Konoha Notes.

Chapter 34 Undercurrents

Chapter 34 Undercurrents

Hiroyama Makoto stood beside the gangway of the cargo ship about to set sail, his face beaming with smiles, though the fine beads of sweat on his forehead glistened slightly in the sunlight. He held Shuji's hand tightly.

"Junior Ninja Shuji! I can't thank you enough! If it weren't for you this time—" His voice was loud, but his eyes darted uneasily towards the shadows of the dockside warehouse not far away—several men in leather guard armor stood with their arms crossed. "The goods are finally on the ship, and my heart can finally rest!" He wiped his sweat, his voice suddenly lowering, "But—you lot aren't coming with the ship? I think those men probably hold a grudge against you—about what happened at the city gate—"

Xiu Si smoothly withdrew his hand, his face as calm and expressionless as ever. "Don't worry, Mr. Hongshan." His gaze swept over the guards, who subconsciously looked away when their eyes met his.

"Ah! I'm relieved to hear you say that!" Hongshan Cheng's worried expression was instantly replaced by a fawning smile, as if his previous concern was just an illusion. He rubbed his hands together, "I've paid for five days' worth of rooms at Haifeng Pavilion! You can all stay here without worry! I wanted to treat you well to repay your kindness, but unfortunately the ship can't wait—"—Please accept this small token of my appreciation!" He magically produced a bulging money pouch and stuffed it into his hands.

"It's my duty, Mr. Hiroyama, no need." Shuji raised his hand and gently refused the money.

Hongshan Cheng withdrew his hand and said gratefully, "If I have any requests later, I will definitely seek out the ninjas of Konoha. Well then, I will take my leave."

He climbed the gangway, turning back every few steps, until the cargo ship sounded its deep horn and slowly sailed away from its berth, merging into the busy shipping lanes outside the harbor.

He then completely disappeared from the side of the ship.

Almost at the same time that the Hongshan Cheng cargo ship sailed out of sight, in the heart of Chujie Port, inside the Wasabi family's home, the atmosphere was heavy.

The dimly lit Japanese-style room was filled with a tense atmosphere that even the finest incense couldn't completely suppress. Seven or eight men of varying ages, impeccably dressed, sat upright on the tatami mats. They were prominent figures in Izuku Port, besides the Wasuke family, who controlled the fishing guild, the dockworkers' union, and several of the largest trading companies. At this moment, their gazes were all focused on Wasabi Jirocho, who sat at the head of the table.

Jirocho was dressed in a dark gray formal kimono, his back straight as a pine tree. His usually humble face, with its moles, was devoid of its usual humility, replaced by a solemn resolute air. On the low table in front of him lay a thick scroll of documents and several blurry but recognizable rubbings of portraits.

"Gentlemen," Jirocho's voice wasn't loud, but it clearly pierced the silence of the room, "I've taken the liberty of inviting you today only to expose a lie that concerns the very survival of Izuku Port!"

He picked up a rubbing, which depicted a burly face with a scar near the corner of his eye. "This man is Xiong Zhu, a ruthless bandit from the Wild Tea Slope Tea Mountain Gang. Three months ago, his men robbed three caravans coming from Nan Shou Yi, killing and wounding seventeen people!" He picked up another rubbing, "And this one—..."

One by one, rubbings were displayed, and the menacing faces appeared particularly ferocious in the dim light. Jirocho's voice was filled with suppressed grief and indignation: "These people, and their nearly three hundred ruthless henchmen, have not been wiped out as the Wajiki family claimed! They are right under our noses! They're entrenched at the city gates, the docks, and the streets! Under the guise of a special toll, they're squeezing every last drop of blood from passing merchants; they're destroying this city!"

A suppressed gasp and a slight commotion filled the room. The old head of the fishing association couldn't help but speak up: "Jirocho, this is no small matter! Words alone are not enough—."

"The evidence is here!" Jiro slammed the thick document on the table. "From the tokens left behind at the Wild Tea Slope camp, to the testimonies of the forced laborers who were coerced into joining but managed to escape, to the comparison of the tattoos that couldn't be erased from their bodies!" He took a deep breath, his gaze sweeping over the astonished faces of the crowd, and emphasized his tone, "More importantly, the collection and verification of this evidence was completed with the assistance of Jonin Shuji, a ninja squad from Konoha on a guard mission!"

"Konoha?!" This word was like a stone thrown into a deep pool, instantly creating even bigger ripples. The previously somewhat skeptical looks immediately became complicated.

