Sasuke had obtained a new unfair advantage and no longer cared about Shindai's ambush in the Forest of Death.
But Naruto was unhappy. "Why? You originally said I would become a sage, Shindai! Why is it now Sasuke who gets this Cursed Seal instead? I want it too!"
Shindai waved his hand dismissively. "No way. You'll definitely learn Sage Mode later anyway—someone will teach you. What are you rushing for?"
Naruto immediately asked upon hearing this, "Someone will teach me? Who?"
Shindai thought for a moment. "You'll know when the time comes. Actually, they should be back soon enough."
Naruto became extremely anxious at Shindai's vague response.
Sasuke curiously asked, "By the way, the Tailed Beast inside Naruto—is it the Nine-Tails?"
Shindai nodded. "Ah, your father never told you? Naruto is a Jinchuriki. During the Nine-Tails' attack years ago, the Nine-Tails was sealed inside Naruto by Minato-dono."
Naruto asked sorrowfully, "Why? The villagers seem afraid of me because of the Nine-Tails, right? Why was the Nine-Tails sealed inside me?"
Shindai replied, "Because the two of you were destined for each other. Minato-dono believed in you—in your ability to tame the Nine-Tails within and use its power to become the perfect Jinchuriki."
"A perfect Jinchuriki... Tsk tsk, back then we encountered two perfect Jinchuriki. We—Minato-dono, Jiraiya-sama, myself, and Kakashi—could only retreat. Just imagine how powerful they were."
Naruto tried imagining but couldn't.
After all, Naruto had never actually seen Minato Namikaze fight, and although he'd heard Jiraiya's name repeatedly since birth, he had never met him. He had absolutely no concept of their strength—only hearing others talk about how amazing both Minato Namikaze and Jiraiya were.
Shindai added sarcastically, "You don't even believe in your own father's abilities. Maybe Minato-dono will go complain to Sister Kushina one day. Let me put it this way: if I fought Minato-dono, it'd be around nine to one."
Sasuke asked in shock, "So Minato-dono has a ninety percent chance of winning?"
Shindai rolled his eyes, "Dream on! I'm the one percent here—and not referring to win rate either; I meant in one minute, I'd die nine times."
Upon hearing Shindai's reply, Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata all gaped with wide-open mouths.
Naruto refused to believe it, "Impossible! You're lying, Shindai! You're acknowledged as super strong in Konoha—how could you sound so weak?"
Shindai twitched his lips, "Like I enjoy putting myself down? But that's just how things are. And besides, you have to consider who I'm comparing myself to. If it's against Jiraiya-sama, with my current abilities, I might be able to exchange a couple of blows."
Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata were getting more confused by the moment. Jiraiya was Minato Namikaze's teacher; Shindai could hold his own for a few moves against Jiraiya, but against Minato Namikaze? He wouldn't survive even a second. So by that logic, Minato must be even stronger than his own teacher, Jiraiya?
Shindai said to Naruto, "You make some random hand seals first."
As soon as Naruto raised his hand to form a seal, Shindai instantly appeared before him, grabbing his wrist. "Feel that? Against Minato-dono's Flying Thunder God Technique, you'd already be dead before finishing your hand seal. My body flicker move is like watching a turtle crawl compared to Minato-dono.
Although the Flying Thunder God Technique was originally created by the Second Hokage, it was truly perfected under Minato-dono.
During the Third Great Ninja War, countless ninja died at Minato-dono's hands. They saw only a flash of yellow before they died, which earned him the title Yellow Flash. There were even standing orders that if you encountered the Yellow Flash—Minato Namikaze—you were allowed to abandon your mission on the spot. Tell me, how absurd does that sound?"
Naruto exclaimed in shock, "Never knew Dad was this powerful!"
Sasuke frowned skeptically, "Still, it probably isn't quite as exaggerated as you say. My father said that your abilities are superior to the Hokage-sama's when facing multiple opponents."
Shindai chuckled slightly, "Clan Leader Fugaku holds me in high regard. That's true to an extent, since my Ninjutsu techniques are wide-area attacks. But they require preparation time—I can't cast them instantly like others. If I started preparing while Minato-dono acted, he'd kill me before I finished.
Alright, you three brats are nowhere near being able to touch true power. Train hard now; once you get stronger, things will fall into place. That's enough for today—you can kiss my feet now."
"Uh..."
Naruto and Sasuke never expected that Shindai actually wanted them to bow down to him.
"My mom—or big brother, whoever sent that—called me for dinner. Later!"
Naruto and Sasuke immediately fled, and vanished in an instant.
Shindai scoffed once, then turned toward Hinata. "Alright, rest well today. Tomorrow, I'll start your special training."
...
Amegakure.
Nagato had long since received the letter from Danzo.
However, Nagato distrusted that man Danzo, so he dispatched Black Zetsu to confirm things in Sunagakure.
"Path," Black Zetsu confirmed, "it seems genuine. Sunagakure is secretly mobilizing ninja. Some have left Sunagakure and headed toward the border of the Land of Fire."
Path responded icily, "If it's true, then we accept this mission. However, Konoha has become too strong for us Akatsuki to handle currently. Even if all members act together, we cannot defeat them. If that's the case, our goal shall shift to destroying Konoha itself."
Setsuna Uchiha's expression shifted in genuine surprise, "Destroy Konoha as our objective?"
Path announced, "Kakuzu, Deidara, and I will carry out the operation. Tobi, you and Hidan keep Minato Namikaze occupied. The rest of you will stand by outside Konoha Village to provide backup whenever needed."
Black Zetsu and Setsuna Uchiha immediately understood Path's intention — Path, Kakuzu, and Deidara were capable of large-scale destruction, so their mission was clearly aimed at obliterating Konoha.
After the command was issued, Konan arrived at the room where Nagato was hiding.
Konan asked, "Will all Six Paths of Pain be deployed this time?"
Nagato replied with a fierce expression, "All except the Animal Path will be deployed. And aside from Deva Path, the other Pains are targeting Danzo! In fact, Danzo is the main objective of this entire operation — he must pay for Yahiko's death!"
Konan nodded in agreement, "Then I'll join the Pains in the field."
Nagato refused firmly, "No. This mission is extremely dangerous. Konan, you'll go with Sasori's team and prepare to support us at any moment!"
Nagato spoke decisively. Konan knew he wouldn't change his mind about keeping her away from the front lines, so she could only accept the arrangement.
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