Naruto: I'm in Konoha, my name is Uzumaki Menma

Chapter 157 Kabuto Yakushi's Undercover Life as a Star Ninja
Summer of Konoha Year 56.

Star City, Star Ninja Academy Training Grounds.

The soil was repeatedly compacted by countless footprints, and brand-new wooden stakes stood at the edge.

Three figures were practicing basic physical techniques in the morning light, sweat glistening on their foreheads.

"Too slow, Junren!" The clear female voice carried an undeniable sternness.

With her red hair, Summer's figure was as agile as a cheetah. She easily parried the kunai that Morishita Toshito thrust with all his might. With a flick of her wrist, a clever force was transmitted through the kunai.

Morishita Toshito let out a muffled groan, feeling his arm go numb and weak instantly, almost unable to hold his weapon. He staggered back several steps before barely managing to regain his footing.

He was tall and sturdy, with thick, furrowed brows and a youthful, defiant look on his face. He was breathing heavily, his eyes fixed on the training kunai in Xia Ri's hand, which seemed to weigh a ton.

"Fire Release: Great Flame Technique!" Hazuki Murahashi stood at the edge of the training ground, her hands forming hand seals, and she exhaled a fierce burst of flames.

She was slender, with short, light brown hair that fluttered slightly in the morning breeze, and her ability to sense the characteristics of a ninja made her exceptionally perceptive.

As Xia Ri swiftly slid to the left and back to dodge the Flame Technique, she simultaneously used her right hand to practice her kunai and block.

With a crisp "ding!", she steadily parried another kunai that came from a tricky angle.

The one holding this kunai was none other than Yakushi Kabuto.

Or rather, in the Star Capital, his name is "Kumamoto Kabuto".

He was wearing the dark blue ninja uniform of the Land of Stars, with a Star Ninja headband on his left arm symbolizing his identity.

Behind the glasses, the eyes were gentle and harmless, and the face held just the right amount of focus and a hint of "annoyance" at the teacher's easily deflected attack.

He quickly withdrew and retreated, his movements clean and swift, without the slightest hesitation.

"Good teamwork." Xia Ri released his guard, nodded approvingly, and glanced at his three subordinates.

"Kabuto's surprise attack was perfectly timed, and Hazuki's interference was also timely. Toshito, strength isn't everything; you need to learn to control and deflect force." Her voice wasn't loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears.

"Remember, you are a team. Trust your teammates' judgment as you would your own hands and feet. Today's training is over. Go back and pack your gear, have breakfast, and meet at the school gate at 9:00 AM sharp for the mission briefing."

"Yes, Teacher Xia!" the three replied in unison, their voices a mixture of youthful excitement and a touch of nervousness as they embarked on their mission.

At exactly nine o'clock, at the entrance of the Star Capital Ninja Academy.

The four members of the Summer Squad arrived on time.

Summer changed into a dark gray ninja combat suit for easy movement, with a Star Ninja vest over it, and her expression was calm.

Before her stood three inexperienced genin.

“A C-level mission,” Xia Ri said calmly, unrolling a scroll.

"Logistics and supply escort for the seventh prison district of Star City".

"Task content: Escort the logistics team to transport the prisoners' rations for this period to the warehouse of the seventh prison area, supervise the logistics team to complete the handover and counting, and assist in the distribution."

"Route: Starting from the West City Logistics Warehouse, via Central Avenue and Garrison Road 3, arrive at the North City Seventh Prison Area."

"Estimated time: three hours. Mission priorities: ensure the safety of supplies and maintain order. Understood?"

"Understood!" Kabuto, Toshito, and Hazuki answered in unison once again.

This task was already second nature to them. As one of the first six outstanding graduates, they had undergone rigorous training every day during their year at the Star Ninja Academy to stand out from the crowd of students.

Kabuto still remembers the list of the first batch of outstanding graduates. Kaguya Kimimaro, who ranked first, and Mizuki Haku, who ranked second, were so powerful that Kabuto even suspected that they had the strength of Jonin.

The third place went to a girl named Yukimi, who was said to be from a ninja clan and seemed to possess a special bloodline limit.

In contrast, their squad consisted entirely of orphans from the Star Kingdom.

However, in Kabuto's view, although these two orphans had just reached the level of Genin, they had only mastered a few simple ninjutsu.

However, it is already very difficult to complete the initial ninja training in a year of study. In addition to talent, it also requires countless sweat and efforts.

In the two weeks since graduating from the ninja academy, their ninja careers have been largely defined by C-rank missions such as logistical support, caravan escort, clearing out small bandit strongholds, and driving away wild animals that harass villages.

It's tedious and safe, but it allows you to gradually accumulate experience and gain the trust of the village.

Two oxcarts belonging to the logistics team were already waiting, piled high with grains, dried vegetables, and a small amount of cured meat in thick burlap sacks.

Xia Ri made a gesture, and the squad immediately dispersed into a diamond-shaped guard formation.

Kabuto and Hazuki lined the left and right sides of the oxcart, with Toshito bringing up the rear, while Natsumi walked at the very front, her sharp eyes scanning the bustling crowds and the buildings on both sides of the street.

The wheels rolled over the smooth stone road, making a monotonous rumbling sound.

The streets of Star City are wide and bustling, with people dressed in all kinds of clothes hurrying by. The cries of vendors, the hammering of craftsmen, and the orderly footsteps of patrol teams intertwine to form the unique pulse of vitality in this new city.

He walked steadily to the right of the oxcart, his gaze seemingly casually sweeping across the street scene behind his glasses.

Two additional hidden sentry posts have been added to the guard post on the third road, located on the roof of a ramen shop facing the street and through the back window of an izakaya.

The patrol team on Central Avenue changed shifts five minutes less frequently than last week; faint vibrations from heavy machinery construction could be heard from the north of the city, and combined with the wind noises heard a few days ago, it's likely new defensive fortifications...

He was like a highly skilled actor, perfectly portraying "Kumamoto Kabuto," an "excellent" genin who came from a small border town in the Land of Bears, became an orphan due to war, was fortunate enough to be taken in by the Star Ninja Academy, and graduated early thanks to hard work and a little bit of medical ninjutsu talent.

Humility, diligence, friendliness to companions, respect for teachers, and a simple gratitude towards the Star Kingdom and the mysterious "Lord Shura".

Every expression, every response, and even the perfect performance in every task has been carefully calculated and polished.

He knows who he is.

He is Kabuto Yakushi, a spy for Konoha's Root, a spy planted deep in the heart of the Land of Stars by Lord Danzo.

He gathers intelligence, assessing the Star Kingdom's military potential, political structure, economic lifeline, and elite ninjas.

Especially concerning the mysterious and unfathomably powerful "Shura," and the legendary strongmen of the Uchiha clan.

He recorded the summer jonin's fighting style and weaknesses, paid attention to the potential breakthroughs that Morishita Toshito's reckless personality might bring, and analyzed the range and accuracy of Murahashi Hazuki's sensory abilities.

Like a patient hunter, he carefully weaves his own threads of information on the giant spider web of the Star Capital, using bait called "Kumamoto Kabuto".

And the ultimate goal of all this is for that warm figure that has never faded from the depths of my memory—Yakushi Nonou.

His dean, his only relative, the only light in his dark childhood.

His... mother.

(End of this chapter)