Konoha Notes.

Chapter 460 Consultation

Sasuke stood outside the teacher's office, Kakashi's last words still echoing in his ears.

uninteresting.

He didn't explicitly state his intention to recruit, but only mentioned the internship positions in the Joint Affairs Bureau to a few people he had observed and deemed suitable.

Among the people he spoke to, neither Yamanaka Ino nor Haruno Sakura were present.

The reason is quite simple: Sasuke isn't oblivious to the existence of fan groups. If he were to speak to them, he would most likely receive an overly excited response.

However, this could lead to various problems later on.

For example, once they actually bring the person to the secretariat, the director will probably put on that smug, amused look again and make some infuriating jokes. Or perhaps, their enthusiasm for themselves has already exceeded the boundaries of what their job entails.

He didn't want to deal with either of them.

"Do you want me to change their minds?" Sasuke asked.

"Well... consider this homework." Kakashi closed the list. "Anyway, there are still two or three years until graduation. Good luck, Sasuke. I'll keep a good record of your work."

As he spoke, his eyes crinkled into a smile.

"Or are you saying you can't even find one person willing to follow you?"

Before Sasuke could refute, Kakashi pointed to himself.

"Look, at least I have someone here who's willing to work for me."

"Right, Sasuke-kun?"

Sasuke's face darkened, and he turned and left.

The second young master of the Uchiha clan walked quickly, his footsteps making a slight but clear sound on the corridor floor. He felt that his decision to volunteer for an internship at the Bureau of Affairs last year would probably become a lifelong black mark on his record.

As he approached the third-grade classroom, the sight outside the office ahead made him slow down.

The sixth-grade students formed a short line at the door, waiting quietly, their faces betraying a hint of anticipation. They stood ramrod straight, occasionally peeking through the crack in the door before quickly looking away, maintaining a restraint unusual for their age. A few younger students stood beside the line. Sasuke recognized Sakura Haruno's pink hair and Ino Yamanaka's golden ponytail; with these two present, Karin and Shion were also there.

Naruto, Kiba... and some other people from the class.

Sasuke took a few steps closer.

Voices came from inside the door, indistinct through the wooden partition, but it was unmistakably Shuji's voice. Steady, clear, with occasional pauses, as if he were listening.

The sixth-grade students went in one by one, and came out a few minutes later. Some had thoughtful expressions on their faces, while others seemed to have made up their minds, their steps more steady than when they went in.

"I really want to go in and ask too." Sakura Haruno gazed at the door, her voice low but filled with longing. "What kind of advice will Shuji-sama give...?"

"Me too," Ino replied, expressing the same sentiment.

Ziyuan calmly replied, "Didn't you decide to go to the hospital last year?"

"But perhaps Shuji-sama has a different opinion," Ino said, smiling at Karin. "Right, Karin?"

Karin adjusted her glasses, her gaze still fixed on the sliver of light filtering through the crack in the door. "Captain-sama will definitely be able to give the most useful advice." "I've already decided!"

Naruto's voice was as loud as ever, instantly shattering the restrained silence in the corridor.

"I'll become Hokage, then I won't need Shuji-nii's special guidance!"

Tooth chuckled beside him.

"That's enough bragging, Naruto."

The corridor was almost too small to accommodate the waiting people.

The sixth-grade students, the third and fourth-grade students gathered on the side, and many more who had rushed over after hearing the news—they crowded on both sides of the corridor, talking in hushed tones, but their eyes were all fixed on that door.

These are the people who are waiting.

These are people who want advice and guidance...

Just then, the office door opened.

Ebisu came out, his gaze sweeping across the corridor from behind his sunglasses.

"Students who are not graduating, please leave this area."

"The consultation is only for graduates; others should not gather."

The younger students gathered nearby murmured softly, but then slowly began to disperse.

Sakura complained, "It's all Naruto's fault for having such a loud voice..."

Naruto immediately shrank back, his voice weakening: "I-I didn't mean to...Sakura."

