316-320

Chapter 316: "A Little Envious" 

The Fourth Raikage, Ay, was worried about Killer B. An attack of that magnitude meant the opponent was strong and likely had backup, so he followed the traces of the battle. 

Sure enough, his fears were confirmed; Killer B was being incinerated by Amaterasu's black flames. 

Raikage Ay had originally intended to instantly take out the three of them, but the genjutsu Hikari Uchiha cast on him forced him to endure three days and three nights of torture within the illusion, every second of it agonizing. Being stabbed with a blade felt like a relief. 

He had thought that after three days, his opponents would have surely left, but to his surprise, they were still there. 

"So the time in that genjutsu is different... Even though I experienced three days, in reality, it was just an instant..." 

Raikage Ay's mind was utterly exhausted. Even if it was just an instant in reality, he had genuinely endured three days of non-stop torture. 

"Bee!" 

Raikage Ay remembered Killer B, who was still being burned by the Amaterasu flames. 

Raikage Ay wanted to go help Killer B extinguish the flames, but Killer B stopped him. 

Killer B weakly said, "Don't touch these flames! They burn forever; you can't put them out. I can handle this!" 

Killer B spat out large amounts of ink, using it to envelop the Amaterasu flames and gradually peel them away from his body. 

The ink also served as a sealing medium, and Killer B used his ink-based sealing jutsu to separate the Amaterasu flames from his body. 

"Huff, huff..." 

Killer B collapsed to the ground, panting heavily. Although protected by his octopus tentacles, part of his body still suffered burns. 

However, as a jinchuriki, his recovery abilities were strong, so there wasn't much to worry about, but Killer B still passed out. 

Raikage Ay carried Killer B on his back and headed back towards the Hidden Cloud Village. 

Raikage Ay's mood was heavy. He hadn't expected the Leaf Village to be so aggressive, so decisive this time. 

So aggressive and decisive, in fact, that Raikage Ay almost thought he had the wrong village. 

After all, the Leaf Village had always seemed weak to him. 

"Minato Namikaze..." 

Raikage Ay thought of his old rival from the Third Great Ninja War. 

Raikage Ay acknowledged Minato Namikaze's combat prowess, especially since he had always believed his own speed was the fastest, until he met Minato Namikaze. 

"I didn't expect us to be rivals even before becoming Kage, and now that we're both Kage, we're still rivals." 

--- 

Shindai, Pakura, and Hikari Uchiha had successfully retreated to a distant location and found a cave to rest in. 

"Phew, three-on-one and it was still this tough. A jinchuriki truly is a jinchuriki." 

Shindai wiped away a cold sweat, recalling the oppressive feeling of Killer B's partial Tailed Beast transformation. He was truly shaken. 

If Killer B had gone into full Tailed Beast form, it would have been truly troublesome. 

During the Nine-Tails' attack, the Nine-Tails was in a rampaging, mindless state. 

But in full Tailed Beast mode, the Eight-Tails was sentient, and with Killer B's cooperation, it could be even more problematic than the Nine-Tails was back then. 

Even though his strength had improved, fighting a fully transformed Tailed Beast was still a struggle. 

Shindai looked at Hikari Uchiha and asked curiously, "Hikari, can a perfect jinchuriki break out of your Tsukuyomi?" 

Hikari Uchiha thought for a moment and then said, "Yes, and no." 

Shindai looked puzzled: "Why?" 

Hikari Uchiha explained, "Tsukuyomi pulls the target's mind into a genjutsu space. A perfect jinchuriki can still have their Tailed Beast help them break out, but the genjutsu of Tsukuyomi only lasts for an instant in the real world. By the time the Tailed Beast helps them break free, Tsukuyomi would have pretty much ended anyway, so breaking out doesn't really make a difference. 

However, Tsukuyomi isn't very effective against perfect jinchuriki because anyone who can become a perfect jinchuriki must have a very strong mind. They can endure those 72 hours, and even if the Tailed Beast can't help them break free in time, the Tailed Beast will assist them in battle." 

"I see, so that's how it works. That's a little enviable~" 

Shindai really wanted Tsukuyomi too. If he didn't like someone, he could just glare at them. 

