Konoha Notes

Chapter 432 is correct (two parts combined)

It has been about half a month since I last saw that mysterious man with yellow eyes.

But for Sasuke, the perceived length of time far exceeded the marks on the calendar.

The proportion of academic subjects has increased significantly. It is no longer a simple general history of the ninja world or a geographical overview, but has been refined to include topics that sound incredibly dry, such as "standard formats for mission reports," "analysis of differences in administrative documents between countries," and "basic accounting methods."

Sasuke, who is used to solving his schoolwork independently, had to ask his mother for help for the first time.

The Uchiha clan's traditional family training includes nine techniques for throwing ninja tools, microscopic control of chakra nature transformation, and tactical deduction for skirmishes and infiltration battles...

However, the new content still somewhat exceeded the boundaries of the concept of "ninja".

Besides academic classes, the special training classes continued as usual every afternoon. After the special training sessions, he had to rush to the training ground to practice Chidori.

By the time all this was done, night had long fallen. But for him, the real lesson was just beginning.

He began to systematically research the Uchiha clan's past.

From the clan archives on the banks of the Naka River to the rarely visited files in my father's study: battle records of powerful clan members from the Warring States period, tales of our ancestors fighting alongside the Senju clan during the early days of Konoha, original documents from the Second Hokage's era when the police force was established…

The more he looked at and researched, the more confused Sasuke became.

At least according to available records, the Uchiha clan clearly chose the village over Madara Uchiha.

For decades afterward, the police force worked diligently, patrolling, maintaining order, resolving disputes, and even assisting other departments in their duties. The densely packed records in the files document their real contributions.

But why?
Why did the Second Hokage set up that test of survival? What exactly was the test? Why did this test become so severe in his father's generation that it almost tore the clan apart?
Why did the Fifth Hokage and Mr. Shuji, who were outside the clan who solved the problem, ultimately choose to take the police force away from the Uchiha?

Is it wrong in itself to diligently fulfill the responsibilities assigned to one?
These questions swirled in Sasuke's mind, but he couldn't find a way out. He tried to ask his father, Fugaku, but Fugaku just looked at him and said, "Some questions you have to find the answers to yourself."

That's as good as saying nothing at all.

Another day passed, and after finishing his special training course, Sasuke rushed to the training ground. It was time to practice Chidori.

Upon arriving at the destination, unsurprisingly, Kakashi was nowhere to be seen.

The silver-haired Jonin is always punctual—always more than half an hour late.

Sasuke didn't wait for him. After making a few adjustments to his condition, he began practicing.

Chakra gathered in his palm, emitting a faint hum. Blue-white lightning flickered a few times before extinguishing.

He repeated it over and over, and the electric light in his hand began to emit the screeching sound of birds.

"Wow, you're working really hard."

Kakashi appeared at his usual leisurely pace.

The light in Sasuke's hand disappeared, and he was panting. This was an extremely chakra-intensive ninjutsu, and even practicing it was extremely difficult for him.

But even when facing Kakashi, the second young master of the Uchiha clan remained steadfast.

“I can practice Chidori on my own now,” Sasuke heard himself say in as calm a tone as possible. “I won’t need your guidance anymore.”

Even if I didn't understand at first, I understand now. This man was using "guiding training" as an excuse to slip out of the secret service and dump all the heavy work on his brother Itachi.

If he no longer needs it, then he has no reason to continue.

That's what Sasuke thought.

He expected to see Kakashi's expression of having his plans disrupted, or him making up some new excuses.

but no.

"That's great." Kakashi looked relieved and even exaggeratedly patted his chest. "Take care of heavy workloads every day and still have time to teach you ninjutsu. To be honest, it was a bit overwhelming. Now I can finally relax a bit."

Sasuke's eyebrow twitched almost imperceptibly.

"You wouldn't understand what it's like to work overtime until late at night every day, and not even be able to go home at all."

These words completely ignited the resentment that Sasuke had been building up over the past few days.

“It’s my brother who’s been working overtime every day, isn’t it?” The boy’s voice turned cold. “You’re just using me as an excuse to dump all the work on him.”

