Shindai sat in quiet reflection inside the small house where he once lived. After stepping outside, [Iron Sand Body].
Kakashi stared at Shindai in disbelief, clearly confused by his actions.
Shindai made no move to explain. With a smile on his face, he said, "Let's go. It's time to head back and rest."
As Shindai and Kakashi walked back, a young girl suddenly appeared before them.
Both Shindai and Kakashi looked at this nervous girl with confusion.
Shindai teased, "What? Got yourself a secret admirer here, Kakashi?"
Kakashi replied with annoyance, "Don't talk nonsense! I don't even know her! And aside from this time, I've never even come to Sunagakure before!"
Shindai retorted, "Back when Hanare came to Konoha, you said the same thing—you're just lying!"
Kakashi gritted his teeth in frustration.
The girl quickly interrupted, "No, no! My name is Maki. I'm Master Pakura's disciple."
Now it was Shindai's turn to look surprised at Maki before him.
Pakura had once told Shindai about her apprentice, something she deeply regretted.
Because Pakura really liked this disciple. Back then, Maki was still very young, always clinging to Pakura and asking her to teach cultivation techniques. However, when Pakura was about to start teaching Maki some real skills, she was betrayed and assassinated by Rasa, so she couldn't complete the training.
Maki nodded and hesitated before asking, "Um… How is Master Pakura faring?"
Given their connection through Pakura, Shindai wouldn't treat Maki coldly. He softened his tone and said, "Yes, she's doing quite well. Given the current ties between Konoha and Sunagakure, you could even go visit her in Konoha."
A smile appeared on Maki's face. "I'm glad Master Pakura is doing well… Um, Lord Shindai, if I may ask something… The rumor currently spreading—that the village abandoned my master—is it true?"
Shindai asked doubtfully, "You believe what I say?"
She twisted her fingers nervously as she replied, "Lord Shindai, you are Master Pakura's husband. I believe you wouldn't lie to me…"
Shindai replied, "Since you trust me, then… those rumors are indeed true."
Maki paled slightly and staggered.
Shindai continued, addressing Maki, "But none of that concerns you. Pakura still misses you, her disciple. If you were to go see her, she would be very happy. Consider this a gift for our meeting."
Shindai tossed a scroll to Maki.
Maki looked down at the scroll in her hands, then gave Shindai a puzzled look.
Shindai pointed at the scroll and said, "Summon it and have a look."
Maki unrolled the scroll and summoned its contents—a vividly lifelike puppet.
Shindai adjusted the puppet, aligning its gaze toward Maki. It emitted a mechanical voice: "Identification confirmed."
Shindai explained, "This is a puppet I created. It's a decent autonomous combat model, but only those who are authenticated can use it. That means only you have access to it."
Maki bowed to Shindai, saying, "Thank you, Master Shindai."
Shindai waved his hand dismissively, "No need to thank me. That's all then."
Shindai and Kakashi left the area.
Kakashi asked, "Aren't you worried that your puppet might be cracked by Sunagakure's puppet masters?"
Shindai scoffed, "After all these years, even the junk puppets Sasori and I left behind in Sunagakure remain unfigured out. Do they really expect to crack my ninja tech? Even if they could, my puppets are equipped with security measures against tampering. The moment someone tries to break into it, the program will self-destruct immediately, leaving no chance whatsoever."
Kakashi chuckled, "You're still as sharp as ever."
Shindai retorted, "That's called being clever!"
...
The next morning.
Pakkun, Kakashi's ninja hound, had already returned with intelligence reports.
Shindai and Naruto were still sound asleep in bed while Kakashi and Sasuke listened to Pakkun's report.
Kakashi examined a map, saying, "So this is their hideout, huh?"
Pakkun's dog paw pointed at one location on the map, "Probably. This is also where Gaara's scent came from."
Kakashi looked at the marked location in the Land of Rivers and nodded, "I see. Sasuke, wake up Naruto and Shindai, then go find Hinata and Sakura. We're heading out."
Sasuke approached Naruto's bed, pushing him hard, "Wake up! Naruto! It's time for our mission!"
Naruto turned over, scratched his butt, and mumbled in his sleep, "Sasuke... No... we can't do that... it's impossible between us..."
A vein popped on Sasuke's forehead. What kind of dream was this guy having?
Sasuke slapped Naruto hard on the head, jolting him upright. Naruto immediately assumed a fighting stance, shouting, "What?! Who attacked me just now?!"
Sasuke said angrily, "Our mission's starting! And who was it that insisted on going to save that red-haired guy anyway?!"
Naruto exclaimed excitedly, "Did we find Gaara's location?!"
Kakashi nodded, "Hurry up and prepare."
"Awesome!"
Naruto jumped up energetically and began dressing. Meanwhile, Sasuke glanced at Shindai, who was still fast asleep.
The noise Naruto made earlier seemed to have disturbed Shindai slightly, but he didn't wake up, mumbling incoherently like Naruto.
"Pakura… didn't eat yet? You call that a massage? Put some effort into it!"
"Hikaku, how come your cooking is still as bad as ever? Go make it again—now!"
Sasuke smirked and blew lightly on his palm before smacking Shindai hard on the head.
Shindai shot straight up, crying out in terror: "Ah! Pakura! Hikaku! I'm sorry! I won't dare do it again!"
Kakashi and Naruto stared at Sasuke with wide eyes. Is he trying to get himself killed?
A rush of exhilaration surged through Sasuke.
So worth it!
The look in Shindai's eyes grew darker as he laughed menacingly: "Fine, fine... excellent indeed, Sasuke Uchiha!"
At the gates of Sunagakure,
Shindai, Kakashi, Naruto, and Hinata had already gathered together, ready to depart.
But Sasuke looked pretty rough—completely wrapped in [Iron Sand Body], occasionally letting out muffled groans, though his expression remained stubbornly defiant.
It was because Shindai had issued one demand: if Sasuke sincerely apologized by kowtowing, he'd forgive him.
But who does Sasuke think he is? There was no way he'd back down—and that's exactly why things ended up like this.
And if he got another chance, Sasuke wouldn't hesitate—not even for a second!
Meanwhile, Temari was locked in a heated argument with Baki, determined to join the mission to rescue Gaara despite being denied.
The truth was, Sunagakure was currently too vulnerable—another attack was always a possibility, so they had to leave people behind to protect the village.
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