Chapter 157: Kabuto Yakushi’s Star Ninja Undercover Life
Year 56 of Konoha, summer.
Star Capital, Star Ninja Academy training ground.
The mud had been repeatedly tamped solid by countless footprints, with new wooden stake targets erected along the edges.
Three figures were practicing basic taijutsu against each other in the morning light, sweat glistening at their temples.
“Too slow, Junhito!” A crisp female voice carried an unquestionable sternness.
Natsuhi, with her head of red hair, moved nimbly like a cheetah, easily parrying the kunai thrust with full force by Shita Junhito, then flicking her wrist to send a clever force through the kunai.
Shita Junhito grunted, feeling his arm go instantly numb, barely able to hold onto his weapon, staggering back several steps before barely steadying himself.
He was tall and sturdy, with thick brows furrowed, his face showing the reluctance to admit defeat typical of a boy, breathing heavily, his eyes fixed dead on the training kunai in Natsuhi’s hand that seemed to weigh a thousand pounds.
“Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!” Murahashi Hazuki stood at the edge of the training ground, hands forming seals, spitting out a fierce burst of flames from her mouth.
She had a slender figure, with light brown short hair stirring slightly in the morning breeze, her sensory ninja traits making her seem especially sharp.
As Natsuhi’s body slid sharply to the left rear to dodge the Great Fireball Technique, her right hand training kunai blocked in reverse.
“Ding!” A crisp sound rang out as another kunai attacking from a tricky angle was steadily parried by her.
The one gripping this kunai was Kabuto Yakushi.
Or rather, in the Star Capital, his name was “Kumamoto Kabuto.”
He wore the Land of Stars’ standard dark blue ninja combat suit, with a Star Ninja headband on his left arm symbolizing his status.
The eyes behind his lenses were mild and harmless, his face showing just the right amount of focus and a hint of “frustration” at his attack being easily resolved by his teacher.
He quickly withdrew his hand and retreated, his movements clean and crisp, without any sloppiness.
“Good coordination.” Natsuhi released the block and nodded approvingly, her gaze sweeping over her three subordinates.
“Kabuto’s ambush timing was spot on, Hazuki’s interference was timely. Junhito, power isn’t everything; learn to control and redirect force.” Her voice wasn’t loud, but it clearly reached everyone’s ears.
“Remember, you are a squad. Trust your companions’ judgment, just like your own hands and feet. Training ends here for today. Go organize your gear, have breakfast, assemble at the school gate at exactly nine o’clock for the mission briefing.”
“Yes, Teacher Natsuhi!” The three replied in unison, carrying the excitement and slight tension of boys on their first missions.
Exactly nine o’clock, at the gate of the Star Capital Ninja Academy.
The Natsuhi Squad of four appeared on time.
Natsuhi had changed into a dark gray ninja combat suit convenient for movement, overlaid with a Star Ninja vest, her expression calm.
Before her were three novice genin.
“C-rank mission,” Natsuhi unrolled a scroll, her voice steady.
“Star Capital Seventh Prison Sector logistics supply escort.”
“Mission details: Escort the logistics squad delivering this week’s prisoner rations to the Seventh Prison Sector warehouse, supervise the logistics squad completing handover and inventory, assist with distribution.”
“Route: Depart from the west city logistics warehouse, via Central Avenue and Guard Road 3, arrive at north city Seventh Prison Sector.”
“Estimated time: three hours. Mission focus: Ensure supplies safety, maintain order. Understood?”
“Understood!” Kabuto, Junhito, and Hazuki replied in unison again.
This mission was already routine for them.
As one of the first six outstanding graduates, they had undergone grueling daily training during their one year at the Star Ninja Academy to stand out from the many students.
Kabuto Yakushi still remembered that among the first batch of outstanding graduates, the top-ranked Kimimaro Kaguya and second-ranked Mizuki Haku had formidable strength; Kabuto even suspected they had jonin-level power.
The third place was a girl named Yukimi, reportedly from a ninja clan and seemingly possessing a special bloodline limit.
In comparison, their squad consisted of native orphans from the Land of Stars.
But in Kabuto’s view, though these two orphan-born children had just reached genin level and only mastered a few simple ninjutsu.
Completing initial ninja training in one year of study was already very impressive, requiring not just talent but countless sweat and effort.
In the half month since graduating from the ninja academy, similar C-rank missions like logistics support, merchant caravan guard, clearing small bandit hideouts, and driving off beasts harassing villages had formed the foundation of their ninja careers.
Tedious and safe, yet steadily building experience and the village’s trust.
The logistics squad’s two ox carts were already waiting, loaded with thick sackcloth bags of grain, dried vegetables, and a small amount of salted meat.
Natsuhi made a hand signal, and the squad immediately spread into a diamond guard formation.
Kabuto and Hazuki flanked the left and right sides of the ox carts, Junhito brought up the rear, while Natsuhi walked at the front, her sharp gaze scanning the bustling crowds around and the buildings on both sides of the street.
The wheels rolled over the smooth stone paved road, emitting a monotonous rumbling sound.
The streets of the Star Capital were wide and busy, people in various attire hurrying past, the calls of vendors, hammering of craftsmen, and the orderly footsteps of patrol teams weaving together to form the unique vibrant pulse of this newborn city.
Kabuto walked on the right side of the ox cart, his steps steady, his gaze behind the lenses seemingly casually sweeping over the street scene.
Guard Road 3 had added two new hidden sentries, positioned on the rooftop of the street-facing ramen shop and the back window of the opposite izakaya.
Central Avenue patrol team shift intervals had shortened by five minutes compared to last week; faint vibrations of large machinery construction came from the north city direction, combined with the wind sound heard in the past few days, possibly new defensive structures…
He was like a highly skilled actor, perfectly playing the role of “Kumamoto Kabuto,” the “outstanding” genin from a border town in the Land of Bears, orphaned by warfare, luckily taken in by the Star Ninja Academy, graduating early through effort and a bit of medical ninjutsu talent.
Humble, diligent, friendly to companions, respectful to his teacher, harboring simple gratitude toward the Land of Stars and that mysterious “Lord Shura.”
Every expression, every response, even every perfectly timed performance in missions, had been carefully calculated and polished.
He knew who he was.
He was Kabuto Yakushi, the Konoha Root spy, Lord Danzō’s nail driven deep into the heart of the Land of Stars.
He gathered intelligence, assessed the Land of Stars’ military potential, political structure, economic lifelines, elite ninja intel, and more.
Especially regarding that elusive figure with immeasurable power “Shura,” and the rumored strong practitioners of the Uchiha Clan.
He recorded Natsuhi the jonin’s combat style and weaknesses, noted potential breakthroughs from Shita Junhito’s reckless personality, analyzed the range and precision of Murahashi Hazuki’s sensory abilities.
He was like a patient hunter, using the bait named “Kumamoto Kabuto” to carefully weave his own threads of information on the vast web of the Star Capital.
And the ultimate goal of all this was for that warm figure deep in his memories that had never faded—Nono Yakushi.
His director, his only family, the only light in his dark childhood.
His… mother.