Sasuke watched the crowd gradually disperse, but Kakashi's words were still on his mind. He looked at the sixth-year students lining up, at the earnest expressions on their faces.

Then, his gaze turned to Ino and the others who were leaving.

They took their first steps before they even thought about it.

"Ino, Sakura."

When Sasuke walked up to them, Ino and Sakura turned their heads at the same time.

"Sasuke-kun?"

"The Joint Affairs Bureau needs a lot of manpower right now," Sasuke said directly. "Internship positions are open for application. If you're interested, you can take a look."

The moment she finished speaking, Sakura's eyes lit up.

"Is Sasuke inviting me?" Her voice was filled with undisguised excitement, her cheeks slightly flushed. "I'll go! Of course I'll go!" Ino's reaction was a beat slower. She smiled first, looking quite happy as well: "An intern at the secret service? That sounds interesting."

"However, I need to go home and discuss it with my dad first."

As she spoke, Ino subtly tugged at Sakura's sleeve.

Sakura was completely oblivious to this subtle movement. Her attention was entirely on Sasuke, her eyes filled with anticipation and expectation, as if she could already see herself working alongside Sasuke in the secret service.

"What do I need to prepare? What grade level do I need to achieve? I... I'll start reading the relevant books tonight!"

Karin stood to one side, seemingly wanting to say something, but ultimately remained silent.

Sasuke looked at Sakura's face, which was full of excitement, and at Ino's polite but somewhat reserved smile.

These are... people who are "willing to follow"?

He looked away, his tone unconsciously becoming indifferent.

"Since you are interested, I will report it to the secretariat."

After saying that, Sasuke left immediately.

Behind him was Sakura's excited voice; she was talking to Ino, her tone filled with a boastful joy. Then came Ino's response, her voice lower.

The conversation between the two gradually escalated, eventually turning into a quiet argument. Karin and Shion's voices, trying to mediate, were also heard. Sasuke did not turn around.

Inside the office, Shuji heard the voices of the boys and girls outside the door gradually fade away.

Ebisu had just seen a sixth-grade student off when his ears twitched, and he went outside. A moment later, the sounds disappeared, and the corridor returned to silence.

The students continued to come in one by one and leave at the same time.

Finally, the person who came in was someone who surprised Shuji.

"Mr. Shuuji."

Temari stood at the door.

Shuji glanced behind her.

"I'm the last one," Temari said, her voice lower than usual. "There's no one else in line behind me."

Shuji understood. He simply glanced slightly toward the door, and Ebisu reappeared, gently closing the door behind him while he stood guard outside.

Temari walked to the desk but did not sit down immediately.

"There are some things I can't ask at home, Mr. Shuji."

Xiuji looked at her without urging her.

"Mr. Shuji, do you have any further plans for Gaara, Sunagakure...?"

Shuji gestured to the chair opposite him.

"Please sit down."

Temari sat down, her back ramrod straight, her hands resting on her knees. This posture made her appear more mature than her actual age, but also more tense. "The future of Sunagakure will naturally be chosen by the people of Sunagakure."

Shuji's voice was calm.

"Including you, there are ninjas who have come to Konoha for various reasons now, and will leave for various reasons in the future, returning to where they came from."

"We will find the best choice and path for our hometown."

"What you are doing now is not something that prevents you from doing anything. It simply allows you to see and have the confidence to believe in another possibility for development."

Temari pursed her lips.

She remained silent for a few seconds before speaking again.

"I went to the administrative office this morning."

As she spoke, her gaze lowered to her clasped hands. Her fingers unconsciously rubbed together, betraying a hint of anxiety. "Mr. Yura explained to me the current situation of the Secretariat and Sunagakure."

Temari hesitated for a moment.

Yura hopes that she can be more determined to uphold her identity as a Sunagakure ninja and be wary of those who are not determined enough, such as the current leader of Sunagakure, Maki.

At the same time, I hope she will not forget those who brought suffering to Sunagakure and those who brought disaster to her family.

"Mr. Maki also said something. He hoped I would be more cautious and not be too easily swayed."

