Chapter 47 (C47)
Whether Jiraiya will genuinely like Neji, this disciple who came out of nowhere, remains to be seen, but Tsunade certainly likes Kana very much—simply because she's useful, exceptionally useful.
The fact that she was able to leave the Hokage Building before 8 o'clock for the first time since becoming the Fifth Hokage was thanks to the newly appointed acting head of the Anbu.
Tsunade downed the sake in her cup in one gulp with great gusto. The feeling of complete control was so wonderful that she felt a little lightheaded.
In just two months, Hyuga Kana not only made the Konoha Anbu a big show of force in front of the Daimyo, stabilizing morale, but also compiled a list of suspected spies from various factions within the Anbu. Furthermore, she helped her advisory group win a decisive victory in implementing newly formulated policies. In addition, she also provided document processing capabilities.
—She is practically the template for the perfect subordinate in the eyes of every leader.
"That's great," Tsunade thought, taking another sip of her drink. "It would be even better if I could get him to be my chief of staff."
Tsunade paused, her hand holding the cup still.
She finally understood why the teacher kept Kana in the Anbu even though she had no such ambition.
That's why it feels even more regrettable, both for her and for Konoha.
The wooden-framed paper door of the private room was gently knocked three times.
Because she didn't have to work overtime all night recently, Tsunade was in a rare good mood and didn't mind being disturbed while she was drinking, so she called out to let people in.
Then someone couldn't hold back and smashed a wooden table in the shop that was over fifty years old.
The daimyo's youngest son had just turned fourteen a few days ago, and the nobleman's birthday celebration was a grand affair. The nobleman's young master suddenly had the idea to go on a secret journey and needed a bodyguard. Among the missions from the Land of Fire, Hyuga Kana was specifically chosen.
Tsunade's teeth were grinding together. "Change it. Hyuga Kana won't do. If you want the head of the Anbu, I'll find someone else right now."
When it was the ANBU's turn to be on duty tonight, they received an urgent mission assignment from a higher-up, so the unlucky guy Shikatori had to come and report. His eyes were dead. "The Daimyo specifically requested Kana."
Despite her anger, Tsunade maintained a degree of rationality. She suspected it might be a trap, as nobles usually wouldn't specify names in such detail when assigning tasks.
"I heard it was requested by that young city lord." The daimyo of the Land of Fire doted on this young son, and it was said that when he was seven or eight years old, he was given a fortress city as his fief. Because he was still young and had not yet officially taken charge of the city's affairs, he was called the young city lord according to custom.
“Kana saved him during a mission a few years ago.”
When Shikatori found this information in the previous mission files, he had a sudden realization that "I knew it."
He casually took two steps back to the side, trying to get as far away as possible from the low-pressure vortex emanating from the Fifth Generation in this small room. His arm accidentally touched the inward-opening window, and he subconsciously shifted his gaze, catching a glimpse of the moon hanging high outside.
Shikato sighed inwardly, feeling a pang of sympathy for the young lord, a sentiment born of experience. To encounter Hyuga Kana at such a young age was truly unfortunate.
Meanwhile, a brown bird landed inconspicuously on a windowsill.
A tiny roll of paper was unfurled by a pale, white hand, on which a few words were written in an alien script.
After all, Tomomi has lived for so many years. Even if he can't navigate politics, he still knows how to please an old man.
While actual combat can improve one's strength, the sheer volume of missions generally limits growth to one's current level, preventing any significant leaps forward. Otherwise, there wouldn't be concepts like "cultivation" or "seclusion."
The details of the battle between the three ninjas that day were compiled into a report, which Kana, taking advantage of her position as the department head, recklessly flipped through under the guise of work.
She was well aware of her shortcomings—her chakra reserves were insufficient to support her unleashing multiple powerful attacks. Against an absolutely top-tier opponent, if she couldn't deliver a decisive blow from the start, the longer the fight dragged on, the harder it would be to win.
Jiraiya's Sage Mode did inspire her.
Qishan is a place where natural energy gushes forth, and she needs to find a way to make use of this energy.
Research requires time and focus.
If she stayed in Konoha, she would only be used like a nuclear-powered donkey, where would she get the time and energy—this is something that can't be made up for by sacrificing sleep with the idea that "one session is better than six".
So she sent a letter to Yumi, the eighty-eighth mission taker mentioned by the system, well in advance.
And he lived up to expectations.