Of course, that would require him to have the Uchiha bloodline, awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan, get lucky enough to randomly acquire Tsukuyomi, and also have Hikari Uchiha's Yasaka Magatama or Hashirama's cells, otherwise, he'd go blind. 

Shindai frowned slightly: "Suddenly, Hikari, I feel like you're a bit twisted~" 

Hikari Uchiha elbowed Shindai in the abdomen: "Who are you calling twisted?!" 

Shindai rubbed his stomach and grumbled, "It's an adjective! Just describing you! Seriously, can you stop elbowing me so easily? You weren't like this at first!" 

Hikari Uchiha rolled her eyes. At first, she hadn't realized Shindai could be so annoying. 

Pakura asked, "So our mission is complete, then? What's next?" 

"Next, after we report the mission, we'll probably be operating freely like the other ninjas. I'll notify Captain Tetsu now." 

Shindai pulled out his radio communication device and contacted Sarutobi Tetsu. 

"Hello, Captain Tetsu, our mission is complete." 

"I already know. Good work, Shindai. From now on, you're free to operate. The main force of the Leaf Village has already departed for the Land of Lightning. Keep in contact." 

After cutting off communication, Shindai lay directly on the ground: "I'm tired. I'll rest for a bit before getting back to work~" 

Pakura glanced at Hikari Uchiha, who nodded back at her. 

The two immediately started making sarcastic comments at Shindai again. 

Shindai tried to pretend he didn't hear them, but Pakura and Hikari Uchiha were talking right next to him, and super loudly too, so there was no way he could pretend not to hear. 

Helpless, Shindai suddenly sat up: "What do you two want?! If I've annoyed you, I'm right here. You can hit me anytime you want. Why keep being so sarcastic?!" 

However, Shindai was met only with two highly sarcastic "Heh-hehs." 

That's exactly the reaction they wanted. The more flustered Shindai got, the happier they were! 

--- 

Two more days quietly passed. 

"Lord Raikage! Emergency! Large contingents of Leaf ninjas have been spotted at the Land of the Moon border, heading towards the Land of Lightning!" 

Raikage Ay was currently swamped. The Leaf ninjas wreaking havoc in the Land of Lightning couldn't be dealt with quickly; they were too slippery. Meanwhile, their own forces were constantly being depleted. 

Moreover, the most troublesome thing was that the Leaf ninjas in the Land of Lightning were spreading rumors everywhere: that Raikage Ay, under the guise of an alliance with the Leaf, tried to steal the Leaf's Byakugan, and afterward denied it, saying he wanted to start a war with the Leaf. They claimed the peace-loving Leaf Village had no choice but to fight. This war, they insisted, was entirely to pay for the Raikage's mistakes. 

This led to some negative opinions emerging about Raikage Ay. 

Chapter 317: Compromise 

Raikage Ay was in a real pickle. This war was never part of his plan. Even though he'd been talking tough just days ago, threatening to fight, it was just bluster. He thought the Leaf wouldn't rashly start a war with the Hidden Cloud, and even if they did, it wouldn't happen so fast. That's why Raikage Ay hadn't really mobilized; he'd only gathered a small number of ninja. 

But the Leaf arrived at the Land of the Moon's border so quickly, almost at the Land of Lightning's doorstep, which meant the Leaf had been mobilizing from the very beginning. In other words, the Leaf had already decided to go to war and was fully prepared. 

Now, all the Hidden Cloud elders were trying to convince the Raikage that this battle was unwinnable. The Hidden Cloud was totally unprepared, while the Leaf was fully ready. Plus, the battlefield would be within the Land of Lightning itself, and starting a war would cause severe damage to their own country. 

And it wasn't a secret that during the Nine-Tails attack, the Leaf's four Mangekyo Sharingan users activated their Susanoo to suppress the Nine-Tails. While Raikage Ay hadn't seen Susanoo himself, some of the older Cloud ninja had, and they said it possessed destructive power and was incredibly effective against Tailed Beasts. And while Raikage Ay hadn't seen Susanoo, he had witnessed the Mangekyo Sharingan's eye jutsu, and it was certainly eerie. The unquenchable black flames and the genjutsu that forcibly dragged him into an illusionary space for 72 hours of torment were proof enough. 

They also had that Magnet Release bloodline limit and the Scorch Release bloodline limit ninja; their strength shouldn't be underestimated either. On top of that, the Leaf still had other bloodline limit clans. 

