Konoha Notes.

Chapter 529 The Wind Does Not Stop in the Forest

Chapter 529 The Wind Does Not Stop in the Forest

Spring has come again, and as winter finally ends, the Dark Division brings with it the latest findings from their investigation.

"No trace of the daimyo's involvement in this incident was found."

Although they did try to win over the ninjas stationed at the Joint Affairs Bureau as usual after mobilizing them, that was all.

Banquets, gifts, and tentative private invitations are all things that are neither respectable nor worthy of conviction.

Combined with intelligence from overseas, Shuji had already pieced together a general framework of the entire attack.

Jiraiya's guess is part of it.

The ninjas he sent outside were also putting in their efforts, though each of them didn't know much.

For example, some people noticed that someone was conspiring to incite certain individuals to discuss matters related to travel.

Some people noticed that there were some unusual resource movements occurring in the island area where the Sky Ninjas were located.

After taking everything into account, it was discovered that the organization composed of S-rank rogue ninjas had lost control of its restless hearts after its leader changed its policies.

For incidents of this magnitude, we should handle them according to the existing policies.

Continue to separate those who are willing to settle down from those who are trying to cause trouble.

The better thing compared to two years ago is that, given enough clear evidence, Nagato is more likely to take action himself. If the other party also wants to use this opportunity to fish for and eliminate, the Joint Affairs Bureau can also cooperate.

Therefore, Xiu Si quickly formulated the latest action plan.

Continue to prepare to concentrate manpower for a defensive counterattack. This time, he doesn't need to be the one to make the fatal blow; let Nagato handle it. He can focus on filling in any gaps and weaknesses.

Anyway, the other party isn't like Obito, someone who has to die once.

To avoid causing Nagato to remain constantly uneasy, relinquishing some control will make him feel that we are not intentionally weakening his control.

However, this plan had to be changed just two or three days after it was finalized.

On the evening of the third day, new intelligence was delivered directly to the old house by the secret service.

Shuji had just finished eating and was sitting under the eaves watching Gaara gather the sand in the courtyard.

Temari took the scroll handed to her by the Anbu and passed it to him.

He unfolded the book, read a few lines, and then stopped what he was doing.

"The attackers arrived at the shore by boat, and the main group consisted of tall soldiers wearing armor."

"The garrisoned ninjas have repelled the invaders."

Armor. Tall soldiers.

Shuji put down the scroll and ordered the Dark Division to immediately send a message requesting that the attackers' specific image information be transmitted back.

Less than two days later, the photos were delivered to his desk. Shuji flipped through them one by one.

He was clad in unoriginal heavy armor, wielded a heavy hammer, and was two or three heads taller than the average person.

The underground ruins of the illusion, Grell's Stone.

Something he deliberately kept hidden in the corner of his memory was attacking his brain.

It's a cliché story: a group of people who couldn't control their power destroyed their empire, and then many years later, beings emerged to follow their legend.

A group of bandits who claim to establish a peaceful ideal country plunder everywhere with weapons in hand, using beautiful words to cover up the most basic greed.

But what those people held in their hands was not just empty talk.

The Grell Stone does indeed possess considerable life energy; it can even alter the body's form simply by implanting it, allowing for transformation and evolution to some extent.

According to the original trajectory, the final fate of that entire mine vein was to be swallowed into the spacetime cave and disappear completely into history.

In other words, this is something that can be used to feed the Divine Tree without feeling bad.

He originally only wanted to fill in the gaps, but his attitude changed when he got here.

If it were just the group of people already on the original trajectory, sending a few Jonin would be enough to handle them. But considering the commotion overseas, things aren't that simple.

At least Shennong had his eye on Grell's Stone.

And it's not just that the probability of Shennong targeting it is not small either.

Shuji then summoned the Anbu: "Have the Joint Affairs Bureau, under the pretext of assisting member states in maintaining security, dispatch Jonin and sensory ninja to conduct a thorough investigation of the coastal areas. Raise the authority to the full alert level."

"No overseas visitors are allowed to move around freely before their identities are verified."

First, block any possibility of the other side infiltrating.

The next step is to have Konoha ninjas, posing as secret service staff, gather information while providing support to coastal member states.

The scope is also quite simple. The location the attackers are targeting indicates that, from their perspective, the destination is likely not too far away.