Kana held the note close to the candle flame, watching the flames engulf the black characters. A sliver of candlelight reflected in her eyes, then vanished without a trace.
She felt a little annoyed. If the communication scroll had been returned, sending messages wouldn't have been so troublesome now—it was all Itachi Uchiha's fault!
Tsunade did not immediately agree to this matter and tried to communicate with the Land of Fire about the selection of a candidate.
Unexpected, yet also reasonable.
Noble princesses and young masters always have many audacious ideas—since someone else will clean up their messes anyway, they always think highly of themselves and look down on ninjas and commoners—because they are indeed superior.
Therefore, for most ninjas, serving as a bodyguard for nobles was not an easy job. For proud and talented ninjas, it was even more of a test of their skills.
Perhaps out of some sense of comfort, Tsunade even gave her a half-day off.
After working non-stop for two months, it really takes some getting used to to stop suddenly. It's like after a wild party, all the dopamine, endorphins and other stimulating substances in your brain are used up at once, and you start to feel empty. This is actually a purely physiological phenomenon called "neural hangover".
Maintaining a facade of politeness and respect towards the main family requires a clear head, and Kana, in this state, simply didn't want to use her brain, so she didn't even return to the clan's territory.
She rarely takes the initiative to make plans with people, unlike some untrustworthy individuals. She always keeps her promises; for example, she still owes someone a barbecue.
"Shall we invite Shikamaru and Choji tonight? Tannoya, it's on me."
Lu Qu lay on his back on the slightly yellowing grassy slope in early autumn, his hands behind his head, a foxtail grass between his teeth. As he spoke, the soft, drooping tassels traced a fuzzy arc around his lips. "You owe me, okay? Why did you bring two brats with you?"
Kana started interacting more with Choji after Kita left, and Shikamaru... for various reasons, it was more of a side effect. In short, they've become quite familiar with each other over the years.
I thought it would be too much trouble to say goodbye all at once. That's what I meant, but what I actually said was, "Because I have money?"
With a forceful bite, the slender grass stem snapped, and a slightly astringent taste filled his mouth. Shikato felt annoyed. "No."
Kana:……
He usually takes good care of Choji and Shikamaru, but now he's being so stingy. He didn't even pay for it. I really don't understand what men are thinking.
Based on her experience with Sasuke and Neji, she knew that in situations like this, it was pointless to ask questions; just give a direct answer: "Okay, then we won't take them."
"Just the two of us?" Shikato asked.
“Just the two of us,” Kana replied.
“Well…” Shikatori drawled out the last syllable, “…let’s forget it.”
Kana, who had been resting with her eyes closed, opened them again upon hearing this answer. "Why?"
Lu Qu regained his lazy demeanor, "It's not like you're not coming back. We'll invite you when you return."
"I don't know when I'll be back."
The swaying foxtail grass was taken down, and Lu Qu propped himself up with one hand on the ground, saying, "Wasn't it supposed to be half a year?"
"Hey. Stop pretending to be asleep." Shikatori's mind raced. "You didn't already know, did you? You want to go? Could it be that this nomination has something to do with you..."
“You know what,” Kana said quietly, lying on the grass, “sometimes you don’t have to be so smart to be a person.”
Having said that much, it's basically a tacit agreement.
The grass blades were crumpled in his palm, making a faint, almost inaudible rustling sound, like tiny bones breaking one after another. The sound wasn't crisp; instead, it was muffled and resilient, carrying the aggrieved feeling of plant fibers being forcibly broken. The raw, grassy smell intensified, filling his nasal cavity and causing his throat to feel slightly congested.
Even though they were only an arm's length apart, he felt very far away from her.
Even though she was seen by most people as a role model who dedicated herself to Konoha, he couldn't sense that Kana had any deep attachment to Konoha.
She's like a kite without a string; she might be blown away by the wind at any moment.
This feeling wasn't as noticeable when Neji was around, but it's become increasingly apparent lately.
Or perhaps it was because she didn't deliberately hide it from him.
Thinking of this, Lu Qu couldn't help but give a bitter smile. He didn't know whether he should be happy or sad.
He was happy that she didn't pretend in front of him, but sad that he couldn't be a reason for her to stay in a certain place, nor could he get her complete honesty.
"After you come back." It was a very decisive statement, and the "after" was only because he wasn't good at being forceful with her.
"I rarely have free time." Kana didn't agree, as she had a to-do item on her mind that made her feel uneasy. "Go ahead, go ahead."
