146-150

Chapter 146: Hero 

Shindai, who was just celebrating his big win over Chiyo, wasn't so happy anymore. The way Kakashi was looking at him... it felt dangerous, like his safety was at risk. 

Shindai offered a fawning smile and said to Kakashi, "I was just paying tribute to Lord Sakumo, really! Just tribute! Kakashi, could you lighten up a bit? I'm a little scared..." 

Kakashi's brow was already furrowed, his gaze growing colder. "Hmph, you're scared? Just now, you were so audacious and arrogant! You even slapped Chiyo! And now you're telling me you're scared?" 

Shindai chuckled nervously, explaining, "Well, she was an enemy, right? And I was flying so high she couldn't hit me. But now I'm completely drained, so..." 

Kakashi scoffed, "Because you're completely drained and helpless now, you're scared, right?" 

Shindai quickly shook his head, "No, no, no, it's because I trust you, Kakashi! You're not that kind of person!" 

Kakashi reached out his hand. Shindai, terrified, closed his eyes. "Okay, okay, no hitting the face! That hurts my pride! One punch is enough, don't hit me too much!" 

But the expected pain never came. Shindai squinted open an eye and saw that Kakashi wasn't trying to punch him. He seemed to be offering a hand to help him up. 

"Idiot, what are you still lying around for? This is behind the Sand Village's encampment, it's still pretty dangerous. Chiyo might go back and search this area. Let's get out of here!" 

Shindai grabbed Kakashi's hand, using it to stand up, muttering under his breath, "You scared me! I thought you were going to go crazy." 

Kakashi was exasperated. "Go crazy, my foot! Can you shut your trap for a bit?" 

"Kakashi, this is for you." 

Shindai tossed something over, and Kakashi instinctively caught it. He opened his palm and immediately his face went dark. 

"Why are you giving me a tooth?" 

Shindai proudly said, "This isn't just any tooth! It's that old hag Chiyo's tooth, you know!" 

Kakashi's face was grim. "I don't want anyone's tooth!" 

Shindai seriously stated, "Hey, how can you say that? This tooth has a lot of sentimental value! It's thanks to paying tribute to Lord Sakumo that I was able to slap Chiyo in the face, so Lord Sakumo deserves some credit for this, you know." 

Kakashi, Obito, and Rin all twitched their mouths. He really knew how to twist words. 

Kakashi looked at Chiyo's tooth in his hand, remembering what Shindai had said earlier. His voice became a bit low as he spoke. "Hey, Shindai, you probably don't know about my father, do you? If you knew about him, you might not think he was a hero." 

Obito and Rin immediately made frantic eye signals to Shindai, telling him not to say anything stupid. They were genuinely afraid that Shindai's mouth would upset Kakashi and make him shut down again. 

Shindai slung an arm around Kakashi's shoulder and laughed. "I do know! And precisely because I know about Lord Sakumo's deeds, I believe even more that he's a hero. He's truly my idol! 

The iron rule for ninja is to follow the rules. Breaking them can lead to serious consequences, even the failure of an entire mission. This rule is certainly not wrong, but you can't follow it blindly. For example, if the village orders us to transport supplies, and those supplies absolutely must be delivered, but on the way, we encounter an enemy village's Jinchuriki trying to stop us, should we not run? Should we still try to deliver the supplies?" 

Kakashi shook his head, looking down, "It's different. My father could have completed the mission, but he failed it because he saved his comrades, causing a huge loss to the village." 

Shindai looked seriously into Kakashi's eyes and said, "Obito once said something really good: 'In the ninja world, those who break the rules are called trash, but those who abandon their comrades are worse than trash!' 

If Lord Sakumo had abandoned his comrades, he would have given up his humanity, becoming just a machine that only knew how to complete missions. But people and machines are different. People have humanity, they're not machines. No matter how realistic I make my Kannazuki, how much like a person she seems, she's still just a puppet. She needs commands to move. But people are different; people have emotions, their own thoughts, and everyone has something precious they cherish. 

Lord Sakumo's precious thing was the bond with his comrades. He was willing to break tradition for them. He protected his comrades. He was a true hero. So, Kakashi, you should be even more proud of your father!" 

