Shindai brought Naruto over to reenact a scene with Sasuke, and Sasuke passively followed along while Naruto performed mechanically.
Meanwhile, Shindai kept supplying their inner thoughts out loud and occasionally played some background music.
At first, Sasuke tried to resist a little, but it was completely useless. Eventually, he stopped resisting entirely.
Fine, whatever—let it all fall apart!
[Rasengan!]
Naruto brandished a rock like a Rasengan and charged at Sasuke.
Sasuke's hand was also forcibly filled with a rock by Shindai.
Grumbling, Sasuke muttered "Chidori" and trudged toward Naruto.
Finally, the two rocks collided.
Naruto fell onto the ground, looking up at Sasuke with anticipation in his eyes.
Sasuke had no idea what Naruto was expecting, but he genuinely wanted to step on Naruto's face.
With a nudge from Shindai, Sasuke grudgingly called out "Narudo."
"OK! The Battle of the Valley of the End is now over!"
When Sasuke heard Shindai's voice, it felt like heavenly music.
Finally, it was over—he wouldn't have to play house with these two anymore.
Naruto shot up in an instant and eagerly asked, "Shindai-nii, how was my performance?"
Shindai seriously commented, "Not bad, but there's still room for improvement. Some parts were too stiff—for example, in the end, you were already knocked out by Sasuke, so how could you still open your eyes? As for you, Sasuke... sigh, You can do it!"
Shindai sighed and shook his head.
Sasuke was infuriated by Shindai's attitude: "You two didn't tell me anything at all—I didn't even know the script or lines for the next scene—yet you expected me to act it out blindly! How could I possibly do it well?!"
A look of triumph appeared on Shindai's face as he dug out a scroll from his ninja gear pouch and handed it to Sasuke: "We'll redo the scenes we've performed before, but only if you cooperate. The script and lines are inside. Let's schedule it for three days from now—we'll put on a perfect performance then. Your parents and Itachi will come watch too. That's all for today, Naruto, let's go!"
"Got it!"
Naruto followed closely behind Shindai as they both left Sasuke's house.
Looking at the scroll in his hand, Sasuke wore a very complicated expression.
He... seemed to have been tricked.
Sasuke unfolded the scroll, which bore a large title:
[Brothers' Final Showdown]
Main Cast: Naruto (playing as Itachi), Sasuke; Special Appearance: Shindai (serving as narrator, commentator, and Orochimaru)
As Sasuke read through its contents, his breathing quickened. He furiously flung the scroll to the ground.
"What utter nonsense is this plot!"
...
Shindai and Naruto left the Uchiha clan compound.
"Shindai, can you take me to Ichiraku Ramen?"
"This time... I don't think we'll be able to eat dinner later. Mom will scold us if she finds out! Let's go next time."
"No way! How about we split a bowl? I really wanna go—feels like I haven't had ramen forever!"
Naruto begged, grabbing onto Shindai's pants.
Shindai finally agreed. "Fine, fine. But don't eat too much or I'll end up being the one getting scolded instead of you!"
When Shindai and Naruto went for ramen at Ichiraku, they coincidentally met Kakashi, Obito, and Rin Nohara, who were also eating there.
"Yo, you three are back from a mission."
Shindai greeted them and sat beside Obito. Then he grabbed Naruto by the back of his collar and lifted him up so he could sit on the chair properly.
Obito looked surprised. "Wow, what a coincidence. We were actually planning to track you down earlier."
"Looking for me? What for? Hey, old man! One tonkotsu ramen—and bring a small one too."
While asking Obito what was going on, Shindai ordered his ramen.
Obito said mysteriously, "We were just at the handicraft shop. Guess who we ran into there?"
"Huh? Who?"
"The Yamanaka kid—Yamanaka Kazuma."
Shindai asked puzzledly, "A member of the Yamanaka clan? And then what happened?"
Rin Nohara replied, "Inoichi is around the same age as Sister Pakura. When we walked into the shop, we saw them chatting happily together."
Shindai listened but still didn't quite get it. "So…? Can't you guys explain more clearly?"
Kakashi gave Shindai a dead-fish stare before sarcastically commenting, "Didn't you always give Obito bad advice before? Now that we've spelled everything out, how come you still don't understand? We wouldn't mention someone you don't even know unless there was a reason. If it's this obvious and you still don't get it, then let me spell it out—we're saying that Inoichi has a thing for Pakura-nee and is trying to court her."
The teacup in Shindai's hand shook slightly, spilling a bit of tea.
But a moment later, he calmed down and chuckled. "Hmph, looks like that Inoichi guy is wasting his effort. Pakura already likes someone!"
Since Obito and the others didn't know that Shindai was referring to Hikaku Uchiha when he mentioned "someone," they mistakenly thought he meant himself.
Obito mocked, "Oh, so confident? But from what I've seen, certain someone hasn't made a single move yet."
Shindai felt puzzled. Wait, did Obito and the others know that Pakura and Hikaku Uchiha liked each other?
Had he accidentally let something slip before?
"No actions"... now that he thought about it, maybe they were right. Lately, since both Pakura and Hikaku Uchiha worked all day, they only ever ran into each other at home after work. After dinner, they'd chat briefly before going to bed separately, repeating the same routine every day.
Rin Nohara spoke earnestly, "Shindai, even if sister Pakura likes him, if he doesn't respond at all, that affection might gradually fade away. By then, if sister Pakura agrees to someone else, it'll be too late to regret it bitterly."
Shindai thought for a moment.
If Pakura really accepted Yamanaka Kazuma's advances...then he could finally sleep on a real bed!
But...something felt strange inside him, slightly uncomfortable.
Hmm! It must be because he'd been sleeping on the sofa for years and had already gotten used to it. Going back to a bed now would mess with his routine, so that's why he felt uneasy.
Better keep sleeping on the sofa.
Besides, if Pakura agreed, Hikaku Uchiha would definitely feel heartbroken—their love would collapse before it even fully began.
Although he didn't know who Yamanaka Kazuma was, that Yamanaka guy couldn't be any good!
He must be a womanizer, a bastard! Just trying to take advantage of Pakura's feelings!
"What the fuck does he think he's doing, hitting on Pakura without a care for his life! Doesn't he know who her guardian is?!"
Shindai shot up from his seat and stormed off toward the handicraft shop, clearly furious.
Obito, Kakashi, and Rin Nohara shared knowing smirks.
"That guy always acts like Mr. Know-It-All, spouting theories nonstop. But when it comes to his own stuff, his brain just freezes up—he needs a real wake-up call to get moving again."
"Yeah, sister Pakura is amazing. Loads of people secretly admire her."
"I'm more concerned about Yamanaka Kazuma now. Shindai has a bit of a short fuse."
Obito, Kakashi, and Rin Nohara kept exchanging comments.
Meanwhile, Naruto's eyes lit up as he stared at the bowl of tonkotsu ramen in front of him—if Shindai wasn't going to eat it, then he'd get to finish the whole thing by himself.
Score!
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