Naruto: From Spy to Hokage

...

Early the next morning, there was a light fog.

Sawara Kiri, who was forced to wake up early, was feeling a bit uncomfortable.

It was a dull ache deep within his soul, born from the realization that even after transmigrating to another world, he still had to work a 9-5 job like a corporate drone.

In short, it was what you'd call work syndrome.

Even though this 8-10 work schedule, 7 days a week, had been ongoing for quite some time since the war began, Sawara Kiri still couldn't escape its exhausting grasp.

Also, there was a bit of side-effect from his "cheat" abilities.

[Consumed 1 Heart Knot Point]

[Limitless - Level 1 → Level 2]

[Localization complete.]

[External Brain - Fūinjutsu Category (S): An external seal attached to the surface of the brain in the form of Fūinjutsu, specifically designed to adapt to the 'Six Eyes'. It can be activated with no side effects and allows for short-term, high-intensity use of the 'Six Eyes', producing a small amount of 'Neutral Limitless: Infinity']

[Next Level requires 2 Heart Knot Points.]

Sawara Kiri glanced at the content on the panel.

Localization ?

It looks like all the [Abilities] I recieve from the system are localised to Naruto World setting. Like how 'Limitless Level 2' was localised as Fūinjutsu.

As he pondered, he stretched out his hand and used his fingertip to balance a pen upright.

If anyone were to come close enough, they would see that there was a tiny, almost imperceptible gap between the tip of his finger and the base of the pen. However, the pen stood steadily in mid-air, unmoving.

This ability lasted only for a few seconds before his head felt like it was being stirred with an iron rod. On the other hand, the pressure from the 'Six Eyes' wasn't as overwhelming as it had been before.

He quickly stopped the action, and the pen fell into his palm.

"Sigh..."

"Being a 15 year old child laborer is truly tragic."

Sawara Kiri leaned back and slumped into his workstation chair, letting out an involuntary sigh. But he soon stopped complaining. 

Behind him, a thin, withered figure with sunken eyes and a body wrapped in a nearly tangible cloud of black smoke slowly emerged from the office lounge. The figure, with a gaze that seemed capable of strangling someone with pure resentment, walked heavily toward the front seat.

As the figure passed behind Sawara, it spoke "Sa~wa~ra~kun~"

Nara Shikakoshi's voice echoed eerily, drawn out like a ghostly moan "The pain of closing your eyes for only an hour before you have to get up again... you understand it, right?"

"Today, you're not going to slip away that easily."

"Yes, sir!"

Sawara Kiri instantly straightened up. It was clear that today would be a tough one.

Indeed, as soon as the workday started, everyone's workload increased drastically.

However, it wasn't due to Sawara Kiri's absence from yesterday. It was simply because the frontlines had launched another wave of offensives, naturally increasing the amount of intelligence that needed processing.

After more than two years of experience in intelligence work, Sawara Kiri had become fairly adept at handling these tasks.

While working, he even found time to think about other matters. Although he had his system now, he still had to complete the task given to him by Yagura as quickly as possible. Even with a 'cheat' ability, growing stronger took time. Moreover, this mission wasn't too difficult for him.

'Steal intelligence on Tsunade's squad.'

According to the information Yagura had obtained, Kirigakure had learned through underground channels that Tsunade's squad had set off for the frontlines four days ago to carry out a high-level mission. The squad consisted of 4 Jōnin, accompanied by at least three teams of ANBU or ROOT members as cover. Just this configuration alone had put Kirigakure's higher-ups on high alert.

After all, this wasn't the era of the First Hokage anymore.

Back then, small elite squads like those led by Kinkaku and Ginkaku could ambush and kill the Second Raikage and Second Hokage. Even the Amegakure's leader, known as the "Demi-God," always surrounded himself with a dozen or so elite shinobi to set up a barrier for protection. The Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki also organized a special defense unit codenamed "Explosive Corps."

Now, in the middle of a war, even the village leaders titled as 'Kage' couldn't afford to let their guard down, especially against an assassination squad like the one led by Tsunade.

Her 'Chakra Enhanced Strength' was rumored to be a one-hit kill jutsu.

