The moment Reiji stepped in, everyone's expression in the office shifted dramatically.

  What were the chances? Just as they were discussing how to deal with him, he showed up on his own?

  None of them were fools—in fact, as direct disciples of the Second Hokage, each of them was sharp and quick-witted.

  The room fell into heavy silence, tension thick in the air as suspicions swirled in everyone's minds.

  Reiji, oblivious to the awkward mood, strode in with a cheerful smile, walked straight up to the desk, and gave a small bow.

  "Tobirama-sama, I've finished the letter to Hanzō-sama. Would you mind passing it along for me?"

  He scratched his head, a little sheepish.

  "Sorry for the trouble—really appreciate it."

  Tobirama stared into Reiji's eyes as he took the envelope and asked casually, "Mind if I read it?"

  Whoa—he's actually being polite?

  Reiji grinned and nodded quickly. "Of course. I didn't seal it so you could look it over."

  Seeing Reiji's tactful attitude, Tobirama gave a slight nod and opened the letter.

  Inside, Reiji wrote in a tone that made it sound like he had no clue who Amegawa was, pouring out his misfortunes to Hanzō of the Samander.

  He started with how isoted and unsupported he was, compining about how hard it was to gather intel—

  Then he jumped to saying he had no operational funds and hadn't eaten properly in days.

  He was asking Hanzō for money.

  Most of the letter was just one long list of grievances.

  The rest? Creative ways to beg for funds.

  In short: broke.

  No money, no results.

  Tobirama almost burst out ughing.

  While Hanzō of the Samander was fighting tooth and nail on the front lines against Sunagakure, this guy was dragging him down from the rear.

  If Hanzō found out the mission team he sent had been sold off by Reiji for a mere 430,000 ryō...

  He'd probably cough up three liters of blood on the spot.

  Masking his amusement, Tobirama passed the letter to a nearby ANBU.

  "From now on, give any letters to Tsuchigami directly."

  Reiji nodded with a smile, but instead of leaving, he stayed put in front of Tobirama's desk.

  "Something else?" Tobirama asked coolly.

  To everyone's surprise, Reiji nodded.

  "Tobirama-sama, you're heading to the front for peace talks, right? Mind taking me along?"

  The room exploded.

  Everyone's eyes went wide in disbelief, even Tobirama's calm expression darkened.

  "Reiji Sakuhō!"

  The shout came sudden and fierce.

  Hearing the vaguely familiar voice, Reiji turned, puzzled.

  It was Danzō Shimura—again—face flushed red with rage.

  "Reiji Sakuhō! Tell us—are you colluding with Hanzō of the Samander? Did you pnt spies in our vilge?!"

  He stressed "our" with pride, feeling a thrill inside.

  He, Danzō, had kept quiet, endured humiliation, all for this moment—to rip the mask off this traitor in front of their sensei!

  Fueled by that thought, the fire of desire in Danzō's heart bzed.

  Reiji scratched his head, utterly confused, and looked at Tobirama.

  "Tobirama-sama... is your disciple okay?"

  "You bastard! You still dare lie in front of sensei?!"

  "Stop pretending! Tell us! How did you know about the peace talks? How'd you get the timing so exact?"

  At Danzō's barrage of accusations, Reiji finally pieced it together and swept a quick gnce around the room.

  Aside from Kagami Uchiha and Hiruzen Sarutobi, who looked thoughtful, the rest—including Koharu Utatane—were visibly grim.

  His face darkened instantly.

  Seriously?! What kind of idiots am I dealing with here?

  No wonder Hiruzen turned into such a mess ter—these guys totally led him astray!

  Reiji sighed in disbelief.

  "Come on! This is basic stuff! If your brain's even halfway functioning, you should be able to see it!"

  He scratched his scalp hard, frustration all over his face.

  "War's decred over, but you don't recall any shinobi from the front lines—why?

  From the moment I entered Konoha, Tsuchigami, who followed me everywhere, just vanished—what's that about?

  Konoha Police used to patrol twice a day, now they're out there seven or eight times—do you think no one notices?"

  He pressed his lips into a line, then gave Danzō a look full of pity... and turned the same expression on Tobirama.

  Seeing that, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado felt a chill run down their spines.

  This guy was insane!

  That look—he was clearly pitying Danzō's intelligence and feeling sorry for Tobirama for having a student like him!

  Reiji Sakuhō, do you have no concept of fear?!

  Reiji noticed their expressions too, and his face twisted further.

  What the hell—you all dumped your skill points into reading people's faces, huh? How about spending some on actual strategic thinking?

