Chapter 17 Give Me My Moment in the Spotlight!

Shindai, who held the upper hand in battle, showed no desire to keep fighting. Spotting an opening, he launched missiles at Kakashi and Yamayama Taiseki before fleeing immediately.

Kakashi skillfully used his Shifting Body Technique. His speed was high enough to dodge the missile's explosion radius successfully. Though his whole body became dirty and somewhat disheveled, he wasn't seriously hurt.

Unfortunately, Yamayama Taiseki wasn't so lucky.

Yamayama Taiseki couldn't move as fast as Kakashi. When the missile was fired at him, he quickly summoned an Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall to block the explosion.

However, the earthen wall was instantly swallowed by the missile blast, and the residual force of the explosion still injured Taiseki.

Taiseki's left arm was mangled and bloody, blood also trickling from the corner of his mouth.

Kakashi had been about to chase after Shindai when Minato Namikaze suddenly appeared in front of him, blocking his path.

"Enough already, Kakashi. There's no need to keep chasing him. Even if you went alone, you wouldn't be able to stop him—he's stronger than you."

Although Kakashi felt frustrated hearing Minato Namikaze's words, he seemed unable to argue against them.

Kakashi also sensed that while Shindai controlled puppets rather well, his personal combat methods were too immature.

It meant Shindai likely fought rarely, or maybe not at all—despite his powerful abilities, he lacked experience to use them effectively.

If Shindai had just a bit more fighting experience, Kakashi definitely wouldn't have walked away with only minor injuries after facing [Iron Sand World Method].

Minato Namikaze spoke to Obito and Rin Nohara, "Rin, treat Taiseki and Kakashi's wounds now. Then, the two of you will escort Taiseki back to base for further treatment. I'll go keep watch on him."

As soon as Minato Namikaze finished speaking, he vanished instantly.

Rin Nohara immediately began treating the badly injured Yamayama Taiseki.

Obito wasn't much help. Seeing Kakashi with his head down, he assumed Kakashi must be feeling down.

After all, Kakashi was a renowned genius of Konoha, yet that Shindai—who was around their age—had proven stronger than him.

Therefore, Obito thought Kakashi must feel defeated.

So Obito tried comforting him, "Kakashi, even though you're a bit better than me, your strength is pretty decent already. Losing this time doesn't mean you'll lose forever. I'll help you take revenge next time!"

Kakashi stood up and rolled his Byakugan at Obito disdainfully. "I don't think I need your comfort yet, nor am I in any state where consolation is necessary. I was simply reviewing our fight in my mind just now."

Obito wore the expression of someone who had completely seen through Kakashi's defensive pride and said patronizingly, "Ah right right, I get it, I get it—I know you don't need my comfort."

A vein throbbed visibly on Kakashi's forehead, but he didn't bother to argue further.

Because the more he argued, the more pleased Obito would get.

Minato Namikaze had already caught up to Shindai, though he did not reveal himself directly yet.

As Shindai drifted further from Konoha's Base Camp, Minato Namikaze couldn't help but feel perplexed by his erratic behavior.

Was Shindai attempting to escape—or had he simply lost his way on purpose?

Shindai's forehead glistened with sweat.

Where exactly was Konoha's base located again?

Trapped in an endless sea of trees, Shindai couldn't tell north from south.

"Is anyone out there?! Any Konoha ninja at all?!"

Totally lost, Shindai could only shout loudly, hoping someone might respond.

Minato's face darkened with frustration. He realized he might've overestimated Shindai's competence.

Has the Third Kazekage completely lost it? What kind of logic leads to sending someone like this?!

Just as Minato was about to reveal himself, he heard Shindai muttering something and stopped moving.

"Forget it," Shindai muttered. "I'll inform Uncle Kaito first before looking for Konoha ninja."

Shindai performed a summoning jutsu and summoned a Ninja Hawk.

After summoning the hawk, Shindai asked it, "Did you deliver the item successfully into Pakura's hands?"

The bird couldn't speak but nodded to indicate it had completed the task.

"Good. If you hadn't, I'd definitely cook you up for dinner—call it meal improvement."

The Ninja Hawk instinctively stepped back on its tiny claws.

It must've committed unspeakable sins across eight lifetimes to end up shackled to an owner like this.

Shindai pulled out a blank scroll, rubbed his fingers along the ground, then began writing on the scroll.

After finishing the message, Shindai tied the scroll securely onto the hawk's body.

He instructed the bird, "When you find Uncle Kaito, make sure you look super urgent—like I'm in a life-threatening situation right now, understand?"

The hawk looked at Shindai puzzled, not quite grasping what he meant.

Shindai explained dramatically, "Like your master me is about to die! You're heartbroken! If Uncle Kaito doesn't get me back immediately, I'm definitely going to kick the bucket. Show that kind of desperation!"

The hawk suddenly showed a gleam of obvious delight.

He's dying?

That's fantastic!

Suddenly, Shindai slapped the hawk hard across the head—a heavy slap on the back of the head—and grumbled, "Why do you seem so happy? Do you think you will finally be free if I die? Don't worry, even if I die, I'll summon you again—you and I will go together!"

Instantly, the hawk turned pitiful-looking.

Seeing this sad expression, Shindai excitedly said, "Yes! Yes! Exactly that face! When you see Uncle Kaito, use this exact expression! Remember, show him this exact face while handing over my scroll! Alright, off you go."

The hawk couldn't wait to fly away. As soon as it heard Shindai say he could leave, it flapped its wings energetically and took off.

As the hawk soared through the sky, everything suddenly went black—it collapsed mid-flight, slipping into unconsciousness.

It was Minato Namikaze who left the Ninja Hawk unconscious.

Minato retrieved the scroll from the unconscious Ninja Hawk and unrolled it.

"[Uncle Kaito, I can't handle this undercover mission anymore. It's just too hard on me. I've been strung up and beaten mercilessly by Konoha ninja, tortured day and night... But rest assured, Uncle Kaito, my lips are sealed tight—I haven't revealed a single bit of information about Sunagakure to those Konoha ninja.]"

Reading the first sentence alone made Minato Namikaze's eye twitch.

Since when had they strung Shindai up and beaten him within an inch of his life?

But sure enough, Shindai was indeed a spy sent by Sunagakure to infiltrate Konoha.

Minato continued reading.

"[Uncle Kaito, those Konoha ninja simply don't trust me. They know that the Sand Village's Magnet Release kekkei genkai user has ties to you, so they're planning to kill me just to humiliate you.

I can take it, but I'm sure you couldn't bear it either—it's like slapping you right in the face—over and over!

Uncle Kaito, actually my strength is quite formidable. I've just been too low-key before, but my contributions in Sunagakure have been equal to others'. They even trusted me to guard the gates of Sunagakure, repelling every enemy that dared approach!

Please believe me, Uncle Kaito! I absolutely don't want to survive just for myself—I want to live solely for the sake of our Sunagakure!

Uncle Kaito, right now I'm literally teetering between life and death. Those Konoha ninja might kill me any moment, so please send someone immediately to rescue me. Give me a chance—a chance to serve Sunagakure with unwavering loyalty, to fight tirelessly and make my name count for our village!]"

After finishing the entire letter, Minato Namikaze could only describe it with four words:

Total bullcrap!

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