Naruto: Puppet Master Undercover in Konoha

At first, Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't understand what Shindai meant by "customizing a ninja puppet," but the moment Shindai mentioned that Jiraiya was completely satisfied, Hiruzen instantly got it.

Hiruzen Sarutobi knew exactly what kind of person Jiraiya was.

After all, he and Jiraiya were alike—both had an intense love for beautiful things.

In other words, "dirty old men."

If customization was possible... Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted to create a younger version of Biwa...

Wait, if you could customize one, why stick with Biwa?

You'd obviously go for something completely different...

As Hiruzen Sarutobi drifted into fantasyland, Kushina Uzumaki interrupted with a puzzled question: "Shindai, Third, what are you two talking about? Customizing what? What is it that Lord Jiraiya also liked?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shindai both coughed awkwardly at the same time, replying in unison, "Nothing!"

Regarding Shindai and Hiruzen Sarutobi's strange behavior, Kushina Uzumaki felt very confused.

Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a satisfied smile, "Shindai, we'll talk about this later. After the war ends, you can explain everything thoroughly to me."

Shindai gave a knowing look and said, "Hokage-sama, I guarantee my work will make you feel like you've returned to your youth!"

Right now, any psychological discomfort Hiruzen Sarutobi had felt toward Shindai vanished completely.

This was clearly an excellent ninja who genuinely had Konoha's best interests at heart!

Hiruzen Sarutobi asked, "So Shindai, are you planning to meet up with Kakashi and the others?"

Shindai replied naturally, "Of course! After all, I'm their teammate."

Hiruzen Sarutobi slightly furrowed his brow and said to Shindai, "Shindai, this might not be very convenient. How about... I assign you another team temporarily? You can complete missions with a different group for now, and once Kakashi's mission finishes, I'll arrange for you to meet back up with them."

Shindai shook his head rapidly: "No way, no way! I don't want to team up with strangers. I can wait—I'll just meet up with Kakashi and them after their mission finishes!"

Kushina Uzumaki asked Hiruzen Sarutobi, "The Third, is Kakashi's mission classified so it's inconvenient to talk about?"

After taking a puff from his pipe, Hiruzen Sarutobi answered, "It's not that there's anything wrong with Kakashi's side—it's more complicated on Shindai's end."

Shindai looked confused: "Huh? Complicated for me? What problem do I have? I'm a guy, there's no 'inconvenient time' for me!"

Immediately, Kushina slapped him hard across the back of the head: "What are you blabbering about!"

Rubbing his head, Shindai turned to Hiruzen Sarutobi and asked, "Hokage-sama, maybe I'm actually super convenient?"

Hiruzen exhaled a puff of smoke and said, "Kakashi and the others are at the border of the Land of Fire. However, their opponents are Sand Ninja, and you used to be a Sunagakure ninja, so..."

Shindai and Kushina Uzumaki suddenly understood.

Ah, that's it.

They were worried Shindai, once a ninja from Sunagakure, might hesitate when fighting against them.

Hiruzen continued, "Also, you're currently wanted by Sunagakure. Your Magnet Release and Puppet Technique are pretty distinctive. If they discover you, they will surely come after you. Therefore, the battlefield where Kakashi and his team are stationed is very dangerous for you."

Shindai thought what Hiruzen said made sense, but he still hated the idea of teaming up with total strangers. He'd rather just stick around Konoha for now.

Just as Shindai was about to ask Hiruzen if he could take a post at a supply station in Konoha, Hiruzen said something else.

"I also heard that the one leading the Sand ninja in this operation is Sunagakure's advisor, Chiyo..."

Before Hiruzen could finish speaking, Shindai immediately blurted out, "Lord Hokage, I'll go!"

"Eh?"

Hiruzen looked at Shindai in confusion. According to Minato Namikaze and Jiraiya's description of Shindai, shouldn't he avoid danger at all costs when hearing about such a risky mission?

Gritting his teeth, Shindai snapped angrily, "That damn old hag Chiyo! I'm gonna smash that ugly old face of hers! She framed me—this is the worst shame I've ever faced in my life!"

Hiruzen and Kushina exchanged glances, then both looked at the furious Shindai with expressions full of subtle amusement.

They hadn't expected Shindai to agree to fight against the Sand ninja just because Chiyo was involved.

Hiruzen reminded him cautiously, "Shindai, right now Kakashi holds the rank of Tokubetsu Jonin, while Obito and Rin are Chunin. Their mission definitely involves combat, so there's almost certainly going to be fights with the Sand ninja. Since you were once from Sunagakure, if you really go, you won't be able to leave halfway through."

Shindai growled furiously, "They're the ones who started it with no honor about it! I was forced into it from the start—nobody even gave me a choice. Then when they didn't need me anymore, they just slapped me with false accusations. Now I'm not even human? That's not how you treat someone after using them!

Lord Hokage, don't say anything else. I'm now a ninja of Konoha. I won't hold back just because we once came from the same village. Truth is, I wasn't close to them at all!"

Looking at the angry Shindai, Hiruzen paused briefly before saying, "Since you've already made your decision, then...I understand. Shindai, I hereby issue an order as Hokage: immediately head to the border of the Land of Fire and meet up with Kakashi, Obito, and Rin. The four of you will carry out missions together starting now."

...

Shindai went home and packed everything he needed into his gear bag.

Kushina Uzumaki helped Shindai adjust his Konoha ninja battle uniform after he got ready, then ruffled his hair and warned, "Be careful on the battlefield. Watch your safety, understand?"

Shindai said goodbye to Kushina Uzumaki, "Understood! Onee-san Kushina, then I'm off now."

After watching Shindai leave, Kushina Uzumaki let out a sigh.

Another one off~

Shindai was over the moon with excitement after leaving Konoha.

How could he not be hyped up for this? He was about to go after Chiyo!

Since he couldn't track down Chiyo's grandson Sasori yet, he might as well test how strong Kannazuki was by taking on Chiyo first—after all, she was a first-rate Puppet Master.

Besides...

Compared to Rasa, Shindai hated Chiyo even more.

Didn't Ebizō have two brain cells to rub together? Could he really not see that Sasori was the main suspect?

Shindai didn't doubt for a moment that Ebizō and Chiyo hadn't figured it out. They were just choosing not to believe it—or worse, covering for him.

After all, Sasori was Chiyo's grandson and Ebizō's great-nephew.

What was he, anyway? Nothing more than a no-name Sand ninja from Sunagakure, save for his Magnet Release kekkei genkai.

With no standing or connections, he'd been thrown away without hesitation—set up to take the fall for the Third Kazekage's disappearance, most likely to make way for Sasori's return to Sunagakure one day.

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