gained nothing," he said slowly. "Right now, the Jinchuriki are concentrated in Konoha, minimizing the defensive radius. A direct attack would be too costly."

"The Three-Tails needs time to regenerate. It's not worth it to lose too much combat power and expose too many trump cards in one operation."

"More importantly, after the battle in Kirigakure, Akatsuki should have realized one thing: if we really reach a desperate situation, we still have the option of killing the Jinchuriki and allowing the Tailed Beasts to be reborn."

Shuji calmly said, "After all, a Jinchuriki wouldn't survive if he fell into their hands."

"So in the short term, they will probably try to find weaknesses, infiltrate, divide, and create chaos... If all of these fail and they get nothing, one side will lose patience and try to mobilize us by launching attacks from multiple points, forcing the Jinchuriki to leave Konoha's protective perimeter."

He opened his eyes, his dark pupils reflecting the darkening sky.

"That would probably be the point at which their internal conflicts completely erupt. Of course, that is, assuming Nagato doesn't change his mind."

Tsunade gave a soft "hmm," picked up the teacup that Shuuji had placed aside, and took a sip.

"So, what do you plan to do? After all, you need time, whether it's research on the cells, the tree, or even the promotion of magic."

"We can't just let them do whatever they want."

Shuji looked at the teacup in her hand: "That's mine."

"You're stingy." Tsunade put the cup back and nudged his shoulder. "Go pour yourself another one."

Xiu Si didn't move, but leaned back, resting his elbow on the edge of the corridor: "Hold more activities to create opportunities for them to infiltrate, let some in appropriately, let them see hope, and then clean them up reasonably."

"As a last resort, you can offer a little something sweet."

"Put them in, clear them out; put them in again, clear them out again... until they get tired of the game, or internal divisions arise due to repeated failures."

"It should be able to stall for a considerable amount of time."

Tsunade raised an eyebrow: "It sounds like you already have a concrete plan?"

Shuji said, "When I went to Kumogakure to pick up Killer Bee and the others, he asked me something."

"what?"

"He asked if Konoha was going to hold a martial arts tournament. If so, he wanted to hold a concert at the opening ceremony and be the opening act guest."

"That Eight-Tails' Jinchūriki?" Tsunade exclaimed in surprise. "So, it's someone like that?"

Shuji smiled and said, "Yes. And I promised him."

Tsunade narrowed her eyes and nudged his arm with her elbow: "The way you look... is that guy's skill level really that bad?"

“I don’t really appreciate those things,” Shuuji replied honestly, “but Killer Bee is a ninja who is very ambitious in that regard.”

"Hmm..." Tsunade crossed her arms and considered it seriously for a few seconds. "If it's going to be like this, I'd better not go to the scene. I'll have Shizune use her transformation jutsu to do it for me."

"That's going too far."

Tsunade sneered, "Then you can use your transformation technique to go in my place."

After saying that, she stood up and reached out to haphazardly fiddle with Xiu Si's hair.

"I'm still angry."

Xiu Si let her do as she pleased, only slowly raising his hand to tidy up the stray hairs on his forehead after she stopped.

"So, does the Hokage have any other instructions?"

"That's all for now."

Tsunade patted her clothes and walked towards the courtyard gate.

"If this happens again, I'll just bring the documents here like before and make you work overtime."

The footsteps faded into the twilight.

Shuji sat on the veranda, watching the last rays of sunlight sink below the horizon in the courtyard.
-
Joint Affairs Bureau Building, fourth-floor rest area.

Kirabi sat cross-legged on the floor, holding a pen and writing incessantly in a small notebook.

His body swayed left and right to the rhythm in his mind, his face behind the sunglasses was full of focus, and occasionally he would squeeze out a few indistinct syllables from his throat.

"The competition starts next month, and I, the grandpa, will be taking the stage—"

He raised his face and gave a thumbs-up to the two Yugitos sitting in chairs with indifferent expressions: "You join in too—yo!"

Yugito crossed her arms, her eyes closed, not even lifting her eyelids: "Why would I participate in something like that?"

"We are Jinchūriki!" Killer Bee drew a circle in the air with his pen, as if sketching some unseen melody. "The first time Jinchūriki have appeared together on stage—a historic moment! Yeah!"

“Historic…” Yugito repeated the word, his tone clearly dismissive, “Such history is meaningless.”

"No."

Kirabi stood up and began pacing around the not-so-spacious room. He gestured wildly, as if mimicking stage movements: "We're on stage! Lights! Music! Audience!"

"An unprecedented band! My amazing performance!"

“No.” Yugito remained expressionless. “It sounds like a circus clown.”

"This is a demonstration! An unprecedented event! Everyone will be watching! The will of the Jinchuriki!"

Killer Bee danced around excitedly, spinning about and humming an impromptu tune:
"The tailed beast is within me, its power is boiling—"

Killer Bee gesticulated wildly, spinning around. He spun even more energetically, even miming playing an air guitar against the wall. Yugito finally opened his eyes, unable to bear it any longer, his gaze filled with impatience.

"So what if I agree?" Her voice was cold and hard. "If Konoha lets you perform on stage, the Raikage will only feel ashamed."

"Everyone will laugh at the fact that the Jinchuriki of Kumogakure is such a freak."

“Not just us, but all of them—” Killer Bee stopped what he was doing, his eyes behind his sunglasses lit up, and he spread his arms wide. “All Jinchuriki! A shared stage!”

Yukito was stunned for a moment.

