After finishing the morning's Taijutsu class, Habara returned to his office. While the department name "Chakra Infinite Library" sounded rather abstract, it was indeed a division with tangible responsibilities.
Besides managing chakra contributions from other Konoha shinobi for Daigo and redistributing it when necessary, it also handled redemption services—allowing ninja who accumulated sufficient mission points to exchange them for jutsu, further enhancing their strength and self-worth.
As the management system matured and the number of connected ninja increased, Habara even found himself needing a few clerks to help run the department smoothly… much like tellers at bank windows.
Moreover, perhaps because the department name included the word "Library," Tsunade, driven by a spirit of thriftiness and not wanting those words to go to waste, also assigned it custodial duties—the function of storing and protecting certain confidential documents. A library must contain some paper content, right? Otherwise, why call it a library? Even if this library was primarily a chakra library.
Sorting and classifying documents from both the Land of Fire and Konoha Village, assigning security levels; further development and testing of the Jutsu Encapsulation technology; and capturing, or partially capturing, the Nine-Tails' chakra to secure a stable, vast chakra source for Daigo—these were the three main tasks Habara was currently responsible for.
Upon returning to his office, he saw Daigo's puppet form strolling around.
Daigo looked quite idle, but this was merely her physical puppet body being unoccupied. She was, after all, very protective of this 'figurine' made from her own original body. The real Daigo functioned like a central network server, undoubtedly dealing with far more matters every moment than Habara was.
Daigo's puppet turned to Habara. "How did it go? Was the matter with the Nine-Tails successful?"
Habara nodded. "The nail has been hammered in successfully. The 'snake swallowing elephant' game is underway over there. Actually, a better approach would be to install a water pump on the Nine-Tails… a chakra pump, drawing chakra from it at one end and transporting it to you at the other. Like those farming games, collecting daily. This would both weaken the Nine-Tails, making it completely docile, and allow for full, efficient utilization of its immense chakra. Unfortunately, the Nine-Tails is an uncooperative, grumpy fox. Installing that chakra pump isn't easy. For now, let's try this method of control first."
Daigo's puppet remained expressionless, but she made an effort to blink, indicating her query. "The Nine-Tails' chakra is toxic. Could absorbing too much cause problems?"
"Uh…"
This question stumped Habara. He genuinely hadn't considered whether the Nine-Tails' chakra might be toxic.
Thinking carefully, Daigo's question made a lot of sense. The Nine-Tails' chakra had always been potent, intense; one hit was like ten of anything else, comparable to premium cigarettes. If Daigo absorbed too much, might she become a 'picky eater'?
For a period afterward, Shadow Leaf City remained peaceful, experiencing steady progress and overall improvement.
And, surprisingly enough, Habara proved to be a decent kindergarten teacher. At least in terms of student results, he performed excellently. Three months passed, and the children's progress was visibly apparent.
Firstly, apart from the infants still crawling—those truly just using the place as a nursery, like Biwako Sarutobi's grandson Konohamaru—all the other children mastered chakra molding within those three months. Some exceptionally performing kids, like Sasuke Uchiha, had already received the "Vaccine" injection.
Neji Hyuga even required a booster shot, increasing the scale of his Curse Seal of Man to accommodate his own chakra growth.
As for the other primary focus, Naruto Uzumaki, honestly, the Curse Mark was somewhat irrelevant for him. He was an Uzumaki, after all—a testament to the fact that individual constitutions vary greatly. After careful consideration, Kushina Uzumaki decided against exposing Naruto to the Curse Seal of Man for the time being.
Firstly, Naruto was a Jinchuriki; it was uncertain if the Curse Mark would affect the Nine-Tails' seal. Secondly, Kushina wanted Naruto to focus on developing and training his own innate abilities. The Uzumaki clan, similar to the Senju, possessed the foundation to become top-tier ninja through their own efforts; relying on external power was always a secondary option. Thirdly, Naruto was already mischievous and hyperactive enough. If the Curse Seal of Man helped him rapidly increase his strength, the consequences were unimaginable; tearing tiles off roofs would become standard procedure.