Raikage Ay knew that even if they won this battle, it would just mean driving out the Leaf ninja, and they would still be the losers. Going through a war just for a Byakugan they didn't even get? It definitely wasn't worth it. But... Raikage Ay just couldn't swallow his pride! If he caved now, the Hidden Cloud Village would be utterly humiliated! 

"Lord Raikage, this isn't the time for personal pride!" 

"Everything is for the village, Lord Raikage! We're already at a disadvantage in this war, and we're not prepared. The Leaf's elite ninja are rampaging through the Land of Lightning; our losses will only get worse!" 

"Lord Raikage..." 

Raikage Ay clenched his jaw, his cheeks bulging, veins throbbing on his forehead—a clear sign of his furious anger. After a moment of internal struggle, Raikage Ay seemed to deflate. "Agree to Minato Namikaze's terms," he said, his voice flat. "Admit the Hidden Cloud wanted to steal the Byakugan and just start the negotiations." 

Hearing Raikage Ay say that, the Hidden Cloud elders collectively breathed a sigh of relief. They were truly worried Raikage Ay's stubbornness would kick in, and he'd just refuse to budge, leading them to ruin. 

The Hidden Cloud elders immediately drafted a letter, then dispatched Mabui, who could instantly teleport targets to a designated location using her Heavenly Transfer Jutsu, to deliver the letter to the Cloud ninja within the Land of Fire. The Cloud ninja in the Land of Fire then immediately sent a ninja animal with the letter to the Leaf Village. 

Minato Namikaze received the letter. After reading it, he shook his head. "They had so much time before, but they waited until the Leaf's ninja forces were almost at the Land of Lightning, right on the verge of officially starting the war, to finally give in. That Raikage is truly something else." 

Hiruzen Sarutobi asked, "So, the Raikage has agreed to the terms for negotiation?" 

Minato Namikaze nodded. "He has. The letter states they admit their actions, and we get to choose the negotiation location. So, let's notify the main forces to temporarily halt their advance and set up camp nearby. After all, negotiations could still fall apart, and if they do, we'll still have to fight." 

Shikaku Nara speculated, "It's unlikely these negotiations will fail. I hear that Raikage is a very stubborn man, so it's probably the Hidden Cloud elders who convinced him. He's made his decision to compromise." 

Minato Namikaze sighed. "I hope so. But where should we choose as the negotiation location?" 

Hiruzen Sarutobi suggested a place: "How about the Land of Iron? It's a neutral country, perfect for negotiations. And Minato, how much compensation do you plan to demand from the Hidden Cloud Village?" 

Minato Namikaze replied, "Since the Byakugan wasn't stolen, it'll be very difficult to get substantial compensation from the Hidden Cloud. So, the most we can ask for is reimbursement for the expenses of this ninja force's deployment. That's probably the limit." 

After making their decision, Minato Namikaze relayed orders to the ninja forces to halt their advance and instructed the Leaf ninja in the Land of Lightning to pull out and rendezvous with the main force. He then sent a letter to the Hidden Cloud Village, telling Raikage Ay to head to the Land of Iron for negotiations. 

Shindai, who had just finished fighting and was resting, received Sarutobi Tetsu's retreat order. Shindai stood up from the ground and told Pakura and Hikari Uchiha, "Since we're retreating, it looks like the Hidden Cloud's Raikage backed down. We can finally go home. What a relief!" 

Shindai, Pakura, and Hikari reunited with Sarutobi Tetsu. After everyone else gathered, they joined the ninja forces outside the Land of Lightning, set up camp, and waited. The rest of the matters were no longer their concern; they just had to wait for the outcome. 

Minato Namikaze and Raikage Ay each brought their retinues to the Land of Iron. Under the witness of the Land of Iron's General Mifune, the negotiations began. There wasn't much to discuss; it was mainly Minato Namikaze making demands, and the Hidden Cloud either accepting or rejecting them, as they were in no position to make demands themselves. 

