...
Walking out of the Archives Room, Sawara Kiri reflected on the silhouette he had just seen, feeling somewhat emotional.
Like many classmates who went their separate ways after graduation, although Sawara Kiri and Namikaze Minato were once in the same Shinobi Academy class, they had lost touch since graduation. Or perhaps, they were never meant to maintain contact in the first place.
Unlike Sawara Kiri, who maintained mediocre grades during his academy days to conceal his true identity, Namikaze Minato had displayed extraordinary talent from an extremely young age. Before even graduating from the Shinobi Academy, he was taken under the wing of Jiraiya, who was the Hokage's direct disciple. The obviously distinguished Kushina Uzumaki had also unknowingly become his close friend. At just over ten years old, he already possessed enough strength to defeat two Kumogakure spies head-on.
If the shinobi world had web novels, many people would probably exclaim 'How terrifying!' or 'Main Character template!'.
Even Sawara Kiri had once thought about latching onto this child of destiny, at least hoping to become a supporting character used to develop the plot, or even establish connections with Konohagakure's highest ranks. But unfortunately, like the background character he pretended to be, he didn't qualify to enter the genius club.
The people Namikaze Minato frequently associated with were all either two to three years older or seven to eight years his senior, all of them being the new generation of powerful shinobis renowned throughout the Konohagakure for their strength and talent. Chōza Akimichi, Shikaku Nara, Fugaku Uchiha...
Clearly, from a very young age, Namikaze Minato had already consciously paved his path to becoming Hokage. This was the path he had chosen for himself.
'Then, what path should I take?'
Sawara Kiri had been pondering this question since leaving the Archives Room.
Until now, survival remained the first major hurdle he had to face, and consequently, gaining [Heart Knot Points] had become his top priority. However, from morning until now, whether it was his familiar colleagues, neighbors he'd known for years, or even Sister Rei from the breakfast stall he'd been eyeing for years.. everyone's heads showed blank spaces above them.
This phenomenon inevitably reminded him of that specific line he saw on the panel last night.
[Bond Level Increase]
Sawara Kiri gently stroked his chin, frowning slightly.
"So, I need... people who are more 'closely' connected to me?"
"Looks like I'll have to delay the Kirigakure's matter even longer."
"But it's fine."
Sawara Kiri muttered, silently producing a piece of paper between his fingers. It was the intelligence report he planned to send to Kirigakure. It detailed the S-rank mission that Team Tsunade was currently executing:
Assassination of the Third Raikage
Additionally, it recorded several key supply points where they would stop along their route.
Although Konoha's Fūinjutsu were considered secure enough for most people, under these 'Six Eyes' that could decipher chakra flow and composition, the intelligence hidden in the sealed cabinet was completely exposed.
With this, he could at least extend his development period by three months.
Just as he was thinking this, he saw someone ahead waving in his direction "Hey—!"
"Sawara-kun! Come help me carry the lunch boxes for your Intelligence Division!"
"The delivery cart's wheel broke."
The paper in Sawara Kiri's hand suddenly vanished, and he turned to respond to the person. However, when he turned back and saw that person's face, his footsteps inadvertently paused.
The enhanced processing power from his 'External Brain' instantly helped him recall the face of the person opposite him, but his brows furrowed slightly. If he remembered correctly, wasn't this Kojima-kun from the logistics office on the first floor?
But, wasn't that guy supposed to be a clean freak...?
Observing strangers behavioral characteristics was an elective course for Shinobi, but a mandatory course for spies.
Noticing the faint mud spots on the hem of the person's pants and the heavy dust on their shoe soles, comparing it with his memory of their image, Sawara Kiri instinctively became suspicious.
With just this tiny doubt, he unhesitatingly activated his 'Six Eyes' and turned to look at the person. Under this vision, all chakra flow became visible to him. Fortunately, beneath the chakra-constructed shell was a body completely different from its appearance - this was the result of a Special Transformation Technique.
So it's a 'Fellow Spy'?
And here I thought it was ANBU testing me again. Seeing this, Sawara Kiri's body finally relaxed a bit, and even his smile became more genuine.
"Sawara-kun?"
Kojima-kun seemed to notice his pause and asked with apparent confusion, his fingers naturally touching the other side of his pants.
"Yes, and you are...?"
Sawara Kiri looked at him with seeming confusion.
"I'm Kojima, Kojima Kenta!" he grumbled as if somewhat dissatisfied, though his hand pressed against his pants leg loosened slightly. "I've been delivering lunch to your office all week, don't tell me you completely forgot about me?"
"Eh? Really...? Sorry, sorry." Sawara Kiri scratched his head shyly like a typical young man, clearly looking embarrassed as he smiled. "I've been working overtime so much lately that my head's a bit fuzzy... You guys in logistics probably aren't as busy, right?"
"Ha! Don't even mention it, we left later than you guys did last night..."
Presumably to ease the earlier awkwardness, he actively engaged in conversation with this Kojima-kun, chatting about small office topics as they each carried lunch boxes down the corridor.
Internally, though, he was contemplating the other's purpose.
Is he trying to extract information from me? Or attempting to infiltrate the Intelligence Division with me? Or perhaps...
Years of undercover life had developed his habits of suspicion and wariness, making him instinctively alert to any unusual movements from those around him.
But that was natural. After all, he was a spy too.
However, just as he was considering this, a deafening explosion suddenly came from the wall behind them.
BOOM—!
The solid outer wall of the Hokage building was completely blown open by a special explosive jutsu, revealing a gap of five or six meters wide. The blast wind scattered debris, creating a pattering sound as it hit the corridor.
Simultaneously, several Explosive Corps members recklessly charged through the gap, launching a desperate assault toward a certain location on the third floor.
However, these people had barely entered the building when dozens of fully uniformed ANBU and Konoha Shinobi in combat gear rushed out from various locations to surround and intercept them.
Noticing this scene instantly, Sawara Kiri turned to look at his fellow spy, immediately understanding their purpose. Once you penetrate a spy's identity, it's easy to judge their intention to sneak into certain key departments during chaos.
It seems the Kirigakure wasn't the only one wanting to get their hands on this intelligence.
Sawara Kiri's gaze deepened. If that's the case...
"Sawara-kun!"
Sure enough, before he could speak, this Kojima-kun had already thrown down his lunch box and urged urgently, "Quick! Let's go stop those bastards!"
However, Sawara Kiri unexpectedly protected the lunch box and held him back, calmly saying "Don't worry."
"There's only the Secret Archives Room over there, and the Hokage is guarding above. They won't get in!"
As he spoke, Sawara Kiri showed him a completely confident smile.
(?ω＜)☆
"Hmm...?!"
Just this one sentence immediately made 'Kojima-kun' freeze in his tracks, even keeping the kunai he was about to draw still in his waist pouch.
Above is the weak point?
At that moment, as he watched Sawara Kiri's back, his eyes lit up.
...