Secondly, the students quickly learned how to apply their chakra, and their Taijutsu training yielded impressive results. There wasn't much secret here; the children trained hard not to surpass classmates for good grades, nor to become great ninja. Their motivation was far simpler: they just didn't want to be the one who got hit the most. Habara's dodgeballs genuinely hurt.
Under these conditions, whenever Habara's Taijutsu class switched to different practice content, the students couldn't help but cheer enthusiastically. Take the current one-on-one sparring sessions—even the little girls enjoyed brawling with their classmates. Habara was a true educator, advocating gender equality; the girls got hit with dodgeballs just the same, and he threw with appropriate force regardless of the target.
"Stop! It's a draw. Based on demonstrated combat sense, Sasuke Uchiha has a slight edge." Habara halted the final match. The two boys had been going back and forth without a clear result, and class was almost over. Besides, Habara had seen enough.
The two combatants were the "fated rivals," Sasuke Uchiha and Naruto Uzumaki.
Hearing victory declared for himself, Sasuke gave a light "Hmph," performed the proper bows to his opponent and teacher with disciplined formality, and then retreated. This was clearly Habara's educational style: you could be arrogant, but you had to be polite. If you wanted to be impolite, you first had to beat the teacher.
Naruto Uzumaki, however, tried to argue, "If it's a draw, it's a draw! Why say he has a slight edge?"
Habara explained patiently, "Because he was fighting using Taijutsu techniques, even if his technique is still quite standard… whereas you were fighting purely on instinct, which is far too unconventional. Naruto, I've told you to trust your instincts, but you cannot rely solely on them, or else your instincts will eventually betray you."
Naruto's reflexes were exceptional, and this excellence had been specialized through long-term dodgeball training, making his current Taijutsu fighting style seem 'naturally formed'. Comparatively, Sasuke Uchiha's fighting was like the butterfly stroke, occasionally the breaststroke, while Naruto Uzumaki was pure doggy paddle—just paddling incredibly fast.
This explanation naturally failed to convince Naruto; his current intellect simply couldn't grasp what Habara was saying. However, based on Naruto's personality, feeling unfairly treated should have prompted him to immediately jump up and spout defiant words. Yet, after Habara glanced at him, he instantly quieted down.
Habara-sensei, do you even understand Taijutsu? …Naruto ultimately didn't dare voice this thought.
Naruto had crawled around Habara since he was little and somewhat understood his temperament. In short, don't try to be clever with him, and definitely don't throw tantrums. Otherwise… Naruto couldn't quite describe it, but if you were obedient, Habara was easy to get along with. Disobedience was another matter entirely.
After class, Habara took the opportunity to check on the Nine-Tails situation and found no issues there.
Over the past three months, the territory Habara's chakra occupied on the Nine-Tails' tail hadn't expanded much; the forward progress was almost negligible. However, he firmly held the tail tip. With the aid of the Adamantine Sealing Chains, it was virtually impossible for the Nine-Tails to expel this chakra mass.
At this point, the most rational course of action for the Nine-Tails would be to grit its teeth and perform a 'fox cuts tail' maneuver. After all, losing one tail still left eight; it had plenty to spare. Yet, one cannot judge a fox's thoughts by human logic. Foxes are exceptionally protective of their fur and tails, much like a beautiful woman cherishes her face. Asking the Nine-Tails to sever its tail was akin to drawing a line on a beautiful woman's face with a permanent marker and then demanding she peel off her own skin. How could that be possible?
Imagine the future encounters with other Tailed Beasts if it lost a tail—how could the Nine-Tails face them?
So, for now, the stalemate persisted.
Elsewhere, the Konoha Advisory Council was meeting with the Fifth Hokage. Due to the Hokage also becoming the State Lord, the Land of Fire's current external political environment was rather severe. The issue had reached a point where it demanded resolution.
