After the shinobi came in, he didn't show much abnormality; instead he deliberately disguised himself as an ordinary person who had just come off the road and wanted to have a couple of drinks.
Kakashi, seeing this, let a small portion of his own chakra aura leak out, then immediately reined it back in.
That, however, was enough to confirm the identity.
A shinobi's aura, in an environment full of ordinary people, stands out like this.
The spy earlier had used the same method, which was why Kakashi had been able to sense him.
Without making a sound, he shifted his seat and came to sit beside Kakashi.
Kakashi turned his head and found him to be a man of about thirty, his complexion slightly sallow, wearing some bitterness. The kind of middle-aged man worn down by family burdens and increasing fatigue.
Kakashi couldn't help but sigh. According to the classified Root files, this man's codename was Whale; when he was sent into the Hidden Mist Village he had been only fifteen, still a half-grown child.
Fifteen years flew by, and whether or not he was using a disguise now, the man was certainly no longer young.
Some people truly serve and sacrifice in secret, burning themselves for Konoha…
Thinking this, Kakashi asked, "It hasn't been easy all these years, has it?"
The man didn't answer immediately. He called the bartender over, ordered a drink, took a sip, and only then said, "Actually, it's been pretty good. I've already married. Family life is happy, and I have a lovely daughter."
Kakashi was slightly stunned, 'A spy, married with children? Wouldn't that be looking for a weakness?'
But he immediately reconsidered: at that age, if he hadn't married, it might look suspicious and actually increase the risk of exposure.
Come to think of it, Kakashi himself was only ten when he became an ANBU squad leader, ten years old, and being sent to the Hidden Mist on such a dangerous S-rank mission wasn't easy either.
Kakashi lifted his cup, took a sip, and murmured, "Is that so?"
As if remembering something, the man sighed and said, "Actually, supporting a family isn't easy, especially with our kind of identity."
The man nodded and sighed as well, "Yeah. Although my wife and I truly love each other, sometimes I seriously wonder whether marrying and having children was the right thing to do. After all, my life was decided at birth. I can't guarantee my family a lifetime of happiness, my wife and daughter might end up suffering more because of me."
Nearby, the young bartender who had just walked past, perhaps strongly identifying with the sentiment, couldn't help blurting, "You're not wrong. If you can't afford it, don't have kids. My folks had me but never gave me a single good day. Sometimes I think, if they'd never had me, that would've been better."
After saying that, the bartender muttered curses and walked away.
A subtle feeling rose in Kakashi's chest. This spy's words both resonated with his situation and, at the same time, carried a double meaning that ordinary listeners would only feel sympathy for and not suspect anything.
Is this the mark of an excellent intelligence agent?
Kakashi followed up on the spy's words, "So what are your plans next?"
The spy thought for a moment, "What plan is there? Since heaven sent me here to walk this path, I can only accept this fate. Whether it's bitterness or sorrow, people still must strive upward, right?"
Kakashi immediately understood. The man before him had not forgotten his mission and had been running for it all along.
Although he didn't know how much of the man's words were true and how much were just talk, Kakashi decided to extend a certain level of trust.
He stood, paid the bill, and quietly covered the spy's tab as well. Then he said, "Brother, want to get out and walk for a bit?"
The man did not hesitate, just shrugged and replied, "Sure."
The two left the tavern and walked, testing the waters with small talk. After confirming they weren't being followed, they drifted farther away until they reached an uninhabited corner.
The man spoke first, "No more than two people in all of Konoha know my identity. If something goes wrong and Danzo's leadership takes a hit, it still won't stop me from finishing my mission."
"You came to find me, which means it's time for me to be activated. Say it, what do you want me to do?"
Kakashi hadn't expected the spy to be so direct, but direct was convenient; it saved him a lot of trouble.
He said, "I need you to provide intelligence on the Hidden Mist Village, especially anything related to Konoha. For example: why are so many Mist shinobi stationed along the Fire Country's east coast? What's their intent?"
The spy wasn't surprised Kakashi asked that. He answered succinctly, "Lately the Third Mizukage has been getting crazier and crazier. Even after the whole Zabuza massacre happened some time ago, it hasn't changed his thinking."
"The Blood Mist policy is escalating. Now it's even affecting the Taketori, Minazuki, and Hotarubi clans."
"Deploying shinobi across the sea to station on the Fire Country's coast was an order personally given by the Third Mizukage. If he doesn't even fear the people within his own country, he probably won't fear Konoha either. I suspect he's planning to make a move against Konoha."
Kakashi was slightly alarmed. Although he had already heard this from Terumi Mei, hearing it confirmed brought a fresh chill.
Obito had once said that after Zabuza's massacre, the Blood Mist policy had slowed, but that wasn't what was happening now.
It meant the Third Mizukage had changed since the time Obito knew about.
'Is it because of… Uchiha Madara's actions?'
Kakashi couldn't be sure, but he didn't want to face war with the Hidden Mist. Not only because the frontlines between the Mist and Konoha were very close and the consequences would be severe, but also because ever since he had seen the scene of Chidori piercing Rin's chest, he'd had a lingering fear that the same fate could fall on others.
Moreover, with Terumi Mei's side planning a coup, that would interfere with the Third Mizukage's plans, so a war probably wouldn't break out.
Kakashi breathed a sigh of relief. But the relief was short-lived, because he immediately thought of Terumi Mei.
Suddenly his mood soured. Two emotions warred in his head.
The spy codenamed "Whale" noticed Kakashi's abnormality and coldly said, "You're not yourself. In our line of work you must discard useless emotions. Calm yourself immediately, or I won't know whether I should continue trusting you."