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“This is a feast! Looks like Konoha sent some good supplies this time.”
Shin was surprised by the spread Mikoto had prepared. There were eight dishes in total.
“What are you talking about? Mikoto and I found these ingredients in the forest with Konan after training,” Kushina said.
“Oh, that’s impressive. Here, have some more meat.” Shin placed some meat in their bowls.
“Where’s Nawaki? Did he leave already?” Shin asked Tsunade.
“No, his team went to see their sensei.”
Tsunade shook her head. Nawaki had gone to see Orochimaru. She could guess his intentions: he wanted to stay on the battlefield.
But that was impossible. She was sure Orochimaru wouldn’t allow it.
Shin nodded, then dropped the subject. After dinner, he went to rest. Using Shadow Clones to train in Ninjutsu was mentally exhausting. He needed to recover.
Perhaps because his Sharingan had evolved into the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, his mental recovery speed had increased.
After a night’s sleep, he felt refreshed.
He ate the breakfast Mikoto had prepared, then decided to continue his training.
But just as he was about to leave, Nawaki came looking for him.
Seeing Nawaki’s ingratiating smile, Shin took a step back. “Nawaki, do you need a favor?”
“Yeah, how did you know?” Nawaki looked at Shin in surprise.
“It’s obvious. It’s practically written all over your face. What is it? Nothing too difficult, though. I can’t help with that.”
If it was a simple request, he would help, but if it was complicated or troublesome, he’d have to refuse.
“I want you to convince Sis. I went to see Orochimaru-sensei yesterday, and he said he’d let me stay on the battlefield if Sis agrees.”
“I can’t do that. Sorry.” Shin turned to leave.
“Wait! You’re my only hope!” Nawaki pleaded.
“First, Tsunade will never agree. Second, I don’t think you should stay on the battlefield.”
“Why not? You, Kushina, and Mikoto can stay. Why can’t I?” Nawaki argued.
“Because you’re weak. You’d be cannon fodder on the battlefield. Do you want to die?”
Shin felt like Nawaki was an idiot. Did he really think the battlefield was a playground?
“Don’t underestimate me, Shin! I’ve gotten a lot stronger!” Nawaki said confidently.
Nawaki had indeed improved recently and was a bit overconfident. That was why he wanted to stay on the battlefield.
“Really? Then let me give you a reality check. If you can last one minute against me, I’ll convince Tsunade. And I guarantee she’ll agree. How about that?”
“Shin, are you looking down on me?”
Nawaki glared at Shin.
“Don’t get cocky. Even if you were ten times stronger, you wouldn’t be able to do it. I suggest you give up.”
“You said it yourself. Don’t forget your promise.” Nawaki suppressed his dissatisfaction. He saw this as an opportunity to stay on the battlefield.
“Don’t worry, I keep my promises. Come on, attack me. I don’t have time to waste.”
“Then I won’t hold back!” Nawaki immediately started weaving hand seals.
“Too slow! I could’ve killed you a dozen times by now!”
Shin grabbed Nawaki’s wrist and twisted it. Nawaki couldn’t even form hand seals anymore.
“Trying to use Ninjutsu at close range? Don’t you know Taijutsu is more effective?”
“Shin, let go of me! You’re going to break my arm!” Nawaki gritted his teeth.
Shin released him. “Go back, Nawaki. This isn’t the place for you.”
“No! That doesn’t count! Let’s do it again!”
“Nawaki, I don’t have time to play with you.”
But Nawaki had already attacked, throwing a punch at Shin.
Shin could see that Nawaki hadn’t trained much in Taijutsu. His punches were clumsy and predictable.
Before Nawaki’s fist could connect, Shin sent him flying with a kick.
He hadn’t used much force, but it was still enough to hurt.
“See, Nawaki? You can’t even block a single attack from me. Your chances of survival on the battlefield are zero. If you really want to go, you might as well kill yourself now.”
Shin’s words were harsh, but he had a reason. He had to discourage Nawaki, or he might sneak off to the battlefield.
Nawaki was indeed discouraged. His newfound confidence had been shattered.
Shin wasn’t worried about him, though. Nawaki was similar to Naruto; he’d recover quickly.
Nawaki got up, dusted himself off, and left dejectedly.
“What happened to him?”
Kushina and Mikoto had just arrived and saw Nawaki’s dejected figure.
“He wanted to stay on the battlefield and asked me to convince Tsunade. I gave him a reality check. He should give up on that idea for now.”
Shin shook his head, then went to their usual training spot with Kushina and Mikoto.
Konan wasn’t with them. She had gone to the medical tent with Tsunade.
Shin had finally mastered Sage Mode yesterday. He tried activating it a few times. Three tomoe appeared on his forehead, and red markings spread across his face.
He felt like he was entering Sage Mode faster now. Was it just his imagination?
He practiced Sage Mode, Taijutsu, and Kenjutsu, while his Shadow Clones focused on developing and practicing Ninjutsu.
Time flew by. It was soon lunchtime.
Back at the tent, they found Nawaki and his teammates, Hiashi and Kai, waiting for them.
“Shin, we came to say goodbye. We’re returning to Konoha,” Nawaki said.
“That’s good. Nawaki, come here. I have something for you.”
Shin called Nawaki over and used the Transcription Seal on him. This was to prevent him from dying like in the original story.
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