I'm the Undercover Agent, I Was the Undercover Agent

In the blink of an eye, two days passed.

Akashi began to analyze the "assets" of Shinnō.

He had scavenged two and a half million ryo in cash, a stack of medical ninjutsu manuscripts, and secret techniques for physical regeneration. Furthermore, the copies and various classics he had brought out from the library were also of immense value.

Some of them were things even Orochimaru did not know about.

Thinking of this, Akashi could not help but feel delighted, his footsteps becoming much lighter as he walked down the road.

However, a figure that suddenly descended interrupted his mood. It was a masked ninja with a short blade strapped to his back, his aura imposing, like a drawn sword.

An Anbu ninja!

Akashi retreated half a step in alert: "Who are you?"

The other party did not answer, stating concisely: "Lord Hokage requests your presence."

"Understood, I will head over immediately." Akashi said with a fake smile, though his brows furrowed slightly the second the Anbu ninja left.

He had reported the situation just yesterday; it made no sense to be summoned today.

Did the old man have something else on his mind?

With doubts in his heart, Akashi walked quickly toward the Hokage office. Upon entering, he saw two stern faces. It was not just the Third Hokage present, but also Danzo, accompanied by an Anbu ninja.

This was the first time he had seen such a scene.

Akashi offered the customary greeting and stood respectfully, waiting for the two leaders to speak.

The Third Hokage weighed his tone, waved the Anbu ninja away, and spoke slowly.

"I called you here on short notice because I want to confirm something. I hope you will be honest with me; you know that I have always trusted you."

His tone was gentle, but his expression was not pleasant.

Hearing this, Akashi became cautious: "I will tell you everything I know."

Danzo threw a stack of documents onto the floor and said from a position of superiority: "Good. Then explain this: what is the meaning of you entering the laboratory multiple times over the past two months and making contact with Orochimaru?"

Seeing the investigation files, Akashi understood everything in his heart.

Most likely, that old dog Danzo had discovered his tracks while monitoring Orochimaru and was feeling guilty.

His prejudice against the Uchiha was deep-rooted, yet such a man was incredibly desperate to obtain the power of the Uchiha clan's Sharingan, even going so far as to modify his own body.

How ridiculous.

Fortunately, he had been prepared for this situation. Akashi met Danzo's gaze and said unhurriedly: "I was previously a subordinate of Lord Orochimaru. Is there any problem with catching up on old times?"

"Catching up?" Danzo's gaze was sharp, "In the laboratory?"

Clearly, this explanation did not convince him.

The Third Hokage took a puff of his pipe to ease his fatigue, the image of his proud disciple surfacing in his mind.

He had once regarded him as the genius he valued and relied on most, yet for some reason, he had drifted away, even serving in Danzo's Root for a time, before eventually immersing himself in the laboratory, quietly tinkering with things no one understood.

Was it because he wasn't chosen as Hokage?

Or was he unable to let go of Nawaki's death?

The Third Hokage felt it was necessary to have a talk with Orochimaru. As for Akashi's behavior, it was indeed somewhat abnormal.

An Uchiha clan member seeking out Orochimaru to "catch up" sounded very strange.

He furrowed his brows, looking on in confusion.

Seeing the two men's gazes fixed on him, Akashi brought out his second explanation: "Fine, I admit it. Aside from catching up, there was another reason."

"Speak," Danzo pressed.

"It was an undercover mission. I was acting as a mole."

Akashi shrugged, wearing an expression of helplessness.

The two were all too familiar with the word "mole." The Third Hokage looked sharply at Danzo, and Danzo suddenly looked at the Third Hokage.

The two locked eyes, searching for secrets in each other's gaze: Was it you?

Soon, the two, who understood each other very well, saw the denial in each other's eyes.

They turned their gaze back to Akashi.

"What do you mean?"

"Many of the Uchiha clan's corpses on the battlefield either went missing or had their eyes gouged out. The clan head suspected that the enemy was committing these atrocities for the Sharingan. After the recovery team's investigation, suspicion fell on Orochimaru. Because I was once a subordinate of Lord Orochimaru, they had me go undercover."

Akashi suddenly looked at Danzo, "What do you think?"

Danzo's heart skipped a beat: "I... am not sure."

He knew better than anyone who had been digging out Sharingan; the person who coveted the power of the Sharingan most was not Orochimaru, but him!

Akashi understood this as well, which was why he deliberately threw out the question.

A counter-attack.

Danzo no longer pressed the issue, his face darkening as he remained silent.

The Third Hokage pondered for a long time before saying, "Akashi, Orochimaru would not do such a thing. You should have reported the Uchiha clan's thoughts to me first; I would have handled it properly. In truth, I do not mean to doubt you; I am merely puzzled and asked a few extra questions to ensure you do not stray from the right path."

"Thank you for your concern, Lord Hokage."

Akashi sneered inwardly. What a classic performance—one playing the good cop, the other the bad.

The Third Hokage nodded, offered a few more words of comfort, and stood up to personally see Akashi out.

Click. The door was firmly shut.

"Danzo, you were wrong again."

"Hmph, the Uchiha clan cannot be trusted. Sarutobi, hand this child over to me!" Danzo felt a deep sense of unease. He pressed his palms against the desk, a glint of malice flashing in his dead-fish eyes.

"Impossible. I have already promised him he would join the Anbu in two years."

"Have you forgotten that the Root is also known as the Anbu Training Department? Let me mentor this child first to ensure his ideology remains sound. You wouldn't want a blade that wavers, would you?"

"This..." The Third Hokage hesitated.

After all, the boy was a member of the Uchiha clan; could he truly be fully trusted?

Perhaps the best way to control him was to let Danzo make contact first. Only by understanding the darkness within the Root of Konoha would he realize how precious the Konoha under the sun truly was, and only then could he better stand on my side.

Just like Kakashi back then.

"One year. You must return him to me after one year. That is my bottom line."

In the end, the Third Hokage compromised.

"That depends on his own willingness," Danzo retorted with a cold sneer.

"Do not use those despicable methods," the Third Hokage warned. "He is, after all, of the Uchiha clan. If you cause a massive disaster, I may not be able to protect you."

As expected of my old friend, distancing himself so quickly?

Danzo grunted in agreement, though he was secretly hardening his resolve: Return him? That is only if he is still alive in a year...

Stepping out of the Hokage Building, Akashi let out a long breath.

He knew his association with Orochimaru would be discovered sooner or later; it was within his expectations, and he had already rehearsed his excuses multiple times. It should be fine.

After all, Orochimaru was still one of the Sannin, and being his subordinate was perfectly legitimate.

However, Danzo...

Just as he was hesitating, a figure flashed out from a narrow alleyway. The person wore a mask, though the pattern was different from the ones he had seen earlier—several flames were etched onto one side, twisting like serpents.

Before Akashi could speak, the figure said, "Lord Danzo requests your presence."