Lurking in Konoha, Part-Time Hokage

Monday morning, in the small forest outside the house.

Hanekawa called Kurenai to train together. She practiced Genjutsu while he worked on Ninja Tool Throwing. 

However, he found himself troubled by not knowing which three remaining ninja tools to choose.

There are quite a few ninja tools; the most common and simplest are Kunai, Shuriken, Senbon, and Fuma Shuriken. 

The other tools, however, significantly ramp up in difficulty.

Consider the Tachi, Tanto, Broad Sword, Staff, and Nunchaku, for instance. 

While Explosive Tags also count as ninja tools and are relatively straightforward to use, they're rather expensive and beyond his budget.

As Hanekawa pondered, his thoughts drifted to ways he could earn money. For children, avenues to earn are rather limited. 

He thought for a moment and suddenly remembered the Tsuchikyo of K​onoha Bookstore. In the original story, Jiraiya once showed Naruto Uzumaki his savings book. 

While not the richest man, he was certainly wealthy, thanks to the popular "Icha Icha Paradise." 

Hanekawa had read many classic works in his previous life. He even had a pen name in mind: Thunder Fire Sword. 

But he wasn't necessarily set on writing everything himself.

Hanekawa finally decided the remaining two ninja tools would be Explosive Tags and Tachi, the latter because of Konoha-Style Kenjutsu. 

In the Village Hidden in the Leaves, most Kenjutsu styles are family secrets, with outsiders rarely getting the chance to learn them, such as the Hatake Kenjutsu. 

However, exceptions do exist, like Konoha-Style Kenjutsu, previously used by Kosuke Maruboshi, Hayate Gekko, and Yugao Uzuki.

As for the last ninja tool, Hanekawa had long made up his mind: the Scalpel. Conveniently, he'd learn it along with Medical Ninjutsu.

"I'm going for a run, Kurenai."

Hanekawa suddenly had a thought. He needed money, so why not ask Tsuchikyo for it? 

As a spy from the Hidden Cloud Village, he indeed required funds for his operations. Requesting some money seemed quite reasonable.

Hanekawa ran two laps in the streets before heading into the Konoha Bookstore.

"Agent 9527, glad you haven't been exposed."

Upon seeing Hanekawa, Tsuchikyo, just like last time, greeted him with well wishes.

"…" Hanekawa's expression twitched slightly. 

He wished Tsuchikyo wouldn't say that; it felt like he was a general from an old play, riddled with flags.

"Hanekawa, do you have information for me?" Tsuchikyo asked eagerly, a look of expectation on his face.

Hanekawa was momentarily stunned. 

When it came to information about the Village Hidden in the Leaves, he possessed quite a fair bit, all of it acquired from secrets revealed in the original story.

"No."

Hanekawa stretched out his hand and directly said, "I need operational funds."

"Operational funds?" Tsuchikyo paused for a moment before catching on. Ah, asking for money, but in such a refined way.

"Given your young age, you indeed lack an economic source."

Tsuchikyo stroked his chin and said, "I'll give you 5,000 ryo every month from now on."

5,000 ryo—an astronomical sum for a child. Ninja missions are ranked into five levels, with a starting payout of 5,000 ryo for a D-rank mission. 

However, D-rank rewards are divided among four, meaning a Genin might not even pocket a thousand ryo.

"Thank you, Uncle Tsuchikyo."

Hanekawa was very pleased. After all, it was an easy 5,000 ryo.

"Taking money means you have to work."

Suddenly, Tsuchikyo changed his tone, a stern expression crossing his face. "The Hidden Cloud Village has a mission for you."

"I'll definitely complete the mission!" Hanekawa replied seriously.

"Showcase your talents at school, then choose a high-ranking Konoha official as your mentor upon graduation."

Tsuchikyo patted his shoulder and advised earnestly, "You're currently the only Hidden Cloud Village spy with a chance to infiltrate Konoha's upper echelons."

"I understand!" Hanekawa nodded emphatically. 

As long as he could apprentice under Tsunade, the task would be virtually completed.

"If you succeed, you'll become a personal disciple of Lord Raikage, eligible to learn Nintaijutsu." Tsuchikyo's expression softened, and he spoke with a smile.

Ah, drawing me in with promises. But this one's not bad, and he was willing to take it.

"Uncle Tsuchikyo." Hanekawa scratched his head and asked, "I have a friend who wants to publish a book. Could he do it through you?"

"Absolutely." Tsuchikyo thought for a moment before responding, "Since he's your friend, I'll offer him a 20% profit."

"Twenty percent?" Hanekawa curiously asked, "What's the original profit division?"

"A 30-70 split," Tsuchikyo explained. "The bookstore takes 70%, while the author receives 30%."

Only 30%? It's almost like begging! But at least he—or rather, his friend—could secure 50%.

"If my friend provides the concept and outline, how would we split the profits?" Hanekawa pondered and came up with another notion: collaborating on a book. 

Though he had read many classics, he only remembered the general plots, and writing would be exceedingly time-consuming.

"This style is quite novel."

Tsuchikyo furrowed his brows slightly, casting Hanekawa a thoughtful look. Under normal circumstances, it wouldn't be allowed. 

But Hanekawa was a promising Hidden Cloud Village spy, worth befriending and investing in.

"For poor sales, 10%; for high sales, I'd offer 40%." Tsuchikyo, after some contemplation, offered.

On hearing this, Hanekawa's eyes gleamed with interest. At 40%, it was doable.

"I'll bring my friend's ideas and outline next time." Before leaving, Hanekawa took a walk through the bookstore. 

He found that the so-called adult books weren't as explicit as he'd imagined, merely skirting the boundaries. 

On reflection, it made sense—after all, "Icha Icha Paradise" was adapted into a movie in the original story.

After departing the bookstore, Hanekawa skipped going straight to school and instead visited the nearby ninja tool shop to inquire about Explosive Tag prices. 

An Explosive Tag is more or less sealing a Fire Release Ninjutsu into a talisman and detonating it. Its power is substantial, as is its high cost.

In the original story, Shikamaru Nara, upon becoming a Chūnin, could afford only two. But Hanekawa discovered several kinds of Explosive Tags. 

The expensive versions could cost over 10,000 ryo, wielding the power of a Jonin-level Fire Release Ninjutsu. He presumed Shikamaru Nara bought this kind. 

The cheapest Explosive Tag was 300 ryo each and was decent for catching fish.

Since Hanekawa was primarily aiming to expand his repertoire and was on a tight budget, he bought 15 of the cheapest tags. Even with that, he whittled his freshly gained 5,000 ryo down to a mere 500.

Hanekawa returned home, attending Ninja Academy with Kurenai Yuhi in classes. He planned to test the Explosive Tags in a spacious area after school.

"Kakashi, this afternoon's physical training, I'm definitely going to beat you!" In the classroom, Obito's passionate declaration rang aloud.

"You won't even make the top ten." Kakashi glanced at him and retorted.

"This time, I'll make it for sure!" Obito said, crossing his arms confidently. "Bearing the name of the future Hokage, I won't lose again!"

The school's curriculum was divided into theoretical and practical classes. The practical classes weren't just a 1v1 showdown but involved teaching Ninjutsu, Ninja Tool Throwing, and physical training.

"Ah, physical training, what a pain." Upon hearing this, Kurenai pouted unhappily.

Hanekawa understood her sentiment. 

After all, the physical training for ninjas was even more intense than college fitness tests. During the last session, both he and Obito didn't make the top ten.