Killer Bee had already turned and walked towards the door, his steps light as if he could already hear the cheers of the audience.

"Hey! Killer Bee, what are you up to now?"

Yukito frowned, got up, and quickly followed.

In the common lounge area on the fourth floor of the office building, Yu Gao had several documents spread out in front of him.

These are the bureau's basic regulations and recent task briefings. He wasn't really engrossed in reading them; he was more using them to familiarize himself with the new environment.

Han sat opposite him, also looking at the charter.

The sound of the door being pushed open broke the silence.

Killer Bee strode in, followed by the two Yugitos, their faces still showing the helplessness they hadn't had time to hide.

"Yo! Yu Gao! Han!" Killer Bee walked straight to the table, placed his hands on it, and said, "I have a brilliant idea—"

Yu Gao raised his eyes and gave him a calm look.

The Jinchūriki of Kirigakure are all calm and mature individuals.

The Jinchūriki of Iwagakure also seem to be.

One of the Jinchūriki in Kumogakure is not.

Along the way, Yu Gao has already witnessed it all.

"I'm going to put on a concert for the opening ceremony of next month's martial arts competition! As the opening act!" Kirabi spoke rapidly, "But one person is too monotonous! I need a band! I need dancers!"

He held up two fingers, first pointing at Yu Gao, then turning to Han: "You! Join us!"

There was a moment of silence in the rest area.

Yu Gao lowered his gaze and continued looking at the documents in his hand: "I'm not here to do this, and besides, I can't perform."

"It's okay if you can't perform! You can learn! I'll teach you!" Killer Bee wasn't discouraged at all by the rejection; instead, he became even more excited, gesturing wildly in the air. "Rhythm! Melody! Stage presence! I'll teach you until you learn! You idiot! You bastard!"

He made a horn-blowing gesture.

Han spoke in a deep voice: "It's meaningless."

Instead of arguing, Chirabi raised his right arm horizontally, clenched his fist, and stretched it straight toward Han.

Han was puzzled.

Kirabi said, "Fist bump."

The Iwagakure ninja frowned: "There's no reason for this."

“We’re partners,” Killer Bee said, maintaining his pose. “Fist bump.”

Han looked at the fist hanging in the air, remained silent for a moment, and finally raised his right fist.

The instant their fists touched—

The field of vision suddenly changed.

It's not a rest area, not an office, not even anywhere in reality.

Beneath my feet lay the calm surface of the water, stretching to the horizon.

Han saw Killer Bee standing not far away, and behind him, a giant bull, as majestic as a mountain, with octopus tentacles and a missing horn, looked down at him.

“Not everyone is interested in this, by the way.” Niu Gui’s deep voice echoed in the space.

Behind Han, a pure white beast slowly materialized. Its elegant body, a fusion of dolphin and horse, had five bushy tails that swayed gently behind it.

"It's been a long time since I've seen you, you ox-demon." King Mu's voice was gentle and calm.

Kirabi stood before the bull demon's head, arms outstretched.

"Jinchūriki, comrades, show yourselves!" His voice was exceptionally clear in this space. "Not weapons! Not tools! Stand in the light! Tell everyone—we are here!"

The demon let out a low sigh, but did not refute it.

King Mu silently observed Han's consciousness, awaiting a response.

In reality, Han slowly withdrew his fist, his consciousness returning. He looked at Killer Bee and remained silent for a few seconds.

“I can’t do anything,” he said.

"Background music, steampunk style!" Killer Bee's eyes lit up, and he imitated the sound of steam erupting, "Whoosh—whoosh! Cool!"

Then, his fist turned towards Utakata.

Yu Gao took a half step back.

"Fist bump."

Yu Gao retreated again.

Killer Bee suddenly swung his fist, trying to force his way in.

Yu Gao's eyes became wary, and he had a blowpipe in his hand, with the mouth of the pipe slightly raised.

Han raised his hand and grasped Kirabi's fist.

“He meant no harm.” Han looked at Yu Gao. “He just didn’t want to exist merely as a weapon.”

"He wanted to tell others that Jinchuriki are not just weapons."

Yu Gao tightened his grip on the blowpipe.

“I’ve gotten used to this kind of life,” said the Jinchūriki of Iwagakure. “But there’s no need to reject this kind of experiment.”

Old Purple, what he seeks is perhaps what Killer Bee is doing: seeking his own existence, seeking his own trace.

Han's eyes darkened as he thought of his lost comrades.

Yu Gao silently looked at Han, then at Kirabi's eyes, which were covered by sunglasses but still conveyed fervor.

After a long while, he put away his wind instrument and nodded very slightly.

"yeah--!"

Kirabi was immediately overjoyed and launched into an impromptu rap, dancing and spinning around in the rest area, almost knocking over a low cabinet against the wall.

"There are already four! Three more to go! I'll go invite them!"
The greatest band in history is about to appear!
The light of the Jinchūriki illuminates the night!
"Idiot! Bastard!"

He sang as he rushed out of the rest area, his footsteps echoing in the corridor as he walked away.

Yugito stood there, looking at the empty doorway, then at the two people remaining in the room.

Han had picked up the documents again, his expression returning to its usual composure.

Yu Gao walked to the window and looked at the lights gradually coming on downstairs. His profile was somewhat blurry in the reflection of the glass.

She let out a soft breath, but ultimately said nothing. She simply walked to the sofa, sat down, and closed her eyes.

The other three are apparently children; surely they can't all want to participate too.

(End of this chapter)