Raikage Ay had no objections to compensating the Leaf for the expenses of their operation. After all, they were prepared to pay some compensation, and if it was just for that amount, the Hidden Cloud could accept it. At the same time, Raikage Ay also demanded that the Cloud ninja detained by the Leaf, and the bodies of their deceased ninja, be returned to the Hidden Cloud. It would be terrible if the Leaf gained any secrets or ninjutsu information from them. Minato Namikaze readily agreed to Raikage Ay's request and didn't make things difficult for him. 

After reaching an agreement, the incident was considered resolved. Raikage Ay then proposed an alliance again, this time a genuine one, hoping to seize the opportunity to solidify it. After this incident, Raikage Ay recognized the Leaf's strength and understood that the current Leaf, under Minato Namikaze's leadership, was different from before. An alliance with the Leaf would be greatly beneficial to the Hidden Cloud Village. Since his pride was already out the window, he didn't care about asking again. 

Minato Namikaze naturally agreed. As a leader, he wouldn't dwell on a resolved issue and potentially jeopardize a decision that could benefit the village's development. After the alliance agreement was reached, Minato Namikaze ordered the ninja forces to return to the Leaf Village. 

Chapter 318: "Only We Can Save the Leaf and the Uchiha!" 

The situation with the Hidden Cloud Village was resolved thanks to Minato Namikaze's firm stance. 

Back in the Leaf Village, Shindai resumed his daily routine, like clockwork. 

He was either making puppets in his shop, conducting research in his lab, or taking Naruto to annoy Sasuke with Hinata. His days were quite fulfilling. 

But there was one thing that really bothered Shindai. 

That was Pakura and Hikari Uchiha. Those two would constantly needle Shindai, especially when he was happy. 

Shindai tried asking Naruto what he had said to Pakura and Hikari Uchiha, but Naruto talked so much every day, he couldn't remember what he'd said, which left Shindai extremely frustrated. 

"Big Brother Shindai, why are you here today too?" 

At the Scientific Research Department base, Yakushi Kabuto was surprised to see Shindai. 

It was Saturday, and Pakura had every Saturday off. Normally, Shindai would never be at the research base on a Saturday. 

Shindai sighed: "Don't even ask, it's a long story~" 

Because Pakura had the day off, and Hikari Uchiha could take time off whenever she wanted, they decided to close the puppet shop today and go shopping together. 

Shindai wanted to go too, but Pakura and Hikari Uchiha started their passive-aggressive comments, making it clear he wasn't welcome. 

Shindai noticed a stack of cards in Kabuto's hand and asked, "Kabuto, what are those in your hand?" 

Kabuto introduced them to Shindai: "This is a little gadget I made, called a Ninja Info Card. It uses ninjutsu to convert information into symbols and stores it in the card. Only my chakra can then reveal the information on the card." 

Shindai picked up a Ninja Info Card, and a lightbulb went off in his head: "A Ninja Info Card, huh~ Interesting. Do you have any blanks?" 

"Yes, here." 

Kabuto handed Shindai an unused Ninja Info Card. 

"If my idea works, I'll treat you to some BBQ." 

Shindai patted Kabuto's shoulder, making a vague promise. 

Kabuto sighed helplessly: "Big Brother Shindai, I'd be grateful if you just kept your experiments quieter and made me clean up less of your messes." 

"What's that supposed to mean? That's what you call a 'capable person works harder'! Gotta go, I'm in a hurry to do some research." 

Shindai immediately slipped away. Honestly, he was lucky to have Kabuto helping him in the department; otherwise, he'd be on Orochimaru's operating table every day. 

Arriving at his own lab, Shindai stared blankly at the Ninja Info Card in his hand. 

The principle behind the Ninja Info Card was actually similar to that of ninjutsu scrolls. 

Shindai's scientific ninja tool experiments had already overcome the most difficult hurdle, the chakra capacitor, but he was stuck on miniaturizing the ninjutsu scroll. 

The miniaturized ninjutsu scrolls he had created couldn't seal and store high-power ninjutsu; the power of the ninjutsu was directly proportional to the size of the scroll. 

This Ninja Info Card, however, gave Shindai a new idea: stacking. 

For example, sealing a ninjutsu into four thin cards, then stacking those four cards together to form a single card. 

Then, he could design the scientific ninja tool to be slot-in. When you wanted to use it, you'd just insert the card into the slot. It would be much simpler, and he wouldn't have to obsess over miniaturizing the ninjutsu scroll just yet. He could take it one step at a time. 

