Naruto: Puppet Master Undercover in Konoha

Kakashi accepted a routine mission from the ninja who issued it—supply delivery.

Since Pakura's location was in an area where Konoha ninjas, Sand ninjas, and Mist ninjas were engaged in chaotic fighting, Kakashi's team wasn't ranked high enough to receive combat missions there.

After accepting the task, Shindai couldn't contain his eagerness and urged, "Let's go! Hurry up and move out!"

On the road,

Shindai walked at the very front while Obito, Kakashi, and Rin Nohara followed behind him.

Obito and the other two were whispering amongst each other.

Obito: "I sense something fishy."

Rin Nohara: "I feel something suspicious too."

Obito: "Usually when we go on missions, Shindai won't budge until the last minute. This time, though, he was eager to set off as soon as the mission was accepted."

Rin Nohara: "Right. Normally, Shindai walks behind us, but now he's walking ahead."

Kakashi: "Just check out his smile. It's obvious he's really looking forward to seeing Pakura."

Obito: "I figured something out!"

Rin Nohara: "Quick, tell us! What did you discover, Obito?"

Obito: "Earlier, Shindai said he regarded Pakura as a close friend, but Pakura sees him as her younger brother! What if Shindai has feelings for Pakura, yet she only sees him as her little brother? Shindai... secretly likes her but feels shy to admit it, so he pretends it's just platonic friendship!"

Rin Nohara: "Oh wow, that actually makes a lot of sense!"

Kakashi: "No wonder Shindai always acts like a love expert—he actually has experience, but it's all one-sided."

...

Shindai turned around curiously to face Obito and the others: "You three! What are you whispering about back there? Why are you slowing down? Hurry up!"

Obito: "We're coming, we're coming! Don't rush us."

Kakashi: "I know you're in a hurry, but let's hold on a moment. Some things simply cannot be rushed."

Rin Nohara: "Though maybe you still can't change things right away, I believe once you grow up, Shindai, you'll definitely get it right! Come on, Shindai!"

Shindai frowned deeply: "What nonsense are you all talking about?!"

Obito and the other two answered in unison: "Nothing at all!"

Shindai grimaced slightly. He felt like... those three were badmouthing him again.

The journey was quite long—they needed more than a day to reach their destination.

Shindai's group didn't immediately seek out Pakura since there was no point right now; they didn't even know her exact location.

Recklessly searching around the battlefield would pose great danger.

The ninjas stationed at the camp might know something—after all, even those stationed there were talking about Pakura.

Shindai's group arrived at the stationed camp and handed the supply scroll to the receiving ninja. Kakashi then helped Shindai inquire about Pakura.

"Oh, you mean Pakura, the one with the Scorch Release? It's surprising that Sunagakure has someone like her," said the ninja. "Fortunately, her targets are mostly Mist ninjas. Otherwise, she would have caused us considerable trouble."

Kakashi asked, "Then where is this Pakura now?"

"She should be in the southeastern area. That region is the main battlefield between the Sand and Mist ninjas. I advise you not to go through there—it's very dangerous."

Kakashi nodded and said, "I understand. Thank you."

Kakashi led Shindai, Obito, and Rin Nohara away from the stationed camp.

Kakashi told Shindai, "You heard it yourself just now—the southeastern area is where the Sand and Mist ninjas are fighting."

Shindai stroked his chin thoughtfully. "So now the issue is how we can safely locate her. Here's what we'll do—we'll stop at the edge of that area first. Let me use my Third Eye to observe first. First, I need to confirm Pakura's exact location. Once I've got it, you guys wait for me. I'll go meet her alone—there might not even be a chance to talk if she sees you with me."

At first, Obito and others felt it was too risky for Shindai to go alone.

But thinking again, they realized he made sense—they were Konoha ninjas after all, and their chances of successfully talking to Pakura were pretty low. Maybe Shindai actually had a chance.

Kakashi warned, "We'll set traps at our hiding spot. If anything unexpected happens, run straight to us."

Shindai agreed happily. "Alright!"

After reaching the edge of the southeastern area, Shindai's team found a place to hide.

Activating his Iron Sand Body, Shindai transformed into a floating eye and stealthily started scanning the battlefield for clues about Pakura's whereabouts behind various coverings.

During the search, Shindai spotted many Sand and Mist ninjas engaged in fierce battles across multiple locations.

Several hours passed without any success.

Although Pakura must have been somewhere in this area, the region itself was vast. Plus, unlike a statue, she kept moving around instead of staying put in one place.

Just as Shindai finished scanning another small section and prepared to move elsewhere, he suddenly noticed something on the ground that looked suspiciously human.

His Third Eye drew closer for a better look.

Indeed, they were people—a trio of dehydrated corpses belonging to Mist ninjas, their body fluids completely vaporized.

Seeing this, Shindai instantly tensed up, adrenaline surging.

Pakura was infamous for a Scorch Release jutsu that instantly vaporized an opponent's bodily fluids, leaving behind desiccated corpses.

[Scorch Release: Extremely Steaming Murder] 

Seeing that these three desiccated corpses were still steaming, they must have died not long ago. Pakura definitely hadn't gone far.

To get a better view, Shindai sent his Third Eye soaring into the sky, expanding his vision to search.

Looking around like this, he actually saw something—Pakura was locked in battle with four Mist ninja.

Pakura engaged the four Mist ninja in close combat while four fireballs floated behind her. These were no ordinary fireballs; they were formed by combining wind-natured chakra and fire-natured chakra, creating a new nature transformation—Scorch Release fireballs.

One Mist ninja used a Water Release technique, but Pakura hurled a fireball over, instantly evaporating the water.

The moment the fireballs made contact with the Mist ninja, the moisture within their bodies was vaporized, leaving them as dried corpses.

Pakura was delivering an overwhelming, dimension-crushing attack. With the aid of the four fireballs behind her, she swiftly took down all four Mist ninja, leaving them as desiccated corpses.

Even more exciting for Shindai was that Pakura was completely alone at this moment—a perfect opportunity indeed.

After finishing the fight, Pakura let out a deep breath. The intense battle left her completely drained.

Just as Pakura turned to leave, an eyeball suddenly appeared directly in front of her, staring straight at her.

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