socalfunplaces Chapter 445 Authority
Chapter 445 Authority
Chapter 445 Authority
The morning light filtered through the sparse trees, shattering on the water's surface.
"Your thoughts," the Raikage began, "are as unpredictable as ever."
"But that's not what we're talking about now, is it?"
"You people from the Land of Fire are still spreading troublesome rumors everywhere. Shouldn't you deal with the immediate problem first?"
Chiyo slowly sat back down on the small stool, her withered fingers adjusting the fishing line with unhurried movements.
Shuji shifted his gaze from the water.
"This proposal is made precisely because it is now."
"The deaths of nobles from the Land of Fire will not stop in Konoha."
"From now on, any little thing—choking on food, falling while walking, or even dying of old age—any misfortune could be interpreted as proof that the ninjas are trying to take control of the world."
"What Jinchuriki endured in the past, and what some bloodline ninjas experienced, will become the norm that all ninjas may face in the future."
"After all, those hiding in the shadows, having tasted the sweetness of rumors, will never give up using such methods."
"Once fear and anger take on a concrete form, people will frantically try to fill it with content."
"Now we're filling in people who will die from contact with Jinchuriki, but what about next time? The paths built by ninjas will collapse, and the diseases cured by ninjas will relapse—anything can be stuffed in as long as someone needs it."
The surface of the pond rippled gently. A small fish rose from the depths, flicked its tail in the reflected fragments of sky, and then sank back down.
"What you mean, Shuji-kun," Mei Terumi said softly, "is that rumors can become weapons. And those who wield these weapons won't be content with just dealing with Konoha, right?"
"right."
Shuji nodded.
"But those influenced by ninjas were never just nobles."
"There are so many things we can do: building roads, constructing bridges, providing medical care—each of these changes is altering the lives of ordinary people. And change always means that some people will lose their original place."
"The conflict can be resolved before they have a clear leader. But things get complicated once someone starts to gather fear and hostility."
"We will win."
When he said those words, there was no wavering in his tone.
"But the situation that has been so hard-won will also disappear."
"By then, Akatsuki, with its overseas bases, will actually be more at ease than we are."
The Tsuchikage pointed out the problem: "Even in the various ninja villages, not everyone can learn the knowledge to become a ninja. Actively spreading this knowledge will cause chaos later on."
"In schools under the jurisdiction of the secretariat, the things one can learn are limited."
Shuji turned around and looked directly at Onoki.
"We don't have that many outstanding ninjas to send out, but the professor, who has no background, can do it even as a genin."
"Basic methods for refining chakra, understanding the twelve basic hand seals, introductory training in taijutsu, and the most basic chakra control exercises."
He listed them one by one.
"For most people in the world, undergoing this kind of training to become physically stronger is already the limit. As for the truly outstanding individuals—"
Shuji paused for a moment.
"Even if the village's finances are tight, I'm sure you wouldn't be stingy with a few seats."
Chiyo had already packed away all the fishing gear and said, "It sounds like they're betting that those people won't pose a threat."
Shuji walked to the edge of the pond, squatted down, and reached out to splash some water.
Even ninjas who have been exposed to ninjutsu since childhood don't learn it that quickly, let alone ordinary people.
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He withdrew his hand, and the water droplets slid off his fingertips and flowed back into the pond.
"The significance of letting them learn lies in the learning process itself."
"Ignorance and despair can plunge many countries into turmoil. Opening a school, even with only three or four genin teaching ordinary people how to refine chakra and understand hand seals and ninjutsu, can greatly alleviate this situation."
"This means that they will also identify themselves as one of us."
Birdsong drifted from the bushes across the pond. Its clear, crisp sound carried the unique vitality of the early morning.
Terumi Mei was thoughtful.
"Moreover, such a move might be seen as a counterattack by the other side."
The Fifth Mizukage asked in confusion, "The other party?"
"Among the key figures in Akatsuki, there are those who have ideas about the future. Since they handed over the Land of Snow as an example and created this incident—it may represent their current direction of thinking to some extent."
