Sahara Mizu's Intelligence

The next morning, a light fog.

Sahara Mizu, forced to wake early, felt a bit miserable.

This was a peculiar soul-ache born from psychology, triggered by the bizarre reality of transmigrating into another world only to still have to clock in like a corporate slave.

In short, work syndrome.

Even though this rhythm of starting at eight, ending at ten, seven days a week had persisted for a long time since the war began, Sahara Mizu still couldn't shake the grip of this affliction.

There was also a side effect from his cheat.

"Consumed Heart Points: 1"

"Limitless Technique · Stage One → Stage Two"

"Information localization, complete"

"External Brain · Fuinjutsu Specific Type (S): An external technique affixed to the brain's surface in the form of Fuinjutsu, specialized for adapting to the 'Six Eyes,' activated without side effects. Enables high-intensity use of the 'Six Eyes' for short periods, generating a small amount of 'Power of Stopping.'"

"Next Stage Heart Points: 2"

Sahara Mizu glanced at the panel's contents.

As he thought, he reached out, pressing his fingertip against a pen and standing it upright.

If someone were to lean in extremely close at that moment, they'd see a minuscule gap between the tip of Sahara Mizu's finger and the pen's end.

Yet the pen stood steadily in midair, completely still.

However, after using this ability for just a few seconds, it felt like an iron skewer was stirring inside his head.

At least the pressure from the "Six Eyes" wasn't as overwhelming as before.

After a short while, he stopped.

The pen fell into his palm.

"Sigh."

"A fifteen-year-old child laborer. How pathetic."

Sahara Mizu leaned back, settling into his workstation, and couldn't help but let out a sigh.

But soon, he dared not make a sound.

Behind Sahara Mizu, a figure—gaunt, haggard, with sunken eyes and a tangible layer of black smoke clinging to his body—slowly stepped out from the break room on one side of the office.

Staring at him with a resentful gaze that could strangle a man, he walked heavily toward the seat at the front.

Until, as he passed behind Sahara Mizu.

"Sa~ha~ra~kun~"

Nara Shikaetsu's voice echoed like it was reverberating through a valley, drawn out long: "The pain of having to get up just an hour after closing your eyes. You understand that, don't you?"

"Today, don't think you're getting off so easily."

"Yes, sir!"

Sahara Mizu immediately straightened his posture.

Clearly, today was going to be rough.

And indeed it was. As soon as work hours began, the workload for everyone shot up noticeably.

But it wasn't because of Sahara Mizu's 'payback' from yesterday—it was simply that the front lines had launched another round of offensives, naturally increasing the amount of intelligence to process.

After over two years of experience in intelligence work, Sahara Mizu handled these issues fairly adeptly.

While working, he still had time to consider other matters.

Even though he now had the system in hand, the task Karatachi Yagura had given him still needed to be completed quickly.

Even a leashed dog needed time to grow.

Besides, this mission's content wasn't too difficult for him anymore.

"Steal intelligence on 'Tsunade's Team'"

According to the intel Karatachi Yagura had obtained, Kirigakure learned through underground trade channels that Tsunade's Team had headed to the front lines four days ago for a high-classification mission. The team consisted of four Jonin, accompanied by at least three Anbu or Root squads as cover.

Just this setup alone put the entire Kirigakure high command on high alert.

After all, this wasn't the era of the 'First Generation' of each village.

Kinkaku and Ginkaku's small elite force had managed to surround and kill the Second Raikage and Second Hokage. Even the leader of Amegakure, called the 'Demi-God,' had over a dozen elites setting up barriers around him daily to prevent ambushes. The Third Tsuchikage had even organized a special unit codenamed 'Explosion' for defense.

This was wartime.

Even the village leaders, titled 'Kage,' had to be wary of this elite squad led by Tsunade attempting a surprise assassination.

Rumor had it that the 'Monster Strength Fist' she invented was a sure-kill technique against single targets.

'Since it involves such a high-level covert operation, it's at least A-rank or S-rank.'

Sahara Mizu analyzed the Kirigakure high command's thought process in his mind while considering where to start.

Once he had clarified every detail, he suddenly stood up from his workstation and reported.

"Lord Shikaetsu, the B-group section is fully organized!"

"Good." Nara Shikaetsu didn't look up. "Take those two stacks to the Sealed Archive."

