After listening to Shindai recount what happened at the hospital, Fugaku Uchiha couldn't help but wonder if Shindai was just being dense.
But wasn't Shindai supposed to be pretty sharp? He'd conducted a great deal of research.
That alone proved his intelligence was perfectly intact.
As for emotional intelligence… logically speaking, that shouldn't have been an issue either. He got along well with Obito and others, and even maintained good relationships with big names like Minato Namikaze, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and Jiraiya.
Yet from Shindai's very detailed retelling, Fugaku could actually piece together some of what had happened—how Pakura must have taken Hikaku in her arms out of sympathy for his past, and how Hikaku had probably smiled warmly, choosing to let go of everything and start anew.
But how did that become mutual affection in Shindai's version?
Incomprehensible. Absolutely no idea what went through Shindai's head.
Fugaku wanted to leave now. The main business was done, and honestly, he didn't know how else to keep talking to Shindai. They were clearly operating on entirely different frequencies.
"Then I'll leave Hikaku's matters in your hands, Shindai. I'll take my leave now."
"Sure thing, Clan Leader Fugaku. Watch your step on the way out."
After seeing Fugaku off, Shindai flopped onto the sofa.
Sighing, he muttered, "Guess my sleepiness is gone... Now I'm craving a cigarette." He glanced toward the bathroom. "Might as well sneak one in there. Pakura and Hikaku won't be back for a while yet. By then the smoke smell should've cleared up. Oh right, they bought some weird-looking new clothes earlier—I should check what exactly those things are."
Shindai pulled a pack of cigarettes from under the table, lit one up, took a blissful puff, then went into Pakura and Hikaku's room to grab the new clothes before heading into the bathroom to examine them.
Meanwhile, Pakura and Hikaku were walking down the street.
"Phew, finally two days off. Hikaku, tomorrow let's really go all-out shopping?"
"Sounds great. We haven't worn those new clothes we bought yet. Might as well wear them out tomorrow."
"That's exactly what I was thinking! Then let's head home now. Wonder what Shindai's doing."
"He's probably lying around asleep. He hasn't done anything these past few days except nap and watch TV."
Chatting as they walked, Pakura and Hikaku made their way toward their house.
When they reached the door, Pakura pulled out her keys and unlocked it.
The moment they stepped inside, both of them caught the scent of cigarette smoke.
They exchanged glances, clearly displeased.
That guy Shindai was smoking again behind their backs!
Pakura and Hikaku stood in front of the bathroom door, hearing Shindai muttering from inside.
"Hmm, where do I tie this strap? Around my neck? That'll choke me."
"Huh? Is this a onesie? Where do I put my legs first?"
"Tch tch, I'm a damn genius—I'm starting to fall for myself here."
Pakura and Hikaku Uchiha heard Shindai's muttering and felt a bad premonition in their hearts.
Pakura grabbed the doorknob and twisted hard, while Hikaku Uchiha pushed the door open.
Shindai's body instantly froze. He looked at Pakura and Hikaku Uchiha with terror in his eyes.
The way Pakura and Hikaku Uchiha stared at Shindai was as if they wanted to devour him.
Because Shindai had a cigarette in his mouth while putting on stockings, which were only halfway up his thigh, and he still held a piece of underwear in his hand—one that appeared to be Hikaku Uchiha's size.
Shindai's voice trembled as he spoke: 'I-I mean, you'll believe me if I say you're dreaming, right?'
Pakura and Hikaku Uchiha stepped into the restroom without uttering a word.
Shindai defended himself anxiously: 'I swear it's just pure curiosity! Your clothes are so strange, I simply wanted to see how they're worn.'
Hikaku Uchiha already had shut and locked the restroom door.
Shindai had backed himself into a corner: 'Is it too late for me to admit my mistake now?'
Hikaku Uchiha reached out, snatched the underwear from Shindai's hand, and set it aside.
"Pakura, it's time we gave him what he deserves!"
"Let's go, Hikaku!"
In the next room, Kushina Uzumaki was calming baby Naruto: "Don't worry, Naruto. It's just your older brother Shindai misbehaving again, and those two girls are teaching him a lesson. You'll get used to it soon enough."
When baby Naruto heard the anguished screams coming from the next room, he began giggling uncontrollably.
Kushina Uzumaki playfully touched her forehead against Naruto's: "Good job, little Naruto! Not scared at all~"
As evening fell.
Minato Namikaze returned home but couldn't find Shindai. Puzzled, he asked, "Hmm? Where's Shindai?"
Pakura casually replied, "Oh, Shindai isn't hungry today, so he won't have dinner."
Minato Namikaze didn't suspect anything; he merely expressed surprise: "Even Shindai has no appetite? That's unusual."
Meanwhile, inside the house, Shindai was bound at all four limbs, hanging midair with an old stocking stuffed into his mouth, swinging back and forth with only sad whimpers escaping him.
...
The next day.
"I really don't want to go out—my face is bruised from your beating yesterday. If anyone sees me like this, it'll be absolutely embarrassing!"
Pakura eyed Shindai sideways and said, "Oh yeah? Hikaku and I aren't comfortable leaving you alone at home. What if you do something weird with our clothes again?"
Shindai defended himself: "How could you even think that? I was honestly curious about your clothes! You know I work with puppets—I just wanted to see if I could get some ideas for my designs!"
Hikaku Uchiha snorted: "Drawing inspiration from our clothes? Guess we went too easy on you yesterday!"
Pakura continued firmly, "From now on, you'll obey without question!"
"Alright, alright."
Shindai, who had absolutely no say in the matter, could only follow Pakura and Hikaku Uchiha.
As he walked through the streets, Shindai curiously took in the sights of Konoha. The reconstruction was progressing rapidly, with barely any signs of the past disaster remaining. Most shops had already reopened one after another.
Shindai mused that it was about time to reopen his puppet shop as well.
After wandering around for a while, Shindai found his hands full of shopping bags. He was already very tired, yet Pakura and Hikaku Uchiha continued window-shopping with seemingly endless energy.
Finally, lunchtime arrived. The three decided to go eat some sukiyaki.
Starving, Shindai dug in with his chopsticks. Once he'd finished eating, while cleaning his teeth, he suddenly remembered the request Fugaku Uchiha had made the day before.
Shindai said to Hikaku Uchiha, "By the way, Clan Leader Fugaku came to see me yesterday. He hoped I could persuade you to return to the Uchiha clan."
Hikaku Uchiha's body tensed slightly. He asked seriously, "And what do you think about it?"
Shindai replied, "Me? What could I possibly think? I told Clan Leader Fugaku I'd mention it briefly and advised you to think carefully about it. I won't interfere with your decision.
To be honest, I guess you probably won't go back. After all, aside from Pakura... well, you don't really know anyone else in the Uchiha clan anyway, so there's not much point in going back. Besides wanting you to return, Fugaku also hopes to recover the lost [Fire Release techniques] of the Uchiha clan.
Anyway, it's your decision. Just let me know when you've made up your mind."
A faint smile appeared at the corner of Hikaku Uchiha's mouth as he immediately replied, "If they want the [Fire Release techniques], I can pass them on. But as for returning, please help me politely decline."
<><><><><><><><>
Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!
~ **4 bonus chapters** this weekend if I get kind comments.
<><><><><><><><>
~ 100+ Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!
~ More *Free* Chapters and Books Available on Patreon!
patreon.com/Tansnovel
<><><><><><><><>