"I'm not sure if either of them is right or wrong."

She was also unable to contact the villagers and didn't know the current Kazekage's thoughts. The two groups that conveyed her differing opinions were currently the two most important figures in Konoha from Sunagakure. Each had their own authority and their own reasons.

This plunged Temari into deeper distress. She hadn't anticipated that the difficulties she would face after graduation would arrive in this way.

Perhaps it was expected, but no one anticipated it would be exposed so quickly.

She should probably discuss it with Kankuro, or ask Gaara for his opinion. They are blood relatives, comrades, and people who left Sunagakure together to come to this unfamiliar land.

The only person who shouldn't be seeking advice is the one in front of you.

But she still came.

Shuji simply listened quietly, without interrupting or showing any surprise or judgment.

After a long pause, he finally asked, "Do you know now?"

Temari raised her head.

Those always calm eyes looked at her, without pity, without sympathy, and without any of the emotions she might have expected. They simply looked at her, as if waiting for an answer they already knew.

She suddenly understood.

When she chose to walk into this office, when she chose to frankly say Yura and Maki's names, when she chose to lay this trouble bare before this person.

She has made her choice.

Temari exhaled a long, slow breath. Her shoulders relaxed, and her usually straight back slumped slightly. The breath was so deep, as if she were exhaling something that had been weighing on her chest.

"Thank you, Mr. Shuji."

Shuji shook his head.

"Thank you too, Temari."

"The current Kazekage knows about Yura's situation. I hope you will keep this a secret."

"I understand." Temari stood up and bowed solemnly.

Shuji sat alone in his office for a while. Today's arrangements were somewhat beyond his expectations.

Until another figure appeared by the door.

Shuji looked over and asked, "Does Miss Samui also need graduation counseling?"

Sam leaned against the door frame, his short, golden hair gleaming softly in the sunlight.

"Shuji looks really cool today," she said frankly. "If I don't have any work to do, I'd be happy to offer my advice."

"However, because of work, I need to put aside my impulsive plans for now."

Samui walked to the table and put the documents down.

"This is the latest news from Kumogakure. Our representative, representing the Joint Affairs Bureau, has reached a formal agreement with the front lines of the Land of Snow." "We will re-discuss the incident at the arena and the chaos caused by the lack of oversight and transparency."

She opened the document and pointed to a certain line.

"Lord Raikage has made a request that the Land of Snow need to plan a suitable venue for the competition, and after Kumogakure confirms that there are no other issues, they will invite interested merchant guilds to broadcast the event."

"The other party has accepted everything."

Samui looked at Shuji.

"From a procedural and scheduling perspective, the next match will be postponed to December." She paused briefly, "Aside from using chips to appease Xiao and gain his confidence, we might also need to consider that they may have other plans internally."

"It went too smoothly."

Shuji looked at the terms on the document without saying a word.

Samui pushed the documents in front of him and then brought up another matter: "The Secretariat has been recruiting too many people recently, and the staff stationed in the Cloud Village are in complete disarray. The documents have been misplaced several times."

"I need to reconfirm the personnel information, so I won't be able to bother Mr. Shuji today. What a pity."

She expressed her regret, but her face remained calm, only her eyes held a hint of a smile.

After the female ninja from Kumogakure left, Shuji sat in his office for a while longer. He looked at the document on his desk, watched the sun gradually setting outside the window, and finally got up and left.

A figure leaned against the roadside.

"Yo."

Kakashi raised his hand, and the small booklet with the orange cover was back in his grasp.

Shuji walked over: "Are you waiting here for me, or are you going to go and welcome your teacher's temporary return together?"

"If I could, all I want right now is to be as far away from you as possible," Kakashi said, his gaze still fixed on the pages of the book. "That way, my destiny can arrive a little later."

So it's the latter.

Shuji walked up to him.

"Among the people the Fourth Hokage wants to see, you should be one of the lower-ranking ones."

Kakashi finally looked up from behind the book.

"What a vicious attack."

"The person the teacher truly wants to see should be met after he returns."