31-35

*Chapter 31: The Third Eye*

Kakashi was planning to confirm the number of Cloud ninja. Since they only saw one person guarding outside the cave, he felt there was a high possibility it was a trap.

Shindai frowned and asked, "So... what's the plan to confirm? Don't tell me we're just charging straight in! If you guys are really going to do that, I'm out of here, no questions asked. I'm not looking to throw my life away."

Kakashi replied, "Of course, we're not just going to charge in. We're on a reconnaissance mission. We avoid combat if at all possible. Trying to lure them out to confirm if they're stationed here would be like kicking up dust and alerting snakes."

"So, we still need to sneak in to confirm. Otherwise, if we spook them, they might just evacuate and set up camp somewhere else, which would be troublesome. It would mean that Jiraiya-sama's intel would be wasted, and we'd lose the chance to eliminate the Cloud ninja here."

Obito asked seriously, "Kakashi, what are you planning to do?"

Kakashi pondered for a moment before saying, "Rin, you stay put. Obito, you and Shindai quietly draw him away. Then, I'll use the Transformation Technique to turn into his appearance and sneak in to observe the situation. Once I've confirmed what's inside, I'll immediately retreat, and then we'll all pull back."

Shindai asked in disbelief, "Wait, what do I have to do with this?"

Knowing Shindai's abilities, Kakashi said matter-of-factly, "Of course. I'm a little worried about Obito going alone, so Shindai, you'll go with him to lure away that Cloud ninja."

Shindai shook his head vigorously like a spinning top. "No, no, no! What if the lure fails and a whole bunch of them come rushing out? Besides, there's a good chance I'll just end up being a burden."

Kakashi looked at Shindai seriously and said, "Shindai, Minato-sensei said it himself: right now, we're a team. Even though you're not a Leaf ninja yet, we're comrades in this squad. You need to believe in yourself, believe in your teammates. The three of us believe you can do it."

"We're a squad, and we'll be carrying out many more missions together in the future. You can't keep backing down, Shindai. So, you need to have some confidence!"

Obito chimed in, agreeing with Kakashi and encouraging Shindai, "Yeah, Kakashi's right! We're comrades now!"

Rin also said, "I believe in you too, Shindai."

Shindai looked at Kakashi, Obito, and Rin with a complicated expression.

Aside from Pakura, this was the first time anyone had said they believed in him. It felt strange.

Shindai opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but in the end, he just said, "Okay, fine."

Kakashi let out a barely perceptible sigh of relief. Minato was right.

Earlier, Minato had specifically told Kakashi that if Shindai tried to back out of a mission, they could try encouraging him.

Minato had spent some time with Shindai and had come to understand him a bit.

Minato figured Shindai was the type who responded better to a gentle approach. If they were tough on him, Shindai definitely wouldn't listen and might even try to run off.

After all, since Shindai had come to infiltrate, he had already 'successfully' integrated into the Leaf Village and still thought about going back every single day.

Because Shindai had been forced into this undercover mission, he was very resistant to it.

So, being tough on Shindai would definitely not work; they had to coax him.

And now, it seemed to be working.

Kakashi continued, "Alright then, let's prepare to move out."

"Wait!"

Shindai suddenly spoke up, making Kakashi's eyelid twitch violently. Not another problem, he thought.

Shindai looked upwards, a guilty expression on his face, and said, "I, uh, I know a ninjutsu that can do reconnaissance relatively safely. But, you know, I don't have much talent for ninjutsu, so I can't maintain it for long."

Kakashi immediately asked, "What kind of ninjutsu?"

Shindai explained, "I can create an eye to scout inside the cave. The visual information will be transmitted to my own eye."

Obito punched Shindai's shoulder playfully, a hint of annoyance in his voice. "Shindai, you actually have a jutsu like that? You should have said so earlier!"

Shindai chuckled dryly. "I told you, I can't maintain it for long. I was worried about messing things up, so I didn't mention it."

Kakashi's eyes lit up slightly. If Shindai had this kind of jutsu, reconnaissance would be much easier, and they wouldn't have to take such a big risk.

He completely ignored the part about not being able to maintain it for long. He'd believe that when he saw it.