Obito tilted his head, his eyes filled with confusion. When had he ever said something so profound as, "In the ninja world, those who break the rules are called trash, but those who abandon their comrades are worse than trash!"? 

Rin looked at Obito in surprise. "Obito, I didn't realize you had such a high level of understanding." Then Rin looked at Kakashi very earnestly and said, "I agree with what Obito and Shindai said, Kakashi. I've always thought Lord Sakumo was a hero too!" 

Hearing Rin's praise, Obito slowly straightened his back, becoming more and more confident. Shindai said he said it, so it must be true! 

"Ahem~" Obito cleared his throat and said, "That's right, my understanding has always been pretty high, and Lord Sakumo is definitely a hero, there's no doubt about it!" 

Shindai said fiercely, "Anyone who dares to say Lord Sakumo isn't a hero, we'll just grab them, put a sack over their head, and beat them up! Beat them until they say Lord Sakumo is a hero!" 

Kakashi's eyes flickered as he looked at Shindai, Obito, and Rin. Kakashi felt the thorn in his heart slowly begin to disappear. 

Shindai patted Kakashi's shoulder, smiling, "So, Kakashi, you should learn from Lord Sakumo. I'm your comrade, you can't bully me, you have to cherish me, protect me, jump in front of me if there's danger, or cover my retreat, got it?" 

Kakashi, who had just felt a tiny bit of emotion, instantly had his feelings evaporate and rolled his eyes hard. Bully Shindai? It'd be a miracle if Shindai and Obito didn't try to mess with him. 

Kakashi took a deep breath and said, "Alright, stop spouting nonsense. You keep that tooth yourself." Kakashi threw Chiyo's tooth back to Shindai. 

Shindai then asked Obito and Rin, trying to sell the tooth, "Don't either of you want this tooth? It's the tooth of Chiyo, the Sand Village's senior advisor, the former 'Flower of the Shinobi,' and the rival of Hanzo the Salamander, who gave Lord Jiraiya and the other Sannin their titles! It would make a great souvenir, it'd be a shame to throw it away." 

Obito and Rin retorted, "Keep a tooth as a souvenir? Are we crazy?" 

"Tch, you don't know a good thing when you see it. Fine, I don't want it either. Let's go." Shindai casually tossed the tooth onto the ground and returned to the Leaf Village's camp with Kakashi and the others. 

Chapter 147: Chiyo's Despair 

After several days of travel, Chiyo returned to the Hidden Sand Village and immediately went to the Kazekage's office. Rasa and Ebizo were startled to see Chiyo looking so disheveled, with a swollen face, and generally filthy, like a refugee. 

Ebizo asked worriedly, "Sister, are you alright? Were you attacked on your way back?" 

Chiyo shook her head. "No, I just… fell." 

Being humiliated so badly by a brat like Shindai... Chiyo might have told Ebizo if it was just him, but with her illegitimate son – no, the Fourth Kazekage Rasa – also present, she simply couldn't bring herself to admit it. 

Rasa and Ebizo exchanged strange looks. Fell down? What kind of fall leaves such a huge handprint on your face? And her speech was airy, like she'd lost a few teeth. 

Rasa, still unconvinced, asked again, "Are you sure you weren't attacked? Advisor Chiyo, that handprint on your face... it doesn't really look like a fall." 

Chiyo touched her cheek; it still stung faintly. That punk Shindai had really put his strength into it, and it hadn't fully healed even after several days. Chiyo stubbornly insisted, "It's true, I just fell and accidentally hit myself." 

Seeing that Chiyo didn't want to talk about it, Rasa and Ebizo stopped pressing. Ebizo then told Chiyo, "Sister, the Fourth Kazekage and I have discussed it. We've decided to pull our village's ninja out of the Land of Fire border." 

Chiyo was surprised. "Oh? With the Hidden Mist ninja there, we, the Mist, and the Leaf ninja were all mixed in a chaotic fight, and our situation at the Land of Fire border wasn't too bad. Why the sudden retreat? Are there other arrangements?" 

