Kakashi hadn't expected that Minato Namikaze was genuinely trying to recruit Shindai instead of following some prearranged strategy.
Minato continued entrusting Kakashi with instructions, "Kakashi, if you have any problems, you can consult Master Jiraiya. Jiraiya already knows about Shindai—I've already spoken to him about it."
"Because my upcoming operation will take me deep into enemy territory, it may be quite some time before I return. Take care of yourselves."
Kakashi nodded in agreement, "I understand, Sensei!"
Minato smiled gently, "Then I'll leave this to you, Kakashi. Now let me teach you how to sense the markings."
After teaching Kakashi the method for sensing the markings, Kakashi left the tent.
Without delay, Minato joined a team of Jonin and departed from Konoha's base camp to carry out his mission.
Now, Minato needed to let the Kumo ninja know—the Yellow Flash had returned!
...
Shindai remained at Konoha's base camp for three days.
During those three days, aside from being called out by Kakashi and the others for meals, Shindai never left the tent.
However, within those three days, Shindai and Obito had become quite close.
Obito sat across from Shindai, watching him play with Kannazuki with curiosity.
Obito asked, "Shindai, this puppet looks super realistic! Did you make it?"
Shindai proudly puffed out his chest, "Of course! Kannazuki was completely my own work! Don't think I'm just boasting—if I say I'm second in Sunagakure for puppet-making, no one would dare call themselves first!"
Obito gasped, "Wicked! You're seriously talented, Shindai!"
Then, looking at Kannazuki's face, Obito curiously asked, "Shindai, this puppet's face looks just like yours."
Shindai replied smugly, "How wouldn't it look similar? I used my own face as the model! Don't you think it's gorgeous?"
Obito instantly lost interest.
He originally thought it looked pretty nice, but after hearing it was modeled after Shindai himself, he suddenly felt it looked just so-so.
Obito's eyes glinted with mischief as he whispered, "Shindai… could you make me a puppet?"
"Not for battle," he clarified. "Just a doll-like one."
Shindai shot Obito a suspicious glance, "Wait—is this about an inflatable… no, wait, you want a puppet modeled after Rin?"
Obito turned beet red, "N-no way! I'd never say anything like that! I was just messing with you!"
Shindai sternly addressed Obito, "Obito!"
I have my principles, alright? I'd never make *that* kind of puppet. My puppets are purely for combat—not for satisfying *those kinds of* desires!
Obito pouted and slumped his head. "I get it already."
Just at this moment, a tall figure walked into the tent.
It was Jiraiya.
Jiraiya's face lit up with a lecherous grin the moment he saw Kannazuki. "Whoa! Now *that's* one fine-looking puppet!"
Jiraiya looked at Shindai and asked, "Did you make this puppet, Shindai?"
"Lord Jiraiya, I'm not good at much of anything, really—but I guess I've got a bit of a knack for puppet-making. It's just a hobby. But no matter how good I make them, they still can't fight. After all, I've got absolutely no talent for combat."
Shindai was quite startled by Jiraiya's sudden appearance. He hadn't expected someone as important as Jiraiya would actually visit his tent in person.
Caught red-handed messing with Kannazuki by Jiraiya, Shindai quickly launched into an exaggerated apology, going on about how useless he really was.
After hearing Shindai's words, Jiraiya looked at him with a strange expression.
So that's exactly how Minato described him.
Smiling at Shindai, Jiraiya said, "I've already heard about that from Minato. But lacking ability isn't a big deal. As long as you work hard, even if you're not talented, you can still become a capable ninja who stands on their own."
Suddenly, in a blur, Jiraiya appeared right beside Shindai, throwing an arm over his shoulders and grinning slyly, "Hey Shindai, you take custom orders?"
Shindai immediately understood Jiraiya's meaning and instantly wore a similarly lecherous grin. "Of course, sir! Just tell me what style you want—I'll make her look however you like. Hot body? Pretty face? Guaranteed satisfaction, no doubt!"
Jiraiya chuckled. "Seems like we speak the same language after all. Let me think carefully about my needs. Make one for me. I don't need any battle puppet—just something to keep me company on long, lonely nights."
Shindai pounded his chest confidently. "Count on me, Master Jiraiya! You'll have yourself the perfect companion in no time—guaranteed to soothe your lonely heart!"
"H-hold on a minute!"
Obito, watching in stunned silence, finally spoke up and interrupted the interaction between Shindai and Jiraiya.
Looking at Shindai and pointing at Jiraiya, Obito asked, "Then why did you turn *me* down, saying you had principles and would never make that kind of puppet? But now Master Jiraiya asks, and it's totally fine? What happened to your principles?!"
Shindai nodded calmly. "That's right."
Obito asked incredulously, "That doesn't make sense! Why won't you help *me*, but you'll do it for Master Jiraiya? Where's your principle?!"
Shindai waved his hand casually. "Principles should be adaptable. Think about how hard Master Jiraiya works for Konoha every single day. Is there really anything wrong with making a puppet for him?"
"I'll make a puppet for Master Jiraiya — when he's in a good mood, everything runs more smoothly and his work becomes much more efficient, allowing him to contribute even better to Konoha.
And I, the one who makes Master Jiraiya happy, am contributing to Konoha too! So yeah, everything I do is for Konoha!"
Shindai's logic left Obito absolutely flabbergasted.
It wasn't just Obito who was shocked — Jiraiya himself stared in stunned disbelief.
This how did it suddenly become about Konoha?
But… strangely enough, that actually made sense!
Obito quickly jumped in, "Then if you make one for me, that'd be contributing to Konoha too!"
Shindai rolled his eyes at Obito. "Obito, you've got some nerve! How could you possibly compare yourself to Master Jiraiya? Master Jiraiya is one of Konoha's Sannin — a legendary ninja who's made incredible contributions to the village. He's the ultimate ninja and my idol. What about you?"
Obito stared blankly at Shindai. "But… wasn't the Hokage your number one idol before this?"
Shindai shrugged. "No one ever said I could only have one idol. I respect the Hokage, I admire Minato, and Master Jiraiya — now *he's* my true idol. Got a problem with that?"
Jiraiya burst into loud applause, beaming at Shindai with genuine appreciation.
"Shindai, you're one of a kind! I like what I see in you — you've got potential!"
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