A group of workers dressed in green overalls was heading toward the factory residential area, each holding a notebook and pen. Among them was one figure with long black hair and a cheeky grin, chatting with the others.
Though disguised, the unmistakable "Zetsu aura" radiated from him. It was Uzumaki White Zetsu, who else could be so reckless? But what was he doing here? A part-time job?
Meanwhile, Kawaki sighed as he looked at the young man with long black hair, the new classmate he'd met unexpectedly during today's lesson. Kawaki had been attending classes for several days now, but his memory wasn't what it used to be because of his age. He found it hard to understand the chakra refinement techniques and the lessons the teachers shared.
Although he took notes carefully and listened every day, some things just didn't click. Since it was late, he didn't want to bother the teachers, which added to his frustration.
Kawaki had planned to gather all his questions and ask Captain Yamada at once in a few days, but unexpectedly, he met a new classmate who seemed to know an incredible amount already.
The black-haired youth chuckled, scratching his head as he said, "Heh heh heh, this stuff comes as naturally to me as... well, pooping, I was practically born knowing it! Actually, I probably know more about poop than about chakra!"
Kawaki couldn't help but smile awkwardly. Jugen was always funny and optimistic, and while he was a great, patient classmate, he sometimes said the oddest things.
Glancing up at the sky, Kawaki realized it was getting late. "It's getting late. See you next week at night class!" he called out. "See you then~!" Jugen replied cheerfully.
After saying their goodbyes, Kawaki started walking the other way. He still didn't know which department Jugen worked in or where he lived, only that Jugen liked to take shortcuts home after class. Since Jugen had been recommended to attend these classes, Kawaki assumed he must be a diligent and excellent worker.
As he walked, a thought struck him. "Oh right, there's a holiday coming up soon. I wonder if Jugen will be free? If so, I should invite him over to thank him for all his help."
With that in mind, Kawaki quickly turned around, hoping Jugen hadn't gone far, and hurried toward the usual shortcut. When he arrived, he saw Jugen's back, a big smile on his face. "Jugen…. " Kawaki called out. But just as the words left his mouth, the figure suddenly vanished.
*
"I heard about it! Did you hear?" Yahiko said excitedly, shaking Nagato's shoulder while he was busy with his homework.
"Last night, during the night shift, a mysterious worker appeared and, whoosh, disappeared just like that! They say it's another ghost who's into poop, just like that ghostly student. Now's the perfect time for our Akatsuki's 'Unveiling the Mystery' mission to kick off!"
"Don't believe everything you hear, and don't spread rumors," Nagato replied, shrugging off Yahiko's hand and rolling his eyes. "Charlie - Sensei already cleared things up this morning. He said it was a shinobi from our own village sneaking into the kusagakure, trying to spy on our secrets!"
"No way! That's impossible!" Yahiko shook his head firmly.
"How many times has this happened already? The academy on the burial mound, the ghostly student who likes poop, and now a mysterious worker who likes poop? This time, a real worker saw it with their own eyes, saw the guy shrink underground!"
He leaned in closer and lowered his voice. "I think Charlie - Sensei knows more than he's letting on and is just messing with us!"
Nagato said nothing. Honestly, he had his doubts, too.
Looking at Yahiko with a blank expression, Nagato asked, "Finished your homework? The 200 pages exam? The six-thousand-word reflection essay? And the eight-thousand-word self-criticism for wandering off this time? All done?"
"HAH! Nagato, why are you being such a pain? Don't you remember the Akatsuki's motto?"
"Sorry, I never joined."
"Well, do you even know what this is about? Once we discover the truth, Charlie - Sensei will be shocked to his core!"
"I don't know if he'll be shocked or not, but…" Nagato paused, "I do know that if we don't finish our homework, Charlie - Sensei's test might have to upgrade to two thousand papers."
Yahiko immediately slumped, muttering, "Why does Charlie - Sensei keep coming up with these homework anyway?" His hands trembled from all the homework, but before long, he seemed to rally, raising his fist.
"No matter what… I will definitely find out who the ghostly student and ghostly comrade really are. Talk is cheap, only action matter!!! that's my shinobi way!" He declared firmly.
The third of the seven great campus mysteries had just surfaced: a genius student-worker who was always eager to help his colleagues. When Charlie first heard this, he was stunned, his face twisting into one of complete disbelief.
Did this mysterious underground group ever stop? Were they still obsessed with the academy? After all, the factory and the residential area were right next to the school to make attending classes easier, and they were even allowed to take night classes there.
Yet, another strange incident had occurred. Why did these White Zetsu keep coming up from underground to cause trouble instead of quietly taking care of their elders? It was reckless, did they really want to be saved?
If they wanted to go for a walk, couldn't they pick a different place? And why were they pretending to be workers from the Land of Rain? Were they seriously trying to find part-time jobs?
"After looking into it, there really was an extra person in the evening class," Elder Yojin reported, glancing at Charlie with a strange expression.
"Black hair, a bit refined-looking, always smiling. Lots of people said they saw him freeloading meals in the cafeteria, and sometimes sneaking food out, things like chicken cutlets, fried chicken legs, pancakes, meatballs, and other snacks."
Charlie raised an eyebrow. Freeloading meals was one thing, but packing food to go? Weren't these White Zetsu not supposed to need to eat, drink, or even use the bathroom?
What was with the takeout? Were they bringing midnight snacks to Madara?
Yojin noticed the lord's odd look and hesitated before asking, "Should we get the security team to investigate?"
"Forget it. Just show some respect for the elders," Charlie replied.
"?"
"You don't need to worry about it. I'll handle things. Just treat this like an enemy village shinobi infiltration," Charlie waved dismissively.
"Your main job is to watch over the academy, research institute, and factory, and keep the civilians calm. Let's pin this on... exactly!"
He slammed his fist on the table, his face serious. "This is the work of the Amegakure! They're jealous of our peaceful Land of Grass and want to stir up trouble!"
Yojin twitched at the corner of his mouth but saw the determination in Charlie's eyes and realized the lord must know something. No matter what, as a shinobi, he had to follow orders. Nodding solemnly, Yojin said, "lord's right."
"Amegakure hasn't given up on causing trouble for us," Charlie remarked grimly.