Naruto：Immortality and the Eight Inner Gates[Double agent]

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Silence. Absolute silence.

The Hokage's office had plunged into an eerie stillness after Tsuchinu's report.

To Rinjin, infiltrating Kumogakure hadn't seemed particularly difficult. But to Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others, it was akin to a thunderclap on a clear day.

More than a week ago, Hiruzen had already received intelligence about the unrest in Kumogakure. However, the informants were all civilians, and the information they gathered was fragmented and incomplete, leaving the entire situation shrouded in uncertainty.

Based on his instincts, Hiruzen had suspected that Rinjin was behind the chaos. What he hadn't anticipated was the sheer scale and intricacy of Rinjin's manipulations. The audacity and complexity of his actions were enough to make anyone's hair stand on end.

A week ago, Hiruzen had received the following intelligence:

To the south of Kumogakure, the Wind and Thunder Temple seemed to have been attacked. The day after, Kumogakure mobilized a large number of shinobi. Their exact movements were unclear, but massive chakra fluctuations were detected in the south, including the detonation of a Tailed Beast Bomb high in the sky. Shortly thereafter, the Raikage issued a full-scale alert.

Initially, Hiruzen had assumed that Rinjin's infiltration had failed.

Although he wasn't a professional spy, as a shinobi, Hiruzen knew that infiltration and covert operations were best executed with minimal noise or disruption.

But after hearing Tsuchinu's detailed report, he realized how wrong he'd been.

The difference between a shinobi's infiltration and a spy's covert operation was stark.

Both were strategies born of necessity when brute force wasn't an option. Both involved gathering intelligence and undermining the enemy's resources. But the gap between the two was as vast as the gap between a person and a dog.

In Tsuchinu's account, Rinjin had first gathered intelligence to select a replacement target. He then observed from the shadows, meticulously preparing for every eventuality. Finally, he manipulated the players on the stage, ensuring they performed exactly as he desired.

He gave the Raikage a choice: Matatabi or Gyūki?

But in truth, it wasn't a choice at all. The Raikage had no say in the matter.

He gave Matatabi a choice: cause a scene or continue lying low?

Again, it wasn't a choice. Matatabi's host was already under Rinjin's blade.

He gave Raimei a choice: achieve glory or stay idle at home?

Raimei, too, had no choice. His personality, his comrades' taunts—everything had been calculated by Rinjin in advance.

Hiruzen didn't know how Rinjin had forced the Eight-Tails' jinchūriki to transform into a Tailed Beast, nor how he had infiltrated Kumogakure, nor how he had replaced Raimei.

Suddenly, a thought struck him.

There had been bloodstains in the archives!

Back then, as the newly appointed Hokage, Hiruzen had assumed that the blood belonged to his wounded teacher, Tobirama, who had likely been reviewing the Scroll of Seals. He'd ordered the stains cleaned up without a second thought.

But now, thinking back, perhaps it hadn't been Tobirama after all!

At the same time, Hiruzen recalled a strange incident recorded by the Anbu during Rinjin's imprisonment in the underground cells. Late one night, Rinjin had stood by the door, staring straight ahead as if his gaze could pierce through the wooden barrier.

Hiruzen couldn't fathom how Rinjin had accomplished all this, but he was certain of one thing: Rinjin had achieved his objective.

A cold sweat broke out on Hiruzen's back.

This guy... Has his mind really become this terrifying?

Shaking his head, Hiruzen dismissed the conspiracy theories swirling in his mind. He looked up at Tsuchinu, who was shifting uneasily on his feet, and asked, "What's wrong? Does Rinjin have anything else to say?"

Tsuchinu squirmed, looking as if he were sitting on a thorny cushion. He hesitated, clearly troubled.

At that moment, Danzō Shimura, whose face was as dark as the bottom of a pot, suddenly barked, "If you have intelligence, speak up! How can the Anbu execute their missions if they're all as hesitant as you?"

His tone was harsh.

Hearing this, Tsuchinu seemed to steel himself. He turned to Hiruzen and said, "Lord Hiruzen, perhaps I should speak to you privately?"

Hiruzen's eyes narrowed. He was about to nod but then reconsidered. This was a matter for Konoha's leadership, and transparency was important. He shook his head instead.

"No need. Speak freely."

"Yes, sir!" Tsuchinu straightened up, as if a weight had been lifted off his shoulders.