With that thought, Shindai immediately got to work. 

While Shindai was relentlessly working in his lab day after day, the Leaf Village's number one rebel, Danzo, met with someone today. 

Aburame Ryoma brought an Uchiha clan member before Danzo. 

This Uchiha clan member had just been punished by the Leaf Village Military Police Force and severely disciplined by the Uchiha clan's rules. 

The reason this Uchiha clan member was punished was because he was dissatisfied with Fugaku Uchiha marginalizing them. After having some drinks, he caused a disturbance in an izakaya and even used the Uchiha name to make threats. 

The Uchiha clan member was now terrified, especially since the person before him was Danzo. 

Even though Danzo had been stripped of all his positions, his infamous reputation remained. 

Danzo, who supposedly hated the Uchiha clan the most, now had him in his grasp. The Uchiha clan member figured Danzo might just kill him. 

Danzo saw the Uchiha clan member's frightened expression. Although he remained expressionless, he was in a very good mood. 

He loved seeing Uchiha clan members trembling in fear when they met him. 

Danzo spoke: "You don't need to be afraid. I won't hurt you. What's your name?" 

"Uchiha... Yuto." 

Uchiha Yuto's voice trembled as he spoke his name. 

Danzo began to deceive and manipulate Uchiha Yuto: "Don't be so scared. Actually, you've always misunderstood me, thinking I hate the Uchiha. But I've never hated the Uchiha. I am the Root of the Leaf, the root that operates in the darkness. Things the Hokage can't do openly, I do them. If the Third Hokage didn't authorize it, do you think I could target the Uchiha clan like this? 

Now I can tell you directly: those things, the Third Hokage ordered me to do. The Third Hokage felt that you Uchiha were too unstable and might pose a threat to the Leaf. But as Hokage, he needed to balance all the ninja clans in the Leaf and couldn't openly target you like that. So, this task fell to me. That's why I've been targeting you everywhere, and that's all there is to it. 

Do you know Uchiha Kagami? Shisui of the Body Flicker, who is very famous in the Leaf right now, is his descendant. Kagami was once a member of the Second Hokage's elite guard unit, my comrade, my friend. He saved me several times in battle. With that connection, there's no way I would target you Uchiha like this. 

I don't hate the Uchiha at all. In fact, I often advised the Third Hokage not to target the Uchiha too much. We are all comrades of the same village; there's no need to be so extreme. But the Third Hokage never listened to me; he acted on his own. Do you know why the Third Hokage suddenly decided to step down and let Minato Namikaze take over back then?" 

Uchiha Yuto looked at Danzo, puzzled, not understanding why Danzo was telling him all this. He could only shake his head, indicating he didn't know. 

Danzo smiled, though the smile looked unnervingly eerie to Uchiha Yuto. 

Danzo's voice turned chilling: "That's because Minato Namikaze is just a puppet groomed by the Third Hokage, a tool to control and force the Uchiha clan into submission, to force Fugaku Uchiha to sell out the Uchiha clan to Minato Namikaze. If Fugaku Uchiha didn't agree, then Minato Namikaze would eliminate the Uchiha clan. 

And Fugaku Uchiha, to curry favor with Minato Namikaze, agreed without hesitation and sold out the Uchiha clan. 

Yuto, the current Uchiha, the current Leaf Village, are on the verge of collapse. Sooner or later, Minato Namikaze and Fugaku Uchiha will drag them into the abyss. And the only ones who can save the Leaf and the Uchiha are us!" 

Danzo looked self-righteously stern, leaving Uchiha Yuto completely stunned. 

Chapter 319: Ninjutsu Cards and Card Games 

Uchiha Yuto was completely stunned, listening to all these hidden truths. He never expected there to be so many secrets, nor did he imagine that Danzo would claim only they could save the Leaf Village and the Uchiha clan. 

Danzo spoke to Uchiha Yuto with a serious expression. "Yuto, think carefully about your future. You've been marginalized, treated like criminals despite being part of this village. Are you content with that? The Uchiha clan's pride and dignity have been sold out by Fugaku Uchiha. Now, the future of the Uchiha clan rests on your shoulders! If you're willing to just sink into oblivion, then the Uchiha clan will be beyond saving. So, I sincerely invite you now: join my faction. Let's set things right, save the Uchiha, save the Leaf. We will be the saviors of the Leaf!" 

