novel-bin Chapter 509: Revealed to the Unknown
Chapter 509: Revealed to the Unknown
Chapter 509: Revealed to the Unknown
The door to the Hokage's office was pushed open a crack and then closed again.
A few seconds later, the gap reappeared, slightly wider than before, and then quickly shrank back.
Minato Namikaze put down his pen and watched the door bouncing back and forth between opening and closing. As the current user of this office, he felt it necessary to offer his opinion.
"What are you doing?"
There was a moment of silence outside the door. Then Shuji pushed the door open and walked in, his steps upright and his expression composed.
"I just bullied someone's son last night," he said. "Now I have to be careful of unintentional retaliation from the other man's father."
Minato's voice was devoid of any anger: "Naruto will fight this battle himself."
"That's good." Xiu Si then sat down on the sofa with ease. "I'm in a helpless situation now, so I have to be extra careful."
Minato said, "Only those who stand against the majority can feel this way, Shuji."
Xiu Si scoffed: "If I had to work overtime every day two years ago, and I still have to work overtime every day in the future, then all that overtime would have been for nothing."
"
Watergate didn't respond to that question, but instead released another document.
"The Daimyo is coming to Konoha."
Without a prefix, this could only refer to the daimyo of the Land of Fire.
"Did they come to plead for that person from the Land of Tea?"
"I haven't been back at work for very long, so I can't make a judgment," Minato admitted.
"Regarding official matters, we already have liaisons. The daimyo won't personally intervene until the very last moment." Shuji looked up at the ceiling. "The rest are nothing more than personal matters."
The following day, when the daimyo's carriage entered the venue area, it brought up the topic of the tea country.
"Under pressure, the owner of Dawu Island did something shameful, allowing merchants to control the flow of people in and out."
"But the land of tea is, after all, a neighboring country with which we have always maintained friendly relations. I cannot bear to stand idly by."
"I fully support the Secretariat's decision. However, I don't want to put Konoha in a difficult position by pleading on their behalf. Therefore—"
The daimyo unfolded the fan in his hand, covering the lower half of his face.
"I will have one of my guardian ninjas travel to the Land of Tea to help them resolve their current troubles. I wonder if Konoha would be willing to make an exception?"
The monarch was more humble than last year. His words were softer, and he adopted a more subservient posture than any representative from the daimyo's liaison office.
He wasn't making demands as the monarch of the Land of Fire, but rather as an elder from a neighboring country cleaning up the mess left by a good-for-nothing junior.
The life or death of the daimyo of the tea country was not the key issue. The monarch of our country had already humbled himself to this extent; to further refute him would simply be arrogance.
"The Guardian Shinobi are Your Majesty's bodyguards; how they are used is naturally up to Your Majesty to decide."
"That's good then." The daimyo closed his folding fan, his voice more relaxed. "But I'll have to bother Konoha for a few more days."
"Since the Guardian Shinobi have gone to aid another country, their safety during this time will have to be entrusted to Konoha Headquarters."
"This is Konoha's duty, and it's not an intrusion."
"In addition," the daimyo put the folding fan aside and placed his hands folded on his knees, "there is one more favor to ask."
"My eldest son, Enichi Kyu, has been particularly interested in ninja matters since he was a child. This time, the guards are not strong enough for the occasional trip of the guardian ninja, so it is good to let him stay in the village for a while."
He turned to the side and called out towards the door.
A boy of about fifteen or sixteen years old walked in.
"City closed."
Daimyo turned to her son, her voice softening slightly: "Shuji-kun is my benefactor. You should thank him for allowing you to grow up safely."
Yuan Shixiu turned around and bowed solemnly to Xiu Si.
"My father has repeatedly mentioned Mr. Shuji's kindness. It is an honor to be able to thank him in person today."
Shuuji got up from his chair and moved aside.
"This is the duty of a ninja. Your Excellency is too kind."
After the meeting, the daimyo kept Shuji for a long chat and, as was customary, arranged a lunch banquet.
The weather, the shops, and those foreign sporting events that famous people have always wanted to attend but have never been able to.
They were all light-hearted topics, but Daiming spoke very seriously, so Shuji listened, occasionally nodding and occasionally responding with a few words.