Once you have a general area in mind, the difficulty of the search will decrease dramatically.

"Two squads were transferred from the police department to the Joint Affairs Bureau to participate in the defense coordination with member states."

Given the Byakugan's keen perception, and considering that the Grell Stone itself should be an energy-rich mineral, obtaining the result is only a matter of time.

When Shuji thought of the Byakugan, he couldn't help but think of Hyuga Hiashi and Hyuga Neji.

Today is the day they should set off.

The territory of the Kaguya clan was quieter than Neji had imagined.

Hiashi walked ahead with three branch family attendants, while he followed half a step behind.

In Bai Yan's field of vision, the mountains and forests on both sides were teeming with life. Birds, beasts, and even the swimming tracks of fish in the streams were clearly visible.

There was no one.

We walked along this road for a long time, but we didn't see a single person working in the fields.

There were no farmers, no woodcutters, not a single living person.

It wasn't until the outline of the mansion emerged from the gaps in the woods that Neji truly understood the desolation.

It wasn't exactly dilapidated. The beams and pillars were intact, the courtyard was tidy, and even the paving stones showed no signs of damage.

Four puppets were sweeping in front of the door, their movements light and precise, without a single wasted effort.

That's it.

Apart from the puppets, there was no trace of human beings on this land.

The puppets that greeted them inside were even less concealed than those operating outside. They weren't covered by thick cloth; their joints were directly exposed, and puppets guided the way through the corridors.

As a ninja, Neji shouldn't have felt anything, but having accepted Kabuto's mission to observe him, he had a strange feeling.

What lessons can the Hyuga clan learn from such a bamboo keeper?

This question lingered even as I stepped into the main living room.

The tea room was decorated quite elegantly. The hanging scrolls, flower arrangements, and incense burner were all arranged according to proper etiquette. The puppet served the tea set with steady movements, and the sound of the tea being poured into the cup was particularly clear in the quiet room.

Hiashi sat upright on the futon, his face expressionless. But Neji noticed that his uncle's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly for a moment as he looked around.

Taketori and Ichi did not appear.

This period of time is not long. However, the Hyuga clan head personally visited, but the main family member was slow to show up, which would be considered impolite in any clan.

The puppets offered no explanation. After serving the tea, they retreated to the corner, standing silently like a few forgotten pieces of furniture.

Until the boy's footsteps came from the inner room.

A handsome young man with short, light blue hair appeared before Hiashi Hyuga and his group with his eyes closed.

"My father is unwell and unable to receive guests."

Upon hearing this, Hiashi immediately stood up: "I was unaware of His Highness's situation and apologize for bothering you. If it is convenient, I, Hyuga, am willing to offer my humble assistance."

He remembered the question that Shuuji had once asked.

How much longer can Taketori Yoichi live?

The Sixth Generation Boss never speaks without a reason.

"May I see His Highness?" Hiashi asked.

Toneri did not answer, but turned his face away. His tightly closed eyes lingered on Neji through the air before turning back to Hiashi.

"In the distant past, we made a pact of alliance, promising to protect Hinata's safety, provided Hinata is willing to make a choice."

"Now, that moment is about to arrive. What are Hinata's thoughts? Does he intend to embrace his own destiny?"

""

Neji sensed the hostility hidden in those words.

Hiashi Hyuga felt the same way, and he assessed the distance between himself and the boy.

Taketori Yoichi and his child both appear very weak. Although they are unfathomable and seem to possess outstanding chakra, their greatest reliance over the years has been on puppets.

At this distance, with just one step, he could bypass all the puppets around him and control him.

There are only two considerations that could prevent Japan from taking action.

First, was what he just said at the behest of Taketori Yoichi, or was it the boy's own overstepping of boundaries? Was it rude arrogance, or a decision already made by the Taketori clan?

Secondly, the village's emphasis on the bamboo grove goes far beyond what it appears. The secrets hidden behind this distant relative are likely deeper than everything Hyuga knows combined. Taking action rashly is uncertain in terms of success and could potentially lead to a disastrous outcome.

Hijikata suppressed that impulse.

Without his order, Neji and the other three guards did not move. But they had already silently adjusted their stances, observing the escape routes in the room and the distribution of the puppets.