The problem lay with the Land of Wind. Although currently an ally of the Land of Fire, the Wind Daimyo likewise refused to recognize the Hokage's status as State Lord. Or perhaps, it was precisely because the Land of Wind was Konoha's ally that its Daimyo so staunchly opposed the move—he feared this fire spreading to his own nation.
Yes, Sunagakure currently lacked a Kazekage and was under the governance of Elder Chiyo. For the rank-and-file ninja, the title of Kazekage alone might lack sufficient allure. But Kazekage plus Daimyo?
The Wind Daimyo was afraid, genuinely terrified.
His stance was firm. If Konoha couldn't resolve the issue with the Land of Wind, the next joint Chunin Exams might be impossible to hold. If Sunagakure didn't participate, the other smaller villages surrounding the Land of Fire would have grounds not to attend either. The "joint" aspect would cease to exist, leaving the Land of Fire deserted by its allies and truly isolated on the international stage.
If it were only that, it might be manageable. The real fear was that this could trigger a chain reaction, plunging the shinobi world into turmoil once more.
Therefore, Konoha absolutely had to resolve the situation with the Land of Wind.
However, after an hour of discussion, the meeting yielded no effective solutions. At this point, Advisor Daigo (the puppet), who had mostly served as a mascot throughout the meeting, suddenly spoke up. "Appealing to righteousness and reason will not persuade the Land of Wind. To gain their understanding and mend the relationship, there are only two methods. The more effective and practical approach involves ceding certain benefits to the Land of Wind."
"And the other method?" another advisor asked, clearly uncomfortable with the idea of the Land of Fire or Konoha making concessions to the Land of Wind.
"War," Daigo replied succinctly.
"War, hmm…" Truly spoken like ninja; someone immediately began contemplating the feasibility of war with Sunagakure. "Perhaps a small-scale war could be initiated?"
Tsunade: "..."
She couldn't help but press her fingers to her forehead. What is wrong with these people?
"Ceding benefits to the Land of Wind might indeed win back our ally," Tsunade stated. "However, I am the new State Lord of the Land of Fire. I cannot sacrifice the interests of the Land of Fire to satisfy the Land of Wind. Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to continue in this role."
War was impossible, but ceding benefits was also impossible. She had just become the ruler; making concessions would appear to the populace like selling out the country. It would severely damage her prestige, completely ruining a decent start. Once public trust was broken, rebuilding it would be incredibly difficult.
Daigo, however, continued unhurriedly, "There's no need to cede the Land of Fire's interests. What I mean is, ahem, what does the Land of Wind lack most? If we make slight concessions in that area… for instance, gifting them a grain-producing region."
The Land of Wind was almost entirely desert. For years, the nation had faced chronic food shortages, making it a net importer of food in the shinobi world—a serious national security issue. This geographical problem was a major reason the Land of Wind hadn't been able to act assertively over the years. Having grain reserves provides security; lacking them breeds vulnerability.
"A grain-producing region?" Tsunade thought, The Land of Fire has grain-producing areas everywhere, even undeveloped fertile plains. But we can't just cede Land of Fire territory. Then it clicked. "You mean the Land of Rivers?"
The Land of Rivers, the buffer zone nestled between the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind, also possessed favorable geographical conditions, certainly far better than the Land of Wind. For years, the Land of Wind had harbored ambitions towards the Land of Rivers, but… guess why it's called a buffer zone? Sunagakure had never been able to defeat Konoha.
"Sell out a smaller nation? We have no justification for doing so," Tsunade frowned again. Such an action clearly went against her character.
"Firstly," Daigo stated, "this is a temporary measure; the future can be addressed later. Secondly, we need not do anything concrete, merely provide a hint. Thirdly, the Land of Wind absolutely must not annex the Land of Rivers' territory, nor can its sphere of influence cross the country's midline."
That last point sounded contradictory, but it essentially meant the Land of Wind couldn't nominally occupy the Land of Rivers; the country had to remain nominally intact. However, Konoha would tacitly permit the Land of Wind to extend its sphere of influence over the western half of the Land of Rivers. This was, arguably, a very generous concession, considering that at the end of the last war, Wind Country forces were completely driven out of the Land of Rivers, and Suna couldn't even accept missions there.