It seemed that Shindai would only reluctantly reveal a bit of his true abilities when he absolutely had to participate.

Kakashi said to Shindai, "Alright then, Shindai, begin."

Shindai nodded and started performing hand seals.

After completing the seals, fine grains of iron sand gradually gathered together, forming a third eye.

This third eye floated towards the cave entrance, while Shindai pressed his left hand against his left eye. The visual information from the third eye was transmitted to the eye he was touching.

Because the eyeball was very small, under Shindai's control, it easily passed through the blind spot of the Cloud ninja standing guard at the entrance and entered the cave.

Through this third eye, Shindai saw the interior of the cave.

"There's a passage inside. There's no one in the passage. I'll go deeper..."

Shindai controlled the third eye, moving it further into the cave. The passage wasn't long, and soon it reached the very end.

Shindai's third eye secretly observed the inside from behind a rock.

"The end of the passage is like a base. There are many Cloud ninja inside. Let me count... one, two... there are fifteen Cloud ninja in total. There's a map on the table with many markings on it."

A little while later, Shindai dispelled the jutsu. The third eye turned into iron sand and scattered on the ground.

Shindai released his left eye and said to Kakashi, "That's everything I saw. The mission should be complete now, right? Can we leave?"

Kakashi, Obito, and Rin looked at Shindai's jutsu with astonished expressions.

Stealthy, difficult to detect, and capable of direct reconnaissance.

With just this jutsu alone, Shindai could easily join the reconnaissance unit!

Seeing the surprised looks on Kakashi's, Obito's, and Rin's faces, Shindai raised an eyebrow and then began his performance.

"Ah~ Obito, quick, support me!"

Shindai's whole body went limp, and he grabbed Obito's shoulder with one hand.

Obito supported Shindai and asked worriedly, "Hey, Shindai, what's wrong?"

Shindai said weakly, "I... I've overused my chakra. I feel completely drained."

Obito, supporting Shindai, asked in confusion, "Huh? But you were just fine a moment ago?"

Shindai coughed twice dramatically. "The aftereffects... these are the aftereffects. I didn't feel it earlier, but now I feel completely weak. I can't even walk."

Kakashi and Rin's eyes twitched. This acting was way too fake! Who would believe this?

"Oh, I see. Well then, let me carry you, Shindai. You really did a great job."

Obito kindly picked up the 'weak' Shindai on his back.

Kakashi and Rin's lips were now twitching as well.

Well... Obito was an idiot. He was the exception.

Chapter 32: Returning to the Base

Obito, being the thoughtful guy he is, carried the 'weak' Shindai on his back.

Shindai, in his 'exhausted' state, spoke to Kakashi, "Kakashi, since the mission's done, let's get out of here quickly. I really need to rest. This feeling of chakra exhaustion is just awful, you know?"

Kakashi, with a vein throbbing on his forehead, nodded, "Alright, let's head back to the base."

Once they were back at the Leaf Village base, Shindai was suddenly full of energy again. After a quick meal, he immediately went back to his tent to catch up on some sleep.

Meanwhile, Kakashi went to report to Jiraiya-sama.

"Jiraiya-sama, the investigation is complete. There are indeed Cloud Ninja stationed about 15 kilometers to the southwest. Inside a small cave on a hill, there's one Cloud Ninja guarding the entrance, and 15 more inside. That makes a total of 16 Cloud Ninja!"

Jiraiya-sama seemed a bit surprised, "You finished the investigation so quickly, and with such detail?"

Kakashi answered honestly, "We owe it all to one of Shindai's jutsu."

Kakashi then explained to Jiraiya-sama how Shindai used a jutsu to create a third eye for reconnaissance.

Jiraiya-sama stroked his chin, curious. "There's such a convenient jutsu? That kid truly is something special."

Kakashi then spoke with a serious tone, "Jiraiya-sama, there's something that bothers me. Shindai mentioned seeing a map with many markings on a table at the Cloud Ninja base."

Jiraiya-sama immediately pressed, "Do you know what kind of map it was, or what locations were marked?"

