Shindai returned to his own room next door, thinking about how to launch a surprise attack.
It was afternoon now, and he had a little time left to get ready.
However, this preparation was no laughing matter, because if the night raid failed, Shindai feared he might be killed.
His eyes lit up. Immediately slipping into his shoes, he ran out of the house.
Making his way to the Sarutobi residence,
Shindai pounded on the door.
"The Third! Are you home?"
The door opened, but it wasn't Hiruzen—it was Biwako Sarutobi.
"Shindai? Are you looking for Hiruzen?"
"Nah, I'm here to find Yamato!"
Biwako replied, "Yamato is currently at Training Ground 39 with Hiruzen."
"Great, thank you my dear Lady Biwa!"
After obtaining Yamato's exact location, Shindai immediately headed toward Training Ground 39.
During Orochimaru's experiments, Yamato had successfully inherited the Wood Release bloodline limit—originally possessed by the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju.
And since Yamato's Wood Release bloodline was vital to Konoha, Hiruzen took personal charge of his training.
[Wood Release: Grand Forest Creation!]
Yamato extended multiple wooden vine-like branches from his arms, lunging toward Hiruzen.
Hiruzen found himself ensnared by the vines.
"You know, Yamato, the vines are too slow, lacking strength—and honestly, they're way too thin."
Hiruzen easily broke free from Yamato's bindings.
Although Yamato inherited Hashirama Senju's legendary Wood Release bloodline limit, his usage of it lacked the overwhelming power that Hashirama once possessed—it was like a pale imitation.
Gasping for breath, Yamato said, "I'll keep trying harder!"
"Hey there~"
Shindai appeared before Hiruzen and Yamato.
Hiruzen asked, puzzled, "Hmm? What brings you here, Shindai?"
Yamato greeted Shindai politely, "Senior Shindai!"
Shindai slung an arm around Yamato's shoulder, grinning slyly, "I need a little help from Yamato."
Shindai pulled out several blank cards and said to Yamato, "Hey Yamato, can you seal a few of your Wood Release techniques into these? Make sure one of them is that Grand Forest Creation—you just used it, and trust me, it's going to be super useful."
"Hmm…alright."
For Shindai's requests, Yamato never refused.
Even if he did refuse, Shindai would surely bring up the fact that he'd saved Yamato from Orochimaru, leaving Yamato completely speechless in the end.
As Yamato began sealing his techniques into the cards, Hiruzen walked over to Shindai and asked curiously, "Going out of your way just to have Yamato seal jutsu into your cards—what exactly are you planning to do?"
Shindai was digging out a cigarette from his pocket, lit it up, and exhaled a puff of smoke. Sighing, he said, "I'm planning to break free..."
Hiruzen was puzzled. "Break free? What do you mean by that?"
Shindai winked at Hiruzen. "That kind of breaking free."
Instantly understanding Shindai's meaning, Hiruzen gave a subtle smile. "So this kind of 'breaking free,' huh? Then who is it? Pakura? Or Hikaku?"
Shindai shook his head.
Hiruzen looked momentarily stunned. "Not them? How is that possible! Other than them, who else would take an interest in you?"
Shindai snapped back, annoyed: "What's wrong with me? I'm handsome, strong, and smart. Who wouldn't like me?"
Hiruzen spoke urgently: "Then who is it? Shindai, you can't go down that road! You're not thinking about deceiving or forcing someone, are you?"
Shindai's face turned grim. "The Third, what kind of image do I have in your mind exactly? Of course, it's them—only them!"
Hiruzen exhaled deeply and forced a laugh. "I was just joking with you."
Shindai's expression shifted from anger to near embarrassment. Joking? Just now, Hiruzen didn't look like he was kidding at all!
Curious, Hiruzen pressed further: "So then, who is it?"
Standing straight and proud, Shindai declared: "Both of them!"
"Huh?!"
Hiruzen stared wide-eyed at Shindai in shock. Both of them? That's simply enviable... no, wait, that's too bold!
Hiruzen pursed his lips briefly before speaking earnestly, "Shindai, I think you shouldn't rush into things. After all, you're still young..."
"Well, yes, I am young. Because I'm young, I need to strive. If I fail, Yamato's ninjutsu will come in handy!"
After Shindai finished speaking, Yamato handed him the sealed ninjutsu card: "Senior Shindai, it's done."
"OK, thanks a lot, Yamato. Come to my shop later to buy some puppets, and I'll give you a discount~ I'll be going first then."
Shindai received the ninjutsu card, feeling satisfied as he departed.
Hiruzen puffed on his pipe and sighed, "He didn't understand my point at all. When he reaches my age, he'll know the struggle of physical limitations~"
...
Evening.
It was Minato Namikaze's turn to cook dinner. After finishing the meal but not seeing Shindai, Minato asked, surprised, "Hmm, aren't Shindai and the others coming for dinner? Did they forget the time? Naruto, go next door and call your Senior Shindai and them."
As Naruto stood up from the sofa ready to go, Kushina Uzumaki pulled him back: "Where are you going! Don't go! No matter what happens today, you mustn't go!"
Confused, both Minato and Naruto turned toward Kushina simultaneously.
Puzzled, Minato asked: "What's wrong, Kushina?"
Kushina Uzumaki whispered into Minato Namikaze's ear, "Shindai is really growing up today!"
Minato was momentarily confused before a smile appeared on his face. "Is that so? Naruto, don't invite anyone else anymore. Let's have dinner together as a family of three tonight~"
Scratching his head, Naruto wondered, what's going on?
Next door,
Shindai nervously shoveled rice from the bowl, unconsciously casting glances at Pakura and Hikaku Uchiha who were also eating.
Pakura forced a smile and made a mock comment with a sharp tone, "What's wrong, Lady Shindai? Are Kushina and my cooking not to your taste?"
Hikaku Uchiha chimed in with a sarcastic tone, "Don't worry, Lady Shindai. There's absolutely no poison inside."
The sardonic remarks from Pakura and Hikaku Uchiha made Shindai feel uneasy.
"No, it's super delicious! I love it so much!" Shindai frantically continued eating her rice.
Soon enough, night fully fell.
Shindai's palms sweated nervously.
"Huff huff, Shindai, don't be afraid. All preparations are done. Be the one calling the shots!"
Trembling, Shindai stood up and discreetly opened the bedroom door where Pakura and Hikaku Uchiha slept.
Seeing both Pakura and Hikaku Uchiha lying asleep, Shindai let out a big sigh of relief.
However, unbeknownst to Shindai, neither Pakura nor Hikaku Uchiha had truly fallen asleep. They simply kept their eyes closed, feigning sleep.
The moment Shindai stuck her bottom out, they could tell exactly what kind of mischief she was about to pull.
Shindai's strange behavior throughout the evening had already drawn their attention.
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