Hikaku Uchiha agreed to provide a copy of the Uchiha clan's Fire Release techniques, but refused to relocate and live with them.
Shindai gave a knowing nod and glanced at Pakura sitting beside Hikaku. "Hmm~ I get it, I get it~"
Shindai dug out an empty scroll and handed it to Hikaku. "Well then, write it now."
Pakura asked in confusion, "Huh? So urgent? Can't we wait until we get home?"
Hikaku looked equally puzzled.
"I'm not in a rush, but Clan Leader Fugaku definitely is. Since we're already out, you two can keep shopping while I go deliver this to the Uchiha compound first. Then I'll come find you guys."
Although Shindai claimed he wasn't in a hurry verbally, he was actually panicking mentally.
If he didn't quickly find an excuse to escape, he'd have to accompany Pakura and Hikaku for the entire afternoon while they continued shopping—it would be torture.
Right now both his mind and body were exhausted. He really wanted to go home and sleep.
"Fine."
Since what Shindai said seemed reasonable, Hikaku began writing immediately.
He recorded four Ninjutsu techniques:
[Fire Release: Great Fire Destruction], [Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation], [Fire Release: Ash Hiding Technique], and the [Uchiha Flame Formation].
"I saw the Uchiha ninja use other techniques during the Nine-Tails' attack. These four were never used. You can take this scroll to them, although these techniques do require significant Chakra reserves. If your Chakra isn't sufficient, they might not even be as effective as the Great Fireball Jutsu."
Hikaku handed the scroll to Shindai.
"That's their problem. We've finished eating, so I'll help carry your belongings back for you now. You two continue shopping happily. I'm off."
Shindai burped, picked up the bag, and left the sukiyaki shop toward the Uchiha compound.
After paying, Pakura and Hikaku also left.
As they strolled along the street, Hikaku suddenly stopped. "Wait, Pakura. I think we've been tricked!"
"What do you mean?" Pakura asked, confused.
Hikaku said unhappily, "Shindai said he'd bring the scroll to the Uchiha and then come find us, but when he left he said he'd take our shopping back home. That means he never intended to come back and find us—he just planned to go straight home!"
Pakura thought about it for a moment and said, "You're right! That guy... He really couldn't stand walking around shopping with us two girls that much!"
Hikaku snorted coldly. "I'll remind him—if he dares mess with our stuff once he gets home..."
In high spirits, Shindai wove through quiet alleys toward the Uchiha clan compound when suddenly Hikaku's voice pierced through his thoughts.
"If you dare do anything strange to my and Pakura's things, you won't like the consequences!"
A sudden noise made Shindai flinch in alarm.
After regaining his composure, Shindai was filled with resentment.
He wasn't some pervert—who would he tamper with their belongings? Did he really have such a bad image in their eyes?!
Fortunately, Hikaku Uchiha had reminded him, letting Shindai remember that there was still an Imprint inside his body.
Now he had a clear next target: latch onto Hikaku until he got that Imprint removed!
Shindai reached the alley across from the entrance of the Uchiha clan compound but paused, lingering uncertainly.
Because right at the compound's gate were two Uchiha clansmen, and Shindai always chose less crowded paths; meeting so many strangers gave him the jitters.
"How should I phrase this when I go in? 'I'd like to see Clan Leader Fugaku, please have him come out for a moment...'"
"No good. That sounds like I'm asking for trouble. 'Please have Clan Leader Fugaku meet me once?'"
"That doesn't sound right either—it makes me seem too lowly saying I'm here delivering a Ninjutsu technique!"
While Shindai pondered over what to say next, he spotted a familiar figure approaching.
Itachi Uchiha.
Itachi was walking with a diagonal bag across his back, heading straight toward the Uchiha clan compound.
In an instant, Shindai used his [Shifting Body Technique] to appear behind Itachi, grabbed the collar of his shirt, then immediately performed another body flicker move, arriving back in the alley.
Itachi was confused, and even more shocked when he saw Shindai.
"Mr. Shindai...?"
Shindai corrected him, "Mr.? Call me nii-san!"
Itachi paused briefly before asking, "Shindai... Nii-san, what do you need me for?"
Shindai replied, "You're here visiting your dad, right? Your dad asked me to take care of something."
Itachi's mind went blank.
If Shindai needed to talk to his father, why not just tell the Uchiha guards at the gate instead of ambushing him?
Still puzzled, Itachi asked, "So… what now?"
Smiling brightly, Shindai said, "Well, since I don't know my way around here very well, can you call your dad out for me? Or better yet, just take me directly to him. I'm relying on you."
Itachi shot him a puzzled look.
How close were they again? They'd only met a few times total, with barely any interaction between them.
But considering Shindai was Obito's good friend—and also claimed that his own father had entrusted Shindai with a task—Itachi finally relented. "Fine. Follow me, Shindai nii-san."
Itachi led Shindai all the way to the entrance of the Uchiha clan compound.
Itachi thought Shindai would explain his purpose to the guarding Uchiha members at the gate, but Shindai silently expected Itachi to do the talking for him.
Thus, at the front entrance of the Uchiha compound, a standoff occurred: Itachi and two Uchiha guards stared at Shindai while Shindai fixated his gaze solely on Itachi.
At that moment, Itachi felt a migraine threatening to split his skull open. Why are you staring at me? Say something already!
After a while, one of the Uchiha clansmen finally spoke up. "Mr. Shindai, I was just wondering if you're here to enter the Uchiha Clan Compound?"
Shindai gave a slight nod. "Ah, yes."
The two Uchiha men stepped aside to make room. "Then please go ahead."
Now it was Shindai's turn to feel puzzled. "Seriously? Just like that?"
One of the Uchiha men smiled as he replied, "During the Nine-Tails attack, we all witnessed Mr. Shindai's brave deeds—we hold you in high regard. And since you're Obito's good friend, you must be here looking for him, right? Unfortunately, he seems to be out on a mission outside the compound. We aren't exactly sure about the details though."
Hearing the Uchiha clansman's praise, Shindai instinctively straightened his posture. "[Cough], I originally wanted to keep a low profile, but since everyone noticed, it feels a bit awkward. Actually, I'm not here to find Obito—I'm here to meet your clan leader."
"Oh! So you're here to see the clan leader! He's inside the compound then. Perfect timing—let Itachi show Mr. Shindai the way." The Uchiha man turned to Itachi and said, "Itachi, Mr. Shindai is in your hands now."
Itachi nodded. "Understood, Brother Shindai. Come with me—I'll take you to see Father."
Shindai followed Itachi deeper into the Uchiha Clan Compound.
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