CH - 69 Mysterious worker

"Have you heard? Have you heard? There was a rumor about a mysterious worker among the night shift workers last night, and then he vanished!" Yahiko excitedly shook Nagato's shoulder while he was doing his homework. "They're saying he's a ghost who has a strange affinity for... well, you know. This is a golden opportunity for our Akatsuki organization to uncover the truth!"

"Let's not believe in rumors and refrain from spreading them," Nagato sighed, avoiding Yahiko's hand and rolling his eyes. "Akihiko-sensei already clarified the situation this morning. He mentioned that a ninja from his village infiltrated our Grass Village to gather information about us."

"That's impossible! It's absolutely impossible!" Yahiko vigorously shook his head, firmly asserting, "How many times have we encountered such stories before? The Academy on Graveyard Hill, the phantom students obsessed with peculiar things, and now this mysterious worker, people always come up with these kinds of tales." He leaned in closer, lowering his voice. "I suspect Akihiko-sensei knows more than he's revealing."

Nagato looked at Yahiko with a speechless expression. He also harbored suspicions about their sensei hiding something, but Nagato maintained a serious demeanor. "Have you completed your homework? Have you finished the 200-pound test paper, the 6,000-word reflection, and the 8,000-word self-review for our recent escapade? Have you completed all of them?"

"Ahem! Nagato, why are you being so bothersome? Remember the purpose of our Akatsuki organization?" Yahiko paused, feeling annoyed by Nagato's persistence.

"Sorry, but I never joined that organization," Nagato refuted with a serious expression.

"In that case, do you have any information about this incident? Once we uncover the truth, it will surely surprise Akihiko-sensei." Yahiko brushed off Nagato's response and continued to share his thoughts.

"While I'm uncertain if Akihiko-sensei will be surprised, I do know that if we don't complete our homework, he'll likely increase the workload even further," Nagato replied with a bemused expression as he witnessed Yahiko's persistent fixation.

Yahiko suddenly felt overwhelmed by the amount of homework he had to complete during this period. However, after a brief moment, he mustered his determination, raising his fist and declaring, "Regardless, I will investigate and uncover the identity of the phantom student and that mysterious worker. I will remain true to my ninja way!"

…

"The Third Unexplainable Mystery of the Campus: The Genius Worker Who Likes Helping Colleagues" Akihiko was taken aback when he received this news, his face was filled with frustration. 'Will this underground organization ever cease causing trouble at the Academy?'

The factory and living area were conveniently located near the Academy, allowing the workers to attend night classes as well. However, yet another mysterious incident unfolded.

'Why do these White Zetsu keep emerging when they should be underground taking care of the elderly? Don't they want to be saved anymore? And if they do come out, couldn't they choose a different location? Why pretend to be workers from the Rain Village? Are they actually seeking part-time jobs?' Akihiko scolded inwardly, feeling exasperated by the situation.

"After conducting an investigation, it appears that an additional individual did indeed attend the evening classes," Uzumaki Yoshinori reported to the leader with a perplexed expression. "He has black hair, delicate features, and a constant smile. Some witnesses even claim to have seen him discreetly taking food from the cafeteria, grabbing items like chicken cutlets, fried chicken legs, pancakes, and meatballs."

Akihiko was left speechless. 'Not only is he dining without paying, but he's also taking food to go? Aren't these White Zetsu supposed to have no need for sustenance or bodily functions? What could they possibly be doing with the food? Preparing midnight snacks for their beloved leader?' Akihiko's eyebrow twitched as he pondered the peculiar situation.

Yoshinori observed Akihiko's perplexed expression and hesitated for a moment before asking, "Shouldn't we investigate this further?"

"Forget it, let's assume it's a matter of respecting our elders," Akihiko replied, shaking his head.

Yoshinori grew even more puzzled. Shouldn't they be conducting a thorough investigation into such an incident? How could someone infiltrate without being noticed? It seemed like a matter of concern.

"Don't worry, I'll handle it. Let's treat it as a case of enemy ninja infiltration." Akihiko waved his hand dismissively. "Right now, your focus should be on monitoring the Academy, Research Institute, and factory. Provide reassurance to the ordinary people and attribute the blame to... yes!"

He slammed the table with a serious expression. "This is the work of Amegakure! They're envious of our peaceful development in the Grass Village, so they're intentionally causing trouble."

Yoshinori's mouth twitched upon hearing these words, but he understood that Akihiko likely had information that he didn't. As ninjas, it was their duty to follow orders.