"Eh!"

He deliberately put on a slightly reluctant expression.

The stacks of documents were nearly as tall as he was, and carrying them was quite heavy.

Nara Shikaetsu immediately stiffened his face:

"Go now!"

"Yes, yes."

After being scolded twice, Sahara Mizu finally walked out of the office as if somewhat unwillingly.

A cheerful grin cracked across Nara Shikaetsu's gaunt, dark face, even his dark circles seeming to lighten a shade.

Hmph!

This brat needed a bit of pressure to understand the authority of a senior!

Sahara Mizu stepped out of the office and quickly swapped his expression.

Clearly, this was the convenience of working in the Intelligence Agency.

Though not all mission content passed through their hands, when necessary, they could freely use their permits to access the Sealed Archive, which stored various high-classification materials.

Because of the special nature of this work, the councilor of this office was always appointed from a 'Good Child of Konoha'—someone with a clean background, a complete family, detailed growth records from childhood, and many friends to vouch for them.

For most spies, this was practically a death sentence.

But for Sahara Mizu, entering and leaving the Sealed Archive was just part of the job.

"Halt. Chakra detection."

"Yes."

Sahara Mizu stopped at the entrance of the Sealed Archive, pressed his palm against a Sealing Array, and slowly channeled his Chakra.

At the same time, he opened his 'Six Eyes.'

In an instant, everything within his surroundings became crystal clear.

At the entrance, a full standard squad led by a Jonin stood guard. Inside the Sealed Archive, on the ceiling, in the corners, and in hidden chambers, an entire Anbu squad was concealed.

Beyond that, the four walls of the Sealed Archive were reinforced with a powerful repulsion barrier.

If anyone tried to infiltrate, unless they blasted down from the floor above, it would be absolutely impossible to break into this secret room.

As for why the ceiling was left as a weak point, the reason was simple—directly above the Sealed Archive was the Hokage's Office.

The barriers of these two rooms were integrated as one.

Still, Sahara Mizu acted as usual.

Entering the Sealed Archive, he saw the entire spacious room lined with dense filing cabinets like a library.

As he walked toward the B-section cabinets, he used his 'Six Eyes' to rapidly scan through different cabinets.

Despite the sheer volume of documents, he only needed to start from the deepest S-class confidential cabinet, searching for the pages closest to today's date.

However, with his mind fully occupied by the 'Six Eyes,' Sahara Mizu's movements inevitably slowed slightly compared to usual.

Until he finally reached the filing cabinet, his fingertips brushing the handle.

"Slap."

Without warning, a hand abruptly clamped onto his wrist.

Sahara Mizu's movements tensed instantly.

In his field of vision, an Anbu mask painted with a wildcat pattern reflected back.

A young man, wrapped entirely in pitch-black Anbu combat gear, stood before him, his build similar to Sahara Mizu's. Only a signature tuft of Blonde Hair spiked upward. His entire approach had made no sound at all.

And he was terrifyingly fast.

At the same time, in the 'Six Eyes' vision, the remaining three Anbu members had also taken positions—crouching on the ceiling, perched on a countertop, and behind him—encircling him completely.

Watching for any suspicious move.

But Sahara Mizu, experienced with Anbu, didn't jump to wild suspicions like he had at home yesterday.

Almost instinctively, his face showed a mix of confusion and tension, perfectly natural:

"May I ask what this is about?"

The Blonde Hair Anbu, who had his hand on Sahara Mizu's pulse and sensed his heartbeat, seemed to relax slightly. He lowered his voice and said coldly: "From 10 PM last night, the B-section materials have been moved to Cabinet 17."

"The other cabinets are sealed. No reopening allowed."

Immediately, Sahara Mizu seemed to fully relax, offering an apologetic smile:

"Sorry, I was on leave last night."

"Mm."

The blonde Anbu finally released his wrist and prepared to continue his covert mission.

However, Sahara Mizu seemed to suddenly notice the familiar blonde hair and silhouette, speaking with a hint of uncertainty:

"Also."

"You're Minato-kun, aren't you?"

"It's been a long time."

Namikaze Minato's departing steps paused slightly. Beneath the mask, his voice no longer concealed itself, though his tone remained somewhat distant.

"Apologies."

"During a mission, please refrain from revealing an Anbu's true name."