Naruto -The Under Cover Way Of Life

Time passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, a week had gone by.

During this time, Rinto and a dozen other children had been training under Shun, learning various skills necessary for covert operations—what some might call the self-cultivation of a traitor.

The training included mastering facial expressions, seamlessly integrating into a group, a hundred ways to interrupt a conversation, playing dumb strategically, and leveraging their youth to gather information. In short, it was an intense crash course in manipulation and deception.

It covered not just micro-expression control and childlike behavior but also social psychology. It was ruthless, thorough, and brutally effective.

This week, Shun had abandoned his usual stoic demeanor and transformed into a harsh instructor. Any mistake, no matter how small, was met with severe criticism. His new persona carried an air of authority and abstinence.

If he had been a beautiful woman, Rinto might have even entertained the idea of having a deeper connection—one that would allow him to take maternity leave at any time.

With the week-long training concluded, the students were sent home under the supervision of their assigned Jōnin to prepare for their missions. However, Rinto remained comfortably seated in Shun's office, sipping tea with a look of pure satisfaction.

It wasn't that he lacked a supervising ninja; rather, his assigned supervisor was none other than Shun himself.

"The training's over, and I'll be leaving tomorrow." Rinto set down his teacup, his tone relaxed and unconcealed.

"Hmph. So you're really going through with this?" Shun scoffed, his expression stern.

Rinto rolled his eyes and casually adjusted the documents on the desk. "Oh, drop the act. Everyone's gone. Besides, wasn't it Kanda and Hanzo-sama who arranged for me to leave the village? What could I possibly do to resist?"

Hearing this, Shun fell silent. His sharp, mature features drooped slightly, revealing a hint of exhaustion.

To be honest, every time he trained these children, he felt tormented. Their innocent, eager faces made his heart ache. Only when he was around Rinto, this infuriatingly nonchalant boy, did the guilt momentarily fade.

At first, he was annoyed by Rinto's constant smirk, but as time passed and he spent more time with these children, he found it harder and harder to meet their eyes.

What haunted him most were their innocent questions: "Sensei, will we ever be able to return to the village?"

He remembered Hanzo once telling him: Do everything you can to protect the village and its children. And when you face death, smile and pass on the will of fire to the next generation.

But now, in the name of protecting the village, Hanzo was turning its children into spies.

What was a dark operative? A being who could never step into the light. Someone who had to sleep with one eye open. Someone who lived in fear for the rest of their life.

Hanzo-sama… Hanzo… Hanzo of the Salamander! You have lost your faith!

Shun swallowed back his emotions, his heart heavy with grief.

Rinto, noticing Shun's dark expression, frowned. Without warning—

Bang!

The table shattered, sending documents flying. Rinto stood abruptly and grabbed Shun by the collar.

"Come on, I'm going to help you strengthen your faith!"

Without waiting for a response, he dragged Shun out of the office, using brute strength that he no longer bothered to conceal.

Tomorrow, he would leave the village. By then, he would be a free bird soaring in the sky, a fish leaping through vast waters. No mere brainwashing technique could restrain him.

More importantly, Shun was his only bond in Amegakure—his teacher and his friend.

He refused to let his friend continue down this path of despair.

Rinto grabbed Shun's hands and dragged him forward in an embarrassingly awkward posture.

"Wait! Put me down! You little brat, what do you think you're doing?!" Shun yelled in protest, his voice laced with embarrassment.

Ignoring the protests, Rinto sped through the streets, heading straight for Kabukicho Ichibangai.

People stared in shock at the sight—a grown Jōnin being forcibly dragged through the streets by a seven-year-old child.

Shun's face burned with shame. He could already picture his social reputation crumbling to dust. Forget finding a wife—he had just ruined any hope of a respectable future.

Tears welled up in his tiger-like eyes. Damn it, what a terrible village! What a terrible kid! I've lost the happiness of my second half of life!

Seeing Shun's exaggerated despair, Rinto smirked. Kabukicho is truly a magical place. All his worries were instantly washed away.

Finally arriving at Ami Information Center, Rinto shoved Shun into a private room.

"Stay here and reflect! Strengthen your faith and let go of your doubts!"

Shun, realizing he had no choice, reluctantly went inside.

Rinto, now free, stepped back into the main hall, only to find that his 'special friend' Mikiko was absent. Instead, he was greeted by Meiya, an old flame of Shun's.

"Hey there, little brother." Meiya smiled warmly. "What brings you here in the afternoon? Sister Yukiko hasn't even finished dressing up yet."

Rinto coughed awkwardly. "Uh… Shun said he couldn't hold back anymore. He insisted on coming early."

Meiya's eyes twinkled mischievously. "Really? Kids shouldn't lie, you know~"

"I swear!" Rinto nodded confidently. "He even said he wished he could marry you."

Meiya's expression instantly changed. "H-He really said that?"

"If you don't believe me, go ask him yourself. Just say: 'If someone proposed to you right now, would you accept?'"

Before Rinto could finish, Meiya was already rushing into the back room, her heart pounding with excitement.

Rinto grinned. Hook, line, and sinker.

At that moment, the inner door opened, and Yukiko, now dressed, walked out.

"Little brother, have you seen Meiya?" she asked curiously.

Rinto quickly blocked her path. If Yukiko walked in now, it would be a disaster.

Thinking fast, he changed the subject. "Where's your boss? I haven't seen her today."

Yukiko chuckled and playfully pinched his cheek. "You're quite the affectionate little guy. Too bad for you—Mikiko left a week ago."

Rinto's face darkened. Damn, that woman must've spilled all my lines to them!

But then he remembered he was leaving tomorrow. His mood lifted again. "Will she come back?"

Yukiko shrugged. "Maybe tomorrow. Maybe never."

"Huh. Well, I guess Shun misses you the way rain falls in this village—constantly, drowning his heart."

Yukiko's face turned bright red. "S-Stop it! That's embarrassing!"

Rinto smirked. Mission accomplished.

After saying his goodbyes, he left the center, locking the door behind him.

Tonight, Yukiko would undoubtedly have a private chat with Shun. With Meiya already in the picture… well, let's just say Shun was about to have an eventful night.

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