The Third Kazekage couldn't understand why Shindai insisted on revealing details of his undercover mission to others.
Wouldn't keeping fewer people informed make the operation safer?
Though puzzled, the Third Kazekage still agreed to Shindai's request.
After all, it wasn't a difficult demand to fulfill.
Hearing the Third Kazekage's agreement, Shindai finally relaxed slightly.
Although Shindai didn't have much affection for Sunagakure, he had lived there long enough to grow attached to his small, run-down house.
Even if he failed as a spy in Konoha and became a rogue ninja, at least he could return home — but now that might not even be possible.
The Third Kazekage stood up and said, "Then prepare yourself. We'll take action tomorrow."
Shindai, who had already accepted his fate, sighed before replying, "I understand."
The Third Kazekage whistled, and a Ninja Hawk flew into Shindai's room.
Under the Third Kazekage's guidance, Shindai formed a contract with the Ninja Hawk.
Shindai asked curiously, "Uncle Kaito, can this Ninja Hawk track someone down through their scent?"
The Third Kazekage nodded as he answered, "As long as you let it smell something belonging to the person you're looking for, it will be able to track them down by scent. Alright, I have other matters to attend to. You should prepare yourself. I'll come find you at noon tomorrow."
As the Third Kazekage was leaving, Shindai couldn't help but warn, "Uncle Kaito, be careful around Sasori."
The Third Kazekage stopped in his tracks and turned around with a puzzled expression. "Why do you say I need to be careful around Sasori?"
Shindai stuttered nervously, "It's just… I had a dream — a very realistic one. In my dream, Sasori did something terrible."
Shindai didn't know how to properly explain to the Third Kazekage.
How could he tell him directly that Sasori had never forgotten his parents' deaths? Now that the White Fang of Konoha — the one who killed his parents — was dead by his own hand, Sasori had turned his hatred toward the Third Kazekage instead, believing that as Sunagakure's leader, he had failed to protect them from the White Fang, ultimately leading to their deaths?
Though the Third Kazekage had always left Sasori to his own devices and rarely interacted with him, Shindai still saw him as one of the few people he knew — and genuinely wanted him to survive.
But how could he make the Third Kazekage believe him? Shindai had no answer.
First, Shindai had never even met Sasori in person.
Second, Sasori was Chiyo's grandson, held in high trust within Sunagakure, and recognized as a child prodigy puppet artist.
Finally, Shindai only knew that the Third Kazekage's death would coincide with the outbreak of the Third Great Ninja War — possibly even triggering the full-scale conflict. Still, he didn't know the exact date or the way Sasori would carry out the killing.
Even if Shindai knew the exact day and method by which Sasori would kill the Third Kazekage, the Third Kazekage probably wouldn't believe him even if he revealed it.
The Third Kazekage said sternly, "Shindai, Sasori is Chiyo's grandson. He would never betray the village! Don't suspect our comrades so recklessly!"
Shindai's face fell slightly. He was just trying to give a kind warning, yet got scolded instead.
His kindness had truly been taken the wrong way.
After the Third Kazekage left, Shindai felt like crying.
Out of the blue, he'd been ordered to become a spy. If he refused, they'd throw him into jail. They didn't even give him time to mentally prepare. This wasn't fair at all.
Shindai rubbed his face and tried to reassure himself, "Well, whatever happens, happens. I'm actually pretty strong. Even if I'm discovered, I can definitely turn things around. Definitely!"
Shindai stood up from the chair, then leaned over the edge of the bed and reached underneath it, pulling out a scroll.
This scroll had been prepared for Pakura.
Inside the scroll was something Shindai had spent ages perfecting—it would help Pakura navigate future crises.
However, the contents were still not fully perfected. Shindai had kept improving it, which was why he hadn't given it to Pakura yet.
Still, even if imperfect, it should be sufficient to help Pakura through her crisis.
Now that Shindai was about to head to Konoha as a spy, it was time to hand over this scroll to Pakura.
Pakura wasn't in Konoha. Fortunately, the Third Kazekage had recently allowed him to sign a contract with a Ninja Hawk, which could deliver the scroll to her.
After writing a letter, Shindai found a coat Pakura had once left behind in his room. He held it up to the hawk's beak to get a good whiff before tying the scroll and letter to its back.
Shindai patted the hawk's head and said, "Go now. Deliver this scroll and letter successfully. If anything gets lost, I'll cook you and eat your meat!"
Creatures like Ninja Hawks, Ninja Hounds, and Ninja Cats aren't just ordinary animals—they're intelligent and understand human speech. Therefore, when it heard Shindai threatening to cook and eat it, the Ninja Hawk immediately stepped back twice, eyes wide with fear.
Shindai glared at the hawk. "What are you waiting for? Do you really want me to cook you for dinner?"
Letting out a cry, the hawk quickly flapped its wings and flew away.
After the Ninja Hawk left, Shindai closed the door and lay back down on his bed.
Restless and unable to sleep, he tossed and turned.
Such unpredictable times—one twist after another.
Before going to sleep earlier, Shindai had been thinking about sleeping until afternoon the next day, then getting up and drafting some improvement plans for "Kannazuki."
Now suddenly he had to leave for Konoha tomorrow as a spy. How on earth could he sleep?
"This is just plain bad luck."
But unluckier things were still ahead.
After the Third Kazekage left, he had completely forgotten his promise to inform others about Shindai's undercover mission.
But this was also Shindai's fault—who asked him to suddenly blurt out that Sasori was planning something dangerous? Because of that interruption, the Third Kazekage forgot all about it.
At noon the next day.
Shindai hadn't slept a wink all night, anxiously waiting for the Third Kazekage to come find him.
And Shindai had already packed and prepared everything.
He sealed Kannazuki into the Scroll.
Shindai didn't have anything else to bring.
While waiting, Shindai let his imagination run wild.
Could it be that the Third Kazekage suddenly had an upset stomach and missed the timing, so he wouldn't have to go?
Or maybe the Third Kazekage found someone else as an unfortunate undercover agent?
However… what must come will come.
The Third Kazekage arrived at Shindai's room accompanied by two ninja.
As soon as he entered the door, the Third Kazekage said to Shindai, "Shindai, it's time."
Shindai grumbled, "Uncle Kaito, could you say it differently? Saying 'it's time' makes me feel like I'm walking straight to my execution!"
Shindai was already extremely nervous—and now even more so.
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