Ebizo replied, "I've assessed that the Hidden Stone Village will soon make a major move against the Leaf. There's no need to get tangled up with the Leaf and Mist ninja there. The Fourth Kazekage has already received a reply from the new Fourth Raikage, Ay, from the Hidden Cloud Village. He agrees to cooperate with us to attack the Leaf when the time is right. So what we need to do now is recuperate, wait for the Hidden Stone's move, and then, after their operation, we'll cooperate with the Hidden Cloud to catch the Leaf completely off guard!" 

Chiyo nodded. "I see. I understand." 

Rasa then inquired, "Advisor Chiyo, I heard those absurd rumors first originated from our encampment. Do you know who spread them?" 

Shindai's smug face suddenly popped into Chiyo's mind. While she couldn't be absolutely certain it was Shindai, as the rumors were already widespread by then, she couldn't confirm if he was the originator or just heard them elsewhere. However, Chiyo was inexplicably convinced that Shindai was behind it. Shindai's disgustingly clever tactics fit perfectly with those outlandish rumors. If Shindai had spread them, it would make perfect sense. 

However, Chiyo didn't share her thoughts with Rasa. She shook her head and said, "I don't know. I've had Pakura investigate within the encampment. We should have results soon. Oh, and have the rumors been dealt with?" 

Rasa answered Chiyo, "Yes, they've been handled. I've already clarified the situation. Advisor Chiyo, you must be tired from your journey back to the village, so get some rest." 

Ebizo accompanied Chiyo as she left the Kazekage's office. On their way back, Ebizo asked, "Sister, what really happened? You don't need to hide anything from me." 

Chiyo walked in silence for a while before finally speaking. "Ebizo, come with me somewhere." 

Chiyo led Ebizo to Sasori's house and moved aside a dust-covered shelf. Although it had been a long time since anyone had been there, the putrid smell was still pungent. Chiyo and Ebizo both caught the scent at the same time. 

Ebizo wrinkled his nose, covering it. "This smell... it seems like the scent of decaying blood, and it's been here for a long time." 

Chiyo led Ebizo into the basement. Looking at the seemingly clean basement, yet with an unyielding stench of decay, Chiyo's heart felt heavy. 

Chiyo spoke in a low voice, "I actually discovered this basement a long time ago, the day we learned the Third Kazekage was missing. Sasori's house had a basement that even I didn't know about, and it reeked of blood. The Third Kazekage's sudden disappearance, coupled with Sasori also vanishing... 

Even though I'm Sasori's grandmother, ever since his parents died in the war, he became quiet and withdrawn. And I was so busy then, I simply didn't have time to properly raise him. So, without realizing it, I became completely unfamiliar with Sasori; I didn't know what he was thinking. Back then, I inexplicably felt that the Third Kazekage's disappearance was connected to Sasori. Ebizo, at that time, I was truly scared, afraid that the Third Kazekage's disappearance was linked to Sasori, so I instinctively concealed this basement." 

Ebizo comforted her, "Sister, I can understand how you feel. This basement doesn't necessarily mean anything. Nothing has been confirmed yet, right?" 

Chiyo then told Ebizo about Shindai. Ebizo was shocked after hearing everything. He never expected the spy sent by the Third Kazekage to be such a genius, capable of destroying Chiyo's 'Father' and 'Mother' puppets, and even damaging five of the Chikamatsu Collection of Ten Puppets. While it was true that the boy named Shindai managed it by using the Magnet Release bloodline limit, which counters puppets, and also by using psychological warfare to break Chiyo's mental defenses, it was still astonishing. Seeing Chiyo's dejected state, she must have been truly devastated. It was understandable, after all, Chiyo was forced to repeatedly witness scenes she considered her worst nightmares. 

As for Sasori's Human Puppet jutsu, using living people to create puppets, it was likely true. This secret basement, though it looked clean, had such a strong, putrid smell of blood. This indicated that a lot of blood must have seeped into the cracks of this room in the past, which is why the smell was still so strong after all this time. Therefore, the disappearance of the Third Kazekage... it was indeed highly probable that Sasori was responsible. 

Chiyo said dispiritedly, "Ebizo, I want to retire. I couldn't save my son and daughter, and I failed to properly raise Sasori. I'm tired." 

