This involved Sarutobi Hiruzen's complex attitude toward Orochimaru. Orochimaru was obsessed with ninjutsu and immortality research, staying too close to Danzo, resulting in defeat during competition with Namikaze Minato.
However, saying he disliked this disciple, truly no longer wanting him well, proved untrue.
Agreeing to the Land of Fields establishing its own shinobi village proved no small matter.
A shinobi village's factual existence could not be determined by a simple report, one or two secret Root or ANBU investigations declaring it harmless.
It signified substantial changes to the shinobi world map.
Previously, the Land of Fields belonged to Konoha's sphere of influence. Mission allocations and border patrols could be decided independently.
Once Otogakure formally established itself there and gained Konoha's recognition, many matters would become subtle.
How should future border outposts be arranged? Deep within Land of Fields territory, or withdrawn to defend Land of Fire borders?
Otogakure could prove very compliant now, but what about later? A village's founding period, two or three jōnin, plus a dozen chūnin, several dozen genin. This scale need not consume Land of Fields subsidies or sponsorship. They could accept external commissions independently.
What about several years' further development? Adopting orphans, sheltering minor ninja clans, recruiting wandering shinobi would enlarge them. Could current promises to Konoha count? Where would survival and development funds originate?
These matters would not prove current Kage problems but rather future Kage troubles.
Handling them then would not simply be shinobi villages resolving minor ninja clan issues.
"Truly causing me trouble," Tsunade complained in a low voice.
Then she stuffed the Land of Fields Otogakure application document back into the document pile, planning out of sight, out of mind.
After all, Sarutobi Hiruzen remained in office. Even after retiring later, he had not died, merely occupying advisory elder positions. Whether Otogakure held problems would show within several years.
If truly problematic, she would have the old man lead people to handle it himself!
Sitting opposite, Shuji quietly observed her irritation without intending to say more.
Even joining with Tsunade to pull in the advisory council and rejecting this plan would not greatly affect Orochimaru. He need not necessarily establish this Otogakure in the Land of Fields.
Moreover, before the Konoha Crush Plan, Orochimaru took no actions against Konoha. As for the Konoha Crush Plan itself, truly uncertain whom it targeted, but most likely not genuinely intending to crush Konoha. If truly so intended, Orochimaru need not have killed Rasa beforehand.
Just leave it this way. Observe quietly.
"Hey," Tsunade tapped the desk, attracting Shuji's attention. "The Chūnin Exam finals begin tomorrow. No problems on your end, right?"
Shuji cast a puzzled look. "What do you mean? I am currently on leave. Theoretically, no problems requiring my responsibility should exist."
Tsunade glared at him irritably. "No need to emphasize this to me. I mean Uchiha Itachi, your teammate advanced. At least show some concern."
"Hidden Cloud's C, Kusagakure's Muku, both appear formidable opponents."
Shuji's tone remained flat and calm. "Then I sincerely wish they all demonstrate deserved standards in competition, presenting a splendid match."
He stood, saying, "If nothing else, I will take my leave first. Made an appointment with Hayami and the others."
Regarding Uzumaki Naruto's matter, Hayami Shigeru's side apparently had some feedback.
Since high-level decisions temporarily withheld publicizing his identity, Shuji also did not intend to overstep boundaries. However, he hoped through his own methods to at least slightly improve that child's living environment.
Some matters being customary did not mean subsequent actions should similarly proceed.
The western suburbs' old estate's atmosphere proved much more relaxed than the Hokage Tower. Hayami Shigeru and Kachi Atsuki already sat present. Faint tea fragrance floated in the air.
"This time, my personal request troubled you," Shuji said after sitting, first expressing gratitude.
"Just a small matter. You worked hard organizing everyone, even retrieving Lady Tsunade," Hayami Shigeru laughed heartily.
As Shuji grew increasingly powerful, with Tsunade gradually taking over village affairs, at such times Shuji making such requests instead better enhanced this loose collective's cohesion.
Kachi Atsuki said, "We solicited everyone's opinions. Very simple: if encountering that child, treat him with normal attitudes. If he encounters small troubles, help along the way. Merely trivial matters."
Topics subsequently turned toward village daily life.
Kachi Atsuki from the Sealing Corps mentioned recent busyness. "The Barrier Corps has been extremely busy. With large numbers of outsiders flooding in, various ninja clans all demanded strengthening their clan grounds' defenses. Considerable personnel were transferred there. Even our Sealing Corps provided support."
Shuji asked, "Can the village's original large-scale early warning barrier not operate during this period?"