Kakashi looked at Sasuke, his expression unchanged.

But an invisible pressure began to emanate from his body, not violent, but very heavy, slowly filling every inch of the surrounding space.

Sasuke's breath hitched.

His body was sending a warning: Danger. This person was dangerous. Unlike his usual carefree demeanor, Kakashi was now a top-tier ninja through and through.

"I see," Kakashi said. "It seems I've been completely underestimated."

The pressure dissipated the next second.

Kakashi raised his hand and made a decision gesture.

"Alright! I'll show you for yourself how I actually work!"

Sasuke also became serious and followed Kakashi to a mansion on the outskirts of Konoha.

It wasn't luxurious, but it was very clean.

Kakashi politely knocked on the door, and a black-haired girl of about seventeen or eighteen years old opened it. Her long hair was draped over her shoulders, and she was wearing simple home clothes.

When the girl saw Kakashi, her expression remained unchanged, showing neither welcome nor dislike.

"Are they going to arrange new guards, or are they going to make another announcement?"

“Neither.” Kakashi’s tone was polite to a degree that Sasuke had never heard before. “It’s some explanation about the current situation. May we go inside to talk, Lord Fuuka?”

The girl, known as "Princess Feng Hua," silently stepped aside.

"The Joint Affairs Bureau may not be able to take any further action against the Land of Snow in the near future," Kakashi said, his tone carefully chosen. "Regarding the restoration of your legal status and subsequent arrangements, it will probably take some time."

After listening, Feng Hua Xiaoxue simply hummed in agreement.

Anyway, I never thought about going back.

After a brief silence, she looked at Kakashi and said, "Since you can't defeat Raging Waves, can I leave Konoha?"

“My career is still in its development stage. It has been almost a year since I stopped working. The name Fujikaze Yuki-e is about to be forgotten.”

“Right now,” Kakashi’s voice softened, “I’m afraid it’s not the right time yet. The situation outside is more complicated than we imagine.” Kazakura Koyuki looked at him for a few seconds, then looked away.

"Oh." She only said one word before reverting to her indifferent state. "Then forget it."

“While I can’t let you leave freely for the time being,” Kakashi changed the subject, “there might be some suitable job opportunities in the stadium area. I’ll keep an eye out for them.”

"Then I won't bother you any longer today."

Feng Hua Xiaoxue remained seated, showing no intention of getting up, and simply nodded slightly: "Goodbye."

As they walked out of the house, Sasuke followed Kakashi and couldn't help but ask, "The Land of Snow, is that the one that's currently fighting against the village?"

“She is Kazahana Koyuki, the only daughter of Kazahana Sayaki, the former daimyo of the Land of Snow, and the rightful heir to the throne.” Kakashi didn’t turn around. “The current Kazahana Noto is her uncle.”

"The village once promised to help her restore her kingdom, but now it may be necessary to make a temporary compromise."

Sasuke frowned.

Compromise? To that snow-covered country located overseas?

Could it be that the power of that country has become so great that it requires the five great ninja villages to unite and make concessions?

Kakashi stopped and turned to Sasuke: "First stop tour complete. How did you find it, Sasuke? I have other places to visit next. Do you want to continue your apprenticeship?"

Sasuke answered with action—he took a step forward and followed closely beside Kakashi.

This time, the destination is the venue area, the magnificent main arena for joint martial arts competitions.

But Kakashi didn't take him to the stands or the training area. Instead, he led him uphill, through several internal passages, and finally stopped in front of a dark wooden door.

There were no markings on the doorplate.

Pushing open the door, you enter a spacious office.

A large desk stood in the center of the room, behind which Shuuji sat an open report. Hearing the door open, he looked up, his gaze first falling on Kakashi, then shifting to Sasuke.

"No matter what, it's too much to use students who are still in class as scapegoats, Kakashi. At least wait until they're on vacation."

“This is Sasuke’s own wish.” Kakashi shrugged, walked to the sofa and sat down, casually taking an orange from the fruit bowl on the coffee table. “I’m just respecting my student’s choice.”

Shuji revealed an undisguised look of disdain.

