Shindai left Konoha Village with Kakashi, his team, and Hinata, bound for Sunagakure.
Inside the Kazekage Building.
Baki, serving as the Kazekage, was discussing with Sunagakure's higher-ups whether to prioritize rescuing Gaara or focus on ensuring the village's safety.
Due to Deidara's [Explosion Release], Sunagakure had suffered massive damage, making it impossible to divide their already limited combat strength further.
A Sand ninja burst into the meeting room. "Kazekage-sama, the tracking unit just reported back—they found Kankuro half a day's journey away from the village. He apparently lost consciousness after being poisoned. The tracking unit has returned to the village with the unconscious Kankuro and his puppet. The remaining members continue to pursue Gaara and are expected to report again soon!"
Baki's heart immediately tightened. "Immediately have the Medical Ninja treat Kankuro!"
...
Kakashi and Shindai were quickly rushing toward Sunagakure with Naruto and the others.
Sakura reminded him, "Naruto, don't be so impatient! You're messing up our formation!"
Naruto stammered anxiously, "But… but I don't know…"
"Don't act recklessly," Kakashi advised. "Didn't Jiraiya-sama say the same thing to you?"
Shindai asked curiously, "Why suddenly in such a rush? You never even interacted with that redheaded kid anyway?"
Naruto whispered, "I just think he seems really pitiful, so…"
Shindai twitched his lips slightly—Naruto was still the usual Naruto. Even without prior interaction, he felt sympathy for Gaara simply because they shared the same status as Jinchuriki.
Shindai glanced at Hinata. "Stop staring at Naruto like that—he's not disappearing."
Hinata immediately flushed bright red and hurriedly defended herself. "No—I wasn't!"
Suddenly, Naruto recalled something. "Come to think of it, Hinata, you still haven't answered my question yet?"
Her face turned even redder, as if she were about to start steaming.
Shindai raised an eyebrow. "What answer?"
Before Naruto could speak, Hinata frantically waved her hands. "N-no, no—it's nothing!"
Sakura came to Hinata's rescue. "This isn't the time to talk about it. Let's handle this mission first."
Sakura was worried that if Hinata fainted right here, things would become troublesome.
Sasuke approached Shindai and said, "Orochimaru-sensei said those glasses you made are quite useful—the ones Kakashi-sensei wears. Can I get a pair too?"
Shindai smiled cheerfully at Sasuke.
Sasuke looked expectantly at him, thinking he would probably agree...
However, Shindai grinned and said, "Not giving 'em to you!"
Sasuke's expression instantly darkened. "Fine then—don't give!"
Sasuke stormed off alone in a huff. Shindai stopped teasing him and explained, "You have the Sharingan, so naturally you should focus on it. These glasses won't help you much since you already possess the Sharingan. In fact, they might make you neglect your own Sharingan abilities."
Sasuke replied irritably, "If that's the case, why couldn't you just say it nicely?"
Shindai grinned maliciously, "I just enjoy teasing you. By the way, have you awakened the Mangekyo yet?"
Sasuke angrily replied, "No! Do you think awakening the Mangekyo is easy? I'm only at the three-tomoe stage now!"
Shindai clicked his tongue in disapproval, "I remember Itachi awakened his Mangekyo Sharingan during the Chunin Exams. More than two years have passed since then, and you still haven't done it."
During the Chunin Exams, Itachi's childhood friend Izumi had been severely injured and fell unconscious. Thinking she was dead, Itachi immediately awakened his Mangekyo Sharingan in rage and killed the enemy.
A vein throbbed visibly on Sasuke's forehead as he shouted at Shindai, "Don't act like anyone can just awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan! Only five people in the entire Uchiha clan have ever managed that!"
Unfazed, Shindai continued mocking Sasuke, "Why are you getting so angry? I was just chatting with you. Look, you're worked up again."
Sasuke got so angry that his right hand went straight to the hilt of the Sword of Kusanagi, wishing he could just cut this bastard down with one slash.
While they were traveling, they encountered Temari, who had just finished her business in Konoha and was returning to Sunagakure.
"Miss Temari!"
Temari had been feeling uneasy throughout her journey. Seeing Kakashi and Shindai's group only intensified her anxiety.
Sakura informed Temari about what had happened in Sunagakure.
Temari's face changed instantly, "What? Gaara was...?"
Kakashi urged them, "It will take us another two and a half days to reach Sunagakure. Let's hurry."
Temari joined their group and headed toward Sunagakure.
Curious, Shindai asked, "I heard your father, the Kazekage, disappeared. Could he have been captured by Sasori and turned into a human puppet?"
Temari's face darkened instantly, but she ignored Shindai.
Pretending not to notice her expression, Shindai continued, "But this is actually a great opportunity. One of the Akatsuki members involved in this operation is Sasori himself. If Rasa really has been turned into a human puppet, don't worry—I'll do my best to keep his corpse intact for you as a keepsake.
That kid Kankuro is a Puppet Master, isn't he? We can let him use Rasa's corpse later. Father and son teaming up like this—truly a touching display of parental love and filial devotion, heh..."
Temari was trembling with rage. She was truly furious—but completely outmatched by this guy.
Kakashi, Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, and Hinata looked at Shindai speechlessly.
Here we go again.
Naruto urged them, "Alright, let's move fast—we need to hurry and rescue Gaara!"
"I will definitely rescue Gaara!"
Temari stared at Naruto, sensing a firm determination in his tone completely different from Shindai's sarcastic attitude. Naruto was serious.
"Why?" Temari asked in confusion.
Naruto replied solemnly, "Because we are the same—and yet, so different. Gaara has endured this battle completely alone. As fellow jinchuriki, we carry the same pain. That's why I must save him this time!"
Temari gazed at Naruto, a storm of emotions flickering across her face.
Sakura, Hinata, and Sasuke murmured his name almost reverently.
But there were always those who spoiled the mood.
Shindai sneered mockingly, "So now you're feeling sorry for him? What about back during the Chunin Exams when that fiery-tailed brat went berserk and tossed you and Sasuke around like ragdolls in his Shukaku form? Did you feel any of that famous empathy then?"
Naruto's solemn expression shattered in an instant, his lips curling in rage.
Kakashi, Sasuke, Sakura, and Hinata all exchanged the exact same deadpan look.
The long journey stretched through the night until morning finally arrived.
Grumbling, Shindai snapped, "Why can you guys sit so damn comfortable on my [Iron Sand Body] while I do all the work?!"
Kakashi and the others sat relaxed upon Shindai's floating Iron Sand platform high up in the air while Shindai flew beside them.
Kakashi lazily stretched his arms, saying, "Because this is the fastest way and helps us avoid many obstacles."
Naruto shouted excitedly, "Sensei Kakashi, your suggestion is pure genius!"
Sasuke looked equally satisfied.
Sakura, Hinata, and Temari sat atop the Iron Sand, enjoying the scenic view below.
Meanwhile, Shindai mused darkly, If I hit Release right now, how many of them do you think would plummet to their deaths?
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