Yukawa sprinted through the streets of the Hidden Leaf Village, the morning wind brushing against his face.
As an undercover agent, the most important quality was caution.
His plan today was simple: start by jogging, and once he reached the Konoha Knowledge Bookstore, pretend to be tired and go in for a rest.
Even if someone suspected something, he could just play it off—say he was a passing masked rider… no, wait, a school kid.
"Yukawa!"
A familiar voice called out, growing louder.
Yukawa turned his head and saw a blindingly green figure in the distance.
Might Guy—jogging upside down.
"Good morning."
Yukawa nodded with a smile.
After a week of early-morning encounters, the two had become relatively familiar with each other.
"Don't worry about me," Yukawa said. He still wasn't on Guy's level—he couldn't keep up with that kind of training.
"Alright then, I'm gonna speed up!"
Might Guy pivoted gracefully around a drainage channel and vanished from view.
"…"
Yukawa kept running in silence.
An hour later, he finally stopped in front of the Konoha Knowledge Bookstore.
His body had reached its limit. He felt completely drained.
"Yukawa!"
Once again, Might Guy's voice rang out nearby.
Here we go again…
Yukawa sighed helplessly.
"Did your backup energy system kick in?!"
Might Guy stood trembling, fists clenched with burning passion. "Only by giving our all and fighting to the end can we honor our youth!"
Pedestrians nearby instinctively took half a step back.
A small gesture—but such a big emotional blow.
Yukawa stood still, his face blank.
At that moment, it felt like he was back in high school, chanting slogans before the final exam.
That was the downside of getting close to Might Guy—he kept reminding him of the fiery youth he once had… and lost.
But today wasn't the day for youthful passion. He had a meeting with a ninja from the Hidden Cloud Village.
Yukawa slowly stepped into the bookstore.
Might Guy wasn't offended.
The fact that Yukawa hadn't made a single strange face in response to his usual antics was already a rare feat.
Before him, only Kakashi Hatake and a handful of others had ever treated him like a normal person.
With that, Guy turned and continued his passionate journey of youth.
Yukawa looked around.
He had arrived early. The Konoha Knowledge Bookstore was empty.
"Hey there, little guy. Looking for a specific book?"
A young woman approached with a friendly smile.
"Do you have Make-Out Paradise?" Yukawa asked after a moment of thought.
In his past life, he had always been curious about Jiraiya's infamous work, Make-Out Paradise. Now that he was in this world, he couldn't pass up the opportunity.
"Sorry, we don't carry that," the woman replied, shaking her head.
What? Not even one of the Legendary Sannin's masterpieces?
Bookstore strike incoming!
Then it hit him—Make-Out Paradise wasn't published until Jiraiya turned forty-two. So of course, it didn't exist yet.
"Then I'd like a copy of When the Thunder Rolls," Yukawa said, cutting straight to the point.
That phrase—When the Thunder Rolls—was code used by the Hidden Cloud.
The woman's eyes sharpened slightly.
"That one's part of the owner's private collection. I'll take you to him."
Under her guidance, Yukawa was led to the second floor of the bookstore.
After the woman left, a plain-looking middle-aged man stepped into view.
"Agent 9527. I'm glad you're still alive."
Still alive? Yukawa frowned slightly. He didn't recall this man from his memory.
"I'm your contact. Call me Tsuchihashi," the man said, noticing his expression. He introduced himself and explained his earlier comment.
Recently, the Hidden Cloud Village had attempted to kidnap Kushina Uzumaki.
Though the mission failed, it enraged Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Konoha had immediately launched a full-scale investigation—right down to the orphans in the orphanage.
Yukawa had been the last survivor of their group.
"…"
Yukawa broke into a cold sweat.
If not for the sudden arrival of the system, he'd already be dead.
He now truly understood just how difficult undercover work was.
"How's your situation now?" Tsuchihashi asked, pouring him a cup of water.
Yukawa took a few sips and briefly explained his experiences—though he carefully omitted the system.
"You've got talent?" Tsuchihashi looked surprised, then regretful. "If I'd known, I never would've sent you here."
Sending a genius in as a spy was a waste. Someone like him could've done far more within the Hidden Cloud itself.
But now it was too late. Yukawa had drawn the attention of both Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura.
Leaving wasn't an option anymore.
"I want to stay in Konoha," Yukawa said firmly. "Everything I do is for the Hidden Cloud!"
He used to have no choice. Now, he just wanted to be a good shinobi.
The light of righteousness seemed to shine on Tsuchihashi's face.
"With people like you," he said emotionally, "how could the Hidden Cloud not prosper!"
You're really deep in character, huh.
But thinking about it, the Hidden Cloud did have a solid culture—less backstabbing, more strength-oriented.
Yukawa played along. "It's what I'm meant to do."
Tsuchihashi took a deep breath and composed himself.
"Your situation is very different from what we expected," he said. "So your original mission won't work anymore."
The plan had been for Yukawa to blend into the orphanage and collect intel.
But now that he'd entered the Ninja Academy—and caught the eye of Konoha's higher-ups—that plan had to change.
Tsuchihashi fell silent in thought.
Honestly, Yukawa's current situation might benefit the Hidden Cloud more.
Because now, he had the qualifications to rise.
The only reason the Hidden Cloud had nearly succeeded in kidnapping Kushina was because of an embedded ANBU agent.
But once used, that undercover agent was burned. They were in desperate need of mid-to-high-level infiltrators.
"Yukawa, your new mission is to become a true genius."
Tsuchihashi spoke with calm determination.
Yukawa instantly understood what he meant.
It really was the most fitting task for him.
He had already passed Hiruzen's scrutiny. As long as he kept his cover intact, he'd be seen as a pure Konoha shinobi.
He could climb the ranks step by step.
"If anything urgent comes up, come find me here at the bookstore."
Tsuchihashi patted his shoulder, his tone serious. "Be careful. Right now, the hope of the entire village rests on you."
"I understand."
Yukawa's voice was solemn.
"Do your best."
Tsuchihashi smiled. "There'll be rewards for you eventually—maybe even the Raikage's recognition. You might get access to Hidden Cloud's Taijutsu."
"Thank you, Uncle Tsuchihashi."
Yukawa's eyes lit up as he smiled too.
He'd always admired the Hidden Cloud's Taijutsu.
No need to even mention the Fourth Raikage's hand-to-hand prowess—his record in the original story spoke for itself.
"When you leave, grab a couple of books so it doesn't look suspicious."
"Can I take a few more?" Yukawa asked, suddenly remembering he had to return to the orphanage.
Giving books as gifts sounded like a great idea—and it would also help cover up the lie he told to Kurenai Yuhi.
"Sure," Tsuchihashi replied after a pause. "But not too many. At your age, you wouldn't be able to afford them."
As expected of a seasoned undercover. Every detail accounted for.
Too thorough. Respect, Uncle.
Yukawa went downstairs, picked out seven children's picture books, and left the bookstore.
But just as he stepped outside, he stopped.
Not far away stood a familiar figure—Obito Uchiha.
He was helping an elderly woman with white hair cross the street.
Yukawa thought for a moment, then turned away silently and walked toward the orphanage.
"Thank you again, Obito," the old woman said warmly.
She glanced at Yukawa as he passed. A sharp glint flickered briefly in her eyes before her expression returned to its usual gentle smile.