Kakashi shook his head. "Because Shindai immediately pretended to be chakra-exhausted, and I only thought about the significance of that information later. So I haven't asked him yet."

Jiraiya-sama paused for a moment before saying, "Well, I don't have anything else to do right now, so I'll go with you to see him. If that map on the Cloud Ninja's table had a lot of markings, those could be points they plan to attack us, or perhaps even other Cloud Ninja bases. So, to be safe, it's necessary to confirm with Shindai what he saw on that map."

Kakashi and Jiraiya-sama then headed towards Shindai's tent.

Shindai, having eaten his fill, was sleeping soundly, but suddenly felt someone vigorously shaking him.

Shindai groggily opened his eyes, and the first thing he saw was a large, imposing face right in front of him.

Shindai shuddered and instantly sat up in bed. "Mama mia! What in the world is that ugly thing?!"

Jiraiya-sama, who had his face practically pressed against Shindai's, straightened up, annoyed. "Hey, hey, hey! What kind of talk is that, kid?! I'm a famous handsome man in the village! Lots of pretty girls adore me, you know!"

Shindai stared blankly at the two people standing by his bed, confused. "Jiraiya-sama? Kakashi? Why are you two in my tent, sneaking a peek at me sleeping?"

Kakashi's mouth twitched. Who would want to sneak a peek at him sleeping?!

Kakashi pointed at Jiraiya-sama. "Jiraiya-sama has something to ask you, about a map."

Shindai looked even more bewildered. "A map? What map?"

Jiraiya-sama explained, "Kakashi told me that when you were scouting the Cloud Ninja, you found a map with markings on it, right? Do you remember what that map looked like?"

Shindai thought for a moment before answering, "I did see it, and I looked at it a few times. The Cloud Ninja were gathered around that map, seemingly discussing something. But I didn't pay close attention to the map itself, so I'm not really sure what it looked like."

Jiraiya-sama pulled out several maps and laid them in front of Shindai. "Shindai, does the Cloud Ninja's map resemble any of these?"

Shindai picked them up one by one to examine them. When he picked up the third map, Shindai confidently stated, "It's this map!"

Jiraiya-sama and Kakashi looked at the map in Shindai's hand, their eyes narrowing simultaneously.

The map Shindai was holding was a regional map of their Leaf Village base's location.

The Cloud Ninja having a map of the Leaf Village base's area, marking it up, and discussing it could only mean they were planning something against their base.

Jiraiya-sama's expression turned serious. "Shindai, do you remember the locations of any of the markings on that map?"

Shindai looked troubled. "How could I remember all of them? I only glanced at that map a few times. There were about seven or eight markings. But I do remember two or three, though I'm not sure if they're exact."

Jiraiya-sama nodded. "Then just mark the ones you remember, Shindai."

Shindai got out of bed and walked over to the table, spreading the map out.

"I saw the map from... yes, this perspective. Then, one mark was here, another mark was here, and another mark... it should be roughly here."

Shindai quickly marked the three locations he remembered on the map.

Jiraiya-sama and Kakashi looked at the map again.

One of Shindai's markings was to the side of the Leaf Village base, and the other two were in the rear of the base.

Jiraiya-sama's expression was grave as he left the tent without another word.

Shindai asked, confused, "Kakashi, what's wrong with Jiraiya-sama?"

Kakashi replied, "Jiraiya-sama probably thinks the Cloud Ninja are planning to attack the Leaf Village base."

Shindai nervously exclaimed, "Huh? What? They're going to attack here? Then we should run away, quick!"

Kakashi looked at Shindai with an exasperated expression. "Run? Why? We have Jiraiya-sama, Orochimaru-sama, and Tsunade-sama—the Legendary Sannin—stationed here. And the Leaf Ninja here aren't weak either. Besides, now that you've marked the map, Jiraiya-sama is on high alert. He's probably gone to discuss it with Orochimaru-sama right now, so there's nothing to worry about."

Hearing Kakashi's words, Shindai breathed a sigh of relief.

If the Cloud Ninja launched a full-scale attack here, it would be incredibly dangerous with all the chaos.

