The Third Kazekage gave Shindai only two choices: one was to become a spy in Konoha, the other was to be imprisoned in Sunagakure's Maximum-Security Prison as if he were a deserter.
Shindai stared at the Third Kazekage in disbelief.
If he refused, they would actually lock him inside Sunagakure's Maximum-Security Prison?
Sunagakure's Maximum-Security Prison was no joke—it was an extremely terrifying place.
Hidden deep within a mountain, this prison had no individual cells. All prisoners were cramped together in the same open chamber.
Moreover, due to Sunagakure's resource shortages and current wartime conditions, there wasn't enough food to feed the inmates.
Therefore... the prisoners in there turned to cannibalism.
With his scrawny frame, he wouldn't even survive until the next morning if locked inside.
The Third Kazekage was a very domineering person—he might really follow through with this threat.
If he didn't want to go, he needed to offer something valuable in return.
This meant Shindai would have to expose his true strength—because that was the only bargaining chip he had.
But if he did that, he'd definitely be sent to the frontlines.
Shindai had never attended the Ninja Academy. He had learned all his ninjutsu through self-study and had never experienced actual combat before. Despite his strong power, he fundamentally didn't know how to fight.
Compared to infiltrating Konoha, going to war might actually be more dangerous.
Shindai puzzled, asked, "Uncle Kaito, why me? There should be others more suitable than I am, right?"
Seeing Shindai ask this question, the Third Kazekage understood that Shindai had essentially already agreed.
The Third Kazekage shook his head. "No, throughout Sunagakure, only you are most suitable. You almost never leave your house, so practically nobody in the village recognizes you. Also, you possess a Kekkei Genkai—and more importantly, you're from my clan, and you're loyal."
Shindai pressed his lips together.
Loyal?
Well, the Third Kazekage had misjudged him.
Just avoiding becoming a double agent would be a miracle.
The Third Kazekage's expression turned serious. "Shindai, I know you're scared, but this mission can only be entrusted to you. First, this spy needs to stay very low-key within the village. Although this plan isn't about maintaining a secret identity—Konoha will know you're from Sunagakure—the fewer people here who know about it, the better.
Since Konoha will know you're from Sunagakure, the spy must attract their interest. A regular ninja won't work. This person must possess something special.
You know our village's situation too—no powerful ninjutsu or secret techniques impress them. Even our pride—the Puppet Technique—fails to impress Konoha. Therefore, the only thing that could capture Konoha's attention is the Kekkei Genkai."
Shindai exclaimed in disbelief, "Konoha will know I'm from Sunagakure? Then why would they let someone from Sunagakure into the village?"
The Third Kazekage then explained Ebizō's plan to Shindai.
Shindai wore a confused look. "Wait, are you seriously suggesting we deceive Konoha by offering me as a bargaining chip? Do you really think that will work?"
The Third Kazekage replied, "Right now, Konoha must already be on full alert. Entering Konoha through normal means is practically impossible. That's why this plan has a very high chance of success.
Konoha doesn't have any ninja with the Magnet Release kekkei genkai and knows little about it. To fill that gap, once they confirm your identity as a genuine Magnet Release user, they'll almost certainly accept you without hesitation—they wouldn't dare risk losing such a valuable asset."
Shindai worriedly asked, "But what if they dissect me like some lab rat for research?"
Kazekage reassured him, "There's no need to worry about that. As I said, Konoha has no Magnet Release users. By acquiring you, they'd gain their very first kekkei genkai bearer. They might even guard you like a national treasure.
After all, kekkei genkai are bloodline techniques passed genetically through family lines. Your offspring could potentially awaken the Magnet Release kekkei genkai in the future."
Shindai's expression turned even more awkward. "Wait—are you saying I'm being sent there just to breed for Konoha? No way! Without real emotional connection, something like that won't make me happy at all!"
The Third Kazekage frowned darkly. "Do you really think you're going there just to breed for Konoha?"
Shindai scratched his nose uncomfortably. "No, no—I didn't mean it like that..."
The Third Kazekage continued, "Once the plan succeeds, just act like you're one of Konoha's own ninja. Show resentment toward Sunagakure for using you as a bargaining chip. Whatever Konoha tells you to do, do it. You must gain their complete trust at all costs.
Your mission will be to gather intelligence—Konoha's ninjutsu, secret techniques, and so on.
When the operation begins, I'll cast a trigger-based Subconscious Brain-Control Sand Technique on your mind to deal with any memory probing attempts from Konoha.
[Subconscious Brain-Control Sand Technique] involves inserting ultra-fine needles into the memory center of a person's brain, effectively sealing their memories.
Don't worry—the needles disappear when the technique is released, and your memories will return.
Once Konoha probes your mind, the Subconscious Brain-Control Sand will automatically deactivate."
Shindai shivered involuntarily.
God Almighty—sticking needles into someone's brain just sounded horrifying.
And considering he made his living using his brain, what if something went wrong—a single slip of the hand—and he ended up an idiot for life?
Shindai mentally protested, "Uncle Kaito, maybe Konoha won't try probing my memories after all. Can't we just skip the Subconscious Brain-Control Sand Technique entirely?"
The Third Kazekage shook his head firmly. "No, this technique is absolutely necessary. Since Konoha knows you come from Sunagakure, they definitely will probe your mind—that's certain. This is also done for your own safety. Rest assured, I'm very experienced with this jutsu. There's nothing to worry about. Plus, it will only suppress your memories from today onward—you'll retain everything before that."
Shindai inwardly grumbled.
How could he not be worried? He wasn't the one getting skewered with needles—people who speak without feeling the pain really don't know anything.
The Third Kazekage continued, "Once the full-blown war begins, we'll look for an opportunity to invade Konoha. Then, you'll lead us into Konoha and coordinate the attack. Additionally, I will give you a ninja hawk. You'll establish a Summoning Contract with it. In the future, if you obtain any intelligence about Konoha, inform me immediately through the ninja hawk."
"Finally, only I know about your undercover identity. No one else in Sunagakure knows. So rest assured and—"
Before the Third Kazekage could finish speaking, Shindai suddenly interrupted, "Uncle Kaito, are you saying only you will know I'm undercover?"
The Third Kazekage asked confusedly, "Hmm? What's wrong?"
"No way! No way! No way!" Shindai repeated fiercely, "Uncle Kaito, my undercover identity must be known by others too. Otherwise, I absolutely won't go!"
In Shindai's memory, the Third Kazekage had been killed by Sasori during the Third Great Ninja War and turned into a human puppet.
If only the Third Kazekage knew about his undercover mission, what would happen if he died? Wouldn't Shindai become a complete ghost then?
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