Naruto: The Puppeteer in Konoha

Ignoring Shindai's remark, the Third Kazekage took out a tiny needle and said to Shindai, "Come here. I'll be performing the 'Mind Sand Manipulation Technique' to seal your memories." 

Shindai, looking disheartened, walked up to the Third Kazekage and said, "Uncle, please be careful! I rely on my brain to make a living." 

The Third Kazekage waved dismissively, "I've used this technique countless times. It's foolproof." 

Shindai turned around, presenting the back of his head to the Kazekage. In a flash, the Third Kazekage swiftly plunged the needle into the back of Shindai's head. 

Shindai felt a sharp pain in his skull. 

The Kazekage performed hand signs and placed his hands on Shindai's head. 

"Mind Sand Manipulation Technique!"

A series of runes appeared on Shindai's head before vanishing. 

Shindai's eyes became vacant for a moment, then gradually regained their sharpness. 

"Eh? Uncle, why are you here?" Shindai asked, puzzled. 

In response, the Kazekage knocked him out with a swift strike to his head. 

Shindai's eyes rolled back, and he passed out. 

The Kazekage turned to the two ninjas and instructed, "Follow the plan. In the Land of Rivers, our allies will help you find the Iwagakure ninja. After completing the exchange with Iwagakure, bring the supplies back immediately!" 

"Yes, sir!" one ninja replied. 

One of the ninjas lifted Shindai's unconscious body, and both disappeared using the Body Flicker Technique. 

The Third Kazekage lingered in Shindai's room for a while, furrowing his brow. 

"What was it that Shindai wanted me to do last night? Oh well, I can't remember. It probably wasn't important." 

...

The Land of Rivers, located between the Land of Wind and the Land of Fire, is a small nation. 

To guard against a potential attack from Sunagakure, Konoha had stationed ninjas in the Land of Rivers. 

Sunagakure also had ninjas there, causing friction with Konoha's forces. 

At this moment, Minato Namikaze, also known as the Yellow Flash, was not on the battlefield fighting Kumogakure but was instead in the Land of Rivers. 

The reason Minato was in the Land of Rivers was because of Kakashi, Obito, and Rin. 

As the Yellow Flash, Minato was always in the most dangerous parts of the battle with Kumogakure, making it difficult for him to spend time teaching the three. 

During a less intense phase of the war with Kumogakure, Minato took a mission in the Land of Rivers. 

Since Sunagakure had been causing trouble for Konoha's ninjas stationed there, Minato went to the Land of Rivers to intimidate Sunagakure's forces and also to train the three students. 

Just as Minato arrived, a Konoha ninja urgently approached him. 

"Lord Minato! We received some intelligence a few days ago. We sent a ninja beast to report to the Hokage, and the Hokage replied saying that you should take over the mission!" 

Minato asked, "What intelligence did you receive? What task has the Third Hokage assigned me?" 

The Konoha ninja reported, "We captured a suspicious Sunagakure ninja a few days ago. The ninja tried to destroy a scroll but was intercepted. The ninja has since committed suicide. 

The scroll contained information that Iwagakure is willing to form an alliance with Sunagakure, offering military supplies in exchange for a ninja with the Magnet Release Kekkei Genkai to solidify the alliance. 

The Hokage's order is for you to stop this alliance from happening and secure that Magnet Release ninja. 

We've stationed ninjas throughout the Land of Rivers, and once we detect Iwa ninjas, we'll notify you immediately." 

Minato's eyes narrowed. 

He couldn't believe that Sunagakure would try to ally with Iwagakure at this critical moment. 

Sunagakure had long coveted Konoha's resources. 

Though Iwagakure had not yet acted, they had been sending spies to gather information about Konoha during the war with Kumogakure. 

If Sunagakure and Iwagakure formed an alliance, there was a very real threat that they might attack Konoha together. 

Konoha would then face a three-front war against Cloud, Stone, and Sand. 

Minato knew they had to prevent this alliance from happening. 

As for the Magnet Release ninja, Kekkei Genkai were extremely valuable in the ninja world, and Minato could understand why Sarutobi Hiruzen wanted that ninja as part of the deal. 

After all, the Third Kazekage's Magnet Release was incredibly powerful. 

The Kazekage was famous for his use of magnetic sand and had earned the title of "Strongest Kazekage." 

Minato turned to the Konoha ninja, "To avoid alarming them, don't let anyone know I'm in the Land of Rivers. If they know, they might change the meeting location." 

The Konoha ninja replied, "Only a few of us know you're here. I'll make sure the others don't leak it." 

Minato nodded, "Good. You go now. I'll wait here for news." 

After the ninja left, Minato prepared for the task ahead. 

Three days passed, and the two Sand ninjas carrying Shindai arrived in the Land of Rivers and met with their fellow Sand ninjas. 

The scroll that the Konoha ninjas received had been deliberately left for them by a Sunagakure ninja. 

If Sunagakure truly wanted to negotiate with Iwagakure, they wouldn't have chosen the Land of Rivers, which was closer to the Land of Fire. They could have gone to the Land of Birds, which was nearer to the Land of Wind and the Land of Earth. 

The plan was now set: they just had to wait for the Iwa ninjas to arrive. 

Two more days passed, and a five-man Iwa ninja team entered the Land of Rivers. 

As soon as they entered, Konoha ninjas identified them. 

The most likely route for the Iwa ninjas to take was through the northern border of the Land of Rivers, where Konoha had stationed the most ninjas. 

Once the Iwa ninja team entered the Land of Rivers, Konoha ninjas immediately notified Minato. 

Minato gathered Kakashi, Obito, and Rin. 

"We have a secret mission. We leave immediately!" 

Minato's team departed from the Konoha base, quickly heading toward the Iwa ninja's location, which had been pinpointed by Konoha's scouts.

...........

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