Konoha Notes.

Chapter 342 Image Management

Chapter 342 Image Management

As I stepped out of the conference room of the Mizukage Building, the sunlight, filtered through the thick fog, turned into a pale and hazy halo, casting its light on the roads of Kirigakure.

Mei Terumi walked beside him, while Shuji was reflecting.

Although informing the Hidden Mist Village about the possibility of the Tailed Beasts being stolen was part of the plan, for the time being, Kabuto had enough experimental materials, so it didn't matter if he couldn't get his hands on the Tailed Beasts' chakra in one or two trips, as long as the other side didn't catch up with them first.

However, Yuan Shi's gaze was quite noticeable in the conference room. He probably never believed the explanation that it was "just for exchange students" from the very beginning.

"Shuji-kun seems to be thinking about something," Mei Terumi's voice rang out. "Are there any other questions at the meeting?"

"No," Shuuji pulled his wandering thoughts back, "I'm reflecting on something else."

"Oh?" Mei Terumi raised an eyebrow, showing interest.

"Regarding my personal image."

"...Huh?" Mei Terumi was clearly taken aback, her steps faltering for a moment. "Image?"

"Hmm." Shuuji nodded, his gaze drifting to the rooftops of houses on both sides of the street, faintly visible in the mist. "I was thinking, if the person appearing somewhere is Jiraiya-senpai, everyone would first guess that he's 'gathering material' or simply traveling. But if I appear in the Land of Fire, or rather, somewhere outside Konoha..."

Mei Terumi couldn't help but smile: "One would naturally assume that Shuuji-kun must be carrying out an important mission or is plotting something, and that it's not for a simple purpose."

"That's exactly right." Shuji sighed. "This impression that 'there must be some ulterior motive' seems to have become deeply ingrained."

Mei Terumi first widened her eyes slightly, and then an uncontrollable soft laugh escaped from her lips.

At first, there was some restraint, but soon the laughter became bright and resonated through the misty streets.

"Shuji-kun," she smiled, her eyes slightly moist, and gently wiped them away, "You've been silent the whole way, with such a serious expression. I thought you were pondering grand strategies about the Tailed Beasts, about Madara Uchiha, about the future of the entire ninja world... Turns out, you're actually agonizing over this?"

"This is important," Shuuji said. "It means I've lost the privileges of being a visitor of some standing, and every move I make will be scrutinized."

"For example, this time, my original plan was to enjoy the hospitality of Kirigakure for two or three days, and then, before leaving, as a way of giving back or as a friendly reminder, I would tell you the news."

He shook his head: "As a result, because I am 'me,' I was assumed from the beginning to have deeper intentions."

Mei Terumi's smile remained, but deepened even more: "If that's the case, then our judgment of Shuuji-kun was correct; he always had a very serious purpose."

"This is bad. I need to reinforce the impression that I am a pleasure-seeker."

After all, once a certain framework for communication and exchange has been established, there are fewer and fewer things that actually require his personal involvement.

In other words, one must either change their appearance or adjust their persona when traveling, since traveling in their true identity often provides the greatest convenience.

"Is it convenient to do it secretly?" she leaned closer and asked softly.

"Yes, it's convenient to do it secretly," Shuuji said.

The female ninja from Kirigakure suggested, "In that case, Shuuji-kun, wouldn't you like to visit the Land of Water more often?"

"Then, I will arrange the best hospitality for you, delicious food, comfortable hotels, and leisurely sightseeing routes."

"As the number of times increases and the time goes on, rumors about 'Lord Shuji of Konoha is actually a ridiculous guy who knows how to enjoy life and has a particular fondness for the scenery of the Land of Water' will naturally spread like wildfire."

Xiu Si hesitated for a moment: "Isn't this a bit too extravagant?"

Mei Terumi smiled and waved her hand, her dark blue skirt swaying gently with the movement: "How could that be? A Wood Release envoy, a hero of Konoha, such powerful combat force frequently appears in the Land of Water and Kirigakure. It's a great benefit to our village's defense."

"After all, Kirigakure can't afford to hire Shuji-kun as an employee, so a little bit of official hospitality won't cost much."

"How about it? This is extremely beneficial for both Shuuji-kun and Kirigakure."

After a moment of silence, Shuji nodded: "Indeed."

"Then it's settled. In return, I'll arrange the hospitality for today."

-

At the same time, at the Water Shadow Building.

The windows of the Water Shadow's office were open, and humid air poured into the empty room.

Yagura didn't close the window. He stood by the window, gazing at the village shrouded in thick fog.

There are no secrets to deal with here, nor anything to be carefully preserved.

Master Yuan walked in, leaning on his cane.

"The Yondaime."

"Elder."

Quan Bingwei brought a chair for Yuan Shi, and after he sat down, Quan Bingwei withdrew.

"The envoy from Konoha said that Madara Uchiha's ultimate goal is to collect all the tailed beasts."

Yagura closed the window. The glass shut out the outside dampness and the wispy mist, and then he asked, "What does the village plan to do?"

"I've already ordered that Yu Gao be kept in hiding and his missions temporarily suspended," Master Yuan said. "As for you, Fourth Hokage, do you wish to step down?"

"Mei, be prepared. I'm ready anytime," the Fourth Mizukage said. "But the village still needs a fighter who can control the Tailed Beasts."

"After the village bought back the Six-Tails and the Three-Tails, it spent a long time perfecting the sealing technique, turning the burden into combat power."

"If we hide our weapons out of fear of them being taken away, or even expend more effort on hiding them, then the sacrifices and efforts made to perfect the Jinchuriki sealing technique back then have lost their value."

"Jinchūriki exist for the sake of the village. If they are afraid of losing their weapons and do not use them, causing the village to lose an important fighting force, it is putting the cart before the horse."

Master Yuan looked at him and said, "The other party once controlled you."

Yagura's expression finally changed slightly: "So I know what choice a Jinchuriki should make when faced with an irresistible force."

"When I'm in a situation where I might be captured, I know what to do."

"I will die, and the Three-Tails will die with me."

"After a tailed beast dies, it takes time to revive. Given the current united situation of the five great ninja villages, the probability of Kirigakure retrieving it is very high. Until then..."

He walked up to Yuan Shi and bowed slightly: "What the village needs to do is to cultivate someone who can carry the Three-Tails."

"Utaka is not yet able to control the power of the tailed beasts, so we can leave his arrangements as they are."

"As for me," Yagura said firmly, "I will continue to serve as the nominal Mizukage until Mei is ready to take over. When a crisis comes, I will be at the forefront."

(End of this chapter)