As the team leader, Naruto had completely forgotten his original purpose. What was supposed to be a mission targeting Shindai had now turned into helping him instead.
Originally hesitant, Hinata was now more than willing because this wasn't about doing anything bad—it was about helping Shindai.
Sasuke, who had originally joined Naruto's team specifically to defeat Shindai, now found himself reluctant. That wasn't what he signed up for!
Seeing that Sasuke was about to leave, Naruto immediately grabbed his arm and stared intently at him, saying, "Sasuke, this is a great opportunity!"
"What opportunity?" Sasuke snapped. "Even the organizer is wavering. I have no reason to stay anymore!"
Naruto pleaded, "Think about it, Sasuke. If you want revenge against Brother Shindai, there will always be chances later. But this kind of opportunity only comes once! If we succeed, we'll have Sister Pakura and Sister Hikaku backing us up!
"You know just how much Brother Shindai listens to Sister Pakura and Sister Hikaku. So if he tries to bully you again, all we have to do is stand behind them—how could he dare touch us?
"If we get help from Sister Pakura and Sister Hikaku, then Brother Shindai is done for!"
Hearing Naruto's reasoning, Sasuke had to admit there was some truth to what he said.
If Shindai dared to mess with him again, he would simply hide behind Pakura and Hikaku Uchiha. And if Shindai insisted on his unwavering resolve regardless, he'd be met with fists.
In all of Konoha, only three people were capable of handling Shindai.
After weighing the pros and cons, Sasuke finally agreed, "Fine, I'll go along with it."
Chōji also said, "Since you've decided, I guess I'll join you too."
Shikamaru, however, was already giving himself a splitting headache. Did they really think this would be that easy?
This was clearly going to be even more trouble than before!
At first, they only needed to rely on Pakura and Hikaku Uchiha to deal with Shindai. But now, by doing this, they wouldn't be able to count on their help at all.
From what Shikamaru had heard from his Father, everyone believed that Shindai, Pakura, and Hikaku Uchiha were destined to end up together eventually.
Yet all these years had passed and Shindai hadn't made any move at all. Didn't that say something?
This whole thing was definitely going to be a huge problem!
Naruto asked, "Shikamaru, do you have any good plans?"
Rolled his eyes straight: "Good plan? What good plan? Do you really think it's possible for a few of us to turn a fool into a genius? I don't want to be involved in this anymore—I'm out!"
Wanting nothing more to do with this mess, Shikamaru decisively chose to withdraw.
But the situation was no longer something Shikamaru could simply walk away from.
Naruto and Choji grabbed Shikamaru from both sides, preventing him from sneaking away. "Shikamaru, if we pull this off, we'll have the most powerful support imaginable! And since you're the smartest among us, there's absolutely no way we're letting you back out!"
Shikamaru was completely stunned. Since when does something like this even happen?
Helpless, Shikamaru sighed in frustration. "Let go of me. Let me think this through."
Immediately, Naruto and Choji released him, allowing Shikamaru to sit down and come up with a plan.
While deep in thought, Shikamaru's brows furrowed tighter and tighter. This matter really was quite complicated.
Half an hour passed.
Unable to hold back any longer, Naruto asked, "Shikamaru, how is it? Have you figured something out yet?"
Coming out of his thoughts, Shikamaru let out a sigh before replying, "Not exactly. But I did think of a few people. If we can get their help, maybe it could work."
Choji curiously asked, "Shikamaru, who exactly do you mean by 'them'?"
Shikamaru answered, "First, there's Naruto's Father and Mother. Then there's Kakashi, Obito, and Rin—the friends of Shindai. They were the ones closest to him. They definitely understand him better than we do. If we want this to work, we must get their help. Otherwise, if we fail, the consequences will be disastrous!"
Listening carefully, Naruto and the others found it reasonable. Naruto said, "If that's the case, then let's go find Obito and the others right now. They happen to be in Konoha."
Meanwhile, Obito, Kakashi, and Rin Nohara were walking along the streets of Konoha.
Obito remarked, "It's been so long since we last worked on a mission together since we all became Jonin. I kind of miss those days."
Kakashi mockingly teased, "Yeah right, finally free from you two idiots—I don't miss it at all."
A vein bulged on Obito's forehead, albeit slightly delayed. "You jerk, even after all these years, why are you still such a pain to talk to! At least put that little yellow book away for a moment!"
Kakashi countered, "What yellow book? Don't fabricate. This is a ninja manual!"
Obito scoffed, "Hmph, ninja manual? Don't think I don't recognize Make Out Paradise just because you covered it up with a ninja manual cover!"
Instantly closing the book he held, Kakashi stuffed it into his ninja gear pouch. "You've misunderstood completely."
Amused, Obito said, "Just as Shindai said back then—you really are the quiet type, huh, Rin?"
Rin Nohara replied with a warm smile: "Yes."
Kakashi gave Rin a dead-fish stare. "Rin, spending so much time with Obito has made you more like him."
Rin laughed. "No, I'm not like that at all. But Kakashi, haven't you found someone you like yet? Shindai was actually planning to create a custom-made Puppet just for you. He mentioned it multiple times."
Kakashi strolled along with his hands in his pockets, saying, "No, absolutely not. I'd never accept his Puppet."
But even as Kakashi spoke those words, he couldn't stop himself from feeling a little nervous inside, because he really did desire Shindai's Puppet.
However, Kakashi clearly knew that if he dared to ask, the next day it would become common knowledge throughout Konoha—just like Jiraiya's posters that remain up to this day.
Kakashi simply couldn't stand being seen like that.
As for romantic interests, he currently had no interest in any girls.
Changing the subject, Kakashi said, "Let's pick up the pace. If we're late, Ichiraku Ramen will be packed and we'll end up waiting."
As Kakashi and the others walked toward Ichiraku Ramen, Naruto, Sasuke, Shikamaru, Choji, and Hinata suddenly blocked their path.
"Big Brother Kakashi! Big Brother Obito! Onee-chan Rin! We've got something really important and need your help!"
Inside the barbecue shop:
Kakashi grumbled, "Even though I'm treating everyone today, I definitely didn't say anything about barbecue!"
Since Ichiraku Ramen had limited space, Choji convinced everyone to switch to the barbecue shop instead.
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