"As expected of you, Kakashi-senpai."

Kakashi began peeling the orange, his movements slow and deliberate. "Kids these days are just too spoiled. At their age, I've already been working for two years."

He held up two fingers and waved them in front of Shuji's eyes.

"If we're talking about years of service, this is my sixteenth year. I haven't had any long holidays in between, and even my annual leave is often canceled due to unexpected tasks..." He broke off a segment of orange and stuffed it under his mask. "Speaking of which, does the Joint Affairs Bureau have an annual leave system?"

Sasuke stood there, unsure what to say. The atmosphere in the office was completely different from what he had expected.

There was no serious report, no tense discussion, only Kakashi leisurely eating oranges and Shuuji with a disdainful expression.

He could only greet Shuji respectfully: "Mr. Shuji."

"I really wish you respected me the same way, Sasuke." Kakashi continued chewing under his mask, his voice becoming even more muffled. "I'm the one who's supposed to be your teacher in charge of instructing you on ninjutsu, and I even took you along to experience the job."

Shuji nodded to Sasuke in response, then placed the report on the table and pushed it toward Kakashi.

"Take a look at the details about the Land of Snow."

Kakashi took the report, his relaxed expression gradually fading. He flipped through it quickly, but his gaze was focused, and his brows furrowed slightly as he read.

"Where did you get something like this? The only document submitted by Kumogakure was a peace agreement requesting the lifting of the embargo."

“The person who wanted me to see this,” Shuuji leaned back in his chair, placing his hands on his stomach, “sent it over separately through other channels. They even thoughtfully included an analysis summary.”

Kakashi paused for a moment, then looked up at Shuuji.

His voice was low: "You don't have any other ideas, do you?"

As the head of the Joint Affairs Bureau, and someone who stands at the forefront of change, dealing daily with various forces, Kakashi's sensitivity to this type of information far surpasses that of others. He knows all too well what this report might mean, and he knows all too well what Shuuji is pushing for.

Shuji did not answer immediately.

Sasuke stood aside, bewildered. He could sense the subtle shift in the atmosphere, see Kakashi's seriousness, and also discern something profound in Shuuji's eyes that he couldn't fully comprehend.

“Now that we’ve brought Sasuke here,” Shuuji finally spoke, turning his gaze to Sasuke, “let’s show him the things too.”

Kakashi handed the report to Sasuke.

Sasuke took the document and, under the bright office light, quickly read it. It detailed the changes in the Land of Snow in recent years—climate improvement, agricultural output, infrastructure development, population movement, administrative structure…

There were many words and detailed data, but Sasuke didn't understand what it meant at first.

“This is about the Land of Snow I just mentioned,” Kakashi’s voice rang out from the side. “The Land of Snow is now a country mainly governed by ninjas.”

Sasuke was stunned.

Ninjas...governing a country?
Isn't this the job of a daimyo's civil servants? Or rather, do ninjas govern the country like Mr. Shuji manages a village?
“No,” Shuji began to answer Kakashi’s question, “I have no other thoughts.”

Kakashi seemed to breathe a slight sigh of relief.

“In the world of ninjas, there is genjutsu,” Shuji continued. “Those without basic strength are not even capable of holding key positions. They cannot protect themselves, cannot guard secrets, and cannot even guarantee that every decision they make truly comes from their proper standpoint.”

"Among the techniques that ninjas are required to learn, there are many others that are fine in the environment of a ninja village, but what will they become once the entire system is applied to the broader, more complex, and more vulnerable social and governance systems of ordinary people?"

"Transformation, clones... what will these abilities that we take for granted become when placed in a governance system that requires stability and traceability?"

“They may bring amazing efficiency and solve the immediate predicament.” He paused, turned his gaze back to the report in his assistant’s hand, “but what kind of results will those things that seem correct and efficient produce over a longer period of time… we don’t know yet.”

"For now," Shuuji said finally, his tone returning to its usual calm, "let's treat it as a case study and take a good look at it."

Sasuke looked down at the report in his hand.

The paper felt slightly cool to the touch.

Does being correct not necessarily lead to being "correct"...?

(End of this chapter)