Ebizo never expected Chiyo to be so deeply affected this time, even contemplating retirement. Ebizo pondered how to comfort Chiyo, but there didn't seem to be much to say. They were both old, and had dedicated everything to the village. Chiyo's own children had died in the war, and her neglect of Sasori for the sake of the village had very likely led to his betrayal of the Hidden Sand. It was only natural for Chiyo to feel exhausted. 

Ebizo sighed. "Actually, I'm quite tired myself. It's probably time to retire. But sister, the war is reaching a crucial point. Let's wait a bit longer. Once the war ends, we can retire together." 

Chiyo nodded. "Okay." 

It sounds like Chiyo is really struggling with the weight of her past. What do you think will happen to her and Ebizo now that they're considering retirement? 

Chapter 148: Those Who Are Born Don't Fear Death! 

"I'm telling you guys, I was actually super scared back then. If Chiyo had caught me, I'd have been toast! My close-quarters combat skills aren't exactly top-notch, and honestly, the safer bet would have been to have an Iron Sand clone deliver that slap. 

But why did I take such a huge risk, you ask? Because I had an incredibly strong conviction! I remembered a saying: 'Those who are born don't fear death; those who fear death were never born.' So what's there to be afraid of? Just go for it! 

It was with that powerful conviction that I pulled it off! So, what does that tell you, huh? 

Huh? No one's answering? You must all be waiting for my answer, right? Well, I'll tell you then! It means I'm a person of incredible courage, extremely high intelligence, and I'm both wise and brave!" 

It had been almost a month since Shindai slapped Chiyo. 

Kakashi, Obito, and Rin had been listening to Shindai brag for almost a month too. 

Obito groaned, "Shindai, can you please stop? My head is seriously hurting from listening to you!" 

Shindai looked at Obito with disdain. "Obito, you're not cutting it, huh? Look at Kakashi, he's listening so intently!" 

"Hm? What's up? Did you finish talking, Shindai?" 

Kakashi pulled out whatever he had stuffed in his ears and asked Shindai with a puzzled look. 

Shindai's eye twitched, and his left fist clenched. 

"That Kakashi, he's just one of those sneaky, cunning types!" Shindai looked at Rin on the other side. "Obito, don't be like him, be like Rin!" 

Kakashi frowned slightly, looking at Shindai with confusion. 

Why was he suddenly cursing him out? 

Rin, whose gaze had been unfocused, snapped to attention when Shindai called her name and asked, "Huh? Did you call me, Shindai?" 

A vein popped on Shindai's forehead. "Rin, do you have something stuffed in your ears too?" 

"No, I was just spacing out." 

Shindai was too annoying, his incessant chatter was starting to wear Rin down. Under such high pressure, Rin had learned to empty her mind. Once she did that, all the surrounding noise faded away, and her ears found peace. 

Shindai's right fist also clenched involuntarily. 

One after another, why were they all so infuriating? 

He did something so huge, what's wrong with bragging a little? 

Obito asked, "Shindai, do I still need to learn?" 

"Learn my butt!" 

Shindai huffily turned around, presenting his back to the three of them. 

Kakashi and Rin looked at Obito in confusion. "What's wrong with him now?" 

Obito spread his hands. "Who knows?" 

Kakashi clapped his hands. "Alright, we're almost at the outpost. After we turn in the mission, let's rest for a day and pick up a new one tomorrow." 

Back at the outpost, they found Guy sitting on the ground looking utterly dejected. Genma Shiranui and Ebisu were comforting him. 

Obito rushed over and asked, "What happened? What's going on?" 

Genma Shiranui's voice was heavy with sadness as he replied, "While we were on a mission, we encountered the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist Village. At the last moment, Guy's father arrived. To protect us, Guy's father fought the Seven Swordsmen, allowing us to retreat. But Guy's father..." 

Ebisu took off his sunglasses, rubbing his swollen eyes. "Guy's father opened the Eight Inner Gates Formation's Gate of Death to fight the Seven Ninja Swordsmen. If it weren't for him, we would definitely be dead." 

Kakashi, Obito, and Rin's expressions all turned incredibly somber. 

The Eight Inner Gates Formation: Gate of Death—opening it meant certain death. 

Shindai wasn't close with Guy and his team, so he stood behind Obito, silent. 

