Naruto: The Puppeteer in Konoha

The Third Kazekage couldn't understand why Shindai had to let others know about his undercover mission.

Wasn't it safer the fewer people knew, especially when it came to going undercover?

Although confused, the Third Kazekage agreed to Shindai's request.

After all, Shindai's request wasn't unreasonable.

When Shindai heard the Kazekage agree, he sighed in relief.

Although Shindai had no particular fondness for Sunagakure, he had lived there for so long that he still felt a sense of attachment to his shabby little home.

If the mission to infiltrate Konoha failed and he became a fugitive, he wouldn't even be able to return to this dilapidated home.

The Third Kazekage stood up and said, "Prepare yourself. We'll begin tomorrow."

Having resigned himself to his fate, Shindai sighed and replied, "I understand."

The Third Kazekage whistled, and a ninja hawk flew into Shindai's room.

Under the Kazekage's guidance, Shindai signed a contract with the ninja hawk.

Shindai asked, "Uncle Kage, can this ninja hawk find someone else?"

The Third Kazekage nodded and answered, "As long as it smells something that belongs to the person you're looking for, it will be able to track them by scent. Now, I have other matters to attend to. Prepare yourself, I'll come for you by noon tomorrow."

As the Kazekage left, Shindai couldn't help but remind him, "Uncle Kage, be careful of Sasori."

The Third Kazekage stopped and turned, puzzled. "Why should I be careful of Sasori?"

Shindai stammered, "It's just… just a dream I had, it felt so real. In the dream, Sasori was doing something bad."

Shindai wasn't sure how to explain this to the Kazekage.

He couldn't just tell him that Sasori, having never forgotten the grudge of his parents, shifted his hatred onto the Kazekage after Konoha's White Fang killed them. Sasori now blamed him for the attack that led to his parents' deaths, believing that the Kazekage's negligence had allowed Konoha's invasion.

Though the Kazekage had largely kept his distance and they didn't know each other very well, Shindai still wanted to see him survive, as he was one of the few people Shindai knew.

But how could he make the Kazekage believe this? Shindai didn't know how.

Firstly, Shindai didn't even know Sasori personally; he had never met him.

Secondly, Sasori was Chiyo's grandson, deeply trusted and a genius puppet master.

Lastly, all Shindai knew was that the Kazekage's death would likely coincide with the start of the Third Great Ninja War, and Sasori's involvement might be the spark for it. But Shindai didn't know the exact time or how Sasori would kill him.

Even if Shindai knew the date and method, it was doubtful the Kazekage would believe him.

The Third Kazekage said in a deep voice, "Shindai, Sasori is Chiyo's grandson. There's no way he would betray the village! Don't make baseless accusations about your comrades!"

Shindai's face fell. He had tried to offer a well-meaning warning but was scolded instead.

It was like having good intentions thrown back in his face.

After the Kazekage left, Shindai wanted to cry.

Out of nowhere, he had been ordered to go undercover, with no preparation, and if he refused, he'd be thrown into prison. It wasn't fair.

Shindai rubbed his face and tried to comfort himself, "Well, since I'm already in this, I'll make the best of it. My strength is formidable, and even if I'm exposed, I'll be able to handle it. I have to!"

Shindai stood up from the chair, then crouched by the bed and reached under it to pull out a scroll.

This scroll was something Shindai had prepared for Pakura.

Inside it were things Shindai had worked on for a long time, meant to help her face a future crisis.

However, the contents were not yet perfect, and Shindai was still improving them, so he hadn't given it to Pakura yet.

Even so, it was enough to help her through his upcoming difficulties.

Now that Shindai was about to go undercover in Konoha, it was time to hand the scroll over.

Pakura wasn't in Konoha, but since the Kazekage had arranged for Shindai to sign a contract with the ninja hawk, he could use it to deliver the scroll to her.

Shindai wrote a letter and found a coat that Pakura had left at his house. After having the hawk smell it, he tied the scroll and letter to its body.

Patting the hawk's head, Shindai said, "Go, and make sure you deliver this scroll and letter. If anything goes missing, I'll cook you for dinner!"

Ninja hawks, ninja dogs, ninja cats, and similar creatures with "ninja" in their names were intelligent and could understand human speech. So when the hawk heard Shindai's threat, it immediately took two steps back, looking a little scared.

Shindai shot the hawk a glare. "Why are you still standing there? Hurry up, or I'll really cook you!"

The hawk chirped and quickly flew off.

Once the hawk was gone, Shindai closed the door and lay back down on the bed.

He tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

Life was unpredictable, just like a twisted sausage.

Before bed, Shindai had been thinking about sleeping until the afternoon and then making plans to improve "Shinmugen" (God's Moon).

Now, out of nowhere, he was being sent to Konoha for an undercover mission the next day. How could he possibly sleep?

"I'm really unlucky."

But things were about to get worse.

After the Kazekage left, he had forgotten all about telling others about Shindai's undercover mission.

But it was also Shindai's fault, since his mention of Sasori's bad deeds had distracted the Kazekage, causing him to forget the task.

The next day at noon.

Shindai hadn't slept a wink, anxiously waiting for the Kazekage to come.

His things were already packed.

He had sealed "Shinmugen" in a scroll.

Shindai didn't have much else to pack.

As he waited, Shindai found himself wondering.

What if the Kazekage suddenly had a stomach ache and missed the timing, so he wouldn't have to go after all?

Or maybe the Kazekage had found another unlucky person to send undercover?

But… what was coming was still coming.

The Kazekage entered with two ninjas.

As soon as the Kazekage stepped inside, he said, "Shindai, it's time."

Shindai grumbled, "Uncle Kage, could you say that differently? 'It's time' makes it sound like I'm heading to the execution ground!"

Shindai was already nervous, and now he was even more so.

.....

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