Hiruzen Sarutobi agreed to let Shindai delay the rent payment for a whole year, which immediately relieved most of his financial pressure.
Starting tomorrow, I'll use the existing money to make several sample puppets. Then I can open my shop.
For customers wanting to buy puppets, I'll collect half the price as deposit first, then make the puppet, and collect the remaining payment upon delivery. This way, everything will start running smoothly.
Shindai couldn't help grinning from ear to ear.
Suddenly, Hiruzen Sarutobi pulled Shindai aside: "Shindai, when your shop opens...my puppet..."
"Leave it to me!" Shindai guaranteed, pounding his chest. "You know me—I never go back on my word."
Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately burst into a warm smile, his eyes crinkling happily.
Uchiha Hikaku looked at Shindai and Hiruzen Sarutobi from the side with a strange expression—their smiles looked… a bit too eager, almost scheming.
After browsing around briefly, Hiruzen Sarutobi took his leave. Shindai and Uchiha Hikaku then went off to find Pakura, waiting to pick up Pakura once her shift ended so they could go home together.
...
Hiruzen Sarutobi arrived at the Hokage Building and found Minato Namikaze.
Looking at Hiruzen Sarutobi's beaming face, Minato Namikaze smiled and asked, "The Third must have confirmed everything already, and judging by your expression, you're very satisfied with the result?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi happily puffed on his pipe before replying, "Satisfied? Of course I am—extremely satisfied! That kid Shindai really delivers."
Minato Namikaze chuckled, saying, "Glad to hear it. Let Asu Natsuka continue staying close to Shindai; eventually, his hatred will fade away. Then, we'll tackle the other two issues head-on."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's smile faded slightly, his tone turning somewhat serious. "You mean the Konoha Military Police Force and Root?"
Minato Namikaze nodded. "Exactly. I've reached an agreement with Clan Leader Fugaku—you're already aware of this. Fugaku has already mobilized support within the police force. About half of them are willing to follow Fugaku's instructions, while the other half strongly opposes it.
Next, I plan to enforce reforms on the Konoha Military Police Force—those Uchiha who support the change will be reassigned to different departments across Konoha, while those who resist will remain in the police force.
Currently, the police chief is Clan Leader Fugaku. I will appoint a deputy chief who will work alongside Fugaku to recruit non-Uchiha ninja into the Military Police, gradually influencing those Uchiha who still resist."
Hiruzen Sarutobi puffed on his pipe again and said, "I believe both you and Fugaku can handle this well. What about Root then?"
Minato Namikaze frowned slightly, looking troubled. "Ever since I became Hokage, Danzo hasn't reported a single thing about Root to me. Therefore, I need help from the Third. I plan to completely disband Root and create a new ANBU operational division to assume its former duties."
"So, I'll need The Third and the other two Advisors to support me on this."
Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed before replying, "That's only right. I know Danzo well—he treats Root like his personal army. Even though you're Hokage now, he might not necessarily obey you. When do you plan to disband Root? Also, who do you have in mind for the new Anbu training division head?"
Minato Namikaze answered, "I intend to appoint Shikaku as the head of the Anbu training division. Although he may not be the most suitable candidate, I haven't found anyone better yet. Until a more appropriate candidate emerges, I'd like him to temporarily take charge of the training. As for dissolving Root, I plan to proceed in seven days and place all Root operations under Anbu control."
Hiruzen Sarutobi responded, "Fine, I understand. I'll speak with Mitokado and Koharu right away. Seven days from now, we'll announce Root's dissolution and launch the Anbu-led operation at the same time. Since we're doing this, we shouldn't leave Danzo any room for maneuvering."
Minato Namikaze's eyes narrowed. Was he planning to assume control of Root's operations at the very moment they announced its dissolution? Could it be that he was worried about what Danzo might do?
Minato nodded solemnly, "Understood."
After exhaling a puff of smoke, Hiruzen Sarutobi said, "Minato, I have one personal request. No matter what you discover within Root, I hope you'll give Danzo one last chance. If he does anything else afterward, then handle it according to the rules—I won't speak up for him again."
Minato took a deep breath before agreeing, "Alright, during this operation, no matter what we uncover, I will not hold Danzo accountable."
...
The next day, Shindai brought Hikaku Uchiha to Orochimaru's underground research base—a place they hadn't visited in quite some time.
The underground lab had already begun its final preparations for closure. Soon, this facility would be completely abandoned.
Suddenly nostalgic, Shindai remarked, "Asu Natsuka, this place holds so many memories for me. Much of my research was completed here. With its impending abandonment, I feel rather bittersweet."
Hikaku Uchiha felt uneasy standing there.
This place was just too dark—it reminded her of some unpleasant experiences.
"What's wrong? You look really tense. Huh... you aren't scared of ghosts here, are you?"
Shindai seemed to have discovered Hikaku's weakness and quickly became excited.
Hikaku suddenly pointed a finger behind Shindai.
Shindai turned around for a quick glance, then screamed, "Ghost!" practically leaping three meters into the air.
She immediately ducked behind Hikaku Uchiha, trembling in fear.
Hikaku rolled her eyes—just who was it that was scared of ghosts again?
As for the person Shindai mistook for a ghost, there was no doubt—it could only be Orochimaru himself.
Because the underground lab was dimly lit, Shindai had only caught a brief glimpse earlier and couldn't clearly see who it was.
Orochimaru's eerie voice echoed, "It's been a while, yet your courage seems to have shrunk."
"Huh?"
Peering cautiously from behind Hikaku Uchiha's back, Shindai took a closer look and finally recognized the figure.
Shindai huffed, "I knew it! This world doesn't have ghosts, right? Orochimaru-sama, at least let me know when you're around! You can't just scare people like that—it could give someone a heart attack!"
Orochimaru smirked, "Why should I announce myself? After all, you're the one trespassing in my experimental facility now."
Confused, Shindai replied, "Trespassing? Didn't we agree that I could freely access this place for research?"
Orochimaru looked down on Shindai condescendingly and said, "Yes, I did say that. But I also made it clear—if you didn't meet any of the three conditions I set, I could revoke your access to the facility entirely.
"I clearly said that even though you can use the lab equipment, you mustn't damage them, must return everything after use, and if something breaks, you fix it yourself or find another solution. Did you actually do that?"
Cold sweat broke out on Shindai's forehead. Before going to Kannabi Bridge, he had destroyed several instruments in one of the labs—and completely forgotten about it.
<><><><><><><><>
Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!
~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** this weekend!
<><><><><><><><>
~ 100+ Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!
~ More *Free* Chapters and Books Available on Patreon!
patreon.com/Tansnovel
<><><><><><><><>