"Rinjin said—and remember, these are his words, not mine—"

Noticing the displeasure on everyone's faces, Tsuchinu cleared his throat and continued, "You all better behave yourselves and keep my identity a secret. If you mess this up, don't blame me for defecting to Big Bro Raikage!"

As soon as he finished, he stiffly turned his head to stare directly at Danzō.

Danzō immediately bristled, leaping to his feet as if his seat had caught fire. He pointed an accusatory finger at Tsuchinu and roared, "Why are you looking at me?! I would never betray Konoha!"

Shrinking back, Tsuchinu said pitifully, "Lord Danzō, it's not my fault. Rinjin specifically told me to look at you after saying that."

Damn it!

Even when he's not in the village, that bastard can still drive me up the wall!

At that moment, Danzō felt as though he'd been utterly humiliated.

Hiruzen quickly coughed twice, his face contorted as he struggled to suppress his laughter.

"Well... ahem... Tsuchinu, is there anything else? If not, you're dismissed to rest."

Tsuchinu nodded meekly, hoisted his enormous backpack, and prepared to leave.

But before he could, Danzō stormed over, snatched the backpack from him, and barked, "Did Rinjin bring this? It needs to be inspected!"

Without waiting for a response, Danzō yanked out a book titled *Happy Summer Vacation*, nearly tearing it in half in his haste.

If Rie were here, she'd probably be jumping for joy.

Opening the book.

One second...

Two seconds...

Three seconds...

Danzō fell silent. His previously flushed face turned ashen, then pale, then green.

Watching Danzō's expression shift like a kaleidoscope, Tsuchinu felt an inexplicable sense of satisfaction.

Serves you right, you fool! You're even worse off than me!

Feigning innocence, Tsuchinu adopted a timid tone and suggested, "Lord Danzō, perhaps you should turn the page~?"

Danzō's face flushed crimson again. With a cold snort, he disdainfully tossed the books aside.

"These can't leave the office. They all need to be inspected."

Tsuchinu nodded vigorously. He had no intention of lugging the hefty backpack to the Senju residence to deliver it to that little girl. If she threw a tantrum, the entire village might end up gossiping about how Lord Tsuchinu bullied kids.

With these thoughts in mind, Tsuchinu bowed politely and left the Hokage's office.

Hiruzen's gaze swept across the room, noting that everyone's expressions were less than pleasant—except for Kagami Uchiha, who was eagerly eyeing the scrolls on the desk.

Without further ado, Hiruzen picked up the scrolls and began reading.

Rinjin had been meticulous. None of the scrolls contained any sensitive information, nor did they mention his name, demonstrating his caution.

The scroll for Rie was exceedingly simple, merely reminding her to eat well, sleep well, and finish her homework every day.

Though the words were plain, Hiruzen could sense Rinjin's care and concern. As a father himself, he understood how parental love often manifested in the smallest of details.

Smiling faintly, Hiruzen moved on to Kagami's scroll.

The moment he glanced at it, his expression darkened.

The message was blunt and direct: Rinjin advised Kagami to find an opportunity to discard his surname altogether and just call himself "Sharingan Glasses."

The rest of the scroll was filled with nonsensical ramblings that made Hiruzen's temple veins throb.

Enduring the urge to tear it up, Hiruzen handed the scroll to Kagami.

Kagami eagerly snatched it up and began reading with relish.

Suddenly, his movements paused, and his pupils contracted slightly. However, he quickly resumed reading, his expression betraying nothing unusual.

None of the others noticed his momentary lapse.

Although Kagami often appeared carefree, his cunning was on par with anyone else in the room.

Unaware of Kagami's reaction, Hiruzen opened the third scroll, addressed to Mito Uzumaki.

Unlike the others, Rinjin's tone here was extraordinarily polite and respectful. Beyond exchanging pleasantries and inquiring about Rie's well-being, the scroll ended with a question: How could one seal a Tailed Beast within themselves?

Hiruzen's brows furrowed deeply as he read.

Rinjin wouldn't ask this without reason.

Could it be... he has designs on the Two-Tails?!

The thought made Hiruzen's heart skip a beat. His immediate instinct was to send a message to Rinjin, urging him not to act recklessly.

After pondering for a moment, Hiruzen reaffirmed his decision. He couldn't let Rinjin do something foolish.

After all, Tailed Beasts were ultimate weapons for a village. Such matters were far beyond the scope of an undercover operative's authority.

Resolute, Hiruzen decided to personally deliver the scroll to Mito Uzumaki and entrust her with dissuading Rinjin from his impulsive plans.