Although Shikatori has always been unable to do anything about Kana, he is not someone who is easily swayed; in other words, he is not purely driven by love.
He solemnly warned, "Don't act cute."
Kana: What kind of new slander is this after saying she spoils her children? She's not the type to act spoiled at all.
She stood up, brushed off a few bits of grass that were stuck to her clothes, and said, "Whatever."
Someone grabbed the corner of my sleeve.
Kana was truly exasperated. Why did everyone like to tug at her clothes? If she weren't used to hiding water droplets inside her wide sleeves, she would have switched to a sleeveless style and glared at them with her dead fish eyes.
Shikata remained seated, and one had to look up to speak to her. "I'll treat you."
There's absolutely no need for that.
Kana didn't want to owe him another meal.
"You don't need to invite me back." Shikatoshi's hand was still gripping the piece of cloth tightly.
Not having to reciprocate doesn't mean she has to agree.
"Otherwise you'll have to wash the dishes."
Kana paused in her attempt to pull her clothes back.
"Call Shikamaru, Choji, and the others. Didn't you want to say goodbye before you leave?"
Kana was speechless. What's going on? It's just like it was at the beginning.
"Then why don't I just invite them directly?"
"Anyway, you'll have to treat me to a meal when you get back."
“Then let’s add Tian Tian and Li.” Kana always felt that saying goodbye was a simple matter for grown-up adults with a sense of propriety, but it had to be done more seriously with children.
"...What good would it do you to eat me out of house and home?" When Choji and Lee meet, it's easy to imagine an inevitable eating contest.
"There's no benefit to it, but I'm happy."
Alright. Shikaku thought, being happy is the biggest benefit.
"You'll come back, right?"
Kana sneered, "Are you questioning my credibility?"
"Kana, will you come back?" he asked stubbornly.
The wind blew across the grass, creating ripples of yellow-green that spread in circles, lingering in my heart for a long time.
Perhaps a long time had passed, but Shikari finally heard the answer he wanted.
Yes, it will.
He breathed a sigh of relief.
Then something was tossed into his arms. Looking down, he saw it was a medical scroll.
"You've already given me one."
He received it the winter after Ji Tai died.
Shikatori had never dabbled in medical ninjutsu. Kana's attitude was too casual, and also because of his affirmation of her abnormal talent, he initially thought that this was not something particularly difficult for Kana.
Later I learned that even for Kana, it would take a lot of effort to complete this device that races against death.
As a top-tier medical ninja, the Fifth Hokage understood its significance better than anyone else. After learning about it from Guy, he once tried to promote it, but failed.
—Because it's too difficult.
The underlying logic is the superposition of three layers of techniques.
The first layer involves using chakra to carve patterns of the body's meridians and acupoints onto a scroll. Since the distribution of chakra varies in different parts of the body, this requires a high degree of precision and control over chakra. Moreover, it must be done in one go, as the slightest mistake will ruin everything.
The second layer utilizes the original space scroll's function and modifies techniques to store a large amount of medical chakra.
The third layer consists of stacked operating techniques, essentially creating connecting channels between different levels of hand seals. This technique was created by Kana, who taught it at the Fifth Hokage's request. It is said to be as difficult as embroidering a twin peony flower on capillaries using chakra as thread, and so far, no one except the Fifth Hokage has mastered it.
"Consider it a consolation payment for your wallet." Actually, it was hush money.
Lu Qu frowned and rubbed his brow with his fingers, but the more he rubbed, the more tangled it became, eventually forming a knot.
He disliked this feeling of getting the goods for free very, very, very much.
Do we really have to be so calculating with each other?
Being obligated to repay kindness and unwilling to incur debts is also a form of alienation.
"I only made six in total." The others are in the hands of Neji, Sasuke, Guy, and Tsunade. Although Guy's Kana gave him the one with the selfish thought that it could be used to help Neji in case something happened while he was leading the team, she could not restrict how Guy used it, so Neji only had one in name.
Kana reminded him not to be ungrateful after getting a good deal, "This was just made, you can use it however you want, or give it to whomever you want."
"Shikatori."
He was about to say something when he was taken aback by what he heard.
Shikatori once heard a saying that every time people call each other's names, it deepens their connection. Kana rarely calls other people's names without a purpose.
Kana leaned down slightly, her long hair accidentally brushing against his cheek before quickly moving away. "Don't die so easily."
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