With Konoha offering such favorable terms, if the Land of Wind refused, it would be like slapping away an offered hand. To break the deadlock, the Land of Fire might then resort to more extreme measures, and the target for breaking the impasse would still be, solely and exclusively, the Land of Wind.
Conversely, if the Land of Wind accepted this condition, the months-long isolation faced by the Land of Fire in the shinobi world would collapse on its own. Apart from the Land of Rivers being hurt, both the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind would gain respective benefits.
This "great power approach" seemed shameless, but that was reality.
The Land of Rivers would still exist, still serving as a buffer zone, albeit slightly reduced in scope. Konoha would lose some influence in the Land of Rivers but retain the other half. This was akin to "gifting roses, while the hand retains the fragrance"—an ironic justification.
Tsunade was now certain: this Daigo advisor was truly just a puppet. These weren't words Daigo herself would say. There was only one ninja in Konoha capable of formulating such a plan: Habara.
Undoubtedly, this was a highly feasible course of action. As long as the Land of Wind recognized Tsunade's status as State Lord, the external pressure on her would vanish. Let other nations question it; if Wind Country acknowledged her, their objections highlighted their problems.
However, even by the meeting's end, Tsunade hadn't given explicit approval. Clearly, she disliked such sordid dealings based purely on exchanging benefits.
Subsequently, the suggestion was taken to the Land of Fire's Shogunate Secretariat and Advisory Council for discussion, where it received high praise and unanimous approval. These officials had fewer qualms. We are people of the Land of Fire; who cares if the Land of Rivers dies?
Such an action wouldn't even damage the Land of Fire's prestige, as it would only involve a secret treaty, or perhaps not even signing anything—just providing hints to the Land of Wind would suffice.
The Hokage and Daimyo passed away; the Land of Fire and Konoha are strategically contracting. Isn't that normal? Land of Fire contracts, Land of Wind takes the opportunity to strategically expand. Isn't that even more normal? By the time Konoha realizes what's happened, the shameless Land of Wind will have already established roots in the Land of Rivers. What can Konoha do? They can't really start a war, can they?
With both administrative bodies approving the plan, and the supreme leader Tsunade lacking a better alternative, even if she disliked it, she could only choose tacit acquiescence.
And then, the unfortunate Habara received a new mission assignment. Tsunade's reasons for choosing him were perfectly justifiable.
Originally, it was his rotten idea. Did he think he could just hide behind the scenes and offer suggestions? Absolutely not. His idea, his responsibility to execute it. Since Habara was always stirring things up, rather than letting him cause trouble in the Land of Fire, better to let him stir things up in the Land of Wind. Furthermore, Habara frequently served as envoy to Sunagakure; he knew the route well, an old horse familiar with the path. He had practically become the designated specialist for such missions. One could only wonder how Sunagakure felt seeing his face repeatedly.
But it couldn't be helped. Who told them to hold the Chunin Exams so frequently? Twice a year was really too much. If the Chunin Exams weren't held, how would the Land of Fire's severe international situation become apparent? If it didn't become apparent, how would the Land of Rivers end up making a sacrifice? So, fault upon fault, it was all a systemic problem.
Habara felt he should probably propose changing the Chunin Exams to once a year, saving everyone such trouble.
Regardless, he accepted the Hokage's orders, temporarily putting aside his current work, and departed the still-under-construction new city as part of a four-person team.
Perhaps based on the principle of pairing veterans with rookies for rapid experience growth, Habara's team this time consisted entirely of 'newcomers.' Besides Tenzo and the relatively familiar Aoba Yamashiro, there was also a very unfamiliar young ninja named Hayate Gekko.
Seeing the team composition, Habara couldn't help but complain inwardly. Our ages are practically the same! How does this count as a veteran leading rookies? How am I old, and how are they new?
As Habara's team left the city, atop a section of unfinished wall, a giant "aloe vera" figure emerged from the structure. It gazed towards the departing group and finally spoke, "Tell Pain, the target is on the move."