Naruto: How to Be an Undercover Shinobi

Seeing the faintly downcast look on Jiraiya's face, Reiji's brows slowly furrowed. "Useless? Who says you can't become Hokage?!" Jiraiya sho

Seeing the faintly downcast look on Jiraiya's face, Reiji's brows slowly furrowed.

"Useless? Who says you can't become Hokage?!"

Jiraiya shook his head with difficulty, stubbornness written all over his face.

"Reiji, you don't understand. Becoming Hokage was never my goal."

"Huh?" Reiji let out a sharp bark of disbelief and snapped,

"Your goal? Don't tell me your so-called goal is becoming the 'mentor of a revolutionary' like that damn old toad said?"

Now he was genuinely angry.

A decent person, someone with a life of his own, had been conned by some sly, wrinkled old frog until he was half-crippled.

Be the mentor to some so-called savior?

If this world actually needed a savior, then what were all the ordinary people for?

Just to prop up the savior's greatness?

Just tools to chant his name and praise him?

Might as well let everyone lie flat and wait to be saved, right?

That's exactly why Reiji loathed the very concept of a savior.

If a savior truly existed, then what did all his own struggles mean?

Just the desperate flailing of a clown?

With that thought, Reiji stopped holding back his anger and said in a low, firm voice,

"Jiraiya, give up that nonsense about leading some chosen reformer.

This world changes because people fight for it. Not because of some vague prophecy!"

Jiraiya gave him a grateful glance, but still turned his head stubbornly toward the window.

"Reiji, guiding a reformer is a form of effort too. It's my way of trying to change the world.

And I believe perseverance, patience, and never giving up—those virtues can and should be passed on to the next generation."

Seeing Jiraiya suddenly carry himself with such conviction and maturity, Reiji let out a deep sigh.

Their beliefs clashed—at the very root.

Their worldviews had diverged completely.

Reiji believed in changing things through sheer effort, even if it cost him his life.

Jiraiya believed in the inheritance of ideals.

Neither of them was wrong.

Outside, the sunlight poured in bright and clear. Reiji exhaled, then shook his head helplessly.

"So, what are you planning to do with yourself from now on?"

At that, Jiraiya smiled brightly and turned to face him.

He knew Reiji didn't resent him for their differing views.

That was why he could speak so freely with him.

Reiji had always been the type to accept people for who they were—just like back at the Ninja Academy.

With that sly grin on his face, Jiraiya chuckled.

"I'm going to travel the world. Meet beautiful girls from every land.

Of course, the main goal is still training—refining myself.

After all, that's the only way I can guide the reformer better, right?"

As Reiji listened to Jiraiya talking so casually in the golden light, he rolled his eyes and cursed inwardly.

This guy… still ended up back on the same old path.

But Amegakure's mine now. Let's see how you pull your whole "return to the sea like a dragon, even if the sea doesn't welcome Jiraiya" act now.

When the time comes, I'll pluck Madara's eyes myself, and as for Nagato, forget all that "short path, long path" nonsense—just stay in Konoha and teach Minato properly!

They kept chatting endlessly. Eventually, as Jiraiya started dozing off, Reiji sighed and quietly muttered to himself before turning and walking out of the room.

Jiraiya… don't die on me.

By the time Reiji stepped out of Konoha Hospital, night had fallen.

In the distance, crimson clouds lit the sky like fire, painting the horizon blood-red.

Watching the lanterns gradually flicker to life along the streets, Reiji thought back to what Jiraiya had just said.

What he knew of hair growth was simple—use Senjutsu chakra to stimulate the scalp and grow it out like crazy.

So now the real question was…

Who's the best when it comes to Sage Arts?

Mount Myōboku? Go ask Fukasaku?

Forget it. Better to just find Tsunade!

With that thought, Reiji walked straight toward the Senju mansion without hesitation.

...

In no time, he was led by the old gatekeeper into the dining room, where the Senju family was finishing their meal. Not everyone was present, but there was Lady Mito, her face lined with age; the elegant Tsunade; and a five- or six-year-old boy with a radiant smile—Nawaki.

Ordinarily, it would be rude to barge in while a family was eating. But Reiji, running on borrowed time from Kirigakure, didn't hesitate: he grabbed a set of chopsticks and joined the table, fixing his gaze on the old woman's pot of rice.

Rie and Meiko had already left for Amegakure, leaving the house empty—so he felt this was the best moment to act.

Unable to resist his gaze, the old woman placed a bowl before him.

Reiji clasped his hands together and said, "I'll dig in."

He ignored Nawaki's curious glances and started eating. In no time, he'd finished. His timing was impeccable—the Senju trio set down their bowls moments later. It struck him how well-mannered they were: at the top of a great clan, communal eating felt deeply ingrained.

A bit awkward, sure—but impressive.

He gave Tsunade a nod, and together they exited the dining room, walking in silence through the courtyard corridor. They peeked at each other, the air tinged with an unspoken tension.

Then Reiji spoke up:

"Tsunade, can you head to Shikkotsu Forest?"

Tsunade blinked in surprise, grinding her teeth.

"Reiji Sakuhō, you vanish for over a month without a word, and now you come back and just expect me to do your bidding?"

Reiji pinched his forehead, offering a wry smile.

"Come on, I can't just guard your back all day! I don't mind, but apparently you do."

She turned away, muttering,

"You've never even tried it, so how do you know?"

Reiji leaned in slightly, confused: "Muttering about what?"

She waved a hand impatiently.

"Nothing! Never mind. But seriously—why Shikkotsu Forest?"

He shrugged helplessly.

"What do you think—I need to learn Sage Arts! Jiraiya said Senjutsu chakra can stimulate the scalp and give me a head of glorious hair."