However, Shindai then got another idea and said to Kakashi, "Kakashi, if everything's fine, then I'm going back to sleep."

Kakashi waved his hand, muttering, "Go ahead and sleep then," and left the tent.

After Kakashi left, Shindai pulled out some paper and a brush, wrote a letter, and then quietly slipped out of the tent. In a hidden spot, he summoned his ninja hawk.

The ninja hawk flinched as soon as it saw Shindai, backing away a couple of steps.

Shindai's face darkened. "Why are you backing away? You think I'm going to eat you? Come here!"

The ninja hawk was shocked. Wasn't that exactly what it was afraid of?!

Shindai tied the letter to the hawk's body. "Alright, deliver this letter to Uncle Kaito. Go!"

The ninja hawk immediately flew into the sky, fleeing from Shindai as if its life depended on it.

Chapter 33: A Clean Sweep 

Shindai had sent his ninja hawk with a letter. 

However, the ninja hawk hadn't been flapping its wings in the air for long before it, once again, passed out. 

This time, it wasn't Minato Namikaze who knocked it out, but Kakashi. 

The moment Shindai summoned the ninja hawk, Kakashi sensed it through the mark Minato Namikaze had left on the bird. 

Kakashi untied the letter from the ninja hawk and opened it to read. 

[Dear Uncle Kaito, 

I am currently at the Leaf Village's base in the Land of Hot Water. Against all odds, surviving countless dangers and narrowly escaping death by a hair's breadth, I have obtained a critical piece of intelligence regarding the war between the Leaf and Cloud Villages in the Land of Hot Water. 

The Cloud Ninja plan to launch a full-scale assault on the Leaf Village's base in the Land of Hot Water very soon, aiming to wipe out all the ninja there in one fell swoop. I believe this information is extremely important to you, Uncle Kaito, so I immediately reported it to you. 

My current situation is also extremely difficult. Because I'm not trusted, I've been constantly bound and restricted. If the Cloud Ninja launch a full assault on the Leaf Village base, I will be in extreme and grave danger, very likely losing my life. 

I have already rendered a great service, and I hope Uncle Kaito will approve my honorable discharge and allow me to return to the village!] 

Kakashi read the letter and remained silent for a long moment. 

Finally, Kakashi muttered in disbelief, "This guy... is he out of his mind?" 

How could the Cloud Ninja possibly launch a full assault on the Leaf Village base? It was still just skirmishes at this point. 

From Kakashi's perspective, that map simply suggested the Cloud Ninja wanted to launch a sneak attack on the Leaf Village base. 

After all, Jiraiya-sama had mentioned that after Minato Namikaze and his team left, the Cloud Ninja took the opportunity to counterattack, only for Orochimaru-sama to dispatch a ninja squad to raid the Cloud Ninja's rear base. 

So, Kakashi figured the Cloud Ninja were most likely just trying to get even with the Leaf. 

Besides, even if the Cloud Ninja really were going to launch a full assault on the Leaf Village base, what did that have to do with the Sand Village? 

Could the Sand Village really send people all the way to the Land of Hot Water just to stir up trouble? 

Did they think the Leaf Ninja stationed in the Land of Rivers were pushovers? 

And the most important point: if he was "constantly bound and restricted," how did he write the letter, and how did he summon the ninja hawk? 

And "rendered a great service"? "Honorable discharge"? What else could this be but a sign of a troubled mind? 

Kakashi picked up a brush and paper, carefully examined Shindai's handwriting, then thought for a moment before starting to write. 

[Dear Uncle Kaito, 

I have now completely gained Minato Namikaze's trust and have followed him to the Leaf Village's base in the Land of Hot Water. I successfully met Jiraiya, one of the Legendary Sannin, and he has no suspicion of my identity. I am currently trying to gain Jiraiya's trust. My undercover mission is progressing smoothly, please rest assured, Uncle Kaito.] 

After writing, Kakashi checked it, put the letter in an envelope, re-tied it to the ninja hawk, and then left. 

Ten minutes later. 

The ninja hawk woke from its unconsciousness but remained motionless, as if caught by a Paralysis Jutsu, staring blankly. 

Another three minutes passed. 