Hiashi said, "Regarding this matter, I still hope to discuss it in detail with Prince Yoichi before making a decision."

Japan's wording remained restrained, even carrying a perfectly appropriate apology.

"Furthermore, the Hyuga clan holds a pivotal position in Konoha and cannot leave without permission. The trouble it will ultimately bring to the Kaguya clan will probably exceed your imagination."

He used honorifics when speaking to the boy in front of him.

After listening, the attendant simply shook his head slightly.

"We don't need to consider Konoha's opinion."

These words made Neji frown, but they also confirmed to Hiashi Hyuga that the hidden power of the Kaguya clan was far more terrifying than previously estimated.

It's not because the declaration itself is arrogant, but because the person who said it genuinely believed it.

So he said, "My family members are all in Konoha. Even if I believe in the strength of the Confederate States, I still need to make plans."

F

The Japanese team did not pursue the matter further, but instead shifted the topic to a more practical level.

He needs to get more information about manpower and more power from Taketori, at least to know what the other party is preparing to fulfill the declaration that there is no need to consider Konoha.

"I don't know—"

Sheren paused for a moment, then spoke with a faint hint of dissatisfaction.

"I've already reminded you to bring more people."

He turned around and walked towards the inner room.

"Since you only brought them, then first plan how to bring your clansmen out of Konoha. I will send people to assist you."

The footsteps faded into the distance. The door to the inner room closed with a soft click.

Only Hinata and his group remained in the hall, along with the silent puppets in the corner.

A moment later, a hoarse female voice came from the side corridor.

Please go to the guest room to rest for a while.

A white-haired female puppet had appeared there at some point, her face polished smooth, gesturing for someone to come this way.

Hiashi did not refuse. He stood up, with Neji following closely behind.

The guest room was at the end of the corridor, smaller than the tea room, but not shabby. The puppet led them to the door and then retreated, closing the door behind him.

The five people stared at each other in silence.

A moment later, Hiashi asked Neji, "With your Byakugan, how far can you see, Neji?"

Nagato was naturally aware that the information had reached Shuji through rumors, and Konan, being observant, began to closely monitor those who should be suspected after Jiraiya reminded them of the reappearance of the organization's traitors.

Hiruko's silence disappointed Nagato; that guy had finally followed the same path.

His sense of urgency to establish a surveillance network grew stronger.

Before that, it is necessary to eliminate more internal instability factors and those who are indulging in old habits.

"Jiraiya-sensei would be willing to help," Konan mentioned. "Shennong, Hiruko, Orochimaru, and Zetsu are not enemies that can be dealt with easily."

Nagato understood that even at his most aloof, he was extremely cautious in battle.

In terms of concealing and probing information, he was worthy of being Jiraiya's disciple.

"Even Scorpion can't be completely trusted." Xiao Nan pointed out a coincidence in the incident two years ago, "Back then, that person's actions were inseparable from Scorpion's cooperation."

Even though Sasori didn't make any unusual moves after Obito's death, it's hard to trust someone who has already sided with the wrong side once, especially in the current situation.

By this calculation, most of the organization's existing core members cannot be trusted. Furthermore, the true stances of Kakuzu and Hidan have never been definitively confirmed.

The internal cleanup operation must rely on Jiraiya's power, and even the Joint Secretariat should be utilized appropriately.

Just as Pain and Konan were discussing the next steps, the ground rose up on the highest terrace of the Moon Kingdom's palace, and a white figure appeared.

Pain raised his hand, and his black rod pierced through Zetsu's body. White paper wings gathered behind Konan, and she flew straight into the sky.

"Chief—what a warm welcome!"

Nagato didn't directly target a vital spot, so Zetsu is not dead yet.

"Can I take it off? I just came to let you know we're coming back."

Konan confirmed that no more people had appeared around the Land of the Moon.

White Zetsu's voice grew weaker and weaker: "I'm about to die, leader. Take off the black rods first."

Nagato used his Rinnegan to confirm once again that there was no unusual chakra around before retracting the black rod.

"Having defected for so long, what do you want to say now?"

White Zetsu smiled and said, "I want to tell you how we should protect the world."

"Later—I'll come again."

Then, the white Zetsu collapsed to the ground, lifeless.

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