Shindai presented Hinata with a piece of armor.
This armor was inspired by the Steam Armor worn by Han, the Five-Tails' jinchūriki.
During the Third Great Ninja World War, Shindai, along with Minato Namikaze and Obito, witnessed a battle between Han, the Five-Tails' jinchūriki, and Roshi, the Four-Tails' jinchūriki.
Han's use of Boil Release, combined with the Steam Armor, greatly amplified his physical strength.
Inspired by this, Shindai created this armor, which he called Chakra Armor.
The Chakra Armor contained embedded chakra capacitors that supplied it with power.
If the chakra in the capacitor was depleted, it could either be instantly replenished with the user's own chakra or directly refueled by channeling chakra into it.
As armor, it naturally offered excellent protection—ordinary ninja tools would struggle to penetrate its defenses.
However, if an opponent used Wind Release chakra-infused weapons, the armor's defenses would be somewhat compromised.
That wasn't a major issue, though—the armor wasn't meant to serve as a test target. The real highlight was the scientific ninja tools built inside.
The amplification device not only enhanced physical strength but also enabled the user to channel their Ninjutsu through the armor, amplifying the technique's output.
Although there was a limit to this amplification, the restriction wouldn't activate until Hinata reached the level of a Chunin.
Additionally, the Laser Optic Drive Device—originally just a concept model gifted by Orochimaru as a wedding present—had now been fully realized by Shindai. It was no longer just a concept; it was now a fully functional reality.
In fact, various combat-supporting ninja-ware systems had been integrated into the armor. It was safe to say that all of Shindai's research achievements up to this point had been embodied within this single creation.
That was why Shindai proudly claimed it was his best work besides the Kannazuki.
"Try it on."
Hinata put on the Chakra Armor and wore the glasses—it wasn't complete without them.
She gasped, "It's so light!"
She had expected it to be bulky and heavy, yet once worn, it proved surprisingly lightweight and didn't restrict her movements at all.
Shindai said proudly, "Of course it isn't. If it limited your movement, then it would be considered a failed creation. Now then, Hinata, I'm about to give you your first mission!"
Hinata fixed her gaze on Shindai. Though she didn't know what the mission was, she was determined to do her best to complete it.
In her heart, Hinata silently vowed not to disappoint Shindai.
With a sinister tone, Shindai said, "Back at the ninja academy, I asked Kakashi. He's going to hold a team exercise tomorrow to test Naruto and his three teammates' teamwork skills. Today, get familiar with the scientific ninja tools on this armor. Tomorrow, I'll take you to pick a fight with Naruto and his group."
"And your mission is to defeat the three of them. With this Chakra Armor, defeating them won't be difficult at all. This also gives me a chance to see your true strength, so I can design your training regimen accordingly!"
At the thought of facing Naruto in battle, Hinata was startled.
A fight right away—and even a one-versus-three match? Hinata doubted whether she could really pull this off.
Shindai noticed Hinata's nervousness and calmly reassured her, "It's not a life-or-death battle, so you don't need to be so tense. I'm not expecting you to win necessarily—just put your all into it."
Hinata took a deep breath and replied, "I understand! I'll do my very best!"
Shindai brought Hinata to the training grounds inside the Scientific Research Division, where she began familiarizing herself with the Chakra Armor's functions.
Pakura asked Shindai, "Will having Hinata fight three opponents immediately while using your armor cause her to become overly reliant on it?"
"I'm worried about that too," Shindai admitted.
Hikaku Uchiha frowned. "If you're worried about dependency, why did you allow Hinata to do this?"
Shindai explained, "There are priorities here. Right now, our main goal is to build Hinata's confidence. Due to her upbringing, she lacks self-confidence and tends to give up easily. We need to help her believe in herself first.
Crushing Naruto and Sasuke—who's widely regarded as a genius at the Ninja Academy—will help establish her confidence. Once we achieve that, executing her future training plans will become much easier.
As for the dependency issue, this armor also serves as a limiter. By increasing the limit slightly each time, she'll gradually grow stronger without realizing it. Eventually, even without the armor, her strength will remain nearly the same. Or perhaps... even stronger."
Smiling brightly, Shindai looked at Pakura and Hikaku Uchiha. "What do you think? Isn't my plan pure genius?"
Pakura and Hikaku Uchiha nodded in agreement. "Indeed, self-confidence is extremely important. Even if someone has great strength, it won't matter if they don't believe in themselves."
...
Inside the training ground,
Kakashi was conducting the Bell Test with Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura.
This game had truly been handed down across generations.
Hiruzen Sarutobi played it with the Sannin.
Jiraiya played it with Minato Namikaze.
Minato Namikaze played it with Kakashi, Obito, and Rin Nohara.
So naturally, Kakashi wanted to play it with them too.
The rule was simple: whoever seized the bell from Kakashi's waist before noon would win.
However, no matter how hard Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura tried, they couldn't get the bell. Kakashi was toying mercilessly with them.
Naruto hurled a kunai toward Kakashi.
Kakashi smirked, "What's wrong? Lost your aim already?"
"Hmph!" Naruto snorted. "Kakashi-sensei, just watch carefully. This is the Ninjutsu my Dad taught me!"
[Flying Thunder God Technique!]
Kakashi's eyes widened. No way! Did Naruto really master this technique?!
However, the very next moment, Kakashi's eyes turned into a dead-fish stare.
What Flying Thunder God Technique? It was just the kunai Naruto had thrown earlier—his Shadow Clone used Transformation Jutsu and then canceled it to attack Kakashi directly.
Kakashi casually lifted his foot and kicked the Shadow Clone into smoke.
Kakashi felt somewhat foolish for being shocked that Naruto had learned the Flying Thunder God Technique earlier.
"Minato-sensei used the Space–Time Ninjutsu through the Flying Thunder God formula to achieve instant teleportation—it's not about disguising with Transformation Jutsu, idiot."
As soon as Kakashi finished speaking, he appeared behind Naruto.
Crouching behind Naruto, Kakashi formed the Tiger seal.
Hidden away, Sasuke and Sakura were surprised. Was it really necessary to use Fire Release techniques against just Naruto?
But when Naruto turned around and saw Kakashi's actions, his eyes filled with horror. "No, no, Kakashi-sensei, don't do it!"
"So you know what's coming, huh? But I won't hold back—Konoha's Secret Taijutsu Technique: Ultimate Art: One Thousand Years of Death!"
Kakashi stabbed forward immediately. Naruto's face flushed bright red, he screamed in pain, and flew off.
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