In the strange space.
The spatial gate opened, and Shinju stepped in.
This was a spacious laboratory. Probably because the former owner left in a hurry, all kinds of messy materials were scattered everywhere…
Shinju casually picked up a small booklet from the floor and found that the first page was titled
"Artificial Human Maintenance Precautions"!
Shinju recalled that boy's memories.
He had been sold by his father to Kara and subjected to some kind of mysterious experiment. After that, a diamond-shaped mark appeared in the center of his left palm… and within Kara he was given another name: "vessel."
For a very long time after that, he underwent all kinds of tests in this experimental base.
Experiencing the boy's memories from a first-person perspective, Shinju noticed that when Kara members looked at the boy, their expressions were strange… as if they weren't looking at a person, but at an object.
"Kara really cleared out fast. According to the boy's memories, this place should be packed with all sorts of experimental equipment, but now it's just piles of scrap paper everywhere…"
Looking at the ravaged laboratory, Shinju muttered to himself, then grinned. "But what I've learned now is already more than enough."
"I've memorized the faces of all Kara's inner members!"
"And after my raid this time, they're definitely going to need a long while to recover!"
...
Another strange space.
Amado was about to cry. "My experimental materials… all my data… my…"
Jigen looked speechless. "I said I'd wait until I moved everything. You were the one saying the situation was urgent. You said those scrap papers didn't matter, and now you're all upset about them again…"
Amado: "That was my old base after all… Leaving so suddenly, of course it hurts a little… By the way Jigen, your ability is so convenient—it's perfect for moving stuff! ❛‿˂̵✧"
Jigen waved his hand. "Alright, alright, hurry up and set up your lab…"
...
Konoha Village.
The Hokage's office.
In front of the conference table, everyone waited for Shinju to announce the news.
Shinju cleared his throat briefly and recounted the experiences he had today…
Tsunade pointed at the black-haired boy tied up tightly with Shinju's vines beside the table.
"So this boy is something extremely important to Kara?!"
Shinju nodded, grabbed the boy's left hand, and turned it over.
"See? This mark in his palm."
As he spoke, Shinju also revealed the diamond-shaped mark in his own palm left behind by Momoshiki.
Mitokado Homura: "I understand. He's been parasitized by an Ōtsutsuki as well!"
Naruto: "Old man, how are you so sure this is parasitization? I think it looks more like a unique marking method of the Ōtsutsuki…"
Sasuke looked at Shinju and asked, "You also said this boy can use that mark to unleash great power?"
Shinju nodded. "Yeah. Similar to the Ōtsutsuki, but in a weaker form."
Sasuke continued, "Then the mark in your palm—can it also…"
Sasuke didn't finish his sentence, but Shinju already understood.
"It probably can, but that kind of power is pretty whatever to me. ┐(´-｀)┌"
Everyone else in the meeting room: "…"
What is with this overwhelming show-off aura!
Koharu Utatane: "Right, you also said you saw the faces of all of Kara's important members in the boy's memories…"
Shinju smacked his forehead and said excitedly, "Right! I'll draw their faces for you right now! (σ≧︎▽︎≦︎)σ"
With that, Shinju took out a scroll, picked up a brush, and started scribbling away…
A few minutes later, Shinju unrolled the scroll for everyone to see, waiting for praise.
"Well? Aren't they incredibly lifelike! 罒▽罒"
Everyone's expressions were complicated: (≖╻≖;) ,Σ( ° △ °|||)︴,∑(°Д°)
Logically speaking, Shinju shouldn't be bad at drawing. After all, this guy had mastered Super Beast Imitation Drawing, and could casually draw complex sealing scripts; drawing people shouldn't be hard at all…
But the people he drew were unbelievably sloppy!
Naruto broke the silence, pointing at a male figure in the drawing.
"No offense, but Shinju, did you draw a giraffe here?"
Sasuke: "Nonsense. Looks like a rooster to me."
Shinju: "…"
"How is that a rooster? It's totally recognizable…"
After another round of exhausting discussion, Shinju chose to give up drawing!
Tsunade anxiously slammed the table.
"You're the only one who knows what they look like… and yet your drawing skills…"
Shinju pressed down on Tsunade's hand that was pounding the table.
"Don't worry. I can use genjutsu to share the memories I saw. We just find a skilled artist and have him draw while comparing faces inside the illusion, problem solved! (•̀⌄•́)"
Tsunade thought about it and realized that made sense!
A few minutes later, Sai arrived at the Hokage's office. Shinju turned and shot him a look!
Sai collapsed to the ground with a "thud!"
Tsunade: "You could at least let him ease into it first… (´இ皿இ｀)"
After messing around for dozens of minutes, several exquisite portraits were finished by Sai!
Tsunade held up the drawings, eyes shining. "Now that's what it means to be a professional. Sai really did great!"
Sasuke: "Seriously, I never would've guessed that Shinju's 'rooster' turned out to be such boy… What's that metal plate he's wearing on his head? Some kind of accessory?"
Shinju shook his head. "No idea."
Clap clap clap!
Tsunade clapped to draw everyone's attention.
"Alright, back to business. What do we do with this boy now?"
As she spoke, she pointed to the black-haired boy struggling desperately against Shinju's vine bindings.
Shinju: "Send him to Konoha's orphanage?"
Hearing this, Naruto opened his mouth wide.
"He looks young, like thirteen or fourteen, but he's clearly dangerous, and he's got that Ōtsutsuki mark on him. Isn't it risky to put him in Konoha's orphanage?! ∑(✘Д✘๑)"
Shinju patted Naruto's shoulder.
"Konoha doesn't only have one orphanage. The second orphanage run by Kabuto is the perfect place for problem children! (ﾉ∇︎〃 )"
After thinking about it, Naruto had to admit Shinju kind of had a point!
Kabuto had turned over a new leaf and become gentle, but that didn't mean he was harmless. With his Sage techniques, dealing with kids was like child's play!
...
Night.
Shinju lay alone on the second-floor balcony of his house, staring into the boundless night sky.
"From that boy's memories, I learned a lot about Kara… but their true goal is buried too deep."
"Tomorrow I'll check the memories of that big fat guy and Ao as well…"
Speaking of Ao, Shinju suddenly remembered that Kotetsu said Ao had come by half a year ago…
And half a year ago, Kotetsu had just finished developing the jutsu-recording scrolls. I even uploaded my jutsu data into them, and before long those data were stolen by the Byakuya Gang…
Back then I wondered how it got stolen the same afternoon I recorded it that morning…
Looking at it now, it might have been Kara taking everything through Ao's control…