Shindai's research had achieved results, but unfortunately, his own chakra reserves weren't sufficient to use Supernova Shindai. He needed Hikaku Uchiha's help.
One thing that relieved Shindai was that he didn't have to pay compensation—the underground lab had already been scheduled for demolition. If compensation were required, even selling all of Shindai's possessions wouldn't cover the cost.
Minato Namikaze felt somewhat disappointed upon hearing Shindai had already chosen a name. After giving Shindai some instructions, he asked him, Hikaku Uchiha, and the police force members to return first.
Hiruzen Sarutobi puffed on his pipe and looked toward the distant destruction caused by the Supernova Shindai. He sighed, "The power is indeed impressive. However, Minato, it's time to confirm with her. I believe she'd be willing to join Konoha now, right?"
Minato nodded with a smile. "I'm confident too. We'll formally reach out to Asu Natsuka—the woman we discussed—after Kushina gives birth."
Hiruzen asked curiously, "By the way, have you told Kushina about that matter yet?"
Minato shook his head. "Not yet."
"Then after work, Biwa and I will accompany you to explain everything to Kushina," Sarutobi proposed.
Minato readily agreed.
...
With the underground research base destroyed, Shindai could no longer continue his research. Since it was still early, Shindai and Hikaku Uchiha decided to find Pakura and wait for her to finish work before heading home together.
Concerned, Shindai asked, "Hey, Asu Natsuka, was your vision affected at all from using the Mangekyo earlier? Could it damage your eyesight?"
Hikaku Uchiha replied, "No."
"That's good… But doesn't using techniques of the Mangekyo Sharingan usually harm one's vision?" Shindai questioned, puzzled.
Hikaku explained, [Eight Trigrams Sealing Array]'s unique properties don't burden me much. As I mentioned before, through [Imprint], those who bear it can transmit their chakra to me or others, no matter the distance. This chakra can also enhance my Doujutsu, reducing the side effects caused by using my eye techniques."
"But if I use Dojutsu too frequently, my vision would still be damaged. However, no one has appeared yet who could push me to that point."
Shindai grinned mischievously. "Wow, how arrogant of you~ But I like it! That means when my chakra runs low, I can just take some from you. Won't that make you sound like a walking chakra reservoir?"
Hikaku smirked coldly, "Why don't you go take a nap? Dream about it if you want."
Shindai stubbornly clung close, "Don't be so stingy. What are we two strangers for?"
Hikaku pushed Shindai's face away, "Who said we're anything to each other? Since when do we know each other that well?"
Shindai clenched his grip around his own neck, refusing to let Hikaku Uchiha shove him aside. "Don't say things that break our unity like that! We're joined at the hip, aren't we?!"
Hikaku Uchiha smirked. "Joined at the hip? More like sharing a skirt, don't you think? You stole and wore my dress and Pakura's dress behind my back—did you really think I wouldn't find out?"
Shindai froze instantly. "You… How did you know?"
Shindai didn't have any special fetish—he was simply curious. Since Hikaku Uchiha and Pakura liked wearing skirts so much, he suddenly wanted to see what he would look like in one too.
Shindai could swear on it—he only tried it once… twice at most. Fine, maybe he tried them every time Pakura and Hikaku Uchiha bought new dresses, but honestly, they all felt about the same.
Hikaku Uchiha smirked. "How could you not know? Pakura knows too—she just felt too embarrassed to mention it. Since you love saying we're joined at the hip so much, maybe I should tell everyone about your skirt-wearing habit!"
Shindai immediately panicked. "No! Don't do that, or else I'll lose all face!"
Hikaku Uchiha examined Shindai's face carefully. "Face? Do you even have one? All I see is an extremely thick layer of keratin!"
All the way home, Shindai begged Hikaku Uchiha to keep this secret.
But actually, Hikaku Uchiha hadn't planned on spreading the word either. First off, doing so would be truly embarrassing. Second, he could use this as leverage against Shindai to prevent him from constantly annoying her and Pakura.
...
Elsewhere, at the home of Minato Namikaze.
Hiruzen Sarutobi and Biwako Sarutobi sat in chairs while Minato Namikaze gently helped Kushina Uzumaki into a seat.
Hiruzen spoke to Kushina. "Kushina, you will give birth in about two months. There's something I must inform you about. Just like Lady Mito before you, you almost certainly will loosen the Seal during childbirth. To prepare for any possibility, I'm very sorry, but we must ask you to give birth inside a barrier slightly far from the village."
Minato smiled reassuringly at Kushina. "Don't worry—I'll personally stand guard by your side when the time comes since this involves the Seal."
Hearing that Minato would accompany her, Kushina instantly became relieved and smiled at him.
Hiruzen continued. "At that time, Minato, Anbu's Tamae, and my wife Biwako will all stay beside you. These arrangements will be made secretly, of course, with Anbu and the Hokage's personal guard unit responsible for security as well."
Biwako Sarutobi solemnly told Kushina. "On the day of delivery, I will personally escort you there."
Kushina Uzumaki nodded. "Alright, I understand."
Three days later.
With the underground lab destroyed, Shindai wanted to rest for a few days while fulfilling pending orders, so he stayed behind in the workshop crafting puppets.
At that moment, someone stood at the shop's doorstep, gaping at the giant poster displayed at the entrance.
"What... what is this?!"
That's right—it was Jiraiya.
Hearing that Kushina Uzumaki was about to give birth, he had returned to Konoha for a visit.
After meeting with Minato Namikaze at the Hokage building, he learned that Shindai's shop had opened, so Jiraiya came to check it out.
No wonder Minato told him to prepare mentally before he left.
Without that preparation, Jiraiya might have fainted on the spot.
Jiraiya staggered forward, clumsily stepping into the store with awkward coordination.
Uchiha Hikaku glanced briefly at Jiraiya, then quickly looked away.
A perverted middle-aged man—he seemed somewhat familiar.
Kabuto Yakushi immediately approached upon seeing Jiraiya. "Jiraiya, you're back."
Hikaku turned his gaze again.
So *this* was Jiraiya. No wonder he looked familiar—he turned out to be the main character from those posters plastered at the entrance by Shindai.
Confirmed: ultra-perverted middle-aged dude.
Jiraiya asked hoarsely, "What's up with those posters at the entrance?"
Kabuto lowered his head. What else could it be? They'd used you as a promotional tool.
Pretending not to know, Kabuto said, "Ah, those? I don't know. Jiraiya can go ask Aniki Shindai in that workshop over there."
Kabuto decisively sold Shindai out—mainly because he couldn't take the fall for it.
Jiraiya trudged toward the workshop.
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