Konoha Notes.

Chapter 476 Observations and Frankness of Failure

Chapter 476 Observations and Frankness of Failure

Although I readily accepted the task, when I actually started writing, apart from the title and a few lines of outline, I couldn't move on to the rest of the report.

This is quite different from writing a report on the invitation incident, in which Sasuke was a participant throughout.

In a classroom, you don't need to speak; just sitting in the classroom, many details will appear before your eyes on their own. You don't need to pursue the process or the result.

However, research on green hollyhocks —

Sasuke put down his pen and clasped his hands together in front of his forehead.

His understanding of that person came almost entirely from those few hours yesterday afternoon. Before that, the only person he could think of when he saw green hair was Fu.

It's easy to solve some basic information that you don't usually know, but the intersection is more troublesome.

Even though he often ran errands in the new office building, those who could directly communicate with the director's office mostly had the word "chief" in their titles. As a newcomer who was transferred this year, Green Sunflower was obviously not among them.

So the next afternoon, Sasuke left the training camp much faster.

The newly recruited interns were similar to him; they were all assigned to the secretariat for apprenticeships after finishing a day of classes.

According to the initial plan, these interns will only need to come for two hours during the first month.

Green Sunflower said some nice things yesterday. But in reality, how long he will stay for those students is still unknown.

When Sasuke entered the new office building, he didn't go straight to the top floor as usual. He stopped on the third floor.

At this time, most offices were still operational, and there were still many people in the hallways.

Among those people, one particular spot stood out.

Near the east-side tea room, Green Aoi was surrounded by four or five people, all of whom had received their internship permits yesterday, including Karin.

But Sakura wasn't there.

Sasuke adjusted his stance, getting closer to the shadow of the wall.

He planned to observe for a while, noting how Green Sunflower interacted with different students, the duration of her stay, and the changes in her facial expressions while speaking.

But the people in the director's office are still too good at attracting attention.

"Sasuke-kun?"

Sasuke turned his head and saw a Konoha Chunin looking at him with a puzzled expression.

"Does the director have any special plans for today?" the chunin asked.

"No," Sasuke replied, and the Chunin left.

But this question and answer had already attracted more attention. Several clerks who were talking nearby turned their heads, someone peeked out from the door of the break room, and even students from Green Sunflower were looking this way.

Investigation is a required course for ninjas. Both textbook theories and practical experience clearly state that investigation becomes difficult to continue when the observer becomes the object of observation.

Sasuke walked up the stairs, quickly reaching the top floor. Facing the director, who seemed out of sorts, he asked directly, "What documents need to be sent out today?"

"You're really enthusiastic today. Is it because all the classmates are here, and you want to set an example?" Kakashi said, simply pointing to the stack on the left with the spine of the books: "Take these to the fifth floor."

Then he turned to the middle: "These are on the fourth floor."

Finally, on the right: "The third and second floors are here."

Sasuke began to look through them. He pulled out a few from the stack that needed to be sent to the third floor, and also selected some from the fourth and fifth floors.

"Even you've started being picky about work? You should set a good example, but don't be too obvious about it, Sasuke-kun."

Sasuke picked up the selected document, ignored Kakashi's words, and went downstairs.

As he walked down the stairs, he quickly went through the things he was carrying.

The primary focus is on deliveries that can remain on the third floor for an extended period. Secondary targets are documents that may require movement between multiple floors.

Green Sunflower led the interns around, and their activities were likely not limited to just one floor.

He remembered that the trainees were mainly located on the third and fifth floors.

This means that the activity range of the green sunflower is most likely within this range.

When Sasuke reached the fifth floor, he slowed down.

There were voices in the corridor.

Sakura Haruno stood outside an office, holding a notebook, talking to a clerk in a dark blue uniform.

She noticed Sasuke's presence and wanted to greet him, but Sasuke didn't look over. Not daring to disregard her senior's guidance on her first day of apprenticeship, she could only swallow her words and continue to listen attentively.

Just as Sasuke was about to reach the fourth floor, Green Aoi's voice came from below.

