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Outside the forge, the trio exchanged glances. The shop assistants were also confused.
Master Kurizu had gone into seclusion immediately upon return, ignoring the world. They had instructions to invite him to the patron's mansion, but now...
Fortunately, 20 minutes later, the patron sent a representative to the forge.
Learning the situation, the representative readily signed the mission confirmation for Taiichi.
What happened next was none of their business.
"Taiichi, what kind of weapon do you think the Master is forging?" Yohei asked, looking back at the forge.
"Want one for yourself? Your Kenjutsu is mediocre, you know," Taiichi teased, stopping to look at him.
Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a servant-like figure slip past behind Yohei.
It was the third time. And it was the same servant who had greeted him at the Daimyo's mansion before.
Sharp. I've been in the capital less than half a day.
Taiichi's heart raced. The Daimyo was persistent. Luckily, he was prepared.
"Not for me, for you! With this connection, we could get a discount!" Yohei said excitedly. Then he looked at the sun. "Almost noon. Lunch?"
Looking at his clueless teammates and sensing the spy nearby, Taiichi felt a thrill. Spy life isn't for normal people. Battlefield is simpler.
He smiled. "Sure. That place with the red lanterns looks good."
He pointed at a restaurant, noticing the servant drifting that way too.
They entered. Taiichi chose a window seat to observe.
Saori checked the menu; Yohei ordered signature dishes.
"Bathroom break," Taiichi announced as the food arrived. "Start without me."
"Hurry up, or I'll eat it all!" Yohei laughed.
Taiichi slipped out the back door into a narrow alley.
The servant was waiting, bowing slightly.
"Lord Daimyo is concerned about Konoha's recent movements," the servant whispered. "It's been a long time, and you haven't reported a single valuable name."
Taiichi ignored the complaint and handed over a thumb-sized scroll from a hidden pocket. "Here."
He looked around cautiously. "Konoha's mission volume surged recently; ninjas are being recalled. Is the Daimyo planning something? I need details to gather targeted intel."
The servant took the scroll without answering or checking it, then vanished into the alley.
Taiichi stood silent. Zero trust. Just a tool.
He hoped the Daimyo would be satisfied. But thinking of the names on the list, Taiichi shivered. The Hokage is bold.
---
Flashback: Mission Start Day
When the destination was set for the capital, Taiichi remembered his spy mission.
Two months of silence. He had to report something.
He went to the Hokage, making an excuse about supplies.
Hiruzen looked at him like a mischievous grandson.
"Uh, Grandpa Hokage... missions were busy, captain was gone..." Taiichi stammered. He took the money but did no work.
Hiruzen sighed. Spy work needed training. Taiichi not being exposed was already good.
He pulled a prepared list from his drawer.
"Report these names in batches. Three contacts. See if you can get intel in return."
Taiichi opened the list and his pupils shrank.
"Hokage-sama... Asuma Sarutobi? Is this a typo? Or a different Asuma?"
The Hokage is putting his own son on the list? Is he crazy?
"It's him," Hiruzen puffed his pipe. "Why? Other kids can be on the list, but mine can't?"
"No... just surprised by your righteousness!"
In the original timeline, Asuma joined the Guardian Twelve later. Now Hiruzen is pushing him there? Hope Asuma stays loyal.
The other name—Kakashi Hatake—was also a headache.
If Sakumo lived, fine. If he died... giving Kakashi to the Daimyo could be unpredictable.
The pressure is all on me, Taiichi sighed internally.
---
Present Time
Taiichi waited a few minutes, then returned to the table.
Yohei was stuffing his face with tempura. Saori had saved him a sashimi platter.
"What took so long?" she asked.
"Stomach ache. Bad breakfast maybe," Taiichi lied smoothly, picking up a slice of sashimi.
"Your loss! I would have eaten it all if not for Saori!" Yohei mumbled.
"You glutton!" Saori scolded him.
Listening to them bicker, Taiichi's mind drifted. How will the Daimyo react? How long until I gain trust?
He looked out the window. Peaceful streets masking dark currents.
---
Daimyo's Mansion
"Did Taiichi Matsushita ask anything?" the Daimyo asked, toying with the scroll.
"He asked about recent actions to target his intel gathering. I said nothing, as ordered."
"Good. Leave."
Alone with the Finance Minister, the Daimyo's face darkened. "Is he trustworthy?"
"The intel's value will determine that," the Minister pointed out.
"Haha! True!" The Daimyo opened the scroll.
Kakashi Hatake. Age 7. Chunin. Graduate at 6.
Asuma Sarutobi. Hokage's son. Student. Top of class. Inherited Hiruzen's Nature Transformations.
Ryota Nakamura. Minor clan. Graduate 2 years. Multiple A-rank missions.
The Daimyo frowned.
Kakashi and Ryota were good prospects. But Asuma? The Hokage's son?
Poaching the Hokage's son was... insane. It would provoke Hiruzen beyond measure.
"Minister, look at this."
The Minister read it and his eyes widened. Is Taiichi trying to start a war between us?
But then, an idea formed.
"My Lord... Asuma Sarutobi might actually be worth it."
"Oh? How so?"
"We don't 'poach' him directly. That's provocation. If exposed, we die."
The Minister's heavy tone reminded the Daimyo of their lack of military power.
"Go on."
"Asuma is a student. We have time. We don't need him to defect immediately. We influence him from the side. Emphasize his burden as the Hokage's son. Make him resent his background, ignoring his own efforts. Then, we feed him our ideology. Let him understand us, approach us on his own. Subtly."
The Daimyo was tempted. Low risk, high reward. The Hokage's son supporting the Daimyo? The irony was delicious.
The only cost was time. Years.
"Do it. Use our sleeper agents. But be subtle. No one can know it's intentional."
"Yes, my Lord."
"Observe the other two for now."
"Yes."
A plot spanning years was set in motion. Hiruzen probably didn't expect his own son to become the target instead of the genius Kakashi.
---
Taiichi's team returned to Konoha in two days.
"Rest day. Training tomorrow."
They split up. Taiichi went to the Hokage's office.
"—Mission report complete."
"So the Daimyo is interested in personnel movements." Hiruzen pondered. Why? He decided to increase intel gathering on the Daimyo.
Taiichi lingered.
"Something else?" Hiruzen asked, amused.
"Hokage-sama... about Asuma... is it really okay?"
Hiruzen feigned anger. "Other children are fine, you are a spy yourself, but Asuma is exempt? He is a Konoha ninja too."
"I understand. I'm ashamed." Taiichi looked guilty. "I'll take my leave."
Outside, Taiichi dropped the act and exhaled.
Covered my ass. If Asuma defects later, I warned you today.