However, hearing that Guy's father, Might Duy, opened the Gate of Death to face the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist Village, Shindai felt a bit curious about what that scene must have been like. It must have been spectacular. 

After all, even the "Dance King," Madara Uchiha, acknowledged Guy's future dance skills. 

Even though he was curious about the power of the Eight Inner Gates Formation: Gate of Death, Shindai wouldn't learn it even if he could. He wouldn't be able to handle that kind of hardship. 

Guy wiped away his tears, stood up from the ground, and said with determined eyes, "There's no need to be sad. My dad protected what was most important to him, even to his death. I'm proud of my old man! I'll inherit his will and keep going!" 

Obito gave Guy a thumbs-up. "I believe you can do it, Guy!" 

Guy returned Obito's thumbs-up, forcing a smile that looked harder than crying, his bright white teeth glinting and momentarily flashing in Shindai's eyes. "Thank you, Obito! I believe I can do it too!" 

The sudden "bro-mance" gave Shindai goosebumps all over. 

A ninja walked over. "Squad Kakashi, go to the war room. Lord Orochimaru wants to see you." 

The four of them, including Shindai, arrived at the war room. 

Orochimaru spoke to the four of them, "The Hidden Sand shinobi have now withdrawn from this border. With only the Hidden Mist shinobi left, they're not much of a threat, so we don't need to keep so many people here. You will return to the Hidden Leaf Village and await new assignments. It seems Minato Namikaze is also in the Hidden Leaf Village right now, so you will likely be operating with him." 

Hearing they would be reuniting with Minato Namikaze, Kakashi, Obito, and Rin were all happy. 

But Shindai couldn't be happy. 

Because it was already the late stages of the war. If they reunited with Minato Namikaze now... that meant the major upheaval for Squad Kakashi was about to happen. 

And this was where Shindai would truly be put to the test. 

Shindai followed the three of them out of the war room. 

Obito excitedly told Rin and Kakashi how he was going to tell Minato Namikaze all about his improvements when they met. 

However, as Obito spoke, something felt off. 

Based on his understanding of Shindai, he should be even more excited right now, recounting everything he did to Chiyo, along with his entire thought process, and then declaring he'd tell Minato Namikaze. 

Why was he so quiet? This wasn't like Shindai at all. 

Obito turned to look at Shindai behind him and saw him frowning deeply, looking very serious. 

Obito asked, puzzled, "Shindai, what's wrong? You seem unhappy? We're going to see Minato-sensei soon, you know!" 

Shindai snapped out of his thoughts, shook his head, and blurted out, "Nothing, I was just thinking about Guy's father. He was truly great, so full of sacrificial spirit. It's such a shame for a ninja like that to die." 

Obito, Kakashi, and Rin looked at Shindai's expression, bewildered. 

When they learned of Guy's father's death, they didn't sense any particular emotional fluctuation from Shindai; it seemed more like curiosity. So why was he suddenly getting sad after leaving the war room? 

That emotional reaction seemed a bit too delayed, didn't it? 

Chapter 149: Assistant to Disciple? 

Shindai, Kakashi, Obito, and Rin were heading back to the Hidden Leaf Village. Shindai was in his tent, packing his things, but his mind was racing. He was about to meet up with Minato Namikaze, and that meant a whole series of events were likely to unfold. 

First, there was the incident where the Stone Ninjas would pin Obito under rocks, then Madara Uchiha would rescue him and brainwash him. During the brainwashing, Rin Nohara would be made the Three-Tails Jinchuriki, originally intended to destroy the Leaf, but Kakashi would intercept, leading to Rin's death. Finally, Rin's death would trigger Obito's descent into darkness and Kakashi's emotional shutdown. That was the general flow of events. 

If things went smoothly and Obito wasn't crushed by the Stone Ninjas' rocks, none of the subsequent events would happen. But Shindai didn't believe it would be that easy. Obito was Madara Uchiha's chosen one; there was no way he'd give up so simply. If it didn't work once, there would surely be a second time, then a third. He wouldn't be abandoned so easily. So, Shindai had to keep an eye on Obito at all times. 