Yuto was immediately fired up by Danzo's words. He knelt before Danzo. "I, Uchiha Yuto, for the Uchiha and for the Leaf, am willing to follow Lord Danzo's command!" 

Danzo's lips curled into a slight smirk. "Excellent. I trust your abilities, which is why I sought you out first. However, for now, we need to endure. Minato Namikaze is at the height of his power in the Leaf right now; it's not our time. We have very few allies, and even with a plan, it would be difficult to push forward. For now, I hope you can help me persuade other Uchiha clan members who are in a similar situation to yours to join us and help us save the Uchiha and the Leaf. I am currently being monitored by Minato Namikaze, so I cannot reveal my presence. Therefore, I hope to brand you with the Tongue-Tying Curse Seal. Don't worry, this seal will have no adverse effects on you; it will simply prevent you from speaking about me. Everything must be kept secret for now, alright?" 

Uchiha Yuto didn't even think to contradict Danzo now, as he had been completely swayed. The unfair treatment he had endured during this period had long since made him fed up. Rather than continue like this, he figured it was worth taking a chance. Therefore, Uchiha Yuto immediately agreed to Danzo's request. 

After branding Uchiha Yuto with the Tongue-Tying Curse Seal, Danzo instructed, "When you're persuading them, don't use my name. Once you've confirmed their agreement, bring them to me in secret." 

"Understood, Lord Danzo." 

After Uchiha Yuto left, Danzo sneered, "What a fool. But fools like him are the easiest to use." 

Ever since Minato Namikaze had reassigned his Root ninja to a separate department, Danzo now had almost no one left to use besides Aburame Ryoma. So, Danzo needed to rebuild his forces, but his options were very limited. The best candidates were those marginalized Uchiha clan members. 

Danzo then asked, "How's the research on the Caged Bird Curse Seal coming along?" 

Aburame Ryoma replied, "It's still ongoing. All the research personnel have been merged into the scientific department, and the head of that department is Orochimaru. Orochimaru knows those Root research personnel. If we openly research the Caged Bird, it's highly likely to be noticed, which could lead to suspicion falling on Lord Danzo. So, we're conducting the research in secret." 

"Alright, for now, we can only wait." 

Danzo wasn't just eyeing the marginalized Uchiha clan members; he was also targeting members of the Hyuga clan's Branch Family. The conflict between the Hyuga's Branch and Main Families had always existed, and the Main Family had always been close to the Hokage, which gave Danzo room to maneuver. However, the prerequisite was being able to remove the Caged Bird Curse Seal from the Hyuga Branch Family members, using that as a basis to recruit them. 

Even if he did recruit these Uchiha and Hyuga clan members, overthrowing Minato Namikaze would still be very difficult. But if an external force appeared, leveraging that force could greatly increase the chances. 

Aburame Ryoma then reported another matter: "Lord Danzo, regarding Hikari Uchiha's Mangekyo Sharingan ability, Eight Thousand Spears... according to our intelligence, in addition to being able to transfer the chakra of marked individuals, it can also control their minds." 

Danzo's eyes lit up. "Oh? Mind control? Is that information accurate?" 

"It should be accurate. My insects overheard it from Fugaku Uchiha." 

Upon hearing about the capabilities of Eight Thousand Spears, Danzo's heart immediately burned with ambition. Being able to control minds... didn't that mean if he got Hikari Uchiha's Mangekyo Sharingan, he could brand Minato Namikaze and the others, then control their minds, making them his puppets? 

Danzo instantly made a decision: he had to get Hikari Uchiha's Mangekyo Sharingan. However, Danzo didn't let his ambition cloud his judgment. He remained calm. Hikari Uchiha's power was immense; her Susanoo had been crucial in suppressing the Nine-Tails, allowing Minato Namikaze to successfully seal it. So, for now, he couldn't move against Hikari Uchiha. He would have to wait until his own forces grew in scale before he could try to acquire her Mangekyo Sharingan. 

"Ryoma, go and monitor Uchiha Yuto for a while. Make sure he's properly recruiting those Uchiha." 

"Yes, Lord Danzo." 

