Meeting Between Undercover Agents

Hikawa ran against the wind along Konoha's streets.

As a spy, the most important quality was caution.

His plan was to jog first, then when he reached the Konoha Knowledge Bookstore, pretend he was tired and go inside to rest.

Even if someone noticed something off, he could just say he was a passing Kamen Rider... oh no, an elementary school student.

"Hikawa!"

A familiar voice came from far to near.

Hikawa turned his head, and what came into view was a figure so green it was blinding.

Might Guy, running on his hands.

"Morning."

Hikawa nodded with a smile.

After a week of training, they were already fairly acquainted.

"Don't worry about me."

Hikawa was still far behind him and couldn't keep up with his training.

"Alright then, I'm speeding up!"

Might Guy took a corner like a drainage ditch and vanished in no time.

"..."

Hikawa ran in silence.

An hour later, he stopped in front of the Konoha Knowledge Bookstore.

He was just about at his limit, his body feeling hollowed out.

"Hikawa!"

Just then, Might Guy's voice came from not far away.

Was it coming?

A helpless expression spread across Hikawa's face.

"Have you ignited your backup energy?"

Might Guy clenched his fists, his whole body trembling as he spoke. "You have to give it your all, fight to the end, to live up to your youth!"

The passersby nearby instinctively took half a step back.

Such a small move, yet so much damage.

Hikawa stood there, expressionless.

At that moment, he felt like he was back in the days of shouting slogans before the College Entrance Exam.

This was the downside of getting familiar with Might Guy—he often reminded Hikawa of the youth that had faded under the setting sun.

But today, he definitely couldn't do it, and he still had to meet up with the Kumogakure ninja.

Hikawa slowly walked into the Konoha Knowledge Bookstore.

Might Guy wasn't angry.

The fact that Hikawa had never shown any strange expression toward his antics was already rare.

Before him, only Hatake Kakashi and a few others had treated him normally.

He turned and continued his journey of youth.

Hikawa glanced left and right.

Because he had arrived early, there was no one else in the Konoha Knowledge Bookstore.

"Little one, what book are you looking for?"

A young woman walked over and asked with a smile.

"Do you have Make-Out Paradise?"

Hikawa thought for a moment, then asked.

In his past life, he had been 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.

Not even a masterpiece from one of the Konoha Three Ninjas, Jiraiya?

No book, smash the store!

Then Hikawa suddenly remembered that Make-Out Paradise was a book Jiraiya published at age forty-two, so it really didn't exist yet.

"I want to buy the book Time of Thunder."

Hikawa lost interest and cut straight to the point.

"Time of Thunder" was precisely the code phrase of Kumogakure.

"That book is the owner's private collection. I'll take you to see him."

The young woman's gaze sharpened as she spoke.

Under her guidance, Hikawa arrived at 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 Hikawa.

What does he mean, still alive?

Hikawa studied him, but found no relevant impression in his memories.

"I'm your handler. Just call me Tsuchihashi."

Noticing his expression, Tsuchihashi introduced himself and explained why he'd greeted him that way.

Not long ago, Kumogakure had planned a kidnapping operation targeting Kushina Uzumaki.

The operation failed, but it enraged Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Konoha immediately launched a full-scale investigation, including the orphans at the Orphanage.

Hikawa was the last survivor of their batch.

"..."

Hikawa felt a chill of fear.

If the system hadn't suddenly descended upon him, he'd be a corpse by now.

He truly understood the hardship of being a spy.

"How are you doing now?"

Tsuchihashi poured him a glass of water and asked.

Hikawa took a couple of sips and gave him a rough account of his experiences, omitting the system.

"You have such talent?"

Tsuchihashi's face showed surprise, then regret. "I shouldn't have sent you here."

Sending a genius to be a spy was clearly a waste. He could have achieved far more in Kumogakure.

But leaving now would be difficult for Hikawa, since he'd already caught the attention of Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzō.

"I'm willing to stay in Konoha!"

Hikawa said with firm resolve. "Everything for Kumogakure!"

Before, he had no choice. Now, he just wanted to be a good ninja.

The light of righteousness shone upon Tsuchihashi's face.

He said with great emotion, "With people like you, how can Kumogakure not prosper!"

You're really deep in character.

But thinking about it, Kumogakure's atmosphere was indeed decent—not much scheming, just strength above all.

Hikawa followed the flow and said, "It's what I should do."

Tsuchihashi took a deep breath, suppressing his emotions.

He looked at Hikawa and said, "Your situation is very different from what I expected, so the original mission is no longer suitable."

Kumogakure's previous plan was for Hikawa to blend into the Orphanage and gather intelligence on the side.

But now that he'd joined the Ninja Academy and caught the attention of Konoha's higher-ups, the plan had to change.

Tsuchihashi fell into thought.

To be honest, Hikawa was now more useful to Kumogakure.

Because he had the qualifications to climb upward.

The reason Kumogakure had succeeded in kidnapping Kushina Uzumaki was that they'd used a spy in the Anbu.

But that spy was spent, and they were desperately short of mid- and high-level moles.

"Hikawa, your mission from now on is to be a true genius."

Tsuchihashi said thoughtfully.

Hikawa understood his intention immediately.

This was indeed the most suitable mission for him.

He'd already passed Sarutobi Hiruzen's inspection. As long as he didn't slip up, he'd be a genuine Konoha ninja.

Step by step, he could reach the very top.

"If you ever run into an emergency, come find me at the Konoha Bookstore."

Tsuchihashi patted him on the shoulder and urged, "Stay safe. The whole village's hopes are riding on you now."

"I understand."

Hikawa's tone was serious.

"Do a good job."

Tsuchihashi said with a smile. "There'll be rewards down the line. Maybe you'll even catch the Raikage's eye and get to learn Nintaijutsu."

"Thanks, Uncle Tsuchihashi."

Hikawa's eyes lit up slightly, and he smiled too.

He was really itching to get his hands on Kumogakure's Nintaijutsu.

The Fourth Raikage's Nintaijutsu went without saying—its track record in the original story was impressive.

"Take two books when you leave, so no one gets suspicious."

Tsuchihashi reminded him.

"Can I take a few more?"

Hikawa thought of his goal for today—the orphanage.

Books would make good gifts, and they'd also cover up the lie he'd told Yuhi Shinko.

"You can."

Tsuchihashi paused, then added, "But not too many. At your age, you can't afford that much."

What a seasoned undercover agent—he had it all figured out.

So thorough! My man!

Hikawa went downstairs, picked out seven picture books that kids would like, and left the Konoha Bookstore.

He stopped as soon as he stepped outside.

Not far away, a familiar figure appeared—Obito Uchiha.

He was helping a white-haired old lady cross the street.

Hikawa thought it over, decided not to greet him, and turned toward the orphanage.

"Sorry to trouble you again today, Obito."

The old lady glanced at Hikawa, a sharp glint flashing in her eyes before it vanished, and she immediately resumed her kindly expression.