No, not just Obito. Kakashi and Rin needed watching too. If things didn't work out with Obito, they might target Kakashi and Rin as weak points. Wait, hold on, there was him too! He could also be used as a weak point! He should get a few days of rest when he returned to the Leaf. He'd have to figure out how to make some preparations then. Shindai couldn't help but feel nervous. Madara Uchiha's name was just too infamous. Even if he was a toothless old man now, he was still terrifying, especially with a devoted "filial son" helping him. 

After packing his things, Shindai met up with Kakashi and the others and immediately set off for the Leaf Village. 

Back in the Leaf Village 

A few days later, Shindai, Kakashi, Obito, and Rin finally arrived at the Hidden Leaf. They first went to see Hiruzen Sarutobi, as Orochimaru had given them a scroll to deliver to him. 

Hiruzen Sarutobi, puffing on his pipe, read the scroll Orochimaru had sent him. "So, those rumors were your doing, Shindai? Very well done. With Chiyo gone, the new Sand Ninja commander is very cautious in their operations. It's safe to say that your rumors, which led to Chiyo's departure, significantly eased the tense battle situation in the three-way Leaf, Sand, and Mist ninja skirmishes on the border." 

Shindai puffed out his chest proudly. "Lord Hokage, I must tell you about my attack on Chiyo!" 

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Shindai, surprised. "You attacked Chiyo too?" 

Just as Shindai was about to launch into his tale, Kakashi quickly pulled out two earplugs and stuffed them in, Rin's eyes unfocused, and Obito clutched his ears with a pained expression. Shindai's mouth twitched. What was the meaning of this?! If they didn't want to hear it, he didn't want to tell them anyway! 

Shindai then proceeded to give Hiruzen Sarutobi a detailed, exaggerated account of his attack on Chiyo. Since it was the first time he was hearing it, Hiruzen Sarutobi listened with considerable interest. However, when Shindai described how he used Hatake Sakumo, Chiyo's son, daughter, and grandson, and even the Third Kazekage, to make Chiyo lose her focus, and how he even slapped her, Hiruzen's expression subtly changed. Although Hiruzen hadn't witnessed the events, just hearing Shindai's narration made him realize how utterly frustrated Chiyo must have been during that battle. Hiruzen Sarutobi knew very well how furious Chiyo had become during the Second Great Ninja War after learning her son and daughter had been killed. 

Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced at Kakashi, feeling pleased to see him emerge from the shadow of Hatake Sakumo. Hiruzen deeply regretted what had happened to Sakumo. At that time, with signs of war brewing, the Leaf and Cloud Villages had already started clashing. Hiruzen Sarutobi was constantly discussing the situation and strategizing with Koharu Utatane, Homura Mitokado, and Danzo Shimura, completely missing the public opinion within the village. By the time Hiruzen noticed, it was too late. This was also the first time Hiruzen Sarutobi had witnessed the terrifying power of public opinion, how it could drive a powerful ninja like Hatake Sakumo to take his own life. 

Hiruzen Sarutobi asked, "Shindai, was the disappearance of the Third Kazekage really Sasori's doing?" 

Shindai's tone was firm. "Yes! I'm convinced it was Sasori!" 

"Convinced?" 

"Yep, because I have no evidence!" 

"Uh..." 

Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't understand how Shindai could so confidently state that he had no evidence. Hiruzen's gaze returned to the scroll in his hand. "No wonder Orochimaru thinks so highly of you. He wrote in this scroll that your talent in technology is excellent, and he wants you to be his assistant after the war ends." 

Shindai's jaw dropped. "Huh? What? Lord Orochimaru hasn't forgotten about that?!" 

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked confused. "Hm? You don't want to? Orochimaru is my disciple; I know him well. He doesn't take disciples easily. So far, he's only taken one, and he's very diligent. Even as his assistant, you'd learn many skills." 

Shindai let out an awkward, dry laugh. "Well, it's not that I don't want to, exactly. I just feel like I'm not worthy of Lord Orochimaru, so maybe it's better if I don't." 

Hiruzen Sarutobi said seriously, "Don't undervalue yourself, Shindai. You are a Leaf ninja now, and we are all comrades. Since Orochimaru values you so much, I'll make a decision. I'll propose that Orochimaru take you as his direct disciple. But Shindai, you'll need to perform well, understand?" 

