Shindai was pretending to be Sasuke, while Naruto played himself. As dramatic music blasted from the speaker, their "battle" was about to begin!
"Come on, Naruto! Then I'll have no choice but to sever our bond myself!"
"Sever it? Then why are you wearing that forehead protector now?"
Shindai smirked arrogantly. "I acknowledge you; you're strong! It's because both of us truly understand what loneliness and pain mean. And this kind of pain can make a person stronger! Therefore, by cutting this bond, I'll gain even greater power! From now on, I'll face you as an equal! However!"
Shindai's thumb proudly pointed at the forehead protector on his head as he declared smugly, "You won't even be able to touch a single strand of hair on my forehead! That much won't change!"
Naruto sighed, "Looks like talking's useless! Sasuke!"
"That's enough chatter. From here on out, it's a battle to the death! Come on!"
Shindai and Naruto charged toward each other and began their 'fierce' fight.
Instantly, chaos erupted in the living room—flowerpots toppled over, cups crashed to the floor, cushions flew wildly through the air, and one even smacked Kushina Uzumaki right in the face.
Kushina had already been annoyed because Shindai and Naruto had disturbed her lunch preparations, and now they were practically turning the house upside down. Unable to bear it any longer, she gave both Shindai and Naruto a bump on the head.
Shindai grumbled, "Sister Kushina, do you even know how important that battle was?"
Kushina glared at them fiercely. "I don't care what battle it was, but if you two don't restore this living room to its original state, your next opponent will be me!"
Immediately, Shindai and Naruto became obedient and started tidying up the mess.
While cleaning, Shindai whispered to Naruto, "Remember everything we rehearsed just now?"
Naruto nodded excitedly, "Yeah, yeah, I remember it all!"
Shindai instructed, "Then later, when we go to Sasuke's house, we follow exactly what we rehearsed, got it?"
"I got it. But… what if Sasuke refuses to cooperate again?"
Shindai lectured, "Ah! Think about it—when I was playing Sasuke just now, wasn't I being really stubborn and unyielding?"
Naruto agreed, "Exactly, that's exactly how he is!"
Shindai grinned mischievously. "Then there you go! If he doesn't cooperate, just like earlier, force him into cooperating. You've gotta learn to improvise. Understand?"
Naruto's eyes lit up. "I get it!"
Kushina rolled her eyes beside them, feeling uneasy. She had a nagging feeling that hanging around Shindai might cause Naruto to pick up some bad habits.
Naruto was already three years old now.
Although Shindai's efforts had helped prevent people from discriminating against Naruto, their natural fear of the Tailed Beast still made them avoid him like the plague.
Shindai had worried that Naruto might become isolated and introverted, but in reality, with Shindai around, her worries were unfounded.
Although Shindai himself was quite introverted, his shyness only applied to strangers. When it came to people he knew even slightly, he became overly outgoing.
Shindai often took Naruto to the Uchiha clan compound, finding creative ways to tease Sasuke.
One time, Kushina went grocery shopping with Shindai and the others and ran into Mikoto Uchiha and Sasuke.
As soon as Sasuke saw Shindai and Naruto, he turned and ran without hesitation.
You can imagine just how much of an impression Shindai and Naruto had left on Sasuke.
After tidying up the living room, Shindai said to Naruto, "Let's go, your Aniki is taking you to find Sister Hikaku first. Once we deliver this meal, I'll bring you to play with Sasuke!"
Shindai grabbed the lunch Kushina Uzumaki had prepared, took Naruto's hand, and was ready to head out.
Still feeling uneasy, Kushina reminded them, "It's fine if you go play with Sasuke, but don't bully him!"
"When have we ever bullied Sasuke? We're just having fun! Right, Naruto?"
"Naruto totally backs Shindai-niisan! Me and Sasuke are best buds—how could we ever bully him?"
Shindai and Naruto quickly left without giving Kushina a chance to say more, heading toward the Puppet Shop.
...
"Sister Hikaku, we're here!"
As soon as they entered the Puppet Shop, Naruto burst in full of energy, greeting Hikaku Uchiha, who was sitting and reading a book.
Hikaku closed the book in her hands and looked at Shindai and Naruto while asking, "What's up? You two going out to cause trouble again?"
"We're going to visit Sasuke's house later to play with him!"
Hikaku sighed, "That poor kid from the Uchiha household got stuck with the two of you."
"Hey, don't say like that! I'm just helping Naruto build a strong friendship with Sasuke. Here, today's curry rice made by Sister Kushina."
Shindai handed the bento box to Hikaku Uchiha.
After receiving the box, Hikaku told Shindai, "There are five puppets needing work recently."
At the mention of five puppets, Shindai couldn't help but beam with excitement. "Understood. I'll make them tomorrow. These are The Third Generation puppets—looks like they've been selling well lately. All thanks to Jiraiya-sama's Make Out Paradise. That book gave me so much inspiration."
Naruto clung to Shindai's leg, begging, "Shindai-niisan, I want one of your puppets too!"
Shindai replied sincerely, "Ah, Naruto, you're still too young. It's not time for you to use puppets yet. But when you grow up, I'll make one especially for you. In fact, I already have ideas for your puppet. Your puppet will be named Naruko!"
Naruto asked in confusion, "Naruko? Why name it Naruko? My name is Naruto, not Naruko."
Shindai chuckled mysteriously. "You'll understand when you grow up."
Hikaku Uchiha continued eating while saying, "Shindai, take it easy. If you mess up Naruto's upbringing, it won't be fixed with just a beating."
Shindai argued, "What nonsense! How could I possibly mess up Naruto? With my guidance, Naruto's growing by leaps and bounds! Right, Naruto?"
Little Naruto raised his small fist and declared proudly, "That's right! Brother Shindai is my idol!"
Shindai puffed out his chest proudly.
Hikaku scoffed contemptuously, "Fine by me. Just don't come begging to me and Pakura for help later—not even on your knees."
Shindai retorted disdainfully, "Hmph! Who'd beg you and Pakura for anything!"
Hikaku smirked coldly, "A month ago, you shaved off all of Naruto's hair and eyebrows, saying he had to dress like a monk to convert Sasuke. When Kushina chased you down to thrash you, you hid in Pakura's room and got down on your knees, begging me and Pakura to keep our mouths shut. Don't tell me you've forgotten?"
Shindai flinched slightly. Before he could say anything, Little Naruto lifted his head high and proclaimed, "That wasn't Brother Shindai's fault at all! Mom just couldn't understand us and Shindai. If back then they had let me try converting Sasuke, I might have already succeeded!"
Shindai gave Little Naruto a thumbs-up: "Well said!"
Hikaku Uchiha face-palmed in exasperation.
He was beyond salvation already.
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