Shindai felt somewhat uneasy after returning to the tent.
Although he had confronted Orochimaru and received his promise not to interfere with him, Shindai couldn't help but wonder whether Orochimaru would actually keep his word.
As for whether Orochimaru would truly listen to him—Shindai dared not even think about it.
He had merely expressed his own ideals.
Ideological differences created the biggest rift, making persuasion extremely difficult.
Orochimaru definitely had his own philosophy that shaped how he viewed and handled matters, involving his behavioral standards, values, and goals.
Shindai didn't believe anyone could agree with Orochimaru's philosophy, nor did he think his own ideals could influence Orochimaru.
In Shindai's opinion, the best possible outcome was that Orochimaru might make appropriate concessions simply for a more comfortable research environment.
Research conditions were crucial. Having support was undoubtedly better than stubbornly going solo. Acquiring funds, materials, and other resources all by oneself sounded way too troublesome.
Like Shindai himself—he'd simply write down what materials he needed when conducting research, hand the list to Obito and others to handle, or just scavenge useful stuff from Minato Namikaze's house whenever possible. Money wasn't really an issue since he had none anyway. His specialty was essentially pulling resources out of thin air.
Therefore, although conceding would restrict Orochimaru's research, preventing him from recklessly treating people as test subjects, it would also make his research much easier without having to constantly look over his shoulder and operate covertly.
Unless Orochimaru actually enjoyed that sense of secrecy.
Hmm, come to think of it, maybe Orochimaru really did like that sneaky feeling.
Suddenly realizing something, Shindai slapped his forehead hard.
"What am I thinking at a time like this! But, which part went wrong exactly? How did Orochimaru figure me out? I've always had great acting skills. This is so strange. Anyway, let me check Pakura's location."
Shindai pulled out a small screen from his ninja gear pouch. A tiny dot appeared on the screen, showing Pakura's current position.
"Hmm, she hasn't moved much. Still inside Sunagakure. Now, when will Rasa finally make his move? Can he really wait this long?"
Impatiently, Shindai wished for things to start moving faster regarding Pakura. The sooner things began and ended, the safer she'd be, and then he could bring her to Konoha.
The following days became torturous for Shindai.
Worried about both Orochimaru and Pakura at the same time, he was almost driven mentally exhausted.
This lasted for two days.
On the second night, around fifteen Rock ninjas launched a sudden attack on the Stationed Camp.
"Shindai!"
His teammate Akimichi Tsubaki shouted at him.
Shindai began forming Hand Seals: "Let's go! I'm ready!"
"Got it!"
Akimichi Tsubaki also started forming Hand Seals immediately.
"Expansion Jutsu!"
Akimichi Tsubaki increased her body size.
"Magnet Release! Iron Sand Spears!"
Shindai manipulated the Iron Sand, gathering it behind Akimichi Tsubaki to form numerous sharp spikes.
"Human Bullet Barrage!"
Akimichi Tsubaki attacked by rolling like a spinning top, crashing into the attacking Rock ninja.
Anyone struck by Akimichi Tsubaki was guaranteed multiple wounds straight through the body.
Akimichi Tsubaki plowed through the Rock ninjas.
Meanwhile, Shindai manipulated his Iron Sand to form wings, flying into the air to bombard the Rock ninjas relentlessly from above.
Combined with Orochimaru's counterattack and those of other Konoha ninja, they quickly drove away this squad of Rock ninjas.
Shindai supported the wounded Akimichi Tsubaki and took her to see the medical ninja for treatment.
The injury Akimichi Tsubaki sustained was entirely self-inflicted. She had spun too fast, gotten herself dizzy, crashed head-first into a tree, and cracked her head open.
When Shindai brought Akimichi Tsubaki to the tent where the medical ninja were stationed, he awkwardly said: "Hey, Tsubaki, I think your little injury isn't worth getting treated for."
Covering the big bump on her head, Akimichi Tsubaki looked around and saw only two busy medical ninja inside the tent. There were about ten injured patients, three of whom seemed seriously hurt. The two medical ninja were working frantically and obviously overwhelmed, so she felt slightly embarrassed too.
"I think my injury isn't serious enough for treatment either, Shindai. Just help me back to my tent to rest."
After Shindai helped Akimichi Tsubaki return to her tent, he went to Orochimaru's tent looking for him.
"Orochimaru-sama, we only have two medical ninja here, but there are quite a few injured people. They're having a hard time keeping up."
Orochimaru told Shindai: "I've already requested reinforcements from Konoha, asking them to send over more combat ninja and medical ninja. However, even if they come immediately, it will still take about three days to arrive. So during these three days, if the Rock ninja attack again, we'll need to handle it ourselves somehow.
I've summoned many snakes to guard the perimeter. Shindai, your techniques are suitable for area combat. You should prepare your Iron Sand in advance so that once the enemy attacks, you can launch wide-scale attacks immediately."
Shindai nodded: "Understood, Orochimaru-sama."
After leaving the tent, Shindai used Magnet Release techniques to draw the underground Iron Sand to the surface in preparation for battle ahead of time.
On the third day, the Rock ninja indeed came again, and this time, they brought more numbers than last time—at least about thirty fighters.
This time, instead of fighting alongside Akimichi Tsubaki, Shindai fought together with Orochimaru.
[Formation of Ten Thousand Snakes!]
Orochimaru dropped to the ground, vomiting forth countless snakes to overwhelm the enemy.
Seeing Orochimaru summon snakes from his mouth, their scaled bodies writhing everywhere, Shindai shuddered in revulsion and let out a disgusted "Ugh."
Orochimaru glanced sideways at Shindai beside him. "Don't just stand there."
"Oh."
[Magnet Release! Iron Sand World Method!]
Shindai activated the iron sand scattered across the battlefield, molding it into a massive, jagged barrier designed to impale enemies.
Shindai felt something was off—the Rock ninja were tougher than expected. Most of them were likely jonin-level. Facing Shindai's iron sand barrier, they skillfully evaded using their individual Earth Release techniques.
Shindai summoned Kannazuki, and with iron sand wings sprouting from his back, soared over the deadly barrier before guiding Kannazuki into battle against the Rock ninja.
Orochimaru formed hand seals and invoked the [Summoning Jutsu], calling forth a swarm of giant serpents to aid in the battle.
The battle raged for over half an hour. After a fierce struggle, Shindai, Orochimaru, and the Konoha ninja finally drove the Rock ninja back.
Shindai clutched his bleeding arm—earlier during a dive, he had flown too fast and accidentally scraped it against a flying kunai.
At the same time, Shindai felt a pair of eyes burning with bitterness. He turned and saw Akimichi Tsubaki glaring at him.
Akimichi Tsubaki was also covered in wounds.
They were teammates, yet Shindai kept his distance in battle—how could Tsubaki not feel bitter?
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