Jiraiya assigned a mission to Shindai and Kakashi: to monitor the Cloud Ninja Outpost they had previously investigated.
Shindai suddenly acted out of character: "Yes! I, Shindai, will resolutely carry out the mission Lord Jiraiya has given us! Even if I am pulverized, I will complete this mission!"
Jiraiya and Kakashi looked at Shindai in astonishment.
According to the usual procedure, wasn't it supposed to be crying, making a fuss, and threatening to hang oneself... no, it was supposed to be shirking, making a fuss, and feigning weakness, right?
However, Shindai's gaze was now so firm it seemed capable of piercing through all obstacles.
Is this Shindai a fake?
Shindai scoffed inwardly at the disbelieving looks from Jiraiya and the others.
Stupid Konoha Ninja, how could they possibly understand Lord Kamishiro's thoughts!
Monitoring that Cloud Ninja Outpost, in Shindai's view, was very safe.
Because all he had to do was hide and peek; he didn't have to do anything else. If he saw the Cloud Ninja making any moves, he would just come back and report. There was no need for combat at all.
If he didn't accept this mission, what if he received a dangerous mission later?
So, it would be foolish not to accept this mission.
Shindai, who had suddenly become serious, somewhat flustered Jiraiya and Kakashi.
Jiraiya chuckled dryly and said, "Shindai, it's good that you have such resolve. Then this mission is entrusted to you. You are to depart immediately!"
Shindai's small face tightened, and he said solemnly, "Yes! I guarantee to complete the mission! I will not fail Lord Jiraiya, nor will I fail Konoha's trust!"
Kakashi, Obito, and Rin Nohara suddenly shivered, goosebumps rising on their skin.
Obito, his face scrunched up, persuaded, "Shindai, can you be normal?"
Shindai rolled his Byakugan at Obito and 'hmph'ed, "You're the one who's not normal. For Konoha, what does it matter if I die at the hands of the enemy? For Konoha, even if I sacrifice myself to the enemy, I will have no regrets! Because... my love for Konoha runs deep~"
Shindai's phrase, 'my love for Konoha runs deep,' immediately silenced Jiraiya and Kakashi.
Jiraiya said sheepishly, "Uh, Shindai, it's just a surveillance mission. It's not that serious."
Shindai said with a straight face, "Eh, that's not right. As a member of Konoha, I must always be prepared to sacrifice for Konoha. Kakashi, Obito, Rin! Follow me! I'm already impatient to sacrifice for Konoha!"
Shindai took the lead and walked out of the tent.
Jiraiya and Kakashi looked at each other.
Jiraiya asked blankly, "What's gotten into him?"
Kakashi shrugged, "Who knows? But this time we don't have to deal with him, which saves a lot of trouble. So, Lord Jiraiya, we're off."
Jiraiya nodded, "Mm, be careful. Once you observe their movements, you must report back to us immediately, because that means they are about to make a move against us. We will also prepare here. Orochimaru plans to capture them all in one fell swoop."
Kakashi immediately became serious.
If that were the case, then their mission this time carried a heavy responsibility.
After discovering the Cloud Ninja's movements, they had to return to the Konoha Garrison as quickly as possible to report. If they reported even a step late, allowing the Cloud Ninja to attack first, then they would lose the initiative.
At the same time, they must not be discovered by the Cloud Ninja. If they were discovered, then the preparations made by their comrades at the Konoha Garrison might be in vain.
"I understand, Lord Jiraiya! Then we're off. Let's go, Obito, Rin."
Kakashi led Obito and Rin Nohara out of the tent, found Shindai not far away, and once again headed towards the Cloud Ninja Outpost in the southwest direction.
To prevent being discovered by the Cloud Ninja, Kakashi chose to monitor from a considerable distance from the Cloud Ninja Outpost, barely able to see a bit of its location.
Kakashi held binoculars, constantly observing the movements at the Cloud Ninja Outpost. When he got tired, Obito or Rin Nohara would take turns watching.
As for Shindai.
Shindai found a comfortable spot, leaned back, and rested.
It was already a blessing that Shindai wasn't causing trouble, and this mission was very important. Kakashi didn't feel comfortable leaving it to Shindai, so as long as Shindai stayed put, Kakashi wouldn't bother with what he was doing.
Days passed.
This was already the third day of surveillance.
"Ah~ I'm so bored."
Shindai, with a foxtail grass in his mouth, lay on a tree trunk, his eyelids drooping, looking listless.
Because they couldn't make a fire and hadn't brought dry rations, they were eating military rations to fill their stomachs.
But the taste of military rations, those who know, know.
It was several times worse than the dry flatbread Shindai ate in Hidden Sand Village, so bad that even dogs wouldn't eat it.
And ever since he was 'captured' by Minato Namikaze and his group, Shindai had been eating fine grains every day, so now he couldn't help but miss it.
Kakashi and Obito ignored Shindai.
Because they had been listening to Shindai's complaints for three days.
Rin Nohara said to Shindai helplessly, "Shindai, surveillance missions are just this boring. It's only been three days. Our longest mission lasted a month."
Shindai exclaimed in shock, "Huh? A month? Eating military rations that even dogs won't eat for a month?"
Obito replied, "Yeah, what else could we eat? Oh, by the way, Shindai, you haven't eaten for almost a day, have you? Do you want some military rations?"
Shindai quickly waved his hand, "No, no, I'm not hungry yet. You eat that stuff."
It must be said that military rations were quite filling. Eating one was basically enough for a whole day.
So, unless his stomach was growling with hunger, Shindai wouldn't touch them.
Kakashi, who was observing the Cloud Ninja Outpost, said in a deep voice, "Something's happening!"
Obito, Rin Nohara, and Shindai immediately came to Kakashi's side.
Kakashi continued to observe while saying, "Two Cloud Ninja have arrived and entered the cave."
Shindai asked curiously, "And then?"
Kakashi replied, "They haven't come out yet."
Shindai complained, "Uh... what kind of 'something' is that? I thought they were about to make a move."
Kakashi said seriously, "It seems they are planning to make a move! Everyone in the cave is out! 1, 2, 3... 16, 17, 18. The count is correct. The 2 newly arrived Cloud Ninja, plus the original 16 Cloud Ninja, make a total of 18 Cloud Ninja!"
Kakashi handed the binoculars to Obito. Obito looked through them, then handed them to Rin Nohara, and finally, the binoculars reached Shindai's hands.
Shindai took the binoculars and looked. Indeed, as Kakashi said, the 18 Cloud Ninja were lined up outside the cave.
However, Shindai's eyes suddenly narrowed, "Hey, it looks like someone is looking in our direction, and even pointing here."