Natsuhiko could be considered a spy—
But he was a clan spy, not the kind planted by another village.
In some sense, he was somewhat similar to the future Uchiha Itachi.
The key difference was that Natsuhiko had no intention of playing the role of a tragic double agent.
Perhaps the Third Hokage felt a lingering sense of guilt, or perhaps he simply believed the Senju had fallen so far that they could no longer kick up any real waves.
Whatever the reason, Natsuhiko's entry into the Anbu had been smooth. Still, Natsuhiko wasn't naive enough to think the village higher-ups were blind to his true identity.
The elder who had raised him had used connections that were trustworthy—
But one should never underestimate those who hold power in the village.
When it came to Natsuhiko, they could choose to see everything.
Or pretend to see nothing.
The only difference lay in which option better served their interests.
After a full night's rest, Natsuhiko and Kakashi rose early.
According to the ninja hounds' report, nothing unusual had happened during the night.
Either Kakuzu hadn't caught up—
Or he hadn't found them.
Whichever it was, they appeared to be safe.
After erasing the traces left behind, the two quickly set off and returned to Konoha.
The Anbu's route back into the village differed from that of ordinary ninja.
Konoha did not have only one entrance.
The difference was that the other entrances weren't guarded by ordinary ninja.
Those gates were primarily guarded by Anbu—or Root.
Regular ninja were not permitted to use them.
After undergoing inspection, Natsuhiko and Kakashi entered Konoha smoothly.
However, as they approached the Anbu headquarters, Natsuhiko suddenly stopped.
"What's wrong, Captain?" Kakashi asked, confused. He still hadn't figured out what was going on.
"When the mission is complete and we're dismissed, you're going to report to the Fourth Hokage, right?" Natsuhiko asked quietly after a moment of thought.
Kakashi frowned.
He didn't understand what Natsuhiko was implying.
However, he could tell that Natsuhiko's tone remained gentle and calm, giving off a warm and friendly impression.
Combined with the soft smile he wore when unmasked, it greatly increased one's sense of goodwill toward him.
Kakashi didn't understand his intentions, but after thinking for a moment, he nodded seriously.
"In that case, when you report, try not to mention what I told you last night. Especially the first part."
Natsuhiko lightly patted Kakashi on the shoulder and continued leisurely.
"If you absolutely must report it, put it in a written document. Don't say it out loud. And if you can, give the Hokage a message: tell him his recent moves have been... misunderstood."
After saying that, Natsuhiko immediately fell silent.
As if nothing had happened, he walked toward the Anbu headquarters.
Kakashi stood frozen in place.
He had no idea what Natsuhiko meant.
But he also didn't think it was appropriate to ask.
He could tell that his captain—and former classmate—had no intention of explaining.
In fact, if he pressed further, Natsuhiko might simply give him a puzzled look and ask, "What are you talking about?"
With a stomach full of questions, Kakashi accompanied Natsuhiko to submit the mission report.
Due to certain special circumstances, they had returned with only a head.
The Commander seemed somewhat dissatisfied.
However, he did not blame Kakashi.
Instead, he criticized Natsuhiko.
According to him, how could an elite Anbu like Natsuhiko—especially one leading a genius ninja like Kakashi—allow such a situation to occur?
Natsuhiko did not argue.
Instead, he calmly and politely admitted that it was his fault the mission had encountered complications—
And that Kakashi bore no responsibility.
However, after that, he gave a detailed report of the mission.
This made the Commander frown slightly.
Kakuzu—the legendary bounty hunter.
They had actually run into him?
If that was the case, then Natsuhiko and Kakashi bringing back the target's head could indeed be considered a perfectly completed mission.
With that in mind, the Commander no longer made things difficult for them.
Or rather, he had never really intended to make things difficult for Natsuhiko in the first place.
But to Kakashi, the whole scene felt somewhat strange.
Natsuhiko's earlier words were still echoing in his mind.
Even if he didn't fully understand, he wasn't stupid.
He began to suspect that the Commander's hostility had actually been directed at him.
After submitting the mission, Natsuhiko and Kakashi left the Anbu headquarters.
They didn't speak much, and soon they parted ways.
Watching Kakashi's departing figure, Natsuhiko finally let the gentle expression he habitually wore beneath his mask fade away.
Although he had long grown accustomed to maintaining that warm smile toward everyone—
So much so that, over time, even he sometimes felt he truly was a kind person—
How could someone who had operated in the Anbu for years truly be kind?
Spending a day on a mission with Kakashi, that cold, despairing, lifeless aura surrounding him had even made it difficult for Natsuhiko to keep smiling.
Shaking his head, Natsuhiko thought that Kakashi's current state was terrible.
But precisely because it was so terrible, it was the perfect state for him to do something.
"After all, he's the student of the Savior's teacher, and the disciple of Minato Namikaze.
If he hadn't been inserted into my squad, that would be one thing.
But now that he has… if I don't do something, that wouldn't be good."
After adjusting his breathing slightly, the face beneath Natsuhiko's mask once again became gentle.
Even if no one could see it, maintaining the habit had its benefits.
Especially since he himself was used to it.
If he wanted to become the biggest boss in the ninja world—
In other words, to step onto this treacherous and ever-shifting grand stage, and even stand at its center—
Then he needed to create a persona of his own.
He had no intention of imitating Uchiha Madara.
That was the archetype of a classic villain—cold, ruthless, trusting no one, controlling subordinates through sheer overwhelming force.
Although Natsuhiko didn't think of himself as a good person either—
As he always said, was Anbu work something a normal human would do?
Five years immersed in darkness and slaughter had long stripped him of any illusion that he was good.
But he could create the image of a good person.
His best models were the First Hokage and the Fourth Hokage:
"Strong," "bright," "humble,"
With necessary "firmness" when required,
And "low-profile" restraint when not.
That was the style Natsuhiko had always maintained.
And it had to be said—
Those "labels" truly benefited him.
Whether among former classmates or within the Anbu, he had always enjoyed a good reputation.
His squad trusted him deeply—
The kind who would help count the money even after being sold by him.
"What a pity. Since Kakashi has been inserted into the squad, someone will inevitably have to leave."
Natsuhiko shook his head slightly and decided not to dwell on it.
There were no famous figures in his squad.
Their abilities were fairly ordinary, most of them having come from orphanages.
However, they were loyal and reliable.
The only downside was that they were all marked as belonging to the Third Hokage's faction.
"Perhaps that's fine. With Kakashi joining, some things can be adjusted."
Lifting his head, Natsuhiko's gaze fell upon the Hokage Rock.
The smile beneath his mask grew even brighter.
"Giving the Fourth and Kakashi a little warning—
On one hand, it counts as doing something for the clan.
On the other hand, it benefits me as well.
Two birds with one stone."