Shindai was lounging with his legs crossed Indian-style beside Hikaku Uchiha in the Puppet Shop.
Hikaku Uchiha was reading a history book while Shindai was flipping through the romance novel Make Out Paradise.
"Tch tch, Jiraiya-sama truly is a genius. This writing in Make Out Paradise is just amazing! I've got even more inspiration for the next generation of Puppets~"
Hikaku Uchiha scoffed disdainfully, "Disgusting!"
Shindai retorted, "Can't you stop looking at it with prejudice? You should appreciate it like art. I'm appreciating art here. Jiraiya-sama and I are both artists!"
Hearing the noise outside, Hikaku Uchiha asked irritably, "When are you going to turn off those loudspeaker Puppets of yours? They've been noisy all day. Why did you put one right at the shop entrance?"
After taking a sip of his drink, Shindai replied, "It's advertising for my shop. Naturally, I have to place it right at my shop entrance."
Just then, Hiruzen Sarutobi walked into the shop.
"Hey there, Third Hokage! What brings you here today?"
With obvious resentment in his voice, Hiruzen said, "You're asking me? Isn't it because of those loudspeaker Puppets you put out on the streets? Promotion is fine, but do you really need to include those biting remarks in them?"
Shindai shook his head. "I think they were absolutely necessary. Think about it, Third Hokage. I'm criticizing those who actually believe these rumors. These people are easily manipulated and spread rumors the most viciously. If I don't scold them a little, they'll believe them again next time."
Hiruzen continued, "Then what about what you said about letting them fight other villages' Jinchuriki and suggesting we rip the Nine-Tails away from Naruto?"
Shindai shrugged as he answered, "If they have complaints, then let them go fight other villages' Jinchuriki. Giving them a chance to prove themselves isn't that kinda great? If they succeed, Konoha gains powerful ninja. If they fail, then shut up and treat Naruto like the hero he is."
"They talk behind people's backs, so what's wrong with me calling them out directly? What I said is true after all. Every village has those weaklings without brains who love spreading rumors. Talking reason with them doesn't work."
"If they have opinions, let them fight personally and speak with their strength. Those who lack power yet still love making up crap—I despise this kind of person most."
Sighing, Hiruzen said, "You… I don't even know what to say about you anymore, you…"
Shindai asked, "Third Hokage, regarding these incidents, really can't you find out who did it?"
Nodding slightly, Hiruzen responded, "Difficult to investigate. The culprit has hidden themselves very well."
Shindai frowned in confusion. "But this time it's clearly targeting Minato. He's such an outstanding Hokage, and everyone holds him in such high regard. Who could possibly dislike Minato so much?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes darkened slightly.
"Why should I even care? I'm sure Minato can handle it himself. By the way, The Third, your Puppet was destroyed by Lady Biwa. Want a new one? I can give you a deep discount, and even upgrade you with our latest technology~"
Shindai gave Hiruzen a sly wink.
"Uh..."
Of course Hiruzen wanted a new one. Ever since his wife Biwako had smashed his Puppet last year, he'd been thinking about getting a replacement.
But he just didn't dare!
Even now, Biwako sometimes made sarcastic remarks toward him.
Hiruzen reluctantly declined: "No thanks. I'm not interested in these things anymore. Shindai, you should probably bring those street Puppets back. They're pretty noisy."
Shindai assured him confidently: "No problem at all! Rest assured, The Third!"
"I have other things to do, so I'll be going now."
Sarutobi Hiruzen left Shindai's Puppet shop.
...
Inside Danzo's home.
Danzo glared furiously: "That brat from Sunagakure! What an infuriating little pest!"
Tatsuma Aburame asked: "Lord Danzo, shall we destroy those Puppets?"
Danzo took several deep breaths, calming himself before replying: "Don't go near them. Someone might be watching, waiting for us to destroy them first."
Just then, one of Danzo's subordinates called from the doorway: "Lord Danzo, The Third is here to see you."
Danzo twitched slightly and told Tatsuma: "You should leave first."
"Yes."
Tatsuma used the Body Flicker Technique and vanished from Danzo's room.
Sarutobi Hiruzen entered Danzo's room.
Looking around the dimly lit space, Hiruzen asked curiously: "Danzo, why is your room so dark in the middle of the day? Are you planning on lighting candles instead of turning on the lights?"
Danzo ignored the question and replied coldly: "What do you want?"
Hiruzen sat down opposite Danzo with a smile: "It's been a while since I've come to see you. After all, we are friends. Isn't it natural that I'd stop by?"
Danzo snorted: "Friends? Don't make me laugh. After handing power over to the Fourth, you stripped me of all my authority. That kind of betrayal isn't what friends do!"
Hiruzen sighed helplessly: "If you hadn't gone too far, I wouldn't have done this. I fully recognize your abilities, but now Hokage is Minato, and your Root will only interfere with Minato's management of Konoha."
"Too far? Troubling?" Danzo raised his voice slightly. "Have I really gone too far? Don't you think everything I've done is for Konoha?"
Sarutobi had no desire to argue with Danzo. Since Danzo refused to reminisce, Sarutobi got straight to the point. "Danzo, about the leak regarding Kushina Uzumaki's childbirth years ago, and this recent exposure of Naruto's identity as a Jinchuriki, do you know anything about these incidents?"
Danzo's heart tightened. So it was indeed about these matters that Hiruzen had come. He hadn't expected that Hiruzen would suspect him even back then for leaking the time and location of Kushina Uzumaki's delivery.
However, Danzo wasn't particularly worried because he knew Hiruzen definitely lacked evidence. If there were solid proof, Hiruzen wouldn't have adopted this approach in the first place.
"I'm just an idle old man at home now. Do you really think I'd even know anything? If your only purpose here is to ask me about these things, then this conversation is unnecessary. Since Root was disbanded, I've been completely alone—unaware of current affairs."
After taking a puff from his pipe, Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke solemnly, "Danzo, I understand you hold grievances against me, but I hope you won't do anything reckless. Remember, we are both Ninjas of Konoha. Everything we do should be for the good of Konoha!"
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