Yukawa ran through the streets of Konoha, wind in his hair.
As an undercover agent, the most important trait was caution.
His plan was to run first, then stop at Konoha's bookstore to rest as if he was just exhausted from running.
Even if someone suspected him, he could always claim he was just a passing "masked rider"—oh wait, no, a schoolboy.
"Yukawa!"
A familiar voice grew louder from behind.
Yukawa turned his head to see a figure so green it almost burned his eyes:
It was Might Guy, running in a handstand.
"Good morning!"
Yukawa smiled and nodded.
After a week of training, they had become somewhat familiar with each other.
"You don't have to worry about me."
At this point, Yukawa was still far behind in training, unable to keep up with Guy's pace.
"Alright then, I'm going to speed up!"
Might Guy swerved around a canal bend and quickly disappeared from sight.
"..."
Yukawa silently continued his run.
An hour later, he stopped in front of Konoha's bookstore.
He had nearly reached his limit; his body felt completely drained.
"Yukawa!"
At that moment, Might Guy's voice reached him from not too far away.
Is he coming?
A helpless expression crossed Yukawa's face.
"Have you activated your backup energy?"
Might Guy clenched his fists and trembled, "You must give it your all, fight to the end, so you won't regret your youth!"
Passersby nearby instinctively took a step back.
Such a small gesture, yet so impactful.
Yukawa stood still, expressionless.
He was reminded of the time before exams, shouting slogans with his classmates.
The downside of becoming familiar with Might Guy had already shown itself—he often helped Yukawa recall his lost youth under the setting sun.
But today, he was done for. He also needed to meet with a Kiri-nin from the Hidden Mist Village.
Yukawa slowly walked into the bookstore.
Might Guy was not upset.
It was rare for Yukawa to remain expressionless in front of Guy's antics.
Before him, only Kakashi and a few others had been able to treat him normally.
Turning, Guy continued his youthful journey.
Yukawa glanced around.
Since he had arrived early, there were no other customers in the bookstore.
"Young man, what book would you like to buy?"
A young woman approached with a smile.
"Do you have Icha Icha Paradise?"
Yukawa thought for a moment before asking.
In his past life, he had been very curious about Jiraiya's Icha Icha Paradise.
Now that the opportunity had come, he couldn't let it slip by.
"No, we don't have it."
The young woman shook her head.
Not even Icha Icha Paradise? That's one of the Three Sannin's works!Such a disappointment!
Yukawa suddenly recalled that Icha Icha Paradise was published by Jiraiya at the age of 42, so it was likely unavailable at this time.
"I'll take The Time of Thunder" instead."
Yukawa lost interest in the other books and moved on to the main topic.
The Time of Thunder was the Hidden Mist Village's code phrase.
"This book is a private collection of the owner. I'll take you to meet him."
The young woman's eyes sharpened, and she spoke.
Under her guidance, Yukawa went upstairs to the second floor of the bookstore.
"Number 9527, I'm glad you're still alive."
After the young woman left, a middle-aged man with an ordinary appearance appeared before Yukawa.
"Still alive?"
Yukawa observed him, but there was no relevant impression in his memory.
"I'm your contact. Just call me Tsuya."
Noticing Yukawa's confused expression, Tsuya introduced himself and explained the reason for his odd greeting.
Not long ago, the Hidden Mist Village had planned to kidnap Kushina Uzumaki.
Though the plan had failed, it angered Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Konoha immediately began a comprehensive search, including at the orphanages.
Yukawa was the last survivor of this batch.
"..."
Yukawa felt a chill run down his spine.
If it hadn't been for the system that had suddenly appeared, he would have been dead by now.
This was Yukawa's first true understanding of how tough undercover work could be.
"So, how are things going for you?"
Tsuya poured Yukawa a glass of water and asked.
Yukawa took a couple of sips before recounting his experiences, leaving out the part about the system.
"You have such talent?"
Tsuya looked surprised, then seemed to regret something. "If I had known, I wouldn't have let you come here."
Sending a genius as an undercover agent was clearly a waste—Yukawa would have had more impact in the Hidden Mist Village.
But now, leaving was not an option. He had already caught the attention of Sarutobi Hiruzen and Danzo Shimura.
"I want to stay in Konoha!"
Yukawa said firmly. "It's all for the Hidden Mist Village!"
He hadn't had a choice before, but now, he only wanted to be a good ninja.
Tsuya looked at him with deep emotion.
"With you here, how could the Hidden Mist Village fail?"
Yukawa nodded.
Though his thoughts felt slightly ironic, he couldn't help but admit that the Hidden Mist Village had a good atmosphere—there was less intrigue and more respect for strength.
"I should do what's right," Yukawa said, as if moved by Tsuya's words.
Tsuya took a deep breath to calm himself.
He looked at Yukawa and said, "Your situation is very different from what I expected, so the original mission no longer fits."
The Hidden Mist Village had originally planned for Yukawa to infiltrate the orphanage and gather intel.
But now that he had joined the Ninja Academy and had caught the attention of Konoha's upper echelons, their plan needed to change.
Tsuya fell into deep thought.
In truth, Yukawa's current situation was more advantageous to the Hidden Mist Village.
Because now, he had the qualification to rise through the ranks.
The Hidden Mist Village had succeeded in kidnapping Kushina Uzumaki because they had an agent in the Anbu.
But they no longer had anyone in the Anbu. They were in urgent need of agents in the middle and high ranks.
"Yukawa, your future mission is to become a true genius."
Tsuya spoke thoughtfully.
Yukawa immediately understood his plan.
This was indeed the best task for him.
He had passed Sarutobi's inspection, so as long as he didn't make a mistake, he would be a true Konoha ninja.
He could rise step by step to the highest ranks.
"From now on, if anything urgent happens, come to the Konoha bookstore to find me."
Tsuya patted Yukawa's shoulder and advised, "Be safe. All the hopes of the village rest on you now."
"I understand."
Yukawa's voice was serious.
"Do well."
Tsuya smiled and said, "There will be rewards for you in the future. You might even catch the eye of the Raikage and be taught the Lightning Style physical techniques."
"Thank you, Uncle Tsuya."
Yukawa's eyes lit up, and he smiled.
He had always been very interested in the Raikage's physical techniques.
There was no need to mention the Raikage's skills—they were legendary, with many impressive achievements.
"When you leave, take two books to avoid suspicion."
Tsuya reminded him.
"Can I take more?"
Yukawa thought of his real mission today: the orphanage.
Books would make a good gift, and he could also cover up the lie he told to Asahi.
"Sure."
Tsuya paused and added, "But don't take too many. At your age, you can't afford them."
Tsuya was a veteran undercover agent—he had thought of everything.
Impressive!
Yukawa went downstairs, chose seven picture books, and left the bookstore.
As he stepped outside, he stopped in his tracks.
A familiar figure appeared in the distance: Uchiha Obito.
He was helping an elderly woman across the street.
Yukawa thought for a moment, then decided not to approach. Instead, he turned and walked toward the orphanage.
"Thanks for your help again, Obito."
The elderly woman glanced at Yukawa, and for a brief moment, a sharp glint flashed in her eyes before she returned to her kind demeanor.