Based on Hikaku Uchiha's speculation, Shindai deduced that Danzo was behind it. After all, Danzo's personal characteristics were too obvious.
Extremely suspicious, cautious, cunning, and ruthless, he trusted no one and was obsessively determined to become Hokage, dreaming of it day and night.
And right now, Minato Namikaze—the current Hokage—was undoubtedly Danzo's biggest thorn in his side.
"Lord Minato, I think you should be careful about one person."
Minato Namikaze asked with confusion, "Careful about someone? Who?"
Since Shindai had never actually met Danzo before, he couldn't say things too directly.
So Shindai warned, "During the Third Great Ninja World War, Orochimaru-sama was still serving within Root. I heard from Orochimaru-sama himself about the situation inside Root.
The leader of Root, Danzo, wanted to support Orochimaru-sama in becoming Hokage, but Orochimaru-sama told me that the reason Danzo supported him was only so Danzo could become Hokage himself, because Orochimaru-sama wasn't really interested in becoming Hokage at all.
Moreover, Orochimaru-sama also told me that Root ninja must undergo brainwashing training to erase their individuality. To ensure secrecy, they're even marked with cursed seals. Danzo thoroughly molds them into mere pawns who carry out missions. These ninja have neither names nor emotions, neither past nor future. Their sole purpose is completing missions, and they obey only Danzo's commands.
I have an unconfirmed suspicion: although Root has officially been disbanded, those people have already been brainwashed—they would likely continue following Danzo's orders. Since this is clearly an organized act, Danzo becomes quite suspicious. Lord Minato, please be careful."
Minato Namikaze found Shindai's words very reasonable. He also understood that among everyone, Danzo opposed his rise to becoming Hokage most strongly.
If anyone would want to target him, Danzo would definitely be one of the top suspects.
However, without any evidence, Minato couldn't take action.
After all, it was just a suspicion. Although Danzo currently held no official position, he once served as Konoha's second-in-command and had contributed much to the village. It wouldn't be right to take action against him without proof.
However, we should monitor those former Root ninja.
Hikaku questioned curiously, "Orochimaru acts like seeing you is a huge hassle every time you meet? How could he tell you these things?"
Shindai bit back a smirk. Of course Orochimaru hadn't told him these things; he already knew them himself. He simply used Orochimaru as an excuse to explain what I just said.
"Who said Orochimaru-sama finds seeing me troublesome? Orochimaru-sama actually appreciates me very much—he's invited me several times to assist him with experiments! Also! You should address him respectfully as Orochimaru-sama; don't you have any respect?"
Hikaku snorted disdainfully, "Politeness? Then he should call me Hikaku-senpai, or even Lord Hikaku!"
Shindai snorted, "Now you're talking about age? Your experience is about the same as mine. What are you pretending what for?"
Hikaku Uchiha snorted, "Same? You're just a brat. I've experienced way more than you have!"
Shindai moved his lips slightly but didn't say anything.
Hikaku slammed his chopsticks on the table angrily and said, "Say it again! If you've got the courage, say it out loud!"
Kushina Uzumaki and Minato Namikaze looked at Hikaku Uchiha in confusion. Seriously...?
Pakura calmly said, "Earlier Shindai called you 'Granny.'"
Kushina and Minato stared with wide eyes. This actually worked?
Shindai had barely moved his lips—normally no one could understand lip-reading—but somehow both Hikaku and Pakura figured out exactly what he was going to say.
Their level of coordination was truly unmatched.
Shindai nervously said, "I didn't say anything! Don't frame me, you two!"
Seeing that Shindai looked like he might get beaten up again, Kushina surprisingly refrained from adding fuel to the fire and instead smiled. "Okay, okay. Today should be a happy day. Naruto is so lucky to have you as his older brother and sister."
After enjoying a pleasant dinner together, Shindai, Pakura, and Hikaku Uchiha went next door to sleep.
The next day, Minato Namikaze issued a series of commands.
All former Root ninjas were gathered once again, and a new division was created specifically for them.
These ninjas would not participate in regular missions, but rather serve as battle specialists assigned exclusively to battle missions.
The purpose of this arrangement was to restrict their contact with Danzo and exert control over them.
When Danzo learned about this, he found out and, once again, became extremely furious.
Minato's order significantly weakened Danzo's influence, practically immobilizing him completely.
The only people left under Danzo's command were Tatsuma Aburame and members of the Shimura clan itself.
This single move destroyed all of Danzo's plans before they'd even gotten started.
Danzo gnashed his teeth and growled under his breath, "Minato Namikaze! There's still a long road ahead. Just wait until I find my chance!"
...
Days went by steadily.
The following days were peaceful and comfortably simple.
This simple lifestyle suited Shindai down to the ground.
Meanwhile, baby Naruto, who used to just crawl across the floor, now had enough energy to run around everywhere.
Now it was winter time, and snow had just fallen heavily, leaving everything outside blanketed in white.
At Minato Namikaze's house,
Baby Naruto pointed at Shindai and said in his cute little voice, "Brother! Even if I break all your limbs, I'll stop you!"
Naruto waved his little fists and playfully "fought" with Shindai.
Then, baby Naruto lay on top of Shindai, gripping his collar with a solemn expression. "Snap out of it already, will you?! If you won't come back on your own, I'll punch you for real! I'll beat you so badly you won't even be able to move, and then I'll drag you back—Sasuke!"
Shindai glared coldly and said, "Naruto! You're so damn annoying! Do you even try to understand me at all?! How could you ever feel my pain—how could you possibly know what I've gone through!"
Shindai grabbed baby Naruto and flung him onto the sofa.
Baby Naruto sprang up on the sofa, standing defiantly before Shindai.
Shindai murmured, his head bowed low, "Naruto... why... why do you have to involve yourself with me this much?"
Baby Naruto spoke firmly, "'Cause you're the friendship I fought hard to build—you're my best friend! You're my brother! That's why I came here to stop you! Sasuke!"
Shindai tied on his forehead protector. "It's too late, Naruto. It's already too late. I can never go back now!"
Shindai pressed a button on the nearby speaker, unleashing a powerful, stirring melody:
[The moment we spread our wings… Make your decision now, never look back… The dream we chase… Is the crystal-clear blue sky…]
As soon as the BGM began, everyone felt their adrenaline surge—it was inevitable, a battle was about to erupt.
"Narutaaa!"
"Sasucaa!"
"Naruuuuutaaa!"
"Saasssssuuuka!"
Kushina Uzumaki, who was cooking lunch, had a vein bulging visibly on her forehead.
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