Shindai and Naruto arrived at the Uchiha clan compound.
The two Uchiha clansmen guarding the entrance exchanged uneasy glances upon seeing Shindai and Naruto: "Not them again."
Then came their second thought: "Poor young Sasuke is doomed."
Previously, Shindai and Naruto had marked Sasuke's body with black tomoe-shaped patterns. Shindai claimed it was a mark of power.
Later, Naruto ended up playing the part of Itachi Uchiha, reenacting a dramatic confrontation with Sasuke to drive out Orochimaru's influence, while Shindai took on the role of Orochimaru himself.
They ran Sasuke ragged across the entire clan compound.
"Lord Shindai, Naruto, you're here again," greeted one guard.
Shindai asked, "Mmm, is Sasuke home?"
"Uh, he should be..."
Honestly, they really wanted to help Sasuke hide, wanted to say he wasn't home.
But they were also scared—scared of being targeted by Shindai and Naruto.
"Well then, we'll just head in!"
Now very familiar with the place, Shindai casually brought Naruto into the Uchiha clan compound, heading straight toward Sasuke's house with clear intent.
"Sasuke, we've come to play with you!"
Sasuke was playing alone in the yard because Itachi had already become a Genin and was currently out on a mission accompanying his Jonin squad leader.
Itachi completed the Ninja Academy in just one year and graduated at age seven with first place in the class, becoming the youngest Genin in history.
When Sasuke saw Shindai and Naruto, his eyelid twitched violently. He immediately dropped what he was holding—and bolted!
Granted, today's Sasuke might outrun Naruto—but there was no escaping Shindai.
Shindai didn't even need to use the Shifting Body Technique. In one swift motion, he caught up to Sasuke, grabbing him by the collar and hoisting him into the air.
Sasuke's face went blank with a classic dead-fish stare as he started thrashing about. "Let me go! You bastards!"
Shindai raised an eyebrow. "Why the hostility? We just wanted to keep you company so you wouldn't feel lonely."
"You're lying!" Sasuke snapped back. "You two just want to pick on me!"
Naruto stepped in front of Sasuke and tapped him gently on the forehead. "Sasuke, are you... being affectionate?"
Sasuke's face instantly flushed bright red, like a startled cat puffing up its fur as he roared, "Idiot! Bastard! Moron! Dumbass! Don't touch my forehead! That really annoys me, you know?!"
Confused, Naruto turned to Shindai. "Brother Shindai, why does Sasuke hate having his forehead tapped so much? I've seen Brother Itachi do it, and he looked really happy."
Shindai explained, "Naruto, some kids have what's called a 'brother complex.' To Sasuke, this kind of touch feels special—it should only come from his real brother. That's why he reacts so strongly."
"Realization dawned on me!" Naruto said theatrically. "So what you're saying is, I gotta be your older brother to do this move! No problem! I can just be Sasuke's older brother. Sasuke, from now on, call me Naruto-nii!"
Sasuke's eyes flared red with rage. "You bastard! I'm gonna kill you, the hell I won't!"
Shindai scratched his head. Naruto's logic... actually clicks!
"I knew you'd come running the moment I heard Sasuke shouting like that. Sasuke, no swearing! Behave yourself and get along nicely with Naruto and Shindai, understand?"
Mikoto Uchiha stepped into the courtyard carrying a tray of refreshments.
Sasuke whined with a pitiful expression, "Mom, they were the ones bullying me!"
Smiling warmly, Mikoto replied, "How could they ever be bullying you? They clearly care about you a lot—that's why they keep coming to play with you. Itachi has his own responsibilities now too, so he can't always be around."
Sasuke continued, still upset, "I can play with anyone else, but I don't want to play with these two! They're just messing with me for fun!"
Shindai set Sasuke down gently and assured Mikoto, "Don't worry, Sister Mikoto. You go take care of your things. Sasuke's just being his usual proud and stubborn self. Every time we try to play with him, he acts all moody and standoffish like this, but he'll calm down soon enough. Leave Sasuke to me and Naruto—we'll make sure he has fun!"
"Alright then, Sasuke's in your hands. Have a good time~"
Feeling reassured, Mikoto left Sasuke with Shindai and walked away.
Sasuke tried to run after her, but Naruto caught hold of his arm.
Naruto's voice sounded bright and cheerful to everyone else, but to Sasuke, it came across as unnerving.
"Sasuke, where do ya think you're goin'? Our battle's about to kick off, right?"
Sasuke's skin crawled. Stiffly turning his head, he glared at Naruto gripping his arm.
Naruto flashed Sasuke a big grin that made Sasuke feel like his heart had jumped into his throat.
With Mikoto already gone, Shindai cheerfully announced, "Okay then, let's get started! I hereby declare—the Battle of the Valley of the End officially begins!"
Sasuke stared in confusion. "Valley of the End… what battle? What the hell are you talking about?"
Shindai cleared his throat. "Let me give you the basic setup: You're trying to leave Konoha to chase power and follow some evil guy, while Naruto wants to stop you, which leads to an epic showdown between you two in the Valley of the End."
Sasuke exploded in anger. "Am I out of my mind?! Why the hell would I ever do something like that?"
But Naruto had already slipped into full drama mode.
"Sasuke! Are you running from me? Why? Why are you like this? Sasuke! Why did you turn out this way?"
Naruto cried dramatically, leaving Sasuke totally confused.
Snapping back to reality, Sasuke growled in frustration, "What the hell does any of this have to do with you?!"
"Idiot!"
Shindai immediately clapped his hands. "Great job, seriously! I didn't expect your body to be so much more honest than your words. You really got into it and started working with Naruto."
Sasuke nearly went numb all over again, unable to make any sense of the things being said.
When had he ever cooperated with Naruto? He'd only pushed back against Naruto a bit. Both of you are nuts!
Sasuke turned around, wanting to leave.
Naruto 'bellowed,' "What have you done to our Konoha comrade?!"
Naruto dashed forward and tackled Sasuke to the ground.
"What are you doing? Get off me right now!"
Naruto's voice rang out, strong and determined: "Do you really think he'd give you power for free? He just wants to use your body to carry out his evil plans! He wants to treat you like a toy! Your future will be destroyed! How can I stand by and let you go down a path with no return!"
I won't allow this! If I have to use force, I'll drag you back to Konoha myself!"
At that moment, Sasuke wished he could just knock himself out cold. What exactly were these two lunatics up to?
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