Konoha's base camp in the Grass Country.
Shindai was arranging his belongings inside his tent.
With the intense warfare here, there was no way he could enjoy sleeping on a bed like back in the Hot Water Country.
The supply station only issued one set of bedding, which everyone spread on the ground to sleep.
That was absolutely unacceptable for Shindai.
What if snakes, insects, or mice crawled onto him while sleeping?
What if he rolled over mid-sleep and fell straight onto the ground?
Shindai's Ninja Way was, "Let others suffer—but never me!"
Wait, wasn't his Ninja Way supposed to be "Only those who endure what others cannot will obtain what others cannot get"?
Well, principles are strict, but people are adaptable—you've got to know how to bend the rules.
Therefore, using materials Jiraiya had given him, Shindai built himself a proper bed.
Stable and sturdy. Lying on it with the bedding neatly spread out was like being on vacation.
Then Shindai took out some paper and a pen again—but this time wasn't writing letters, since even if he wrote them, he couldn't send them. Instead, he started drawing.
As a Puppet Master, Shindai's drawing skills were top-notch.
He drew three highly abstract sketches.
Each had a round face and a potbelly, turning abstract art into complete nonsense.
These three drawings respectively represented Rasa, Chiyo, and Ebizō.
Mainly because Shindai had never actually met them, so he drew them purely based on what he imagined they looked like.
Why did he draw them? For motivation—these three were the ones who turned him into a traitor for no good reason.
"Screw it, I'm not pretending anymore!"
Shindai smashed all three freshly drawn sketches with three punches.
Motivation? More like emotional release!
Still not satisfying. When I get the chance, I'll carve three puppets just for punching. This is one of the perks of being a Puppet Master—you can create your own punching bags.
Shindai exhaled deeply. Although still unsatisfied, he did feel slightly better.
"Shindai, just dropping by! Hey, how come you've got a bed?"
Obito entered Shindai's tent and was shocked to see a real bed inside.
Shindai rolled his eyes upward slightly, "Why don't you just go get one yourself?"
"Seriously? Did I miss getting one earlier? Then I'll go grab one now!"
Obito rushed in, then rushed right back out.
Shindai shook his head: "What a hopeless idiot~"
Half an hour later, Obito stormed back in angrily: "Shindai, you tricked me! There's no bed at all!"
Leaning back on his bed with one leg casually crossed over the other, Shindai lazily flipped through a scroll of ninja tech techniques as he replied, "I never said the supply station gives out beds."
Obito's face turned bright red: "But you told me to just go get one! Do you know how humiliating that was? Everyone stared at me like I was some kind of clown! I lost all my dignity out there!"
Shindai glanced sideways at Obito, who was so furious his face had turned red. "I told you to claim one," he said calmly, "but I never said you could go take it from the supply station."
Obito gritted his teeth audibly and glared at Shindai.
Finally, Obito did something completely unexpected.
He leapt forward and landed squarely on Shindai's bed.
Now Shindai panicked. "Obito, what are you doing!"
Obito replied shamelessly, "What do I look like doing? I'm sleeping here! Unless you build me a new bed!"
"There's no spare bed; I made this one myself! Get off now!"
Shindai pushed at Obito, but Obito clung tightly to the edge of the bed without letting go.
"I don't care! Whether you made it or got it, since you said it, you've gotta give it to me!"
Now it was Shindai's turn to flush with anger. "Hey! Fine, I'll make you one. Just get off first!"
Seeing Shindai's flushed face, Obito felt an immense sense of satisfaction deep inside.
But he wasn't falling for it. "You make it first, then I'll come down! Otherwise, this bed is mine!"
Shindai looked at Obito in disbelief.
Since when did he become this smart?
Originally, Shindai had intended to trick Obito into getting off the bed, but unexpectedly, this time his trick didn't work.
After pushing Obito a couple more times with no success, Shindai gave up.
I should've known better than to tease Obito in the first place.
Anyway, making a bed wouldn't take much effort. Might as well just make one.
Soon enough, the bed for Obito was finished.
Annoyed, Shindai spoke to Obito, who was still on his bed: "It's done. Get your ass off my bed now!"
"Great!"
With a quick somersault, Obito sprang off the bed and began circling the newly made one, examining it with delight already evident on his face.
"I'll forgive you!"
Saying that, Obito hoisted the bed onto his shoulder and ran off.
Stunned, Shindai couldn't believe that not only did Obito not even say thank you, he actually had the nerve to claim he'd forgiven him. Who could possibly tolerate such nerve!
But by then, Obito had already vanished from sight, leaving Shindai fuming with nowhere to vent his frustration.
Cursing under his breath, Shindai returned to his bed and continued reading.
The next day.
While Shindai was still asleep, Jiraiya and Minato Namikaze had already headed toward the battlefield command room to meet Nara Shikaku.
Looking serious, Nara Shikaku said, "Lord Jiraiya, Minato, we will now assign you a mission!"
Jiraiya and Minato Namikaze also nodded solemnly. "Shikaku, please continue."
Nara Shikaku continued gravely, "From now on, the two of you will form a team operating independently. The mission's duration is unknown, meaning you both will be conducting solo operations away from base for a long period—possibly a month, maybe several months. You'll have to fend for yourselves."
Your mission is to infiltrate behind enemy lines and operate independently—whether you cut off their supplies or launch surprise attacks on their forces, the decision is yours. I need you to apply enough pressure on them.
Only you, Minato, with your unique speed techniques, can accomplish this mission. Jiraiya will assist you from the side. If you manage to obtain any intelligence, please relay it back to us immediately."
Jiraiya and Minato Namikaze accepted the task and replied simultaneously, "Understood!"
Minato Namikaze said to Shikaku Nara, "Shikaku, there's someone quite special within my squad named Shindai. He's the one who possesses the Magnet Release kekkei genkai. He'll be acting together with Kakashi's group, so please give them extra attention."
Shikaku Nara responded in surprise, "So that user of the Magnet Release is with you, Minato? Can he really be trusted?"
Minato nodded confidently, "Yes, and Kakashi's team will also keep an eye on Shindai."
Shikaku Nara agreed, "I understand. I'll watch over your students and that user of the Magnet Release, Minato. Well then, Minato, Master Jiraiya, get yourselves ready whenever you're set to depart."
After leaving the war room, Minato said to Jiraiya, "Master Jiraiya, after I pack up, I'll go inform Kakashi of his orders first. Then I'll come find you."
"Alright, I'll wait for you by the entrance of the Stationed Camp."
Jiraiya and Minato parted ways temporarily. In truth, Minato didn't have much to pack since they had only arrived at the camp yesterday. He simply needed to carry the necessary battle equipment.
Once ready, Minato made his way toward the tent where Shindai and Kakashi's group were stationed.
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