"Tairo Aotu, you were here ten minutes ago. Tell me, how many file folders were originally on my desk?"
Gaojin Xuechi spread his hands, gesturing to the now-empty desk.
"Six. Four white ones on the left, one red one on the right, and a black one in front of Minister Rasa," Tairo replied calmly, standing straight with unwavering composure.
"What do you think of me as a person?" Rasa asked, his usual grim expression unchanged. He sat with one leg crossed over the other, giving off a slightly roguish air that seemed oddly out of place.
"Apologies, I'm not sure. I've never worked under you. But you must have been in a hurry this morning," Tairo replied without hesitation.
"Why's that?" Rasa asked.
"Because your belt is tied with only one knot, and it's not even tightened properly."
Rasa glanced down at his loosely fastened belt, then looked back at Tairo without saying a word. Meanwhile, Gaojin Xuechi lowered his head, his shoulders shaking slightly as he tried to suppress his laughter.
"Alright, you can... wait outside for now," Gaojin Xuechi said, waving Tairo off. Watching Tairo leave the office, he extended his hand toward Rasa, grinning.
"Come on, Minister Rasa. A bet's a bet. Hand over the 500 ryō."
Rasa, visibly annoyed, pulled out a 500-ryō note and slapped it into Gaojin's hand while tightening his belt.
"That kid looks honest, but he's sharp—definitely undercover material," Rasa admitted grudgingly.
"Minister Rasa, I have to say, your Intelligence Division really knows how to waste talent. Someone this skilled, and you're sending him to be an undercover agent?" Gaojin Xuechi said, deliberately tilting his forehead protector to cover one eye in mock exasperation.
"Oh? You know him?" Rasa asked.
"Of course! He's 'Tairo the Sixth,' the sixth son of the main Aotu family branch. He was a star student at the Moon Lake Ninja Academy's Chūnin Training Program, Class Eight. He's two years ahead of me, and back then, he was the talk of the academy. I remember he was the first in his class to be promoted to Chūnin."
"Impressive. Now I'm even more interested," Rasa said, a sly grin crossing his face as a sharp glint flickered in his eyes.
The Moon Lake immigrants who arrived after the Rain Rebellion, a minor noble lineage, a top student from the ninja academy, with experience in administration, fieldwork, and combat—now a mid-level officer. Sharp observational skills, clear thinking, articulate speech. He fit Rasa's criteria perfectly.
"Tell me more about his academy days," Rasa said, leaning back and crossing his legs again.
Rasa's voice echoed through the empty room, where only two chairs stood.
"Here!" Tairo responded, standing at attention.
"Listen carefully to everything I'm about to say. Every decision you make after this could completely change your life. Do you understand?"
"The village may assign you a long-term mission. It could last five years, ten years, or even forever. You may have to pay a tremendous price—possibly even worse than sacrificing your life. Of course, you can choose to refuse, and there will be no repercussions for doing so. Will you accept?"
"Minister Rasa, may I ask a question?"
"If I complete this mission, will it benefit the village?"
"Then I accept the mission."
"I must warn you: once you learn the details of the mission, you'll have no choice but to complete it—unless you die in the process. You still have the chance to decide now."
"As long as it benefits the village, I accept the mission!"
"Good!" Rasa said, his eyes filled with admiration.
"Follow me," he said, rising and leaving the room with Tairo.
The two walked through the Intelligence Division, passing room after room, until they reached the far end of the corridor. There, Rasa stopped in front of an inconspicuous locked door.
Rasa pulled a key from his pocket, unlocked the door, and gestured for Tairo to enter.
As Tairo stepped inside, he was stunned by what he saw. The room contained no furniture except for an altar, which was covered with rows of memorial plaques.
"This is the Intelligence Division's Martyrs' Memorial Room," Rasa said, his face expressionless as he closed the door behind them. He knelt before the altar, skillfully retrieving three thin incense sticks from a hidden compartment beneath it. Lighting them with a candle, he bowed three times and placed them in the incense burner with reverence.
"Many of the names here I don't even recognize—they're from the era of the First Kazekage Reto and Second Kazekage Shamon. But some I do know, one: Etai," Rasa said, pointing to an unassuming plaque.
"He was a classmate of mine at the ninja academy. We weren't in the same class, but I knew him. He was exceptional, skilled in Fire Release, which is rare in Sunagakure. He became a Chūnin at a young age and was later sent to Konoha by then-ANBU Minister Ebizō."
"When the Second Great Ninja War broke out, Lord Shamon died in battle at Amegakure, and our frontline collapsed entirely. Konoha sent an elite force to strike at our heartland, pushing us to the brink of destruction.
"It was Etai who used a falcon to send intelligence from Konoha. Thanks to his efforts, Lord Jinghang led a thousand-mile raid on the Lishi Fortress, saving the village. The world remembers Jinghang's heroic feat of defeating 800 enemies single-handedly, but who remembers the silent contributions of Etai?"
"And what happened to Lord Etai afterward?" Tairo asked.
"He was, of course, discovered by Konoha's ANBU. It's said he endured unspeakable torture before dying, leaving no remains behind. Outside the Intelligence Division, no one knows his name. Because of the shifting relationship with Konoha, we can't publicize his story. For now, he's just a wooden plaque here.
"Only when secrets are no longer secrets can he be moved to the official Martyrs' Cemetery, where he'll finally have a cenotaph."
Rasa's tone was calm as he recounted the story, but the underlying sadness was palpable, deeply affecting Tairo.
"So you want me to go undercover?" Tairo asked.
"Yes. This is your last chance to decide. Once you choose, there's no turning back," Rasa said, his voice steady.
"Where am I going?" Tairo asked resolutely, his words already giving Rasa the answer.
"I don't know," Rasa replied.
"Huh?" Tairo looked puzzled.
"I truly don't know. Don't think being undercover is simple. The Intelligence Division needs to craft an almost perfect backstory for you before you can reasonably infiltrate the enemy. The moment you agreed, your story began to take shape.
"Now, I officially inform you: Tairo Aotu, Jōnin!"
"From this moment, you are part of the Heavenly Stems Plan. Your codename will be Yanfeng. You will report directly to me from now on."
"Understood! What's my next step?" Tairo asked.
"First, you'll undergo training—comprehensive training. We'll prepare you as thoroughly as possible to maximize your safety in the future. For now, offer incense to these plaques. With the blessings of the martyrs' spirits, your chances of survival might improve."
Rasa added a touch of dark humor at the end.
Tairo nodded, adjusted his attire, lit the incense, and solemnly bowed three times.
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