Chapter 10: Undercover Agents Meet
Hoshikawa ran against the wind on the streets of Konoha Village.
As an undercover agent, the most important quality was caution.
His plan was to run first, and when he reached the Konoha Knowledge Bookstore, pretend to be tired and go in to rest.
Even if someone noticed something amiss, he could say he was just a passing Kamen Rider... oh no, a primary school student.
"Hoshikawa!"
A familiar voice approached from a distance.
Hoshikawa turned his head, and what greeted his eyes was a figure so green it was unnerving.
Might Guy, running on his hands.
"Good morning."
Hoshikawa smiled and nodded.
After a week of training, they were already quite familiar with each other.
"You don't have to mind me."
Hoshikawa was still far behind him and couldn't keep up with his training.
"Alright then, I'm going to speed up now!"
Might Guy made a drainage ditch turn and quickly disappeared.
"..."
Hoshikawa ran in silence.
An hour later, he stopped in front of the Konoha Knowledge Bookstore.
He was almost at his limit, his body feeling drained.
"Hoshikawa!"
Just then, Might Guy's voice came from nearby.
Is it coming?
Hoshikawa's face showed helplessness.
"Has your reserve energy kicked in?"
Might Guy clenched his fists, trembling, and said, "You must exert all your strength and fight to the end to live up to your youth!"
Nearby pedestrians, seeing this, instinctively took half a step back.
Such a small gesture, yet so much damage.
Hoshikawa stood in place expressionlessly.
He felt as if he was transported back to the time before his college entrance exam, shouting slogans.
The downside of getting familiar with Might Guy had become apparent: he often made Hoshikawa reminisce about his youth lost in the sunset.
But he definitely couldn't do it today, and he still had to meet with the Kumogakure ninja.
Hoshikawa slowly walked into the Konoha Knowledge Bookstore.
Might Guy wasn't angry.
It was already rare for Hoshikawa not to show any strange expression at his various behaviors.
Before him, only Kakashi Hatake and a few others could treat him normally.
He turned and continued his youthful journey.
Hoshikawa looked left and right.
Because he arrived early, there was no one else in the Konoha Knowledge Bookstore.
"Little one, what book do you want to buy?"
A young woman walked over and asked with a smile.
"Do you have Make-Out Paradise?"
Hoshikawa thought for a moment and then asked.
In his previous life, he was very curious about Jiraiya's masterpiece, Make-Out Paradise.
Now that he had the chance, he naturally couldn't miss it.
"No."
The young woman shook her head.
They don't even have the masterpiece of Jiraiya, one of the Legendary Sannin of Konoha?
This shop deserves to be smashed!
Hoshikawa suddenly remembered that Make-Out Paradise was published by Jiraiya when he was 42, so it indeed wasn't available yet.
"I want to buy the book When the Thunder Roars."
Hoshikawa lost interest and went straight to the point.
When the Thunder Roars was the code phrase for Kumogakure.
"This book is the boss's private collection; I'll take you to him."
The young woman's gaze sharpened, and she said.
Under her guidance, Hoshikawa arrived on the second floor of the bookstore.
"Code 9527, glad you're still alive."
After the young woman left, an ordinary-looking middle-aged man appeared before Hoshikawa.
What do you mean, 'glad I'm still alive?'
Hoshikawa scrutinized him, but he had no related impression in his memory.
"I'm your contact person. You can call me Tobashi."
Tobashi noticed his expression and introduced himself, also explaining why he greeted him that way.
Not long ago, Kumogakure had planned an operation to kidnap Kushina Uzumaki.
Although the operation didn't succeed, it angered Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Konoha Village immediately conducted a comprehensive sweep, including the orphans in the orphanage.
Hoshikawa was the last survivor of their batch.
"..."
Hoshikawa felt a chill down his spine upon hearing this.
If it weren't for the sudden arrival of the system, he would already be a corpse.
He truly understood the difficulty of being an undercover agent.
"How is your current situation?"
Tobashi poured him a glass of water and asked.
Hoshikawa took two sips and then told him his general experiences, omitting the system.
"You possess such talent?"
Tobashi's face showed surprise, followed by regret. "I wish I hadn't sent you."
Sending a genius to be an undercover agent was clearly a waste; he could achieve greater effects in Kumogakure.
But it would be very difficult for Hoshikawa to leave now, as he had already been targeted by Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura.
"I am willing to stay in Konoha Village!"
Hoshikawa said with a firm expression, "Everything is for Kumogakure!"
Before, he had no choice. Now, he just wanted to be a good ninja.
The light of righteousness shone on Tobashi's face.
He said with great emotion, "With people like you, how can Kumogakure not prosper!"
You're really getting into character.
But on second thought, the atmosphere in Kumogakure was indeed good, without too much scheming, and respect was based on strength.
Hoshikawa readily agreed, "It's what I should do."
Tobashi took a deep breath, suppressing his emotions.
He looked at Hoshikawa and said, "Your situation is very different from what I anticipated, so the original mission is no longer suitable."
Kumogakure's previous plan was for Hoshikawa to infiltrate the orphanage and then seize the opportunity to gather intelligence.
But now that he had joined the Ninja Academy and gained the attention of Konoha's higher-ups, the plan naturally had to change.
Tobashi fell into contemplation.
Honestly, Hoshikawa was now more beneficial to Kumogakure.
Because he had gained the qualification to climb higher.
Kumogakure was able to successfully kidnap Kushina Uzumaki because they used an undercover agent in the Anbu.
But after using them, they were gone, and they desperately needed mid-to-high-level undercover agents.
"Hoshikawa, your future mission is to become a true genius."
Tobashi said thoughtfully.
Hoshikawa understood his idea immediately.
This was indeed the most suitable mission for him.
He had already passed Hiruzen Sarutobi's inspection; as long as he didn't reveal himself, he was a genuine Konoha ninja.
He could climb step by step to the very top.
"If you encounter any urgent matters in the future, come find me at the Konoha Bookstore."
Tobashi patted his shoulder and instructed, "Be careful. The hope of the entire village rests on you now."
"I understand."
Hoshikawa said in a serious tone.
"Do well."
Tobashi said with a smile, "There will definitely be corresponding rewards in the future. Perhaps you'll even gain the Raikage-sama's appreciation and receive Ninjutsu Body Techniques."
"Thank you, Uncle Tobashi."
Hoshikawa's eyes lit up, and he smiled.
He was quite eager for Kumogakure's Ninjutsu Body Techniques.
There was no need to elaborate on the Fourth Raikage's Ninjutsu Body Techniques; in the original story, they were quite impressive.
"When you leave, take two books, so no one suspects anything."
Tobashi reminded him.
"Can I take more than a few?"
Hoshikawa thought of his purpose for the day: the orphanage.
Using books as gifts would be good and would also cover the lie he told Yūhi Shinku.
"You can."
Tobashi paused and said, "But not too many; your current age can't account for that much money."
As expected of an old undercover agent, so many tricks up his sleeve.
So meticulous! My uncle!
Hoshikawa went downstairs, picked out seven children's picture books he thought they'd like, and left the Konoha Bookstore.
He stopped just outside the door.
A familiar figure appeared not far away: Obito Uchiha.
He was helping an elderly, white-haired old lady cross the street.
Hoshikawa thought for a moment, decided not to go up and greet them, and turned to walk towards the orphanage.
"You've gone to trouble for me again today, Obito."
The old lady glanced at Hoshikawa, a shrewd glint flashing in her eyes before she immediately returned to her kindly demeanor.
....
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