Uzumaki Yoshinori nodded solemnly. "You're right, Leader. We won't let our guard down against Amegakure."

"It's a good time to strengthen our defense and remain vigilant," Akihiko stated, looking satisfied with Yoshinori's response. "I've heard there's been a lot of activity in the Hidden Sand Village. We don't know how long this peace will last. We need to be prepared in the Grass village."

"Peace..." Yoshinori sighed, nodding in agreement. "I will reassure the workers."

Akihiko then inquired about the progress of the literacy campaign, realizing that he hadn't paid much attention to it in recent days.

"Everyone is studying diligently. Although it's a bit late to refine their chakra, once they succeed, it will greatly benefit us." Yoshinori smiled and nodded. He then remembered something and took out a stack of documents from his pocket, handing them over. "Worker Koujou... um, he's the person involved in this incident. His supervisor has praised him as a dedicated and excellent worker who takes his studies seriously. Others have also recommended him as an outstanding worker."

"Koujou, huh..." Akihiko recalled the brave and responsible worker who was the first to come in for an interview. As for the outstanding worker recommendation, it served as a way to motivate everyone and foster a sense of collective honor.

Akihiko nodded. "You take care of it. As long as nothing goes wrong. By the way, isn't the end of the year approaching? It's a good time to pay their salaries and allow them to explore Kusagakure, but keep an eye on them." He added with a hint of amusement, "Another year has passed. Let's celebrate the New Year properly this time."

Understood." Yoshinori looked at his leader with a perplexed expression but still nodded. He didn't say anything more. "By the way, speaking of the holidays, a few ninjas from the Rain Village who came with Yahiko and the others approached me a few days ago, hoping to be allowed to go out and explore."

"They want to go out? Are they causing trouble?" Akihiko raised an eyebrow, puzzled by their request.

"No, they haven't caused any trouble. One of them, who is bald, even submitted a formal application." Yoshinori chuckled wryly, shaking his head.

"???" Akihiko's expression instantly became strange as he wondered, Really?

…

"Daisuke, what do you think you're doing? How dare you write an application to go out?" Hato exclaimed angrily as he looked at Daisuke, who was dressed in the green protective clothing provided by the Grass Village.

Hato felt a sense of betrayal. It hadn't been long since they arrived, but Daisuke had already changed so much. Fuming with anger, he said, "We're from the Rain Village! How can you wear the clothes they gave us?"

"There are tens of thousands of people from the Rain Village here," Daisuke replied seriously, looking at Hato. "I've learned a lot during my time here, and I want to see this country with my own eyes. After observing for these few days, I feel that the leader of the Grass Village may be a powerful individual with a greater heart than that of the ninja world. I think you should calm down and focus on your studies."

"No matter what happens, even if I have to die here, I refuse to pay attention to anything from the Grass Village!" Hato said, becoming increasingly frustrated with Daisuke's calm acceptance.

"Suit yourself," Daisuke shrugged nonchalantly and spoke with conviction, "I also wrote the application for you. If you truly don't want to go out, that's fine."

Hato couldn't help but look at Daisuke with a blank expression, as he didn't expect Daisuke to take care of him too.

"By the way, I should remind you that the weather is getting colder. If you don't wear a few more layers, you might get sick. I have to go study now." With that, Daisuke turned and headed towards the door. He paused for a moment at the entrance, hesitated, and then turned back. "Actually, the clothing provided by the Grass Village is quite warm."

Hato watched Daisuke leave with a face full of frustration. Once he was alone in the room, he muttered resentfully, "We're ninjas from the Rain Village! How can we trust the Grass Village like this? Especially when even their leader's students have deceived us."

Hato sat alone in the room, his frustration lingering in the air. He couldn't shake off the feeling of betrayal, questioning the trust they had placed in the Grass Village and its leader. The promise to work together and the hope to save their beloved Rain Village now seemed like a deception.

As a chilling gust of wind swept through the room, Hato couldn't help but shiver. The cold seemed to seep into his bones, reminding him of the harsh reality. His gaze involuntarily fell upon the neatly arranged green protective clothing on his bed. It was a clear symbol of assimilation into the Grass Village.

But Hato turned his head away, his determination flaring up. He refused to succumb to the cold, both in body and in spirit. With unwavering resolve, he declared to the empty room, "It's just a little cold. I, Hato, will not be afraid of this mere chill! I will stand strong and remain true to my ninja roots!"

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