Shindai suddenly felt like crying. Things shouldn't be going this way! How did he go from an assistant to a disciple out of nowhere?! Shindai wanted to argue. Being an assistant wasn't that bad. At least as an assistant, he could slack off a bit, and maybe Orochimaru would give up on him if he saw he wasn't ambitious. 

But Shindai's "three good friends" clearly weren't going to let him off the hook. Rin whispered, "Shindai, hurry up and agree! That's Lord Orochimaru, one of the Sannin!" 

Kakashi also urged, "Idiot, this is an extremely rare opportunity! Don't be foolish; you'll miss out forever." 

Obito was even more direct. "Lord Hokage, Shindai says he's willing! He also said he'll definitely perform well!" 

Shindai looked at Obito in disbelief. What was that? He was willing? And he'd perform well?! Shindai's mouth barely moved, but Hiruzen Sarutobi chuckled. "Good to understand. I'll talk to Orochimaru about this. Make sure to train hard with Orochimaru in the future. I have high hopes for you, Shindai. Alright, you probably want to see Minato now, right? Minato should be at home. Go ahead. When there's a mission, you can just follow Minato." 

Shindai stood there with his mouth agape, staring blankly at Hiruzen Sarutobi. No, he hadn't said that! He hadn't said anything! It was Obito who said it! Shindai wanted to protest, but Obito had already pulled him, and with Kakashi and Rin, excitedly rushed out of the office to find Minato Namikaze. 

Poor Shindai, looks like his "friends" just helped him land a very unexpected apprenticeship! What do you think his training under Orochimaru will be like? 

Chapter 150: It's a Great Thing! 

Shindai felt totally dizzy when he left the Hokage building. 

Shindai figured his rejection of Orochimaru before was pretty clear, so why didn't the super-smart Orochimaru get his meaning? 

And what was that old man Hiruzen Sarutobi doing?! Why did he suddenly decide that Shindai should become Orochimaru's disciple?! 

The worst part was that the old man didn't listen to a word he said, but just went along with what those three troublemakers – Obito and the others – were spouting! 

Obito was even standing there, being all "sarcastic": "Congrats, Shindai! With the Hokage's recommendation, you'll definitely become Lord Orochimaru's disciple! He's one of the Sannin, you know? Lord Minato is Jiraiya-sensei's disciple, who's also one of the Sannin, and he's super awesome!" 

Shindai glared at Obito, baring his teeth. "Congrats my butt! Who told you to make decisions for me on your own?!" 

Obito looked confused. "Huh? I thought you were just too happy to speak, so I helped you out. You mean you don't want to be Lord Orochimaru's disciple? No way!" 

Shindai could only swallow his bitterness. How could he say he didn't want to? 

At this time, Orochimaru had tons of fangirls and fanboys. Back at the outpost, Shindai would often hear people praising how handsome Orochimaru was, calling him a true "forbidden-desire" heartthrob. 

They weren't wrong; Orochimaru really was a "forbidden-desire" handsome guy, to the point where he eventually shed even his gender. 

If Shindai were to say anything bad about Orochimaru now, those fanboys and fangirls would drown him in their spit. 

Shindai was utterly frustrated. "Of course I want to be Lord Orochimaru's disciple, Obito! You're great! I'll remember this! I'll definitely repay you well!" 

Obito suddenly shivered. If Shindai wasn't being sarcastic, he'd literally kneel down and let Shindai ride him like a dog. 

But why? This was clearly a good thing! 

Then Shindai glared at Kakashi and Rin. "I'll remember you two too!" 

After delivering his threats, Shindai stomped ahead, fuming. 

Obito, Kakashi, and Rin exchanged glances. 

Kakashi: "What's his problem now?" 

Obito: "No idea. Shindai's thoughts are really hard to guess. Sometimes he's inexplicably happy, then inexplicably angry. Can't figure him out. He's even harder to deal with than Lady Kushina's temper." 

Rin: "I have a guess, actually. Lord Orochimaru is a very serious person, and Shindai is the complete opposite – he's really not serious at all. He likes to tell all sorts of silly, sometimes even super bad, jokes. So, maybe it's precisely because Lord Orochimaru is so serious and stern that Shindai doesn't want to be his disciple." 

Obito, Kakashi, and Rin tilted their heads, imagining the scenario. 