Shuji stood up.
"The act of establishing schools in an attempt to increase the number of ninjas might, to some extent, have a calming effect on the other side."
He chose a mild word.
"To make him feel that the world is still developing as expected, rather than making him feel that he must immediately use more brutal methods to correct its course."
Ai frowned.
"It's like discussing a match against the Land of Snow," the Raikage said, "playing along with their act?"
"We're just doing what we're supposed to do," Shuji replied. "If it has any effect on the enemy in the process, that's good too."
"Where's the money?" The Third Tsuchikage asked the most important question.
"Any project requires funding. Building schools, hiring teachers, and keeping them running—that's no small sum. We're all struggling with our own expenses right now, and the funding coordination scheme at the secretariat has only just begun its pilot phase."
Shuji smiled.
"The daimyo and nobles will be willing to pay this money."
"After all, we gave them the explanation they wanted—we gave them the most fundamental solution."
"They want security, they want a sense of safety so they won't be left behind by the times. So let's give them a chance—to empower their people and their children."
The sky was getting a little brighter.
Faint noises could be heard in the distance, the sound of spectators beginning to enter.
Shuji concluded, "If there are other problems with the plan itself, we have time to adjust it. Education and learning don't produce results so quickly."
"As long as it can operate smoothly for two or three years, there's no rush to make any changes later."
"Your little scheme," said the Fifth Kazekage, his voice unreadable, neither praising nor mocking, "is probably not going to fool those people. Not all those nobles are fools."
Shuuji nodded: "Compared to them, the power we possess is more realistic. So some people will see through it, and some will want to fight for it, but in the end, more people will agree."
His gaze swept over the four figures.
To ensure this balance of power, the priority is always to persuade these shadows.
"Because for them, this is the least bad option right now."
The conversation by the pond ended as the sky gradually brightened.
The five people left the pond and returned to their respective places. Now that the next steps had been tentatively decided, they needed to begin the corresponding preparations.
All of this takes time.
One day, two days, three days.
On the road outside Konoha Village, the chariot of the Fire Country Daimyo did not set off.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's intervention did indeed have an effect. The Third Hokage and the current Daimyo had cooperated through two Shinobi World Wars, and it was certainly possible for the two to sit down and have a leisurely chat for a while.
Meanwhile, another negotiation was taking place in the conference room of the Hokage Building.
Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado sat on one side of the long table, opposite Dango and other officials from the Land of Fire.
The air was a bit softer than a few days ago, but it was still tense.
They didn't directly reveal their intention to run a school.
Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado first explained Konoha's defense plan, from the deployment of defenses in the stadium area to the close protection of important figures, from intelligence gathering to emergency response.
Tuanhe listened attentively throughout, and then asked questions at each stage.
The loopholes are here, the shortcomings are there, and the potential risks are elsewhere.
His questions were all reasonable and his tone was polite, but when put together, they formed a fine net, a net that made any defense plan seem imperfect.
For several days in a row.
The group finally came up with a new idea.
"Since Konoha is currently lacking in strength," he said slowly, "perhaps it would be feasible for the Daimyo to seek some help from the masters of the Fire Temple?"
Koharu and Homura exchanged a glance.
That look was so brief, almost imperceptible.
Then, Xiaochun, who was switching dorm rooms, spoke up.
"Since you esteemed guests still feel that security is insufficient, perhaps we could approach the issue from other angles?"
"The Temple of Fire is primarily focused on cultivation, and its protection is ultimately insufficient."
"Or, you can listen to our other opinions."
Tuanhe nodded slightly, indicating that he was all ears.
Mitokado Homura said, "Konoha can assist the Land of Fire by building a school there. It will be dedicated to teaching ninja knowledge and open to all eligible children."
"Of course," he added, "the teachers and teaching materials are provided by Konoha, while management and operation are jointly the responsibility of both parties."
The group did not respond immediately.
He picked up the teacup in front of him and slowly took a sip.