The ninja hawk suddenly let out an angry squawk and furiously shredded the bark of a nearby tree with its talons. 

That felt good. 

The ninja hawk was treating this tree as Shindai. 

If its previous unconsciousness was just a guess that it might be related to Shindai, now, it was absolutely certain it was connected to Shindai. 

After all, this had never happened before, but ever since it became Shindai's summoned creature, it would pass out every time it saw Shindai. 

So, the ninja hawk had a firm suspicion: Shindai was toxic! 

Actually, the ninja hawk had initially thought someone might have knocked it out. 

But the letter on its body had no issues, so the ninja hawk had ruled out that possibility. 

Though furious, the letter still had to be delivered. The ninja hawk grumbled curses inwardly as it took flight and departed. 

Meanwhile, inside Orochimaru-sama's tent. 

Jiraiya-sama had already explained the whole situation to Orochimaru-sama. 

"Orochimaru, I believe there's definitely more than one Cloud Ninja hidden base near our Leaf Village base. Shindai said he saw seven or eight markings, so it's possible the Cloud Ninja have seven or eight hidden bases nearby. That's why I think we need to act immediately and clear out the Cloud Ninja in the vicinity!" 

Orochimaru-sama was deep in thought, staring at the map. 

After a moment of contemplation, Orochimaru-sama spoke, "No need to clear them out." 

Jiraiya-sama looked at Orochimaru-sama in surprise, asking, "Why not?" 

Orochimaru-sama analyzed, "I agree with your guess. The Cloud Ninja definitely have more than one base near the Leaf Village base, and they're certainly looking for revenge after we raided their rear base earlier. 

But we only know about one of their bases. Trying to find their other bases would alert them, and we'd have to send out a large number of ninja to search, which would leave our base vulnerable and give them an opening. 

A single base with 16 Cloud Ninja wouldn't be able to raid our Leaf Village base. But if there are seven such bases, each with the same number of Cloud Ninja, that's around a hundred Cloud Ninja in total, and that could pull off a raid. 

So, we absolutely cannot decide to split our forces now. Instead, we need to gather together and be ready to defend against any Cloud Ninja who try to sneak attack us." 

Jiraiya-sama frowned slightly. "Are we just supposed to wait for them to attack? We've already figured out their plan! How about I personally lead a team? Aren't there still some Hyuga and Inuzuka ninja here at the base? I can take them to secretly search for those Cloud Ninja bases." 

Orochimaru-sama dismissed Jiraiya-sama's suggestion, a cruel, cold smile gracing his lips. "No need. That's too inefficient. And if they realize their plan has been discovered, they'll surely retreat. But I intend to capture them all! 

We already know the location of one of their Cloud Ninja bases, don't we? We just need to send someone to monitor that base. When they make their move, it means all the hidden Cloud Ninja will move too. 

And we can prepare in advance to capture all these Cloud Ninja who try to sneak attack us, and kill them all here! 

A hundred Cloud Ninja dying here... I imagine that loss will sting the Cloud Village for a long time, won't it?" 

Jiraiya-sama felt a shiver down his spine at Orochimaru-sama's chilling smile. 

Jiraiya-sama retorted, "Orochimaru, can't you smile normally? You're giving me the creeps." 

The smile on Orochimaru-sama's face vanished instantly, and he looked at Jiraiya-sama out of the corner of his eye, expressionless, and asked, "That Sand Village spy you mentioned earlier is rather interesting. In that case, the mission to monitor that Cloud Ninja base will be assigned to them." 

*Chapter 34: Stirring the Pot*

Orochimaru decided to entrust the task of monitoring the Cloud ninja encampment to Shindai and the others.

Jiraiya thought for a moment, then nodded. "Alright, there aren't any other missions for Kakashi and them right now. Let's just give this task to them."

After Jiraiya and Orochimaru discussed how to capture all the Cloud ninja in one fell swoop, Jiraiya left the tent and summoned Shindai and the other three.

Inside Jiraiya's tent.

Shindai curiously asked Obito beside him, "Hey, Obito, what do you think Jiraiya-sama called us over for?"

Obito shrugged. "I dunno, but since he gathered all of us together, it's probably to give us a mission."