"Mm, temporarily closed. Can only arrange additional small-scale barriers at various critical locations, primarily preventing people from mistakenly entering or spying."
Hayami Shigeru also said, "His Excellency the Daimyo and the others prove easy to handle. After all, merely ordinary people. The trouble is guards accompanying daimyos and others. Completely barring entry appears overly cautious for the village. Can only register after reporting, trying to arrange people to watch."
Afterward came matters like the shinobi academy welcoming new enrollment highs, the village beginning arrangements recruiting academy teachers these past two years, and similar issues.
After chatting thus for a while, because tomorrow was the Chūnin Exam finals and they still had work, Hayami Shigeru and Kachi Atsuki departed early.
The following day, the Chūnin Exam finals venue buzzed with voices.
Spectator stands filled to capacity. For ordinary people, opportunities to safely observe battles between shinobi proved rare.
Different settings meant either they themselves were involved parties or would become affected people. Only occasions like Konoha's joint Chūnin Exam provided such opportunities.
Anko had dragged Shuji over early. On the road, they saw Uchiha Itachi. Fugaku, Mikoto, and Itachi's younger brother Sasuke all came to watch the competition.
Upon seeing Shuji and Anko, Itachi greeted them.
"Brother will definitely defeat everyone and become chūnin," Sasuke said beside his brother, very excited. "Later, I will also be like brother!"
Itachi merely showed his brother a gentle smile before leading him back to their parents' side.
"Itachi's brother has much more vitality than him," Anko observed this scene.
"Itachi is the eldest son."
The two entered the venue, finding relatively secluded spectator stand positions to sit. Here, vision proved good while avoiding main crowds' sight, a viewing spot village shinobi commonly used.
Arriving on-site, Shuji finally concerned himself with this finals' schedule.
Ten people total entered finals: two from Kusagakure, two from Sunagakure, three from Hidden Cloud, three from Konoha.
Lottery results proved quite interesting. Kusagakure's Muku faced Konoha's Itachi. Another Grass shinobi, Ryuzetsu, opposed Hidden Cloud's C. Sunagakure's two respectively faced Hidden Cloud's remaining two. Konoha's other two genin engaged in internal warfare.
Looking at it this way, if Konoha had not manipulated the lottery, that would prove strange.
They planned first eliminating Kusagakure. After all, reaching finals sufficed. Subsequent matters held no place for them.
Just as Shuji analyzed the schedule, Anko beside him, originally chattering nonstop with commentary, suddenly fell silent.
Her body tensed slightly, one hand unconsciously gripping Shuji's sleeve tightly.
"Shu... Shuji..."
Shuji turned his head sideways.
He saw Anko's other hand covering her neck. "This, this feeling..."
Shuji's brow furrowed. "The curse seal is hurting?"
The girl's face paled. Cold sweat even seeped from her forehead. "No mistake, it is him..."
"Orochimaru, he is here!"
The Konoha Crush Plan advanced? Orochimaru came to deliver himself?
This thought flashed past. The current Konoha Village differed greatly from the original work's situation. Unless Orochimaru brought high-precision Impure World Reincarnation Senju Hashirama, otherwise he would definitely lose.
So he quickly dismissed this notion, looking toward the VIP seating where daimyos sat.
Surging crowds, scenes composed of fancy clothing and smiling faces. His gaze swiftly swept across those faces, searching for any discordant traces.
In just an instant, he seemed to capture a pair of amber pupils. Those eyes carried mockery, scrutiny, curiosity.
This feeling vanished instantly. As Shuji focused confirmation, VIP seating still only showed various nations' daimyos and nobles chatting and laughing cheerfully. Guards stood expressionlessly solemn. Everything appeared so normal, as though that momentary gaze intersection was merely illusion caused by light and shadow.
Shuji was certain it was no illusion. His gaze swept across the main guest platform. The Third Hokage, Tsunade, Sunagakure's Chiyo all sat there. Hidden Cloud's Dodai stood near participating teams. His status proved insufficient to ascend the main guest platform.
He gently patted Anko's hand gripping his sleeve tightly. The touch felt icy cold. "How do you feel? Do you need to leave here first and rest?"
"The feeling faded somewhat..." Anko swallowed with difficulty, voice still tight. "However, reporting to the village is necessary."
"He definitely returned."
"I understand." Shuji's voice proved steady and reassuring. He supported Anko. "Do not worry. Leave it to me to handle. Let us first leave here, find a quiet place. Watching Itachi's match can wait until later."
"But..."
"It is fine."
Chapters in advance there: patreon.com/Thaniel_a_goodchild