  Oh my god. Does Konoha even have a future at this rate?

  At that moment, Reiji was flooded with doubt—and self-doubt.

  No way. He couldn't let those three idiots drag Hiruzen Sarutobi down with them!

  While Reiji was silently making up his mind, Danzō Shimura stood behind him, drenched in cold sweat.

  Damn it! That was the second time—second time this bastard had insulted his intelligence! Regret! Exhaustion! He wanted to die!

  Tobirama Senju, who was currently being pitied by Reiji with that helpless look, wasn't angry.

  Truthfully, the only moment he'd been taken aback was when he first heard Reiji was on his way here.

  After all, with Hanzō of the Samander backing this kid, if Hanzō had somehow gotten wind of their movements, it would pose some risk.

  But Tobirama was an experienced strategist. In a fsh, he had already figured out the heart of the matter.

  Still, bringing Reiji along for peace talks was out of the question.

  Not only was the discussion with the Second Raikage tied to two top-level secrets, but taking a known Amegakure agent—who was still just a brat—on such an official mission would be a disgrace to Konohagakure.

  After a brief pause, Tobirama shook his head.

  "No."

  Seeing the Second Hokage's refusal, Reiji let out a small sigh and simply flopped down onto the floor like a total delinquent.

  "Alright then. So... which dungeon?"

  Everyone in the room was once again stunned.

  He could even guess what Tobirama was thinking?

  As the silence stretched on, Reiji pulled a turtle-shaped coin pouch from his robe with great reluctance, trembling as he drew out a 500-ryō bill and pced it on the floor.

  "Well, since none of you are talking, I'll go ahead.

  First, I don't care where you lock me up—I need three meals a day. I can't stand going hungry!

  And each meal needs meat. Meat!"

  He emphasized the st word with all the gravity of a final demand, then pushed the bill toward Tobirama with a shaky hand.

  "Tobirama-sama, this is my meal allowance. Let's get one thing straight—once you take my money, no backing out!

  You're all adults. Don't tell me you're the type to bully a kid."

  Even Tobirama, calm and collected as he usually was, couldn't help but twitch at the corners of his mouth.

  This little bastard... five hundred ryō! And he still expects meat every meal?! He's asking for it. I need to teach him a lesson before he gets completely out of control.

  With that thought, Tobirama csped his hands under the table and whispered silently to himself.

  "Spirit Transformation Technique!"

  The next instant, his body remained still, eyes closed as if in thought, but his invisible spirit shot across space and smmed straight into Hiruzen Sarutobi.

  Hiruzen froze, panic fring in his chest—he was about to resist when he heard his sensei's voice, calm and brisk, ring out in his mind.

  "Saru, don't panic. Listen to me.

  I'm using the Spirit Transformation Technique. Just follow my instructions."

  The voice faded. Hiruzen took note of everything, his eyes fshing as he turned to Reiji and spoke.

  "Reiji, you're overestimating your importance.

  Our vilge is strong. Even if Tobirama-sensei and the rest of us leave, it'll be fine.

  So, we're not going to lock you up."

  Reiji's face lit up immediately. He didn't even notice the shift in Hiruzen's tone. He scooped up the 500-ryō bill, turned on his heel, and was ready to bolt—

  Only to be stopped as Hiruzen grabbed him with a sly, insincere smile.

  "But since you brought it up, we'll go ahead and grant your wish—reluctantly.

  Let's see... you can choose between the Uchiha compound or the ANBU dungeon."

  Reiji froze, his face contorting like he'd just put on a mask of agony.

  "Do the Uchiha at least allow freedom?"

  Hearing his shaky voice, Hiruzen turned to Kagami Uchiha. Kagami first shook his head, then nodded. That was all Hiruzen needed.

  "Yes. Retive freedom."

  Reiji thought for a moment, sighed in defeat, and accepted his fate.

  "Alright, I'll take the Uchiha. Their Byakugan might be able to watch me with 360-degree coverage, but a little freedom is still better than being locked away in pitch darkness. At least I'll be able to move around."

  Everyone stared at him, speechless, before looking at Kagami, who was holding his forehead, caught between ughing and crying.

  "Reiji, our cn's Kekkei Genkai is the Sharingan!" Kagami said with exasperated crity.

  "Huh?" Reiji looked at him in total confusion.

  "It's not the Byakugan? Then how come that Ryōta kid in my css gives me that massive white-eyed death gre every time he sees me?"

  Even Kagami, usually composed to a fault, was left utterly speechless. He resisted the overwhelming urge to roll his eyes and said what everyone was thinking.

  "You bastard! Your mouth is something else!"