Kazuku wasn't comforting Kosuke.
Their team was genuinely strong!
Uchiha Kagami, Tobirama's disciple, was a Sharingan genius.
Most jonin weren't his match.
Kazuku was a given.
Eight Gates plus water jutsu.
Even the Third Kazekage fell to him.
After the fifth check-in, Shadow Clone and Rasengan boosted his strength qualitatively.
No exaggeration—even elite jonin didn't faze him now.
Plus, this mission wasn't combat, just exchanging intel with a spy at night.
The odds of trouble were low.
"Kosuke, stay behind."
Kazuku thought briefly, deciding Kosuke should remain.
Though he doubted surprises, a backup plan was wise.
"If we don't return by the deadline, find Masagawa and report."
Kazuku instructed Kosuke.
He chose Kosuke because he'd handled communications, knowing the routes best.
After briefing, Kagami prepared dinner.
Then, they awaited nightfall.
Time crept toward the appointed hour.
Kazuku led Kagami and Sakumo to the rendezvous, deep in the border forest. The complex terrain and quiet night made it ideal.
Soon, a lone figure appeared, wearing a heavy coat, face bandaged, hat low.
Only his eyes showed, vigilantly scanning.
"That's him, right?" Sakumo asked instinctively.
Kosuke's intel didn't describe the spy, only the location.
Arrive on time, and someone would meet them.
This lone figure seemed to be the spy.
"Yeah, likely. Let's go." Kazuku nodded, stepping toward him.
Kagami and Sakumo exchanged glances, following.
As the captain ordered, they obeyed.
But Kagami activated his Sharingan.
Handoffs with spies were unpredictable.
They couldn't even confirm if this was their contact.
"Kazuku and Sakumo are seven or eight. Though ninja, they lack ninja world savvy."
Kagami mused, vowing to ensure their safety.
"I'm not just an Uchiha—I'm a Konohagakure ninja."
This earned Tobirama's trust.
Kagami was among the few Uchihas thinking beyond clan, for the village.
Kazuku and Sakumo were rare talents.
Especially Kazuku, whose potential made him Tobirama's Hokage heir.
His life was precious.
Moments later…
Both sides stopped five meters apart.
"Ninja machine."
The figure spoke low, voice raspy, clearly disguised.
For espionage ninja, a slip could mean doom.
Until the correct code, he'd say nothing, reveal nothing.
"When enemies cause a big stir…" Kagami replied, giving the code.
Once Kagami completed it, the spy relaxed slightly.
"Never thought the village would send such young ninja for this."
He inwardly grumbled.
Kazuku and Sakumo looked seven or eight. Sending them for a critical handoff? What was the village thinking?
But he only thought it, not voicing it.
Every minute here increased danger.
Confirming Kagami as his contact, he reached into his coat, pulling out a scroll.
It held his gathered Kumogakure intel.
Kagami retrieved a dark green scroll from his pouch.
Kosuke got it from Masagawa.
It detailed the spy's next tasks.
Kagami stepped forward, ready to exchange.
But the spy stopped him.
"Right there."
Two meters apart.
A safe distance for the spy—toss the scrolls.
Kagami had no issue, nodding and throwing his.
The spy mirrored him.
The scrolls arced, crossing midair.
Suddenly!
A black kunai, glinting in moonlight, streaked with a whoosh, piercing both scrolls, altering their path, pinning them to a tree.
Thud!
Kagami and the spy froze, minds blank.
Neither expected this.
"Kazuku, careful."
Kagami instantly warned, leaping back.
As expected…
Another kunai flew, embedding where he'd stood!
Their handoff was exposed to Kumogakure ninja!
"Crap!"
The spy cursed, fleeing.
If caught, he'd face not death but torture in Cloud's Anbu interrogation unit!
It wasn't just to extract info—it was vengeance!
He couldn't be captured!
But as he turned to run, a kick slammed his abdomen.
A ninja already blocked his escape.
The spy flew back like a broken kite.
Simultaneously, Cloud ninja descended, sealing Kazuku's team's retreat.
Then, an unexpected figure appeared last.
A red gourd at his waist, a strange sword on his back.
Gray hair, two upright horns, six whisker-like marks on his cheeks, wearing a purple short-sleeve shirt, white vest, and a bold "Silver" tattoo on his arm.
It was…
Silver Horn!
(End of Chapter)