After getting the better of Jiraiya, Shindai and the others arrived at the plaza in Konoha.
Gaara was chatting with Naruto and Sasuke.
"Well well well, isn't the new Kazekage himself, Gaara?"
Shindai greeted Gaara, but his tone sounded sarcastic.
Kakashi sighed helplessly, "Can you greet people normally for once?"
Shindai shrugged, "Sorry, seeing that Sand Village forehead protector just triggers my passive reaction. I'm used to it."
"Sensei Pakura!"
Maki, Pakura's apprentice from Sunagakure, ran excitedly toward her after spotting Pakura.
Maki had visited Konoha to see Pakura many times before.
Naruto asked curiously, "Huh? Aren't you opening the shop today, Shindai?"
Shindai glared fiercely at Naruto, "Quiet!"
Then he glared at Sasuke too, "You too!"
Naruto and Sasuke looked confused, especially Sasuke, who hadn't even spoken—what exactly was he supposed to be quiet about?
Kakashi quietly reminded them, "Right now, the ninja world is saying you two are heroes. He's mad because he's not getting any credit."
Naruto and Sasuke twitched their mouths unhappily. What did that have to do with them?
Shindai asked Gaara, "I heard you want my Puppet Shop to open a branch in Sunagakure?"
Gaara nodded, "Yes, but I hope we won't just sell... adult puppets. I'd like to offer some battle puppets as well."
Shindai hesitated, "Battle puppets, huh? Right now I mass-produce adult puppets. If I start selling battle puppets, I'll need an entirely new production line. Plus, selling battle puppets would require permission from Hokage-sama."
Gaara replied, "I've already discussed this with Hokage-sama. He said he'll approve it, as long as you agree."
After thinking for a moment, Shindai said, "I can agree, but don't expect high-end battle puppets. I don't want to make low-end ones myself either, so leave someone here to learn from me."
Gaara's eyes lit up, "Really?"
Shindai said confidently, "Don't think just learning from me will let you surpass my puppet techniques. Even if all the puppet masters in Sunagakure worked together, they still wouldn't catch up to me even after twenty thousand years. By the time you dissect and figure out my puppets, I'll already have developed even more advanced models."
Gaara wasn't bothered by Shindai's words. Even Shindai's basic-level puppets were far superior to those currently made by Sunagakure's puppet masters. He also knew that great achievements take time—if Shindai gave them high-end puppets outright, they wouldn't know where to start.
The fact that Shindai was willing to teach them how to create basic-level puppets was already exciting enough.
Gaara looked toward Kankuro chatting with Pakura, then spoke to Shindai, "Then, let Maki temporarily stay in Konoha and learn from you."
"Hmm? I thought you'd have this brat stay here instead."
Shindai was somewhat surprised because Maki didn't specialize in the Puppet Technique. He had assumed Gaara would have Kankuro stationed here.
Gaara gazed at Maki and offered a faintly stiff smile. "Because of the bond with Pakura here, Maki is the most suitable candidate."
Gaara didn't voice another reason—he knew Shindai was spiteful. If someone else stayed in Konoha, especially near Shindai, they'd surely suffer from his vindictiveness.
Kankuro, standing behind Gaara, exhaled in relief. Fortunately, it wasn't him who was left behind. If that were the case...
Imagining his future under Shindai—trampled on the ground, whipped and insulted—Kankuro shuddered. Unbearable! Absolutely unbearable!
Gaara would discuss the details with Minato Namikaze later. As for Shindai, he no longer wanted to remain either—he got angry just seeing Naruto and Sasuke.
Shindai planned to take Pakura and Hikaku Uchiha shopping.
While walking down a food street, they came across Asuma and Yuhi Kurenai.
Asuma was holding their infant daughter, just over six months old—Mirai Sarutobi.
"She's really adorable," Shindai said, reaching out to play with Mirai in Asuma's arms.
Seeing Shindai pinching Mirai's cheeks, Asuma immediately frowned. "Let go! What if she gets hurt?"
Shindai pulled his hand back with a sarcastic huff. "Tch, you're too sensitive! Never thought you—a big rough guy—could have such a beautiful daughter. Lucky you, or else she'd look like you!"
Asuma snorted. "It's precisely because she looks like me that she's so pretty!"
Shindai mocked, "You've completely lost your shame!"
Retorting, Asuma said, "Who says that isn't pride? Of course my precious daughter resembles me! Unlike you, Shindai, married for years yet no results to show!"
Shindai held his head high proudly. "Hey, I'm still a kid myself!"
The moment Asuma looked at Shindai, his expression suddenly turned pitying.
Confused, Shindai snapped, "Why are you giving me that look?"
Asuma shook his head sighing, "Nothing, really. Hmm… How about letting Mirai call you godfather from now on?"
Suddenly understanding why Asuma's gaze changed, Shindai scowled, "What are you implying?! It's just that I've been careful enough! I told you—I'm still a kid myself! Alright, Asuma, just wait. I'll have a blonde kid soon and make off with your daughter!"
Asuma instantly panicked. "Nonsense! Absolutely impossible!"
"Ha! No use. You'll see. Just wait until you're begging me on your knees!"
"Come on, Pakura, Hikaku Uchiha! Let's go home and get to work!"
Shindai grabbed hold of Pakura and Hikaku Uchiha and left. Kurenai Yuhi turned to Asuma, who wore a grim expression, and asked in confusion, "What's wrong? Why do you look so terrible?"
Asuma gritted his teeth. "No way. Kurenai, starting today, we must stay on high alert. I'm not letting that guy Shindai have his way!"
When they got home, Pakura and Hikaku Uchiha grabbed hold of Shindai.
Shindai looked at Pakura and Hikaku Uchiha, confused. "What? I don't remember doing anything wrong!"
Pakura and Hikaku Uchiha stared at Shindai with narrowed eyes. "You promised us earlier—we're going on that trip. Isn't it time to leave already? Don't play dumb!"
Shindai stiffened. "I, I don't remember saying anything about a trip~"
Pakura and Hikaku Uchiha had expected Shindai would try to back out. They each grabbed one of his ears and began their 'torture.'
Eventually giving in, Shindai tried to negotiate. "Alright then, how about this—once Obito becomes Hokage, we'll leave right away. How could we possibly miss Obito becoming Hokage? We're his friends, after all!"
Pakura and Hikaku Uchiha thought for a moment. What Shindai said made sense. At this rate, Obito would likely become the Fifth Hokage within a few months, so they agreed.
Deep down, Shindai plotted: after Obito becomes Hokage, he'd use Obito and Rin Nohara's wedding as an excuse, then Kakashi and Hanare's wedding as an excuse, followed by Naruto and Hinata's, then Sasuke and Sakura's... This way, he could stay cooped up at home forever.
But as they say, the best-laid plans often go awry!
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