Shindai exclaimed in shock, "What? We just got back from a mission, and now we have to do another one?"

Obito replied to Shindai, "That's normal, isn't it? You didn't think we'd get a few days off after one mission, did you?"

Rin added, "Sometimes we do get to rest if there aren't any missions, but if there are, there's no break time. We have to go and do the next one right away. I remember the most we ever did was three missions in a row in one month, without a single day off."

Obito reminisced, "Yeah, I think it was two reconnaissance missions and one surveillance mission. We just got back and reported, and then immediately got another mission. That time, we were totally exhausted."

Kakashi's dead fish eyes looked at Shindai as he said, "Shindai, you don't need to worry. We've said it before, our missions mostly don't involve fighting. They're usually observation-based tasks like reconnaissance and surveillance."

Shindai sighed. "But what if we really do end up in a fight?"

"That would be awesome!" Obito clapped his hands excitedly. "I've been itching to get a combat mission! My fighting spirit is starving!"

Shindai and Kakashi simultaneously rolled their eyes at Obito.

Shindai retorted, "Oh, really? I saw you hiding in the bushes in the Land of Rivers, completely frozen in fear. Kakashi was the one who saved you."

Obito's face instantly turned bright red. "Th-that's not true! Who was scared?! Kakashi was just being nosy! Everything was totally under my control back then! A few measly Sand and Rock ninja? I could have taken them all on by myself!"

Kakashi scoffed coldly, without saying a word.

But Kakashi's scoff angered Obito. Obito slammed his hand on the table and thrust his face close to Kakashi's, fuming, "Kakashi! What are you laughing at?!"

Kakashi just stared at Obito, not saying a single thing, but the mockery in his expression was obvious.

Rin rubbed her temples with a headache. Here they go again.

Rin had always been the mediator between Kakashi and Obito, and she had broken up their arguments countless times. She was already a pro at it.

Just as Rin was about to try and mediate between Kakashi and Obito, something unexpected happened this time.

"Whoa! Kakashi, your face just screams 'punch me'! Obito, if it were me, I wouldn't be able to stand it! If it were me, I'd have already thrown a fist!"

Shindai directly stirred the pot, looking like he was thoroughly enjoying the drama.

Shindai didn't have any malicious intent; he just saw the tense situation and simply wanted to add fuel to the fire.

Obito, provoked by Shindai's words, instantly clenched his right fist.

And Kakashi even tilted his head slightly, as if saying, "Oh yeah? Try it."

That infuriating expression made Obito instantly lose it. "Hey, I've got a short fuse!"

Obito made a move to attack, but Rin, with quick reflexes, grabbed his arm. "Obito, please don't!"

Obito struggled forcefully. "Rin, let go! If I don't punch Kakashi today, I'm not an Uchiha!"

Shindai enthusiastically clapped his hands. "Obito, you're such a man right now! Truly worthy of being a genius among the Uchiha! I feel like I'm about to worship you! If there were any girls here, they'd definitely admire you too!"

Obito subconsciously glanced at Rin.

So... Rin must really admire me right now, huh?

Rin glared at Shindai, annoyed. "Shindai, stop stirring things up!"

Kakashi suddenly said, "Idiot."

That single word, "idiot," suddenly pumped Obito up like he'd been injected with adrenaline. "Kakashi! I swear on the name of the Uchiha, I'll take you on!"

Rin said helplessly, "Kakashi, please don't make things worse!"

Just then, Jiraiya entered the tent and was surprised by the scene before him. "What's all this commotion?"

Shindai, like a lackey... no, he was a lackey, rushed to Jiraiya's side and started tattling. "Jiraiya-sama, Obito and Kakashi are fighting! No matter how much I try to persuade them, it's no use! Honestly, I can't stand seeing comrades arguing with each other! Doesn't it undermine our unity?!"

"Jiraiya-sama, this kind of thing pains me deeply! I don't think I'm suited to be in such a disunited team. I request to become Jiraiya-sama's personal guard! Let me protect Jiraiya-sama's safety!"

Obito, Kakashi, and Rin stared dumbfounded at the 'righteous' Shindai.