Sasuke immediately rearranged the order of the documents in his hands, placing the ones that needed to be delivered to the fourth floor on top.

Turning the corner, I saw Green Sunflower leading five or six trainees up from the third floor.

Green Aoi entered the fourth floor and walked at the front, pointing to the office signs around her as she went: "This is the Supplies Allocation Department, responsible for providing equipment support for missions commissioned by various ninja villages —"

When he saw Sasuke, he did not offer any further greetings beyond the usual polite gestures.

Sasuke simply passed by those people without stopping.

He went to the target office of the document in his hand, and while handing it over, he paid attention to what was happening there.

Green Sunflower stopped in front of an office and knocked on the door: "Excuse me, today is the day for the interns to familiarize themselves with the department. I brought them here to take a look."

A voice of approval came from inside the door. Green Sunflower pushed open the door and led the students inside.

Sasuke handed the documents he was holding to the clerk who opened the door and briefly explained his purpose. As the clerk reviewed the contents of the documents, Sasuke's gaze swept across the corridor.

About two or three minutes later, Green Sunflower led the students out of that office and headed to the next one.

This time, his manner as he stopped at the door was more practiced. He didn't knock, but instead pushed open the slightly ajar door and smiled inside, saying, "These are this batch of trainees. I've brought them here to familiarize themselves with the place. If you need any errands or odd jobs in the future, feel free to use them."

Laughter and responses came from inside the door. Green Sunflower led the students inside.

Sasuke took the signed documents and memorized the door numbers of the two offices, as well as the two completely different attitudes of Green Aoi.

Leaving the fourth floor, he turned to the third floor.

After handing over a letter that needed to be delivered quickly, Sasuke did not leave immediately. Instead, he stood there for a while before going up to the fifth floor.

The target he was eyeing had already reached the fifth floor.

Sakura then ended her conversation with the clerk.

She saw Sasuke and quickly came forward: "Sasuke-kun, are these documents to be delivered? Let me help—"

7

She showed enthusiasm.

Sasuke calmly declined: "These are documents that only relevant personnel can handle."

Sakura wasn't discouraged by the rejection; instead, she immediately asked, "I see—then is there anything I can do for you—"

""

"No need," Sasuke interrupted her.

His gaze passed over Sakura and looked towards the other end of the corridor. He said, "That invitation was merely a recognition of your abilities. You have outstanding academic achievements, that's all."

"Stop doing this kind of thing, it's so boring."

After saying that, he walked over, arranging the order of the documents on this floor while moving towards the line in front.

Sakura stood there, her frustration at failure lasting only a short time. She was already used to Sasuke's indifference and had prepared herself for it. She temporarily put her emotions aside and decided to join the team led by Midori Aoi.

As she walked forward, passing by Sasuke, she couldn't help but glance at his profile as he worked.

Then she noticed something.

Sasuke's gaze seemed to be fixed in his direction.

Sakura stopped abruptly. Her mood was suddenly brightened by sunshine, and she almost changed direction to walk towards Sasuke, but at that moment, Sasuke looked away.

Did I see it wrong?

Sakura was a little uncertain. She stood there, watching Sasuke walk towards an office, knock on the door, hand over documents, and complete a brief exchange.

The whole process was smooth and professional.

No, it's not an illusion.

As she checked again, Sasuke's gaze swept over them once more.

"Haruno-kun?" Midori Aoi's voice came from inside.

Along with his voice came urging from other trainees.

She wanted to respond, but her gaze involuntarily drifted back to Sasuke.

Sasuke was signing for the package and seemed very focused, but his attention wasn't entirely on his work.

Sakura suddenly understood.

Sasuke wasn't looking at her, but at Midori-sensei.

This snapped her out of her involuntary elation. But then, another thought surfaced.

If Sasuke is observing Midorima-sensei, what does that mean?

She turned to Karin in that group.

Karin's whereabouts are only related to Lord Shuji, and the matter related to that lord is the village's mission, which is a secret. They all know this, so none of them ask.

