Mizuki wished he could grab the so-called Riddler, shake him hard, and tell him to get out of Konoha forever.
Moments like this only reminded him why he could never become a truly strong person—his mind was always full of unnecessary, messy thoughts.
As he stood there, he shot a fearful glance at Shimura Danzo.
He silently calculated: If Shimura Danzo and Uchiha Souji together weigh about two hundred catties, then at least one hundred and eighty catties of that must be pure brainpower.
That thought alone made Mizuki break out in a nervous sweat.
If I'm not careful, he thought, I'll end up being sold off by Shimura Danzo…and then I'll probably help him count the money too.
"Master Danzo… what should we do next?" Mizuki finally asked, lowering his voice.
He wasn't interested in decision-making.
Decision-making meant accountability.
Accountability meant risk.
And risk meant disaster for someone like Mizuki, who was just steps away from what he believed was the peak of his young life. He absolutely refused to take any blame for anything.
Shimura Danzo nodded slowly, clearly pleased.
He didn't realize that Mizuki had no intention of inheriting his title of "Pot King."
Danzo simply thought Mizuki respected him.
This misunderstanding made Danzo very happy.
After thinking for a moment, Danzo placed a heavy hand on Mizuki's shoulder.
"You don't need to do anything complicated next. Tomorrow, Amaterasu will deliver something to the newspaper office."
Mizuki blinked, confused.
Danzo continued,
"Tomorrow afternoon, you will receive a newspaper prepared by Root. Take it to Uchiha Souji.
If he approves it, publish it."
Then, Danzo paused dramatically, and his normally stern face twisted into something meant to resemble a kind smile—but it was so stiff and frightening that any child who saw it would burst into tears.
"You did very well this time. Keep it up."
Without another word, Danzo swept away into the shadows.
Mizuki scratched his head helplessly.
Why does he always smile like that? What does it mean? Am I in trouble? Is he happy? Does Danzo even feel happiness?
He gave up trying to understand.
When powerful people handled things, he didn't need to use too many brain cells.
Time passed, and the next afternoon arrived.
---
Ichiraku Ramen: A Spy's Best Friend
Mizuki sat at Ichiraku ramen shop, loudly slurping a deluxe bowl of ramen.
Being a spy had one major advantage—unlimited reimbursement.
Every bowl of ramen was "for the mission."
Every snack was "for undercover work."
Every dessert was "emotional regulation to improve performance."
He had already asked the boss for an invoice and planned to submit it to Root later.
It was a beautiful life.
Just as he was enjoying himself, a shady, gloomy-looking man leaned close to him and whispered:
"Hey, brother… I've got Jiraiya-sama's latest novel. Interested?"
Mizuki froze.
This was the Root connection code.
This was the signal.
It meant the handoff was happening.
His relaxed expression disappeared immediately.
He stood up, putting on his most wretched, eager look—the one he had practiced in the mirror.
He might not be strong, but his acting skills could win awards.
"Really? Let's talk in the alley!"
Mizuki hurriedly placed several bills on the counter.
The shopkeeper accepted the money and looked at Mizuki with pure disappointment.
A good-looking ninja turning into a pervert? What a shame…
The shopkeeper shook his head and tossed the money aside.
Mizuki ignored him and dragged the shady man toward the alley.
Root ninjas are so dramatic, Mizuki complained in his mind.
Just hand over the edited newspaper and leave! What's with the useless struggling?
Maybe they were required to act this way to "make things realistic."
Soon the two of them reached a quiet spot.
The shady man immediately covered his chest protectively and said:
"What are you planning to do? Don't come close! I'm a man! I repeat—I'M A MAN!"
Mizuki's eye twitched so hard it hurt.
Root ninjas were truly a special species.
Why did every one of them act like this?
Why were they all idiots?
Was this Danzo's training style?
Mizuki breathed deeply to keep himself from yelling.
"It's fine, it's fine. There's no one here. Just give me the goods. Then go back."
"It's getting late. If we delay, it'll be troublesome."
The shady man blinked, confused—but reluctantly reached into his coat.
Instead of a newspaper, he pulled out several orange-covered books with a large "18" circled in red.
He whispered:
"Brother… if you're into this kind of thing, let's just visit the Land of Hot Water together. You're ruining Konoha's reputation…"
Mizuki stared at the books in disbelief.
What is this? Why is he giving me Jiraiya's adult novels? Where is the Root newspaper? Don't tell me he actually went to the bookstore and bought these for disguise!
He opened one.
It was definitely… original content.
New, even.
"1000 ryō," the man demanded.
"Quick. Don't you want to go home and read it?"
Mizuki nearly burst into tears.
Has Jiraiya released a new book while I was training?! Why didn't anyone tell me?!
He sighed and stuffed the books into his vest.
"The bookstore sells these for 660. You're charging 1000? Are you robbing me? I'll give you 700."
The man looked offended.
"I'm only earning 340! That's less than the deluxe ramen you ate earlier!"
Before Mizuki could argue again—
---
A REAL Root Ninja Appears
A masked figure suddenly appeared behind the shady man.
He tapped the man's neck lightly.
THUD!
The man collapsed like a sack of potatoes.
The masked Root ninja respectfully pulled a folded newspaper from his pouch and handed it to Mizuki with both hands.
Finally—the actual mission item.
Without a word, the masked ninja turned to leave.
But after two steps, he paused and said:
"Next time… change the password."
Then he vanished into the shadows.
Mizuki stood there, holding the newspaper in one hand and smutty novels in the other, completely stunned.
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