It wasn't until lunch was over and tea was served that Yuan Shixiu, who had been sitting quietly at the end of the table, finally spoke.
"Mr. Shuuji."
"The Joint Affairs Bureau is now the most famous place in the Land of Fire. I've only ever heard about it from others; I've never seen it with my own eyes."
Even though he had gotten used to it, when he actually started a long negotiation meeting with the people from the Daimyo's liaison office, Kakashi still felt that there was no hope left in the world.
Every day, they sit in the meeting room in the morning and continue to sit in the meeting room in the afternoon. The liaison office handles everything, big or small, and there are always several rounds of internal coordination between the village offices.
Even the most battle-hardened elite Jonin have their limits when it comes to energy.
During the midday break, he opened the window and felt the wind and sunshine; at that moment, his mind and body reached a balance with nature.
So when Itachi came in, he saw the silver-haired man about to ascend to heaven.
Jonin Hatake was sprawled out by the window in an ergonomically unnatural position. His legs were dangling over the windowsill, his upper body was hanging upside down, and his silver hair almost touched the floor.
"Is it starting again?" Kakashi's voice seemed to drift from another world. "My glutes are almost forgetting how to stretch, Itachi."
"The afternoon meeting is suspended," the assistant brought the good news.
"The senior brought his eldest son and his family to visit the building."
"The representatives of the Daimyo Liaison Office need to be present to welcome the Daimyo, therefore we request that the meeting be adjourned."
After all, it was the arrival of the highest-ranking monarch of the Land of Fire, so a certain amount of pomp and circumstance was necessary. Even though he himself had said that there was no need for a welcoming ceremony, the representatives of the liaison office still made preparations after hearing the news.
Then Itachi saw that Jonin Hatake's hand was already gripping the edge of the window.
"Since Shuji is here, you can take care of entertaining him for me, Itachi."
The weasel did not move.
"Recent discussions have included the restriction of ninjutsu use. At this time, if the director's claim that he might be a mutant is used against him, it will probably not be good for Kakashi-senpai's workload to decrease."
Kakashi gripped the window frame tightly: "With your skill level, no one should be able to detect it."
"The sensory ninjas here aren't just from Konoha, Kakashi-senpai."
Chief Hatake finally gave up. He opened the window and made his last sound as he walked toward the door.
"When do you plan to be promoted to bureau chief, Itachi?"
"This matter can only be discussed after obtaining permission from the village offices and the Five Kage Summit, Kakashi-senpai."
In the lobby of the secret service, several representatives from the Daimyo liaison office had been waiting for some time. Upon seeing Kakashi, they all cast friendly glances at him. Director Hatake returned the same friendly look and walked directly towards the main entrance without pausing.
Not long after, the figure of the Fire Country Daimyo appeared at the entrance. He held a folding fan and walked with a leisurely pace, with Shuuji following half a step behind him.
Next to him was Yuan Shixiu. Two attendants followed at the very back, maintaining just the right distance.
"How hospitable." The daimyo unfolded his fan and gestured to the approaching representatives. He then stepped aside to let Enichikyu step forward, "This is my son. I'm just bringing him out to broaden his horizons, so please don't stand on ceremony."
"We are deeply honored that Your Excellency has traveled from afar—"
2
Amidst a chorus of greetings, the representatives from the Daimyo liaison office escorted the Daimyo and Enichi towards the stairs.
Shuji was caught in the middle, wearing a standard business smile, occasionally responding with a few meaningless pleasantries. The boredom emanating from that face could be felt across half the corridor.
Pleasure.
It's so enjoyable.
Kakashi felt the blood pooling from sitting for so long was circulating faster. He lagged behind the group, his hands in his pockets, his mouth twitching abnormally beneath his mask.
"Please tone it down, Kakashi-senpai." Itachi's voice came from the side, just loud enough for him to hear.
"What does it matter? I'm genuinely happy for His Excellency's inspection tour." The silver-haired director pointed to his face mask. "Look, I can't even hide my joy."
His joy lasted until the group reached the sixth floor.
Daming stopped in front of the conference room door and tapped the door frame lightly with his folding fan.
"Is this where you all discuss important matters?"
"May I go in and have a look? I've been in the City of Fire for too long, and I sometimes long to experience the grandeur of your discussions on world affairs."
