After finishing the weapons inspection, Tamura Hao was led aside by Yeyue Ai for a more detailed examination. Hao noticed Ai seemed hesitant, so he gave a light laugh and said, "Brother Yeyue, we're brothers now. Just say whatever's on your mind."
"…When's your next book coming out?"
Yeyue Ai lowered his voice after glancing around to ensure no one was nearby.
He was a loyal reader of Hao's self-published novels—each one a fictional tale laced with fantasy and subtle commentary on shinobi life. He collected every volume and devoured them the day they were released.
Though Hao published monthly, each book around 100,000 words, it still wasn't enough. Ai had finished the latest on the first day and had been starved for more ever since.
Tamura Hao twitched at the question but gave a resigned smile. "The manuscript is already with the publisher. It should hit shelves on the first of next month."
"You really are a genius, junior!" Ai gave him a big thumbs-up, visibly thrilled. Only one week to wait.
"By the way, do you need to move?" he asked more seriously. From their earlier conversation, Ai had learned Hao still lived in the civilian district—an area far from ideal.
"No need. Lord Dodai seems to have a plan. I think it's better if I stay there," Hao answered, shaking his head.
He had already guessed Dodai's intentions. It wasn't just about safety. They wanted him to act as a semi-official intelligence node—part decoy, part bait—to test Danzo Shimura's reach into the Land of Lightning.
Tamura Hao didn't mind. To earn a place in this village, he had to prove his value.
"Alright," Ai said with a nod. "I'll arrange for an elder from the Yeyotsuki clan to keep watch nearby. If there's danger, use these."
He handed over a sealed pouch containing a hundred high-grade explosive tags—fresh from the Yeyotsuki clan's armory.
"Thank you, senior brother!"
Hao accepted them with genuine gratitude. These would be vital, not just for his safety, but to secure his secrets.
"Work hard. Whatever Konoha can offer you, we can offer more," Ai said, patting Hao's shoulder.
He believed in Hao. If this young man truly integrated into Kumogakure, there was no reason the village wouldn't embrace him fully. Even if he was once a spy.
Kumogakure had long been aggressive in recruiting shinobi with unique talents—whether from small villages, wandering mercenaries, or bloodline survivors. Once accepted, they were treated well and given meaningful roles.
If even outsiders could be trusted and elevated, then Tamura Hao—young, talented, and already contributing—was no different.
"I understand. I won't let you or Dodai-sensei down."
Hao nodded firmly. He had no intention of returning to Konoha—much less serving under Shimura Danzo. That path held no future, only danger.
Look at the fate of Konoha throughout the manga: how many elite ninja died, how many clans were wiped out? Even the founding clans—Senju and Uchiha—were eventually all but erased. Beneath the village's calm exterior was a darkness fueled by internal strife and political scheming.
Despite its strength and culture, Konoha's internal complexity was a double-edged sword. One wrong move, one misaligned allegiance, and you'd be swept away.
The other villages weren't better.
Kirigakure had descended into horror under the Third Mizukage and later Yagura—the infamous "Bloody Mist" era, where academy graduates had to kill their classmates just to pass.
Sunagakure had scarce resources and focused too much on puppetry and assassination—neither of which interested Hao. He certainly wasn't planning to build Gundams from scratch.
Iwagakure was powerful but isolated and suspicious of outsiders. Without personal ties to the Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, it would be impossible to gain trust. That old man could interrogate you with genjutsu before you even finished your name.
So in comparison, Kumogakure was clearly the best option—especially under the Third Raikage, a leader known for his reliability, strength, and code of honor.
That's why Hao dared to reveal he was once part of Konoha's intelligence operations. He knew he could survive here, even thrive.
After chatting a bit more, Hao and Ai left the Raikage Building and returned to their respective duties.
Back at his residence, Hao immediately pulled out sealing threads and arranged the explosive tags throughout the room—walls, ceiling, floor, every entry point. If anyone tried to assassinate him, they'd find themselves blown to bits.
"I've passed the first trial…"
Hao exhaled deeply and stepped into the bathroom. The calm exterior he had maintained all day belied the truth—he was soaked in sweat from head to toe. Every decision today had been a gamble. If he failed, he would've died. Even a small misstep could've led to immediate execution.
But he had succeeded. Barely. The most important phase was over.
As long as he remained loyal to Kumogakure, upheld the Will of Lightning, and discarded Danzo's twisted version of the Will of Fire, he would earn his place here.
After rinsing off, he opened the drawer beside his bed and pulled out a photograph.
It was a picture of a blonde-haired girl—someone from his past.
She was the reason he'd been allowed to infiltrate the Land of Lightning, and the reason he had been able to sever ties with Root.
It had been five years.
He didn't know how she was now, but given her skills and disposition, she was probably still within Root. Likely flourishing.
He slid the photo back beneath the drawer. It wasn't sentiment that made him keep it—it was insurance. So long as Danzo believed Hao still harbored some emotional connection, he might hesitate to eliminate him.
And if Hao planned it right, he might even be able to turn that old man's paranoia into an opportunity someday. Danzo still held plenty of secrets and valuable assets.
"What was that sensation earlier?"
Hao recalled the moment he stepped into the Raikage's office. A strange force had seemed to brush past him—specifically, into his head.
He had assumed it was a detection genjutsu or barrier, which would make sense in such a secure location.
But when he casually brought it up to Yeyue Ai later, Ai hadn't recognized any such security technique.
Even stranger, Hao had experienced the same sensation when demonstrating firearms earlier in the training hall—and again just now, in the shower.
It wasn't consistent, but it was unmistakable.
He sat cross-legged and began refining chakra, focusing on his head. When chakra circulates, spiritual and physical energies activate in tandem. If something unnatural had invaded his body, he'd feel it now.
And feel it he did.
As soon as the chakra entered his head, it was drawn into a dark, hidden recess—almost as if consumed.
Suddenly, all the chakra in his body surged toward his brain on its own, as if pulled by an invisible force.
Hao's consciousness was yanked from his physical body and flung into a dark, empty space.