Wasn't Shindai the one who started stirring things up in the first place?

How could Shindai have the nerve to say that he tried to persuade them but it was no use?

Obito tremblingly raised a finger at Shindai, so shocked he couldn't even speak.

Shindai put on a stern face and said, "Obito, I know you're ashamed, but I won't forgive you and Kakashi! I can't tolerate working with a disunited squad!"

"You... you shameless bastard! I'll fight you!"

Obito's already red face turned even darker as he lunged towards Shindai, wanting to land a punch.

Rin, who had been holding onto Obito, deliberately let go, her meaning clear.

And Kakashi, for the first time, wholeheartedly supported Obito, landing a solid punch on Shindai's face to see just how thick his skin really was!

Shindai hid behind Jiraiya. "Jiraiya-sama, they're furious and trying to bully me! Save me!"

Jiraiya's lips twitched.

Actually, he had already figured out most of what had happened.

There was no way Shindai was trying to mediate. Judging by Obito and Kakashi's expressions, Shindai was very likely the one who stirred everything up.

He really would do anything to stay in the safe Leaf Village encampment.

Jiraiya grabbed the charging Obito and lifted him up. "Alright, that's enough fighting! I don't need anyone to protect my safety. I have a mission for you all."

After putting Obito down, Jiraiya said sternly, "A surveillance mission. Team Minato, you will depart immediately to the Cloud ninja encampment you scouted earlier. Monitor their every move, and if they make any unusual movements, report their actions to us immediately!"

Chapter 35: My Love for the Leaf Runs Deep

Jiraiya-sama gave a mission to Shindai, Kakashi, Obito, and Rin: to monitor the Cloud Ninja outpost they had previously investigated.

Shindai suddenly acted completely out of character. "Yes, sir! I, Shindai, will absolutely carry out Jiraiya-sama's mission! Even if I'm torn to shreds, I will complete this task!"

Jiraiya-sama, Kakashi, and the others looked at Shindai in astonishment.

Wasn't the usual procedure to cry, throw a tantrum, and then pretend to hang himself... wait, no, it was to beg, complain, and then feign weakness?

Yet, the Shindai before them had eyes so determined they seemed capable of piercing through any obstacle.

Was this Shindai a fake?

Shindai saw the incredulous stares of Jiraiya-sama and the others and sneered inwardly.

These foolish Leaf Ninja could never understand the thoughts of the great Shindai!

From Shindai's perspective, monitoring that Cloud Ninja outpost was incredibly safe.

All he had to do was hide and spy; there was no need for actual combat. If the Cloud Ninja made a move, he just had to report back. No fighting required.

If he didn't take this mission, what if he got stuck with a dangerous one later?

So, only a fool wouldn't take this mission.

Shindai's sudden serious demeanor completely threw Jiraiya-sama, Kakashi, and the others off.

Jiraiya-sama gave a dry laugh and said, "Shindai, it's great that you have such resolve. Then this mission is yours. Depart immediately!"

Shindai put on a stern face and declared, "Yes, sir! I guarantee mission completion! I won't let Jiraiya-sama or the Leaf down!"

Kakashi, Obito, and Rin suddenly shivered, goosebumps rising on their skin.

Obito made a face and pleaded, "Shindai, can you just act normal?"

Shindai rolled his eyes at Obito and scoffed, "You're the one who's not normal! What does it matter if I die at the hands of the enemy for the sake of the Leaf? Even if I sacrifice myself to the enemy, I'll have no regrets! Because... my love for the Leaf runs deep, you see~"

Shindai's declaration of "my love for the Leaf runs deep" utterly silenced Jiraiya-sama, Kakashi, and the others.

Jiraiya-sama said awkwardly, "Um, Shindai, it's just a monitoring mission. It's not that serious."

Shindai maintained his stern expression. "Ah, that's not right! As a member of the Leaf, I must always be ready to sacrifice myself for the village! Kakashi, Obito, Rin! Follow me! I'm already impatient to sacrifice myself for the Leaf!"

Shindai strode out of the tent, leading the way.

Jiraiya-sama, Kakashi, Obito, and Rin exchanged glances.