Two months later, Shindai (Godai) finally produced his first set of ninjutsu cards. While they were a little thick, it was still progress, and he was confident he could improve them with continued research. 

In a specialized ninjutsu testing room in the scientific department, Shindai wore a scientific ninja tool on his arm and inserted a ninjutsu card into its slot. A mechanical female voice chimed. 

"Identification successful. Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu." 

Shindai pressed a button on the arm guard, and a fireball instantly shot out, slamming into the reinforced wall. A brilliant smile spread across Shindai's face. He had finally made significant progress. 

Previously, the number of ninjutsu scrolls one could carry was limited, making it impossible to use many jutsu. But now, as long as he carried enough ninjutsu cards, he could continuously unleash them. This was the scientific ninja tool Shindai had envisioned: a mobile artillery platform. 

At the same time, these Ninja ID Cards (which is what those "ninjutsu cards" were also referred to) gave Shindai an idea for a new way to make money. He thought: "A card game! That's definitely going to be incredibly profitable." 

Shindai immediately began to formulate his plans, naturally starting with his own cards. Shindai stroked his chin and mumbled, "Hmm, my card effect definitely needs to be rare and unique, with high prestige. As for the effect, how about: 'Negate the abilities of all opponent's cards, and forcefully banish all cards from the opponent's hand. If the opponent has no hand cards, you instantly win.' Yes, that should about do it." 

In the blink of an eye, Naruto was already six years old, reaching the age to enroll in the Ninja Academy. Today was Naruto's first day of school. And to see Naruto off, Kushina Uzumaki, Shindai, Pakura, and Hikari Uchiha were all there. 

Danzo's scheming is always unsettling, isn't it? He's definitely playing the long game to get his hands on Hikari's Mangekyo! And speaking of long games, Shindai's got his sights set on a new kind of "jutsu"—a card game! What kind of crazy abilities do you think the other characters will have in his new game? 

Chapter 320: First Day of School 

Today was Naruto's first day at the academy. 

Kushina Uzumaki reminded Naruto, "Make sure to get along with your classmates, don't just play around, and study hard!" 

Naruto enthusiastically replied, "I know, I know! I'm not a kid anymore; I'm all grown up!" 

Shindai spotted Sasuke, who had been brought by Itachi and Mikoto Uchiha. 

Sasuke had a radiant, happy smile on his face, but it vanished without a trace the moment he saw Shindai. 

Shindai flashed a big grin at Sasuke. 

Sasuke's heart instantly leaped to his throat. He quickly turned his back, trying to pretend he hadn't seen Shindai and the others, but... it was too late. 

Naruto, having spotted Sasuke, waved and shouted, "Sasuke!" 

Naruto jogged over to Sasuke, excitedly saying, "From now on, we're classmates!" 

Sasuke rolled his eyes. He had been happy just moments before, but the thought of going to school with Naruto for the next six years made him feel like the sky was falling. 

"Mikoto!" 

Kushina Uzumaki walked over and greeted her with a smile. 

Mikoto Uchiha gently ruffled Naruto's hair: "Naruto and Sasuke, make sure to get along well at school, okay?" 

Naruto promised decisively, "I will! Sasuke and I can be great friends!" 

While Kushina and Mikoto chatted, Naruto began to pester Sasuke. 

Shindai turned to Itachi and complimented him: "I hear you passed the Chunin Exams and became a Chunin all by yourself. That's really impressive, you're almost catching up to me~" 

Pakura immediately shot him down: "Can you stop bragging? I heard Kakashi was a Jonin, and Obito and Rin were Chunin when you were still a Genin." 

Hikari Uchiha chimed in, "Obito said you looked silly back then and were constantly being stomped on by him." 

A vein immediately popped on Shindai's forehead: "They're full of it! Go ask Kakashi or Rin; when was it not me grinding Obito into the dirt? And I was a Genin because of the rules! Otherwise, I'd have become a Jonin earlier than Kakashi. Go ask Lord Minato tonight if I'm lying!" 

"Don't want to!" 

"Wouldn't believe you even if we did." 

Pakura and Hikari Uchiha's two sentences instantly made Shindai see red. 

"Yo, Naruto, Big Brother Shindai." 

Shikamaru and Choji walked over, greeting Naruto and Shindai. 

Shindai reached out and took the chips from Choji's hand, eating them himself while mumbling, "This is infuriating!" 