Could it be that...?

Sakura smiled and said, "I'm sorry, I'll be right there, Midori-sensei!"

After completing the delivery of all the documents, Sasuke returned to the director's office without picking up any new documents or saying hello.

He walked to the small table against the wall, took out a scroll and pen from his schoolbag, and began to write incessantly.

The pen moved swiftly across the paper, recording everything observed: Green Sunflower's different attitudes in front of different departments, who he seemed familiar with, the differences in his language during introductions, and the length of time he lingered—

"You're coming back without even saying hello—" the director said. "This job is so boring, even the interns have absolutely no respect for me."

As he spoke, he put down the book in his hand, stood up and walked over, bending down to look at the scroll under his assistant's hand.

"I see, it's another mission from the Second Hokage." Kakashi nodded knowingly. "No wonder Sasuke-kun no longer takes his teacher seriously."

"But I really hope you can take me seriously sometimes."

Sasuke paused, his pen poised. "Stop playing dumb. You've noticed that guy's problem too, haven't you?"

"Green Sunflower is not just pretending to be a good person in front of those interns."

"He was using the guise of mentoring interns to more easily reach people in other departments."

"Is there a problem with that?" His voice sounded relaxed. "After all, my disciples and assistants are all cold-hearted people. It's good to have a warm-hearted person helping out."

"There's nothing wrong with doing good deeds and seeking some benefits."

"The Second Hokage might have asked you to observe the Green Aoi simply to help you understand the art of language, Sasuke-kun."

Sasuke frowned, the tip of his pen hovering over the paper.

"That kind of person—"

"Don't be prejudiced, Sasuke. After all, even you want to ask for a reward."

As he spoke, Kakashi took a white envelope from his pocket and pushed it next to Sasuke.

"This is your payment for the work you've done during this time."

"Although it's not much, shouldn't a disciple, upon receiving their first paycheck, express their gratitude to their teacher for their hard work and guidance?"

He put his hands together in prayer position.

"—How about a little respect?"

Sasuke glanced at the envelope but didn't take it immediately. He continued to add details he had just observed to the scroll.

Once he had nothing else to replenish, he rolled up the scroll and put it in his bag. Only then did he pick up the envelope, open it, glance at the amount inside, and stuff it into his pocket.

Itachi has to work overtime today, so he plans to go home first.

"I'm going back."

Sasuke slung his backpack over his shoulder and walked towards the door.

"etc."

Kakashi called out to him.

Sasuke stopped and turned around. He thought Kakashi was going to say something useful, something else about Green Aoi.

The silver-haired bureau chief looked at him intently.

"My favorite foods are grilled saury with salt and eggplant with miso sauce."

Sasuke turned his head away.

"I don't like tempura."

He quickened his pace and walked out of the office, slamming the door shut behind him.

When Sasuke reached the main gate, he saw Green Aoi escorting the trainees back.

He walked to the door as if nothing had happened, ready to leave as usual.

Students walked out of the gate in twos and threes. Some were still talking about the new things they had just seen, while others were looking down at their notes, their faces showing the unique mix of excitement and fatigue that is typical of those just starting their careers.

Just then, Green Sunflower called out to him.

"Sasuke-kun."

The green-haired chunin had already seen off the last student.

"If there's anything you need my help with, or if you have any questions about me—" the green-haired chunin said, "you can just tell me."

"Although I can't compare to the Uchiha clan members, I am still a Chunin."

"Not so oblivious as to not notice the gaze from a ninja academy student."

Has it been exposed? Or is it a test?

Sasuke remained expressionless.

"I was just doing my job," he said.

Green Sunflower smiled. There was no mockery or hostility in that smile; instead, it was exceptionally sincere.

"Me too," he said. "Just working hard and craving results. I've never hidden my goals, not even in front of the director, I've made my ambitions clear."

"Young Master Uchiha."

"Your starting point is something I can't reach, and what you yearn for is something I can't even imagine."

"This does not mean that ordinary ninjas cannot have their own goals."

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