"This is a long-term solution." After a long silence, Tuanhe finally spoke, "Regarding the immediate problem, I'm afraid—"
'
The words were not fully spoken, but the meaning was already conveyed.
Not enough.
So the group put forward other suggestions.
"Since Konoha has the intention to resolve this issue, could we allow more ninja clan forces to be transferred to the Daimyo's residence?"
"We are willing to provide additional funding for this."
"This would alleviate Konoha's financial pressure and ensure domestic stability, as well as the safety of the Daimyo."
Koharu and Mitokado did not answer.
It wasn't a rejection, nor an agreement, just silence.
Thus, the negotiations for the day came to an end.
They didn't even continue the next day.
The Joint Affairs Bureau simply sent invitations to daimyo from other countries. The content was simple: to discuss the Joint Affairs Bureau's plan to build schools in various locations.
The news spread very quickly.
The situation was so dire that officials from the Land of Fire once again initiated negotiations.
This time, it wasn't just two advisors who entered the meeting room.
Shuji followed behind them and then sat down next to Koharu Utatane. He was dressed in dark casual clothes and looked like an ordinary young ninja, but when he raised his eyes, Tuanhe instinctively tensed his back.
After exchanging pleasantries, the group proposed a new solution: "Since Konoha itself is inconvenient and the Fire Temple doesn't have enough experience, perhaps we can use a middle ground solution."
"The Daimyo's guardian ninja are being expanded as a short-term emergency measure. In the long term, Konoha will assist the Land of Fire in training ninja."
This time, neither of the advisors spoke.
Shuji looked up.
"The Daimyo can expand the number of Guardian Ninjas," he said, "but considering what happened before, Konoha needs to vet the ninjas who are appointed as Guardian Ninjas."
"And regarding assisting the Land of Fire in training ninjas—"
"Other ninja villages raised objections. They argued that since the initiative had been launched through the Joint Affairs Bureau, it was no longer just a matter for one country, and Konoha could no longer act unilaterally."
Tuanhe's expression changed.
"Then, this is the plan." Shuji calmly announced, "Konoha will ensure your safety. As for the new Guardian Ninja, the Daimyo will select the right person, and we will conduct the review."
Thus, the negotiations came to an end.
The group from Konoha left. Their footsteps faded into the distance in the corridor.
Tuanhe sat alone at the long table, staring at the empty seat opposite him, and remained motionless for a long time.
So it has been over the past few days.
The daimyo of the Land of Fire granted an audience with Shuji.
In the villa where the daimyo was temporarily residing, the ruler of the country showed his usual warmth. He dismissed his attendants and personally prepared tea for Shuji. After everything was finished, the daimyo spoke, saying, "Danga was too worried. I apologize for any shortcomings in my service during this period."
Shuji smiled and bowed slightly: "This is official business, and it's also his duty."
The daimyo of the Land of Fire expressed his gratitude. He picked up his teacup, but instead of drinking it immediately, he began to reminisce about the past.
"When I met Shuji-kun a few years ago, I knew you were no ordinary Jonin."
"To be able to represent Konoha at that age, your talent is extraordinary."
"Moreover, you also saved my life and suppressed the rebellion of the Guardian Ninja."
Da Ming paused for a moment, his gaze falling on the rising steam from the teacup.
"I trust you, and therefore I have unwavering faith in the promises the Third Hokage made to me. Even now, that remains true."
"But there are some things I still want to hear you say in person."
Shuji calmly met his gaze: "There are some things that are ultimately not suitable for ninjas to do."
"The reason why ninjas today seem so pure is because of the simple logic of life they have lived for so long: accept missions, complete tasks, we serve, we receive."
That's all.
Da Ming remained silent for a moment.
Then he sighed softly.
"Since Mr. Shuji has already realized this, then there shouldn't be any problems for at least the next few decades."
He put down his teacup, the clinking of the ceramic against the tray crisp and clean.
"Please provide your final solution, Shuji-kun."
"More distant matters—" Daimyo shook his head, a hint of self-deprecation in his smile, "are no longer something I can consider."
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