Seeing the Third Raikage still frowning in confusion, Tamura Zairo instead felt increasingly at ease.
Good. As long as he hasn't read them.
"Those are all novels I wrote. They sell extremely well and make a lot of money. That one billion ryō is my manuscript fee!"
He finally explained, making it clear that the source of his money was absolutely legitimate.
After arriving in this world, he had been pondering how to grow stronger.
Once he realized he had no golden finger, only average talent, and no family inheritance, he understood that the only path left was to rely on external means.
The best external means was money—pure financial power. But earning money in a ridiculous world like Naruto, where even terrorists yearned for peace, was no easy task.
It wasn't until he remembered the future literary masterpieces of the legendary Jiraiya that he found a path to riches. Over the past few years, he had been continuously writing books, while also taking advantage of his status as a child to freely enter bathhouses and the red-light districts to gather material. By blending those experiences with the unique characteristics of the ninja world, he produced those "yellow-genre classics."
And sure enough—they made absurd amounts of money.
"Novels?"
The Third Raikage was dumbfounded. Writing novels was that profitable?
He turned to his aide, Dodai, and cast him an inquiring glance.
Recalling how he had spent all his private savings buying dozens of those yellow-genre masterpieces, Dodai replied with a strange expression,
"If he really is the author of those books, producing one billion ryō wouldn't be difficult at all."
What he hadn't expected was that all of those authors were actually the same person—and a ten-year-old child at that.
Counting the timeline, those yellow-genre classics first appeared five years ago. In other words, this kid had already reached that level of ideological enlightenment at the age of five.
A true talent.
Though puzzled by Dodai's odd reaction, the Third Raikage didn't pursue the matter further. His attention shifted back to the intelligence.
"So, what is this intelligence?"
Taking a deep breath, Tamura Zairo spoke seriously.
"I was sent by Shimura Danzō to Kumogakure as a spy, tasked with finding ways to steal the village's intelligence. But I was forced into it. My parents are already dead, and now that I'm about to become a ninja of Kumogakure, I will be one for life!"
That's right—he had originally been a Konoha citizen.
Because he displayed unusual maturity and managed to refine chakra at the age of three, he was noticed by Shimura Danzō's men and taken away for training. At five years old, he was dispatched to Kumogakure, where he replaced the adopted grandson of an elderly man.
That old man's real grandson had been taken away by Danzō's people, and the old man himself had long been secretly bribed and turned into an informant. He passed away a year ago.
The reason Tamura Zairo chose to reveal this identity was simple—he didn't want to leave behind hidden dangers.
Some things carried very different meanings depending on when they were said.
Confessing beforehand was declaring one's stance and abandoning the darkness for the light. Confessing after exposure was merely explanation—even make excuses—and no one would believe it.
He absolutely did not want his identity exposed later, followed by being targeted, subjected to Kumogakure's ten great tortures, and then placed under genjutsu or memory probing.
That would be fatal.
Being a spy was far too dangerous. He just wanted to be a good person.
The moment he finished speaking, the atmosphere froze solid. The Third Raikage and the other two all turned solemn.
Though internally panicking like mad, Tamura Zairo maintained eye contact with the Third Raikage, clearly expressing his attitude and position.
Dodai and Yondaime A said nothing, quietly waiting for the Raikage's decision.
"Well said. You will be a member of Kumogakure for life—and my disciple."
In the end, the Third Raikage laughed.
Although this kid's background was problematic, it wasn't a big issue.
More importantly, he had been completely upfront, offered one billion ryō, and presented three super-weapons—his sincerity was unquestionable.
Most crucial of all, the Third Raikage valued the boy's mind. If he could design weapons like these now, perhaps he would come up with even more terrifying creations in the future. His potential value was immeasurable.
If he really wanted to be a spy?
The Third Raikage could only say—send more like him.
With the Raikage's laughter, Tamura Zairo finally relaxed. His legs nearly gave out, and his back was drenched in cold sweat.
That pressure just now had been immense.
Dodai and Yondaime A also let out sighs of relief. They were quite fond of the kid—especially those yellow-genre classics.
If they were to stop updating and become unfinished legends, that would be far too regrettable!
"Lord Raikage, perhaps we can reverse-use his spy identity—feed Shimura Danzō some intelligence that benefits us."
After some thought, Dodai proposed the idea.
As a strategist-type ninja who primarily provided advice to the Raikage, he saw the boy's spy status as something that could be exploited.
"Leave this matter to you."
The Third Raikage nodded, approving the suggestion. As long as it benefited the village, nothing was off-limits.
"Take him for a thorough inspection. See if Shimura Danzō left any hidden measures on him—that man is a dangerous one.
"Also, everything that happened today must remain secret. No one is allowed to speak of it. This is the village's highest-level classified matter."
He gestured to his son and gave one final reminder.
"Disciple takes his leave!"
Tamura Zairo finally felt completely relieved and followed Yondaime A out.
After the two left, the Third Raikage walked over to the wall, pried out all the deformed bullets with a kunai, then coated his fingers with Lightning Release chakra and stabbed into each crater one by one, destroying the traces and turning them into marks consistent with his training of Hell Stab.
Although this was his private training chamber and outsiders were forbidden, spies were notoriously hard to identify. With all sorts of bizarre ninjutsu out there, someone might still manage to observe this place. If those bullet marks or warheads gave anything away, it would be troublesome.
Understanding his intent, Dodai sealed the three super-weapons back into the storage scrolls and walked over.
"A very clever little brat."
The Third Raikage smiled as he finished destroying the craters, looking at the holes left behind.
"Indeed—extremely clever."
Dodai fully agreed. Whether it was the super-weapons, the yellow-genre classics he had written, or the schemes he executed today, all of it demonstrated extraordinary intelligence and courage.
"How long will it take to develop them?"
His expression turned serious. The Third Raikage knew those weapons were still immature—materials were one issue, structure another. On top of that were all the boy's ideas, which would require massive manpower, resources, and time to develop.
Dodai had anticipated this question and had already thought it through.
"At least five years of research and development. Mass production would require vast quantities of steel and explosive tags, as well as the training of large-scale ninja units. Altogether, at least ten years.
"The principles behind these firearms are too simple. Once they're used, the enemy will quickly decipher them and replicate them. We can only gain a one-time advantage—we must seize the initiative in a single decisive push."
"Ten years… then they won't be usable in this war."
The Third Raikage felt some regret. In the coming Ninja War, Kumogakure was bound to suffer heavy losses.
They had already paid a terrible price in the last Great Ninja War—especially with the betrayal of Kinkaku and Ginkaku, which had severely damaged the village's foundations.
Not only did Kinkaku, Ginkaku, and their forces defect and become enemies, but during the betrayal they also killed many of Kumogakure's ninja—including the Second Raikage.
Defeating Kinkaku and his group back then had also cost them dearly.
This upcoming Ninja War would certainly not be easy either.