Chapter 2 Undercover Agent, Not Even a Dog Would Be a Servant
That night, while the Third Hokage slept beneath the dim lights of Konoha, the Uchiha clan was erased.
By the time Hiruzen Sarutobi awoke, everything was already over—blood washed from the streets, bodies sealed away, silence restored. The village moved as if nothing had happened, yet an invisible crack had spread through its foundation.
Before dawn, Uchiha Itachi entered the Hokage Tower alone.
No guards stopped him.
Inside the office, the truth was laid bare.
Itachi confessed to the annihilation of his clan and offered the same terms he had already prepared in advance: he would defect, join the Akatsuki, and become Konoha's spy in the darkness—on one condition.
Sasuke would live.
If Konoha ever laid a hand on his younger brother, Itachi swore he would abandon restraint and return as the village's enemy.
Hiruzen had no choice but to accept.
As Hokage, he did everything within his power to suppress the impact of the massacre—sealing information, controlling rumors, manipulating mission reports—but such a calamity could never remain hidden for long. Whispers had already begun to circulate through the Five Great Nations.
Uchiha Itachi, the prodigy who slaughtered his own parents for the sake of the village, became a splinter lodged deep in Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart.
He wanted to believe.
But reason forced him to erect an emotional barrier against monsters created by the system he himself upheld.
"Shiro."
The Third Hokage's aged gaze settled on the young man standing before his desk.
"I have already explained Uchiha Itachi's actions to you in detail. You and Itachi were classmates at the Academy. According to your records—and your performance since graduation—your talent and combat aptitude are not inferior to his."
The pipe in Hiruzen's hand smoldered quietly.
"You are a shinobi from a civilian background. No clan. No political faction. No reputation."
A pause.
"After careful consideration, the village has decided to assign you an S-rank mission."
Shiro remained silent.
"Infiltrate the Akatsuki organization," Hiruzen said gravely, "and monitor Konoha's S-rank rogue ninja, Uchiha Itachi, for a period of three years."
"…!"
Shiro widened his eyes, feigning shock.
"Itachi-san… slaughtering the entire Uchiha clan? That's—unthinkable…"
His expression was flawless.
His heart, unmoved.
Infiltrate the Akatsuki?
Risk my life for Konoha?
Not a chance.
With a system in hand and steady growth within the village, staying put was clearly the safest path. Becoming an undercover agent in the most dangerous criminal organization in the shinobi world was practically suicide.
He was already preparing his excuse—The Rain Country is too damp; my joints act up—
When the darkness before his eyes exploded into light.
[Main Storyline Quest Initiated]
[Objective: Infiltrate the Akatsuki and ultimately seize leadership of the organization]
[Description: Travel to Amegakure. The Akatsuki awaits a true god.]
[Warning: Main storyline quests cannot be refused or skipped.]
Shiro fell silent.
So much for lying low.
System… I appreciate the ambition, he thought dryly.
But this is forced.
Still.
Whether he lay flat in Konoha or lay flat in Amegakure, it was still lying flat.
Perspective mattered.
He exhaled, then lifted his head, his expression turning solemn.
"Hokage-sama. I will accept the mission."
Hiruzen's eyes lit up instantly.
"But," Kamizuki Shiro continued calmly, "I have concerns. While I'm gone, I'm worried about my instructor. Asuma Sarutobi—"
"Say no more," Hiruzen replied at once. "Yuhi Kurenai will serve as your sole contact. As for Asuma, I will have him reassigned to duties protecting the Fire Daimyō—far from Konoha."
He leaned forward.
"You will receive one million ryō per year. Upon completing the mission, you will be reinstated directly as a jōnin—no exams required—and named a candidate for the Fifth Hokage."
An absurd reward.
A perfect bribe.
Shiro nodded slowly, then frowned.
"There is still a problem."
Hiruzen raised an eyebrow. "Go on."
"Itachi exterminated the Uchiha and was branded an S-rank criminal. The Akatsuki will naturally accept him," Kamizuki Shiro said. "But if I join under my current identity, they'll see through me immediately."
"That is true," Hiruzen admitted. "What do you propose?"
Kamizuki Shiro smiled gently.
"Hokage-sama… what if I defect with an act of equal weight?"
The room went cold.
"You—" Hiruzen's pupils shrank. "Absolutely not."
For a fleeting moment, he felt genuine fear.
If Konoha lost another major clan—
The village would be torn apart.
This man was dangerous.
Too dangerous.
Hiruzen wiped the cold sweat from his brow, silently reaffirming his decision to send Shiro away.
Then—
"Lord Hokage."
Kamizuki Shiro stepped closer and whispered his alternative plan.
Hiruzen's eyes flickered.
Long seconds passed.
Finally, he leaned back heavily.
"…You swear this will only be an act?"
"I swear loyalty to Konoha," Kamizuki Shiro declared without hesitation.
Hiruzen sighed deeply.
"Root has already been dissolved," he said quietly. "Prepare yourself. Leave the village immediately—and take Asuma with you."
Control required leverage.
Even geniuses were no exception.
Later.
Outside the Hokage's office, Asuma Sarutobi stormed down the corridor like a raging bull.
Shiro stood motionless, eyes covered by a white cloth, his posture calm.
"Your father wants to see you," he said evenly.
Asuma froze.
"…You."
The anger drained from his face as he brushed past and entered the office.
Moments later—
"No! Father—stop! Yame—ro!"
The shout echoed through the corridor.
Hiruzen's stern voice followed.
"Asuma. During duty hours, address me by my title."