Shindai jokingly asked the very serious Orochimaru, "Lord Orochimaru, do you know why I don't like to joke behind people's backs?" 

Orochimaru said nothing, just looked at Shindai expressionlessly. 

Shindai continued, "It's because if you have that much free time, you might as well stab them in the back, hahaha, isn't that hilarious?" 

Orochimaru still said nothing, still looking at Shindai with that same expressionless face. 

At this thought, Obito, Kakashi, and Rin suddenly understood why Shindai didn't want to become Orochimaru's disciple. 

Even though Shindai was socially awkward, with people he knew, he was a complete chatterbox who loved playing pranks. 

All three of them had been pranked by Shindai, without exception. 

For Shindai, a chatterbox, being with the very reserved Orochimaru would surely be torture. 

So... 

"I think it's a good thing!" 

"Right, me too! Maybe being with Lord Orochimaru will actually cure Shindai's terrible personality!" 

"Exactly! So we have to make Shindai Lord Orochimaru's disciple! I think only Lord Orochimaru can fix Shindai!" 

Obito, Kakashi, and Rin exchanged glances again, seeing determination in each other's eyes. 

It was far more resolute than their eyes on the day they swore to become ninjas and protect the Hidden Leaf Village! 

Shindai, Obito, Kakashi, and Rin arrived at Minato Namikaze's doorstep. 

Obito knocked on the door. "Minato-sensei! We're here!" 

It wasn't Minato Namikaze who opened the door, but Kushina Uzumaki. 

Kushina Uzumaki was wearing an apron and holding a spatula in her left hand, clearly in the middle of cooking. 

Seeing the four of them, Kushina Uzumaki smiled happily. "You're back!" 

Shindai eyed Kushina Uzumaki up and down. "Well, well, well, Auntie Kushina's become a housewife, huh? You really look the part~" 

Kushina Uzumaki, teased by Shindai, immediately felt her cheeks flush. She glared at Shindai. "You brat, the first thing you do when we meet is say something so annoying. You looking for a beating?" 

Kushina Uzumaki raised her fist. 

Shindai quickly took a step back, deftly retreating behind Obito. 

"Eh?" 

Obito got flustered. That Shindai, every time something happened, he'd hide behind him. What was the deal? Go hide behind Kakashi! 

Obito also took a step back, standing behind Kakashi. 

And Shindai followed like a shadow; if Obito moved, he moved. 

Now it was Kakashi's turn to be annoyed. Those two, they were at it again. 

Kushina Uzumaki chuckled at the sight. "Obito, you and Shindai are really becoming more and more alike, huh?" 

Obito sighed helplessly. "I can't help it. He's tricked me too many times. I've gotta learn my lesson eventually." 

Kushina Uzumaki looked at Kakashi. "What about you, Kakashi? Aren't you going to hide behind Rin?" 

Kakashi turned his head away. "I'm not as shameless as those two!" 

"Who's trying to act cool now?" 

"Next time, I'm going to have Kannazuki zap you, kid!" 

Obito and Shindai immediately started condemning Kakashi's "holier-than-thou" attitude. 

"Kushina, who is it?" Minato Namikaze came out of the room. Seeing Shindai and the others, he said happily, "You're back! Looks like the situation there has stabilized." 

Shindai couldn't hold it in; he felt off if he didn't inject some sarcasm. "Oh, Lord Minato and Auntie Kushina said the exact same first thing when they saw us: 'You're back!' You really are meant for each other. 

Sigh, while we were fighting life and death battles, Lord Minato and Auntie Kushina were all lovey-dovey. How enviable~" 

Minato Namikaze was a bit thin-skinned; teased by Shindai like that, his face instantly turned red. 

A somewhat shy Minato Namikaze stumbled over his words. "N-no, there's no way." 

"Duang!" 

Kushina Uzumaki blew on her fist, glaring at Shindai, who now had a bump on his head, and threatened him. "If you say one more word, you won't get any dinner!" 

"Phew..." 

Obito, Kakashi, and Rin felt as refreshed as if they'd just eaten a popsicle on a hot summer day. 

But Shindai was just asking for it, knowing he'd probably get smacked, yet still making those jokes.