Naruto: Hidden Hokage

Yorin ran along the streets of Konoha, the wind rushing past him.

As a spy, the most important quality was caution.

His plan was simple: jog through the streets and stop at the Konoha Knowledge Bookstore, pretending to take a break from exhaustion.

If anyone grew suspicious, he could always play it off as, I'm just a passing elementary student.

"Yorin!"

A familiar voice called out, growing closer.

Turning his head, Yorin saw an overly energetic figure in green—Might Guy, running upside-down.

"Good morning," Yorin said with a smile and a nod.

After a week of training, they had grown somewhat familiar with each other.

"Don't worry about me!"

Guy was leagues ahead of Yorin in stamina, and Yorin couldn't keep up with his workouts.

"Alright, I'm speeding up!"

Guy rounded a corner, vanishing in moments.

An hour later, Yorin stopped in front of the Konoha Knowledge Bookstore.

His body felt completely drained, as though it had been hollowed out.

"Yorin!"

Guy's voice rang out again.

Is he back already?

Yorin sighed, exasperated.

"Have you activated your backup energy reserves?" Guy asked, trembling with excitement.

"You have to give it your all—fight to the end! That's what youth is all about!"

Nearby pedestrians took a half-step back instinctively, small movements that carried immense impact.

Yorin stood silently, his expression blank.

He felt like he was reliving the days before his college entrance exams, listening to motivational chants under the setting sun.

But today was not the day for such nostalgia—he had a meeting with a Hidden Cloud spy to attend.

Without another word, he stepped into the bookstore.

Guy wasn't upset. Yorin had never reacted oddly to his antics, which was a rare quality.

Before Yorin, only a select few, like Kakashi Hatake, had treated him normally.

Smiling, Guy continued his youthful journey.

Inside the bookstore, Yorin glanced around.

He had arrived early, and the shop was empty.

"Little boy, looking for something specific?" a young woman asked, approaching with a smile.

"Do you have Make-Out Paradise?" Yorin asked after a moment's thought.

In his previous life, he had always been curious about Jiraiya's infamous masterpiece. Now that he had the chance, he couldn't pass it up.

"No, we don't," the woman replied, shaking her head.

How could they not have Jiraiya's work?

Time to storm the shop!

Then Yorin remembered: Make-Out Paradise was published when Jiraiya was 42 years old. It simply didn't exist yet.

"I'd like to buy When Thunder Roars," Yorin said, cutting to the chase.

When Thunder Roars was the Hidden Cloud's code phrase.

"That's a special book—it's part of the boss's private collection. Let me take you to him," the woman said, her eyes sharpening.

Following her, Yorin was led to the bookstore's second floor.

"Agent 9527, glad to see you're still alive."

After the woman left, a plain-looking middle-aged man appeared before Yorin.

Still alive? What's that supposed to mean?

Yorin scrutinized him but found no recollection of the man in his memory.

"I'm your contact. Call me Tsuchibashi," the man said, introducing himself and explaining his earlier comment.

Not long ago, the Hidden Cloud had planned an operation to kidnap Kushina Uzumaki.

Though the plan failed, it enraged Hiruzen Sarutobi, who initiated a village-wide investigation, including a sweep of the orphanages.

Yorin was the sole survivor of his batch of spies.

"…"

Yorin shuddered, realizing how narrowly he had escaped death.

If not for his system, he'd already be a corpse.

Being a spy is no joke.

"How are you holding up?" Tsuchibashi asked, pouring Yorin a glass of water.

After taking a sip, Yorin summarized his situation, omitting any mention of his system.

"You're incredibly talented," Tsuchibashi said, surprised, before sighing regretfully.

"In hindsight, we shouldn't have sent you here."

Sending a genius as a spy was a waste. Yorin could have contributed far more within the Hidden Cloud.

But leaving now was nearly impossible—he was already under the watchful eyes of Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura.

"I'm willing to stay in Konoha!" Yorin declared firmly.

"It's all for the Hidden Cloud!"

In truth, he just wanted to live a peaceful life as a good ninja.

Tsuchibashi was visibly moved, his face lighting up with emotion.

"With people like you, how could the Hidden Cloud not thrive?"

You're really into this role, Yorin thought, but he played along.

"It's the least I can do."

After calming himself, Tsuchibashi said,

"Your current situation is different from what we anticipated, so the original mission is no longer suitable."

Initially, the Hidden Cloud had planned for Yorin to blend into the orphanage and gather intelligence.

But now that he was enrolled in the Ninja Academy and under the scrutiny of Konoha's leadership, the plan had to change.

"Yorin, your new mission is to become a true prodigy," Tsuchibashi declared.

Yorin immediately understood.

This was the best course of action.

He had already passed Hiruzen Sarutobi's tests. As long as he avoided exposing himself, he could rise through Konoha's ranks legitimately.

"Come to the bookstore if there's ever an emergency," Tsuchibashi said, patting Yorin on the shoulder.

"Stay safe—the entire village's hopes rest on you."

"I understand," Yorin replied solemnly.

"Do well," Tsuchibashi said with a smile.

"There will be rewards in the future. You might even gain the Raikage's favor and learn Hidden Cloud Nintaijutsu."

"Thank you, Uncle Tsuchibashi," Yorin said, his eyes lighting up.

He was eager to learn Hidden Cloud's Nintaijutsu.

The Fourth Raikage's feats in the original story spoke volumes.

"When you leave, take a couple of books so it doesn't look suspicious," Tsuchibashi advised.

"Can I take a few more?" Yorin asked, thinking of his visit to the orphanage.

Books would make great gifts and could also justify the lie he told Mahiru.

"Sure, but not too many. At your age, you wouldn't have the money for them," Tsuchibashi replied.

What a seasoned spy. The attention to detail is impeccable!

Yorin picked seven children's picture books before leaving the bookstore.

Outside, he paused.

Not far away, he saw a familiar figure—Obito Uchiha, helping an elderly woman cross the street.

Yorin chose not to greet him and headed toward the orphanage instead.

"Thank you again, Obito," the elderly woman said, her kind smile masking a fleeting glint of sharpness.