The representatives from the liaison office expressed their great honor. Someone pushed open the meeting room door, and the dark-colored tiered chairs, semi-circular conference table, and high ceiling were revealed to everyone.
The familiar lighting, the familiar layout, the familiar air. And the lingering auditory hallucinations of debates about the rules of delegation and the limitations of ninjutsu.
Kakashi felt a dull ache starting in his tailbone.
The daimyo walked slowly into the room, stopped beside the council table, looked up at the highest point of the tiered seating, and gently waved his fan.
"I've heard quite a bit lately. In any case, endless internal disputes only make the enemy happy."
"I still hope that we can get along harmoniously."
"The incident originated with our people. There are some oversights involved, and it is my duty to explain them."
The representatives from the liaison office looked at each other in bewilderment.
Daimyo ignored the subtle commotion and continued speaking.
"I am aware of the issues concerning the Uchiha members during their duties."
Upon hearing this, Kakashi stopped gloating, and Itachi beside him adjusted his stance.
He looked at Shuuji. The man was standing not far behind the Daimyo, his smile still there, but with a hint of observation in his eyes.
"As far as I know, there are still many hidden details regarding the problems that occurred during duty."
"We still can't let a group of loyal people suffer injustice for no reason."
"So, regarding the censorship, could you please allow me to request a halt?"
The representatives from the Daimyo's liaison office reacted quickly. The one in the lead stepped forward, his smile still polite, but his voice was a bit more strained than before: "This matter is already being handled jointly by the village offices, Daimyo."
The implication is clear: this is not something the Land of Fire can interfere with.
"Then, I have been presumptuous."
A hint of regret appeared on Da Ming's face, but there was no displeasure at having his pride refuted.
"I happen to have some relevant clues on my side. Perhaps they can help verify their predicament at the time."
"If there are any leads, the review team will naturally take them into consideration," Shuji said.
"That's good then." The daimyo of the Land of Fire unfolded his fan, turned to the representatives of the liaison office, and his ever-present, easy-going smile reappeared on his face. "I'm just here for a visit today; I've made the atmosphere rather heavy."
"Please continue, everyone. I won't disturb you any longer."
The tour has now concluded.
On the way back to the venue area with Daimyo and his group, Shuji didn't bring up the scene in the conference room earlier. Neither did Daimyo.
The topics remained the same: local customs, the current state of shops, and the menus of the newly opened restaurants in the venue area.
The group did not stop until they arrived at the daimyo's lodging.
"What happened just now was my presumption." The daimyo finally closed his folding fan, his smile fading slightly. "I cannot represent everyone's wishes."
"As the ruler of a country, he could only offer some support to Konoha under those circumstances."
"Shuji-kun can understand, right?"
His words were more frank than they had been in the conference room.
Shuji replied, "The village is already very grateful for your kindness, Daimyo."
The two exchanged a few more pleasantries. Only then did Daimyo lead Yuan Shixiu into his residence.
"That Mr. Shuji," Yuichi looked out the window at the receding figure, "is the one who orchestrated all these changes, Father."
"It's pointless to hate the answers given by an era; that's pointless."
Daming sat down at the low table. With no outsiders present, the affable smile on his face disappeared, leaving only the calmness of a father.
"Whatever they intend to achieve, they must become the most needed among the irreplaceable."
"As the head of the Yuan family, one must be able to do this in order to never let the family go to ruin."
The eldest son looked at the famous man.
"Don't become a fool like your uncle. Letting others' opinions cloud your judgment, and in the end, you won't even be able to see which side you should be on."
His tone wasn't harsh, but it made Yuan Shixiu subconsciously straighten up.
"Some people will be replaced by local dignitaries, or by businessmen."
"But we won't."
"I've noted it down." Yuan Shixiu lowered his head.
"Just memorizing it isn't enough." The lord walked up to his son and gently tapped his shoulder with his folding fan. "After you enter the village, you can spend more money, but you can't be arrogant."
"Be close to the ninja who protects you. If there's anything you're unhappy about, go to the Hokage's office. Let Konoha see your dignity, but don't let them feel alienated."
He put the folding fan back into his sleeve.
"What you need to show them is not the Yuan family's present, but the Yuan family's future."
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