"Indeed," Jirocho said in a deep voice, noticing the change in everyone's eyes. "I have already sent men with evidence and letters to the capital to report to the daimyo! I hope that upon your return, you will prepare your manpower and weapons to completely eradicate these wolves from Ichigo Port!"

A hush fell over the room. The prominent figures exchanged glances, their eyes conveying unspoken messages. Some nodded vigorously, their eyes blazing with anger; others frowned, their fingers unconsciously tapping their knees.

Finally, the old fisherman's association president slowly spoke: "Since there are Konoha ninjas as witnesses, and these—" "physical evidence," he pointed to the documents, "we naturally believe them and will go back to make preparations."

He paused, then changed the subject: "But right now, it's the Kazuki family that's in charge, and those people are appointed by them. We can't act rashly before we get the daimyo's order. But as soon as the daimyo's order arrives, we'll immediately clean up these parasites."

"Exactly."

"Let's wait for the daimyo's orders."

The others echoed their sentiments, their attitudes clear and unified: We support Wasabi Jiro in filing a complaint, and we believe the evidence is genuine, but until the daimyo issues an official order, none of our men will be moved.

Jirocho understood perfectly, even anticipating it. These old foxes wanted to use him to eliminate the cancerous growth fostered by the Kazue family, yet they were unwilling to take any risk before the dust settled. His face showed no disappointment; instead, he solemnly nodded: "What you all say is absolutely right. Without a proper name, words cannot be followed; without followed words, things cannot be accomplished. Jirocho understands. Everything awaits the Daimyo's decision! I only hope that you all will make thorough preparations so that we can strike successfully when the time comes!"

"nature."

"With wasabi in charge, you can rest assured."

Everyone rose to their feet, politely took their leave, their faces solemn and thoughtful, and hurriedly departed the Wasabi residence. The tatami room became empty again, filled only with the scent of incense.

Almost at the same time that the prominent figures left Wasabi's house, several secret messages, like insects caught in a spider's web, were transmitted through different channels, trembling and escaping.

On the edge of Jiegang Harbor, in a dark, shabby room overlooking the sea with windows facing an abandoned old shipyard, most of the light was blocked by thick oilcloth.

The air reeked of cheap tobacco. Jubei sat cross-legged in the deepest part of the shadows, his ever-present katana lying across his knees. A lean man knelt before him, giving a hurried, low-pitched report.

"...Wasagi Jirocho gathered his men—brought out a lot of papers and a portrait—claiming it as irrefutable evidence—and that it was obtained with the help of Konoha ninjas, and that he would report it to the Daimyo. The receipt would arrive tomorrow—and that he would take action once the receipt arrived—"

Jubei's eyes, which had been closed, suddenly snapped open, and the scabbard in front of his knees seemed to emit a very faint hum.

So that's how it is. So, Wasabi Jirocho sought out Konoha ninjas hoping for their endorsement?

"Take this to the daimyo—" Jubei grinned, revealing gleaming white teeth. "Old man, you've got some nerve!"

He wasn't sure what the Daimyo of the Tea Country would do—would he stubbornly refuse to acknowledge the evidence? Would he send down that elder of the household who was related to the Kazuki family to investigate?

Or perhaps, seeing that Konoha seems to have made a statement, they will abandon the Chazan Gang? Jubei doesn't know, nor does he need to know; as long as he kills the messenger and prevents the daimyo from seeing those things, that will suffice.

Jubei suddenly stood up, his tall figure casting a heavy shadow in the cramped space, making his kneeling subordinates almost unable to breathe.

"Where are the ninjas of Konoha now?"

"They're still in the Sea Breeze Pavilion; we've been keeping an eye on them."

"Go out and arrange for people to keep a close eye on Wasabi's family."

"yes!"

Watching the person retreat and leave, Jubei ordered from the shadows, "Have Kubiki kill the messenger from the Wasabi family. Genshiki, you keep an eye on the Konoha ninjas."

A man emerged from the shadows, his deep-set eyes adorned with fluorescent green pupils, and a tattoo of a hungry wild dog beneath them; his disheveled hair was mixed with bird feathers and a hairpin made of withered bones, and he held a copper coin between his canine teeth. He wore a robe made of patchwork cloth, and a bell on his wrist was engraved with the character "food".

"Something's not right." Huan Shi's voice was muffled as he kept biting on the copper coin.

The samurai coldly replied, "It's not important anymore. We've already invested too much, and the plan already included dealing with the Konoha ninjas from the very beginning."

It's just a little earlier now.