Konoha Notes.

Chapter 299 Preparation for an Apology

Chapter 299 Preparation for an Apology

Different villages exchange ninjutsu techniques...

Ai didn't pay attention to Konoha's first point: expanding the stadium to accommodate more people was a good thing. Kumogakure could do it themselves; it was just a matter of how fast or slow.

The latter is the key point.

Even if it doesn't involve secret techniques, forbidden techniques, or bloodline limits, it's still no small matter.

His gaze swept across the faces of the people in the row of Konoha.

"The initial purpose of the martial arts demonstrations was for exchange, and now it's just a matter of putting those exchange activities into practice," Shuji said.

"The rank and techniques of the participating ninjas have been limited. Considering that most participants actually master techniques of rank D and below."

"The scope of communication is also limited to this."

"The specific procedures to be performed will be determined by both parties."

Tsunade smiled enigmatically: "So? Or does Kumogakure still need Konoha's support in the negotiations?"

Ai picked up Konoha's plan.

"Kumakure has approved," he said. "You will be in charge of the remaining details, and Samui and Darui will stay behind to assist."

Raikage left, and Shuji followed him out of the conference room, leading the way.

"I don't need the room Konoha has prepared. I'll stay with the villagers in the stadium area," A said.

Xiu Si readily accepted the good advice and did not impose any demands.

As the two walked out of the Hokage Building and approached the village entrance, the Raikage said, "This plan was your idea, wasn't it?"

"While Tsunade is willing to honor the bet and treat people from other ninja villages, she is not the type of person to make such a decision."

"It's even less likely to be those two consultants."

"Only you, Shuji, have such courage."

Shuji said, "This can hardly be called having guts, Raikage. With most of the basic low-level ninjutsu already leaked, this level of exchange is just a statement."

It expresses closeness, trust, and Konoha's willingness to get closer to Kumogakure.

If we're talking about decisiveness, it was probably during the Fourth Shinobi World War when Tsunade asked Kumogakure to help Naruto control the Nine-Tails' power. In that situation, Raikage A, who decisively agreed to use Kumogakure's secret technique, was actually more decisive.

It can only be said that the Hidden Cloud Village does love to steal things, whether it's secret techniques, ninjutsu, or bloodline limits.

But when it really comes down to spending money, they are willing to do so; at least the Fourth Raikage was willing to.

"If this isn't courage," A said, taking another step, "the ninja world wouldn't have been fighting for decades."

The two approached the entrance to the venue area.

There were materials piled up next to it: beams and stone slabs, leftovers from the construction of the guild hall, which had not yet been cleared away.

Ai turned around and looked at the timber.

"Is the Cloud Village's headquarters in the arena area where they have training facilities?"

"There's a training field next to the stadium," Shuji replied.

"These things are useless now, aren't they?" Ai pointed.

"……Yes."

Ai bent down and picked up a piece of wood with one hand. His arm muscles tensed, the wood lifted off the ground, and he hoisted it onto his shoulder. He tested the weight, then picked up a second piece and stacked it on top of the first.

Shuji stepped back two steps to the side, avoiding the arc of the wood.

"Do you need me to find you a spare barbell?"

"Weight requirements," Ai said, turning around with the two beams on his back. "Go ask Darui."

Raikage thought Darui might want to take this opportunity to ask Shuuji for advice.

After taking only two steps, he added, "You can ask Samui too."

After saying that, Ai walked straight into the depths of the venue area.

The Cloud Village ninja stationed there had already spotted him, and several of them quickly approached. Ai didn't stop, but continued forward carrying the beam, his figure soon disappearing into the shadows of the building.

When I returned to the Hokage Building, the meeting was still going on.

Samui stood by the corridor window, and upon hearing footsteps, turned his head to the side.

"Mr. Tsuchidai and Darui are still inside, as are the two advisors from your village," said the female Jonin from Kumogakure.

After all, it involves ninjutsu exchanges. Even if they can convince the advisors by claiming it's low-level ninjutsu, the two of them still need to keep an eye on the specific projects.

Perfect, let them handle the details.

Shuji walked to her side: "Lord Raikage went to the venue area."

"That's in line with the Raikage's style."

"He took two pieces of wood to the gym."

Samui sighed.

Shuji continued, "So, I've come to ask him about his usual load specifications."

Samui walked outside.

Shuji followed.

Today, the female Jonin from Kumogakure walked faster than usual. She crossed the corridor, went down the stairs, left the building, and stepped onto the street.

Their steps didn't stop.

She walked until she saw no one else nearby before stopping and turning around.

"Mr. Shuuji."

"You didn't mention the ninjutsu exchange beforehand."

The blue-green eyes appeared very pale in the light, like a frozen lake.

"Yes," Shuji admitted.

"If Lord Raikage does not approve of this proposal," Samui said, "the relationship between Konoha and Kumogakure may deteriorate."

She paused for a moment, as if organizing her thoughts.

"When one party proposes that the relationship can be closer, but is rejected—the rift that forms in this situation is often more difficult to mend than a simple conflict of interest."

"Mr. Shuji, this is dangerous."

She rarely couldn't hide her dissatisfaction and expressed it directly.

"It wasn't even a wise move, if you had told me beforehand..."

"Or," her gaze fixed on his face, "when both Iwagakure and Kirigakure are approaching Konoha, does Mr. Shuji think that we no longer need to be as cautious as before when dealing with Kumogakure?"

Shuji shook his head: "No, Kumogakure is Konoha's most important ally, and this has been proven over the past few years."

"Everything we have now is based on the strong relationship between the two sides."

"That's why Konoha made this decision to bring the two sides closer together."

Samui chimed in even faster: "Lord Raikage just wants to know how much Konoha is willing to maintain the alliance between the two sides."

"Will Kumogakure be... in the unseen future?"

She stopped before she finished speaking.

Look at him.

The wind blew through the alleyway, swirling up a few fallen leaves.

"Next time..." Samui took a deep breath, regaining her usual composure, "Mr. Shuji, please..."

She stopped herself from saying anything more.

She is a Jonin of Kumogakure, a high-ranking member with access to secrets.

He is a Jonin of Konoha, qualified to become a Kage, and knows and can even decide what is classified.

How can you possibly be informed of everything in advance?

Realizing this again, the female ninja lowered her voice.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Shuji..."

Shuji looked at her and shook his head.

"No, it's my problem," he said. "I underestimated the potential impact this could have on our friendship."

Samui looked at him, his anger completely dissipating, and said, "No, it's mine..."

"No," she suddenly changed her mind, "Mr. Shuji still has some problems."

She turned and walked towards the alley entrance.

The sound drifted back on the wind.

"Please prepare a return gift as an apology."

(End of this chapter)