The matter with Kumogakure was resolved thanks to Minato Namikaze's firm stance.
Back in Konoha, Shindai returned to his usual pattern of shuttling among three locations.
He'd either be crafting puppets at the shop, conducting research in the lab, or taking Naruto to visit Hinata and tease Sasuke. Life felt pretty rewarding.
But there was one thing that kept bothering Shindai.
Pakura and Hikaku Uchiha constantly got under his skin, especially whenever he was in a good mood.
Shindai asked Naruto what he had said about Pakura and Hikaku Uchiha, but Naruto talked so much that he couldn't even remember, which frustrated Shindai greatly.
"Aniki Shindai, why are you here today?"
Kabuto Yakushi looked surprised to see Shindai at the research base.
Since today was Saturday—Pakura's regular day off—Shindai would normally never have shown up at the research base.
Sighing, Shindai replied, "Don't ask—it's complicated and hard to describe."
With Pakura off today, Hikaku Uchiha could also take the day off, deciding not to open the puppet shop and go shopping with Pakura instead.
Shindai wanted to join them, but got mocked relentlessly by Pakura and Hikaku Uchiha.
Spotting the stack of cards in Kabuto Yakushi's hand, Shindai asked curiously, "Hey Kabuto Yakushi, what's that you've got there?"
Kabuto Yakushi explained to Shindai, "It's a little invention of mine called Ninja Knowledge Cards. I use ninjutsu to convert intelligence reports into symbols, then store them inside these cards. Only my chakra can unlock the secrets stored inside."
Picking up one of the Ninja Knowledge Cards, inspiration suddenly struck Shindai's mind. "Ninja Knowledge Card, huh? Sounds interesting. Got any unused ones?"
"Yeah, here you go."
Kabuto Yakushi handed over an unused Ninja Knowledge Card.
"If my idea works out, I'll buy you a round of grilled meat," Shindai said, patting Kabuto Yakushi's shoulder.
Helplessly, Kabuto Yakushi replied, "Aniki Shindai, just try not to cause too much chaos when you're experimenting, so I don't have to keep cleaning up after you. That would be thanks enough."
"What are you talking about? That's just how it goes—the capable carry the burden. Gotta run, I'm in a rush for my research."
Without waiting, Shindai quickly left. Truthfully, he felt lucky to have Kabuto Yakushi covering for him around the department—otherwise, he'd probably end up flat on Orochimaru's operating table every single day.
After reaching his lab, Shindai stared absentmindedly at the Ninja Knowledge Card in his hand.
Actually, the principle behind the Ninja Knowledge Cards was quite similar to standard jutsu scrolls.
In Shindai's research into ninja-ware, the hardest part—the chakra capacitor—had already been solved, but he'd hit a wall when it came to miniaturizing jutsu scrolls.
The small Ninjutsu scrolls produced were unable to seal and store powerful Ninjutsu, as the scroll size directly determined its strength.
However, this Ninja Knowledge Card gave Shindai a new idea—the concept of layering.
For example, sealing a Ninjutsu within four thin cards and then stacking them together into one single card.
Then shaping the Ninja-Ware like a slot machine—when it's time to use it, simply insert the card into the slot. This method would be much more convenient, eliminating the need to excessively pursue miniaturization of Ninjutsu scrolls. Let's take things step by step first.
After thinking this through, Shindai immediately got to work.
While Shindai was locked away in his lab day after day, Konoha's number one rebel, Danzo, met with someone today.
Tatsuma Aburame brought a Uchiha clansman before Danzo.
This Uchiha had just suffered punishment from both the Konoha Military Police Force and the strict disciplinary measures of the Uchiha clan itself.
He had been punished because, frustrated over being sidelined by Fugaku Uchiha, he got drunk and caused trouble at an izakaya (Japanese-style tavern), threatening others under the Uchiha name.
Now, this Uchiha was terrified—after all, he was standing before Danzo himself.
Though Danzo had lost all official titles, his infamous reputation endured.
And considering Danzo's deep hatred toward the Uchiha clan, falling into his hands might very well mean death.
Seeing the fear on this Uchiha's face, Danzo remained expressionless—but internally, he felt delighted.
He loved seeing Uchiha members tremble in fear at his presence.
Danzo spoke first, "There's no need to be afraid. I won't harm you. What is your name?"
"Uchiha… Yuto."
Yuto Uchiha stammered his name.
Then Danzo began manipulating Yuto Uchiha, "No need to be so frightened. You've always misunderstood me—you think I hate the Uchiha, but I never have. I am Root, the shadow behind the Hokage. The Third must maintain balance among all the clans in Konoha, so he cannot openly target the Uchiha. All those actions you blame me for? They were done under his orders. If the Third didn't authorize it, do you really think I could have acted that way?
I'll say it plainly—the Third himself instructed me. He felt the Uchiha posed too great a threat to Konoha. But as Hokage, he couldn't publicly display bias or suspicion against any clan. That's why this responsibility fell on me.
Did you know Kagami Uchiha? Now in Konoha, the well-known body flicker move user Shisui is his descendant. Kagami was once part of the Second Hokage's elite guard unit—my comrade, my friend. He saved my life on multiple occasions during battle. Given that connection, how could I possibly harbor such hostility toward the Uchiha clan?"
"I never hated the Uchiha at all. In fact, I often advised him—the Third—not to be too hard on the Uchiha. We're comrades from the same village; there's no need to go that far. But he refused to listen, acting with unwavering resolve. Did you ever wonder why the Third suddenly decided to step down back then and hand over power to Minato Namikaze?"
Yuto Uchiha looked puzzled as he stared at Danzo, unable to grasp why Danzo was telling him all this. He simply shook his head, unable to make sense of it.
Danzo gave a slight smile, though to Yuto Uchiha, it seemed rather creepy.
Danzo spoke coldly, "That's because Minato Namikaze was merely a puppet installed by The Third—a pawn used to pressure and control the Uchiha clan. His aim was to force Fugaku Uchiha to turn against the Uchiha clan in favor of Minato Namikaze. If Fugaku refused, Minato would launch a purge against the Uchiha."
"Fugaku, eager to curry favor with Minato Namikaze, agreed without hesitation, betraying the entire Uchiha clan."
"Yuto, the Uchiha clan—and Konoha itself—are now on the edge of ruin. Eventually, they'll drag us all down with them—Minato Namikaze and Fugaku Uchiha alike. And it falls to us alone to save Konoha and the Uchiha clan!"
Danzo spoke with such self-righteous conviction that Yuto Uchiha stood there, utterly stunned.
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