Inside the Hokage Office, within the Hokage Building.
Shindai now faced the gazes of Hiruzen Sarutobi and Orochimaru alone.
Shindai forced a smile and greeted, "H-Hokage-sama, O-Orochimaru-sama, good morning~"
Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced out the window and said curiously, "It's almost evening, and you're still saying good morning? Also, why are you so nervous, Shindai? You used to be very relaxed."
Shindai wanted to cry but had no tears. That's because Orochimaru wasn't there back then!
Orochimaru's snake-like eyes narrowed as he looked at Shindai: "Is it because of me that you're nervous?"
Shindai shivered and immediately retorted, "No, how could that be? Orochimaru-sama, you are my lifelong idol! This is excitement, that's right, just excitement!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi chuckled and said, "Excitement, huh? That's good. I previously suggested that Orochimaru take you as his disciple, and Orochimaru also spoke quite highly of you. I just spoke with Orochimaru, but he hasn't given me a clear answer yet. So, Orochimaru, why don't you tell Shindai the result?"
Shindai nervously looked at Orochimaru.
Orochimaru looked at Shindai with a half-smile and said, "I do indeed think highly of you. Your strength is decent, and your research talent is also good. However, becoming my disciple is not yet possible, because the criteria for taking on disciples now do not consider these conditions."
Upon hearing Orochimaru say this, Shindai's eyes immediately lit up.
Orochimaru didn't want to take him as a disciple? That was too good!
Hiruzen Sarutobi asked, "Orochimaru, what are your current criteria for taking on disciples then? You should at least give Shindai a goal to strive for, right?"
Orochimaru replied, "My criteria are not something that can be achieved through effort alone. One could say it depends on my mood. However, I am willing to give him a chance. For now, he can stay by my side as my subordinate. If he meets my standards, then I will take him as my disciple."
Orochimaru looked at Shindai again: "So, are you willing to temporarily serve as my subordinate and act with me?"
Shindai couldn't refuse. Refusing would be too disrespectful to Orochimaru, and he might end up being targeted by Orochimaru.
Shindai 'happily' replied, "Of course, I'm willing! I'm truly grateful, Orochimaru-sama!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi encouraged Shindai: "Shindai, you must work hard. Orochimaru is a very good teacher, just like Jiraiya. Both are dedicated masters with high teaching standards. You must strive to gain Orochimaru's approval."
Shindai loudly responded, "I will work hard!"
I'll work hard to mess this up!
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded in satisfaction, then took a puff from his pipe and said to Orochimaru, "Orochimaru, there are many people in Konoha like Shindai who look up to you. You are their role model, so you must lead by example. There are some things you should do and some you shouldn't. I believe you understand that very well. You must maintain the proper boundaries and never exceed them. You are still a Root Ninja, right? Find an opportunity to tell Danzo that you're leaving Root. I'll arrange other positions for you."
Shindai felt that Hiruzen Sarutobi's words were a bit off.
It felt like he had a hidden meaning.
Orochimaru gazed at Hiruzen Sarutobi for a moment, then nodded slightly: "I understand."
Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly let out two hearty laughs: "Alright, you two should depart immediately for the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Grass."
Shindai was startled: "To the border? What for?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi replied to Shindai: "To resist the Stone Ninja."
Shindai asked, confused, "Ah? Still resisting the Stone Ninja? Didn't the war end?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi explained to Shindai: "There won't be any large-scale battles now, but since the Five Great Nations haven't reached any agreements yet, the war is still officially ongoing, and various skirmishes will continue. We are currently waiting for the Daimyo of the Five Great Nations to discuss and reach a conclusion. Only after that announcement will the war truly end. Therefore, before a conclusion is reached, we must continue to display Konoha's strength and not let them perceive any fatigue from us. That's why Jiraiya and Minato have already gone to their respective border areas to guard. Originally, you should have met up with Minato and his team with Kakashi, but since you are now Orochimaru's subordinate, you can just follow Orochimaru to guard the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Grass."
Shindai immediately broke out in a cold sweat, because he knew at once that such a matter would not be resolved quickly.
What if Rasa planned to betray Pakura while he was at the border?
That would be a complete disaster!
What to do? What to do!
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Shindai, whose face had suddenly turned pale and who was dripping with sweat, and asked, "What's wrong, Shindai?"
Shindai now felt that he couldn't solve this matter alone; he needed help, and the most likely person to help him was Hiruzen Sarutobi.
After taking a deep breath, Shindai solemnly said to Hiruzen Sarutobi: "Hokage-sama, I… I need help!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi placed his pipe on the table and said, "Tell me what kind of help you need. If I can help, I will. Just speak freely."
Shindai asked, "Hokage-sama, do you happen to have any Konoha spies in the Hidden Sand Village?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi asked strangely, "Hmm? Why do you ask?"
Shindai pulled out a small square box: "I hope to deliver this to someone in the Hidden Sand Village."
"Who?"
"Pakura."
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Shindai with a hint of surprise and confirmed with him: "That person from the Hidden Sand Village who possesses the Blaze Release Bloodline Limit, known as Pakura of the Blaze Release?"
Shindai nodded: "That's right, it's her!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi was even more curious: "What's your relationship with her?"
Shindai suddenly didn't know how to answer.
Friend?
He felt that this relationship was a bit too superficial. If he said that, what if Hiruzen Sarutobi helped half-heartedly?
So, he had to make the relationship sound more intimate, and he had to make Hiruzen Sarutobi willing to help.
Shindai said without batting an eye, "Pakura and I are childhood sweethearts. We promised to marry each other when we grew up! So, she is my fiancée! Because I was framed by the Hidden Sand Village and became a traitor to the Hidden Sand Village, but Pakura was willing to believe me. Those rumors back then were spread with Pakura's help. Pakura wants to depose Rasa and become Kazekage to clear my name, but Rasa has Chiyo and Ebizo as his backing. I believe Pakura will definitely not succeed and might be targeted by Rasa. As her fiancé, I cannot stand idly by! I am very worried about her. This small box is a signal device. If Rasa really intends to harm Pakura, I can use this signal device to pinpoint Pakura's location immediately, and after that, I am very confident I can persuade Pakura to join Konoha!"
When Hiruzen Sarutobi heard this, his eyes immediately lit up.
A Blaze Release Bloodline Limit user, and an elite Ninja who shone brightly on the battlefield, might join Konoha. This was indeed a good thing!
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