Jiraiya-sama asked, bewildered, "What's gotten into him?"

Kakashi spread his hands. "Who knows? But at least we don't have to argue with him this time, which saves a lot of trouble. Well, Jiraiya-sama, we're off."

Jiraiya-sama nodded. "Yes, be careful. The moment you observe any movement from them, report back to us immediately. This means they're about to make their move against us, and we'll be ready. Orochimaru plans to capture them all in one go."

Kakashi's expression immediately turned serious.

If that were the case, their mission held immense responsibility.

Upon detecting the Cloud Ninja's movements, they had to return to the Leaf Village base as quickly as possible to report. If they reported late and the Cloud Ninja attacked first, they would lose the initiative.

At the same time, they couldn't be discovered by the Cloud Ninja. If they were, all the preparations made by their comrades at the Leaf base might be for naught.

"Understood, Jiraiya-sama! Then we're off. Come on, Obito, Rin."

Kakashi led Obito and Rin out of the tent, found Shindai nearby, and once again headed towards the Cloud Ninja outpost in the southwest.

To avoid detection by the Cloud Ninja, Kakashi chose a monitoring position quite far from the Cloud Ninja outpost, just barely enough to get a glimpse of it.

Kakashi held a pair of binoculars, constantly observing the movements at the Cloud Ninja outpost. When he got tired, Obito or Rin would take over.

As for Shindai...

Shindai found a comfortable spot, leaned back, and rested.

It was a blessing that Shindai wasn't causing trouble. Besides, this mission was crucial, and Kakashi didn't trust Shindai with it anyway. So, as long as Shindai stayed put, Kakashi didn't care what he was doing.

Days passed.

This was the third day of their surveillance.

"Ugh, so boring," Shindai grumbled, a blade of ryegrass in his mouth, lying on a tree branch, his eyelids drooping, looking utterly listless.

They couldn't start a fire and hadn't brought any regular food, so they were subsisting on military rations pills.

But the taste of military rations pills... well, those who know, know.

They were several times worse than the dry bread Shindai ate in the Sand Village, so bad that even a dog wouldn't touch them.

Ever since he was 'captured' by Minato Namikaze and the others, Shindai had been eating like a king every day. Now, he couldn't help but miss it terribly.

Kakashi and Obito ignored Shindai.

They had been listening to Shindai's complaints for three days straight.

Rin said to Shindai with a helpless smile, "Shindai, monitoring missions are always this boring. It's only been three days. Our longest mission lasted a whole month!"

Shindai gasped in shock, "What?! A month?! Eating those disgusting military rations pills that even dogs won't touch for a month?"

Obito replied, "Yeah, what else could we eat? Oh, by the way, Shindai, you haven't eaten for almost a day, have you? Want some military rations pills?"

Shindai quickly waved his hands. "No, no, I'm not hungry yet. You can have them."

Honestly, military rations pills were quite filling. One pill could keep you full for basically a whole day.

So, unless his stomach was rumbling, Shindai wouldn't even think about eating them.

Kakashi, who was still observing the Cloud Ninja outpost, suddenly said in a low voice, "Something's happening!"

Obito, Rin, and Shindai immediately rushed to Kakashi's side.

Kakashi continued to observe while speaking, "Two Cloud Ninja just arrived. They've entered the cave."

Shindai asked curiously, "And then?"

Kakashi replied, "They haven't come out yet."

Shindai scoffed, "Uh... what kind of 'something' is that? I thought they were about to make their move."

Kakashi said seriously, "It seems they are about to make their move! Everyone from inside the cave has come out! 1, 2, 3... 16, 17, 18! The numbers are right! The two newly arrived Cloud Ninja, plus the original 16, make a total of 18 Cloud Ninja!"

Kakashi handed the binoculars to Obito, who looked through them, then passed them to Rin. Finally, the binoculars reached Shindai's hands.

Shindai looked through the binoculars, and indeed, as Kakashi had said, the 18 Cloud Ninja were lined up outside the cave.

However, Shindai suddenly squinted his eyes. "Huh, it looks like someone's looking this way and pointing at us."

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