'Considering such a high-level secret mission, it must be at least an A rank or S rank...'

Sawara Kiri analyzed the psychological state of Kirigakure's leadership while contemplating his approach to the task. Once he had worked out the details, he stood up and reported "Shikakoshi-san, the 'B' Section documents have been organized!"

"Good." Nara Shikakoshi didn't look up. "Take those two piles to the sealed archives."

"Eh!"

Sawara Kiri made a face of reluctance. The stacks of documents were almost as tall as he was, and they were heavy to carry.

Nara Shikakoshi immediately pulled a stern face "Go now!"

"Yes, yes."

After being scolded, Sawara Kiri, looking a bit unwilling, left the office.

Nara Shikakoshi's gaunt face broke into a satisfied grin, and even his dark eye circles seemed to lighten a little. 

'Hmph! This brat, he only understands respect after a bit of pressure from his seniors!'

...

Once outside the office, Sawara Kiri's expression changed quickly.

Clearly, this was one of the advantages of working as an intelligence officer. Although not all mission details passed through their hands, when necessary, they had access to the sealed archives where high-level documents were stored.

Because of the unique nature of this job, the intelligence officers were always selected from those who came from good families in Konoha, had a clean background, a full family, and plenty of friends who could vouch for them.

For most spies, this would be an impossible hurdle. But for Sawara Kiri, entering the sealed archives was just part of his job.

"Stop. Chakra detection."

"Understood."

Sawara Kiri stopped at the entrance of the sealed archives, placing his hand on a sealing array and slowly channeling chakra into it. At the same time, he activated his 'Six Eyes'.

In an instant, everything within his surroundings became crystal clear.

There was a full squad, led by a Jōnin, guarding the entrance. Inside the sealed archives, additional ANBU squads were stationed in hidden spots on the ceiling, in corners, and in secret rooms.

On top of that, powerful barriers were set up along the walls. 

Anyone attempting to break in would have no chance unless they blew a hole from the floor above—directly from the Hokage's office, which was located above the archives. 

However, Sawara Kiri remained calm.

Once inside, he saw the room filled with tightly packed cabinets, arranged like a library.

He moved toward the B section, while using 'Six Eyes' to quickly scan through different cabinets. Although there were many documents, his target was located in the deepest part, in the S-rank cabinet. He only needed to look through the most recent pages.

However, under the mental strain of 'Six Eyes', Sawara Kiri's movements were slightly slower than usual. Finally, he reached the cabinet and touched the handle.

Suddenly, a hand clamped down on his wrist. Sawara Kiri's body tensed.

In his field of vision, he saw the reflection of an ANBU mask with the image of a lynx on it. A young man, wearing the pitch-black uniform of the ANBU, stood before him. His entire body was covered, but his spiky blond hair stood out. The young man had approached without making a single sound. And he was fast—shockingly fast.

At the same time, through 'Six Eyes', Sawara Kiri saw that three other ANBU members had already surrounded him, perched on the ceiling, atop cabinets, and behind him, all ready to strike if he made any suspicious moves.

However, as an experienced intelligence officer, Sawara Kiri didn't panic like he had the night before when he had been at home. Almost instinctively, he displayed a slightly confused, but seemingly nervous, expression. His reaction was natural.

"Excuse me, but... what is this about?"

The blond ANBU, having checked Sawara Kiri's pulse and sensing no abnormalities, relaxed slightly. He spoke in a cold voice, though he kept it low "As of 10 P.M. last night, all B-section documents have been moved to Cabinet 17. The other cabinets are sealed and cannot be accessed."

Sawara Kiri visibly relaxed, smiling apologetically "Sorry, I took the night off yesterday."

"Hmm."

The blond ANBU released his wrist and prepared to return to his post.

But Sawara Kiri seemed to notice something familiar about the young man's blond hair and figure. Hesitating for a moment, he asked "Also..."

"You're Minato-kun... right?"

"It's been a while."

Namikaze Minato's departing footsteps paused slightly, his voice no longer disguised behind the mask, though his tone remained distant.

"I apologize."

"During missions, please refrain from revealing ANBU members real names."

...