Konoha: Tsunade, I am the Hokage

Chapter 37 We can support you too!

however.

"Next time, I'll definitely fight alongside you!"

Kurenai made a firm promise.

She wasn't angry about the cover-up, but rather about her own powerlessness.

Kakashi remained silent.

The scene from before was still vivid in his mind, and he kept recalling the battle he had just fought.

A Jonin of Kirigakure, a genius named Hozuki.

Even after two and a half years as a ninja, opportunities to exchange blows like this are few and far between.

As he reflected, he realized—

Jingyan's speed and reaction time are getting better and better, especially today. Both his reaction and shooting speed are several points faster than before.

Or.

Has the opponent improved their speed control compared to before?

Kakashi, thinking of his own predicament, had an idea and hesitated for a long time before finally speaking.

He is much less arrogant now than he was at the beginning.

not to mention.

The person before me, though starting slower than me, is now displaying talent that is no less than mine.

There's nothing shameful about exchanging ideas or asking for advice.

It's shameful to lose a battle and die on the battlefield.

"Kyohiko, may I ask how you trained your reflexes?"

"Any reaction?"

Jingyan thought for a moment and said, "I hung more than a dozen sandbags in the yard and used their chaotic counterattacks to train my ability to listen to the wind, locate, judge, and react. I haven't seen any results yet."

"It seems to be effective. Your reaction time and speed control are much better than before. I'll try this method when I get back. Thank you, Ni Jingyan."

Kakashido.

After receiving the reply, he pondered for a moment and had already decided on a return gift.

"Are you serious about practicing your sword skills?"

"Of course I'm serious. My idol is the Second Hokage. I heard that he also practices swordsmanship, so I want to practice swordsmanship too. And practicing swordsmanship has indeed made me feel new progress."

Jingyan replied.

Dead people are so useful!

Regardless of whether the Second Hokage said it or whether he truly admired the Second Hokage, as long as it's attributed to Tobirama Senju, no one will doubt its authenticity.

At least Kakashi wouldn't doubt it.

Kakashi nodded.

"When we get back to the village, I'll get you one of Father's old Tibetan knives. Only with a real knife can you learn real skills."

He paused for a moment, then quickly explained, "It's not a chakra weapon, just an ordinary katana, but it's fine for practice and everyday use. If you don't mind..."

"How could I possibly dislike it!"

Jingyan was overjoyed.

Although it is no longer the age of samurai, a qualified and reliable samurai sword is very expensive to make and difficult to collect, and he cannot afford it now.

I thought about it.

"Consider the knife a loan; I'll pay you back when I have enough money."

"No."

Kakashi shook his head. "I can't use that many swords by myself, so there's no point in keeping them. You can pick the one that suits you best when the time comes."

"Alright."

Jingyan pondered for a moment, then did not refuse again.

It's not the throne, why would I need to decline it three times?

Going back to communicate with Kakashi and making progress together is better than anything else.

Kurenai said, "I think we should do what Kyohiko suggested before and maintain regular knowledge exchanges so that we can improve together."

"Like a library?"

Kakashi continued.

Jingyan seemed to suddenly remember something and suggested, "A single tree cannot make a forest, and a single leaf cannot start a forest fire. I think this kind of good thing shouldn't be limited to just the three of us. We can let more people who are willing to join in share the knowledge."

"Wow, this is great!"

Kurenai's eyes lit up.

Limited to their small team, they could only switch between a few types of knowledge and ninjutsu.

We are all partners.

If it's really necessary, there's nothing wrong with teaching each other.

As Kyohiko said.

Knowledge only reveals its true value when it is put to use.

If this idea and concept can be passed on to more people, the value of knowledge will become increasingly higher.

"Is it only for joining?"

Kakashi asked.

Jingyan nodded: "Of course. Although we share knowledge to help each other become stronger, if some people reap without sowing, it will ultimately affect everyone's enthusiasm for progress and innovation."

"I see."

Kakashi understood.

The three were chatting when laughter came from outside.

"A good suggestion."

"teacher."

Kyohiko, Kakashi, and Kurenai Yuhi stood up at the same time.

Jiraiya sat down in the hall, waved his hand, then picked up a teacup and gulped down a few cups, saying, "It's confirmed. We'll escort Mr. Matsuyama back tomorrow, and then head straight back to Konoha to avoid any accidents."

"yes!"

……

The next morning.

The hotel was in a mess. The owner had done his best to repair it, but traces of yesterday's battle were still visible.

Matsuyama Ichiro was alarmed by what he saw, which further solidified his decision to leave as soon as possible.

Money can be earned anytime!

He didn't understand.

"Jiraiya, just who is Gato? How did he manage to get so many Kirigakure ninjas to help him?"

Matsuyama Ichiro was not a ninja, but he knew some things about ninjas.

In any ninja village, Jonin are rare and highly skilled ninjas.

Opportunities to hire someone like Jiraiya, who leads a squad of genin, at a low cost are relatively rare.

Two Jonin.

Even if we steal his goods, we probably won't be able to make up for the selling price.

Jiraiya coughed lightly, not wanting to explain too clearly.

You can't just say—

The two Jonin from Kirigakure originally had no intention of making a move.

but.

He fished for a bit, and then two big fish took the bait and started to attack him and his disciple.

From the employer's perspective, this is not a fair thing to do.

However, he did manage to find out quite a bit about Kado.

"Kado has deep cooperation with the nobles of the Land of Water, and many nobles from the Land of Water who are involved in their business support him behind the scenes."

Jiraiya answered.

After hearing this, Matsuyama Ichiro fell into deep thought, then looked up in surprise.

"They want to monopolize the shipping business!"

"Monopolizing maritime transport?"

Jiraiya was taken aback.

Matsuyama Ichiro's expression was serious.

"Yes, most of the maritime trade between the Land of Water, the Land of Fire, and the Land of Lightning is conducted by sea, and the Land of Waves plays a significant role in this."

Jiraiya was never a businessman.

In this respect, he was indeed not as perceptive as Ichiro Matsuyama.

but.

When Matsuyama Ichiro mentioned it, he immediately understood that controlling the Land of Waves would be of great benefit to the Land of Water, and the same would be true for the Land of Fire and the Land of Lightning.

In the short term, the Land of Waves may become the center of contention.

Jiraiya frowned.

In that case, Konoha, the Land of Fire...

He was still deep in thought.

Matsuyama Ichiro said in a low voice, "Jiraiya, are you really not considering taking action in the Land of Waves? If you have any interest in this, I can help you contact a few families in Kyoto."

If some people in the Land of Water are interested in the Land of Waves, then naturally some people in the Land of Fire are too.

but.

They are not enough to secure the business from the Land of Waves; they need to see if Konoha is willing to cooperate and help.

Jiraiya pondered for a long time.

In the end, he shook his head.

"Mr. Matsuyama, this matter still needs to be decided by the Hokage. If you need it, I can pass it on to the Hokage, but I can't say whether he will agree."

"Hey! If the Third Hokage were willing, would I need your help?"

Matsuyama Ichiro's voice was even lower.

Jiraiya remained silent.

He understands the principles, but his words are useless. He can't even manage to improve the ninja academy system, let alone take action against the Land of Waves in the current situation.

"I can only guarantee that I will report all the information about the Land of Waves."

"Alright, if there's even a glimmer of hope, Jiraiya, you must tell me. Many families in Kyoto... cough cough, well, you know what I mean."

"Um."

(End of this chapter)