Choji looked at the chips in Shindai's hand with distress: "How could you, Big Brother Shindai? Give them back!" 

Shindai grabbed a big handful of chips from the bag and stuffed them into his mouth: "No. You won't starve if you skip one meal." 

Then, two hands landed on Shindai's head. 

Pakura snatched the chips from Shindai's hand and gave them back to Choji. 

Hikari Uchiha sneered, "You're a grown man, fighting with kids over snacks." 

"Tch." 

Shindai, unable to speak loudly, could only let out a small "Tch." 

Out of the corner of his eye, Shindai noticed someone walking into the Ninja Academy: Hinata Hyuga. 

Shindai walked over and asked, "Hinata, did you come alone?" 

Hinata shook her head: "No, a clan member brought me." 

"Your mom and dad didn't come to see you off on your first day of school?" 

Hinata lowered her head, softly replying, "Father and Mother are with Hanabi; they didn't have time to come with me." 

Shindai detected the sadness in Hinata's voice. 

"Hanabi, huh..." 

Hinata's younger sister, Hanabi, was now one year old. Not having time was clearly just an excuse; they simply didn't want to accompany Hinata. 

So early to be playing favorites. 

But it was understandable. The entire Hyuga clan was very biased, otherwise, why would there be a Main House and Branch House division? 

Hiashi Hyuga already didn't think much of Hinata, and now that he had a "second chance" with a younger child, he likely decided to focus all his efforts on Hanabi. 

Pakura and Hikari Uchiha also came over to Shindai. Hearing Hinata's words, they looked displeased: "They're all their own children, that's really going too far." 

Shindai encouraged her: "Work hard, okay? I already told your father that once you graduate from the Ninja Academy, I'll make you my disciple. Then I'll equip you from head to toe, and make those who looked down on you eat their words!" 

Pakura and Hikari Uchiha were very pleased with Shindai's promise: "It's rare for him to do something decent." 

Pakura said to Hinata, "Although my Scorch Release is a Kekkei Genkai you can't learn, my taijutsu is pretty good. I'll teach you my taijutsu then." 

Hikari Uchiha also said, "I'm not sure what your chakra nature is, Hinata, but if it's fire, I'll teach you my Fire Style ninjutsu." 

Hinata was deeply moved: "Big Brother Shindai, Big Sister Pakura, Big Sister Hikari, thank you." 

"Hinata, you're here! Come quickly!" 

Naruto also spotted Hinata and waved, calling her over. 

Pakura gently stroked Hinata's cheek, smiling: "Alright, go find Naruto. Don't be sad; you still have friends." 

"Mm!" 

Hinata scurried, running towards Naruto and the others. 

Shindai looked at Hikari Uchiha and asked curiously, "Hinata's chakra nature has already been tested; she has both fire and lightning affinities, so she can learn Fire Style ninjutsu. But Hinata is from the Hyuga clan. Can you really teach her your Fire Style ninjutsu?" 

Hikari Uchiha replied indifferently, "If Hinata becomes your disciple, it means she's been abandoned by Hiashi Hyuga. And do I need anyone else's permission to teach my Fire Style ninjutsu to whoever I want?" 

Shindai and Pakura simultaneously gave Hikari Uchiha a thumbs-up: "Boss!" 

Naruto, Sasuke, and the others entered the Ninja Academy, officially beginning their student lives. 

And for the days to come, Shindai once again settled into his comfortable routine. 

Once Naruto grew up and started going through the motions, Shindai could finally just relax completely. 

Two years later, Shindai released his first set of cards. Initially, sales were quite dismal. 

However, with promotion from Naruto and others, they gradually became popular. 

But right when they became popular, Shindai's limited edition cards were immediately banned. 

Whoever drew Shindai's card essentially won, and that was just cheating. 

And even though Shindai's cards were limited edition with a draw rate of only 0.001%, Shindai's actual card wasn't subject to that probability; practically everyone ended up with one. 

People who drew Shindai's card usually felt unlucky. 

The most popular card, by far, was Minato Namikaze's. Many people who drew Minato Namikaze's card would try everything to get him to sign it, which annoyed Shindai for a long time. 

He decided that the next batch of cards would definitely nerf Minato Namikaze's!