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  Late into the night, Kushina and the others were still scheming about how to pull Shin into Suikagakure—pletely unaware that Shin had already left the Land of Whirlpools.

  At this moment, he was wandering somewhere within the Land of Fire.

  He ran into a White Zetsu along the way.

  "White Zetsu, any major developments in the Shinobi world tely?"

  Shin fixed his gaze orembling creature. White Zetsu's expression looked dht miserable—it couldn't believe its bad luck at running into him and could only pray to survive this enter.

  This time, White Zetsu hadn't e seeking Shin—it was Shin who'd hunted down White Zetsu. Ever since Shin parted ways with Konoha, he relied on White Zetsu's scattered es for intel. With his [Kagura Mind's Eye], log a White Zetsu e was child's py.

  He wanted updates on the current state of the Shinobi world. Based on the inal timelihe Third Shinobi World War should be kig off around now. But everything seemed too quiet.

  White Zetsu just stood there, silent.

  "I asked you a question—didn't you hear me?"

  Seeing no response, Shin's tourned cold. White Zetsu shuddered.

  "M-my apologies, Shin-sama…there is…one major event has occurred in the Shinobi world."

  "Major event? Let me guess: the Third Kazekage's gone missing?"

  White Zetsu's eyes widened in surprise. Shin smirked—so he'd guessed right.

  "I see. So the Third Kazekage really is missing. Word is, Sunagakure suspects Konoha, correct?"

  "Yes, Shin-sama. The Kazekage vanished without a trace. Furious, Sunagakure is pointing the fi Konoha."

  White Zetsu wasn't sure how or why the Kazekage disappeared—no intel from Madara had touched on that. It simply didn't fall uheir main objectives.

  Shin gave a brief snort of ughter.

  'Heh. The Third Kazekage was losing his touch. What a disgrace, Ended up getting killed by some kid. Pathetic, if you ask me.'

  He actually khe truth: the Third Kazekage had been killed by Sasori of the Red Sand—who was still just a teenage boy, nowhere near Kage level.

  Regardless of how Sasori pulled it off—ambush or ing trick—it hardly ged the fact that it itiful end for the Kazekage.

  White Zetsu, curious, tried fishing for details:

  "S-Shin-sama, do you know who actually killed him…?"

  Shin merely gave White Zetsu a sidelong gnot b to answer.

  "So basically, Sunagakure's gearing up to fight Konoha?"

  "Yes, Shin-sama. And not only Suna—there are signs that Iwa and Kumo are on the move as well."

  White Zetsu answered quickly. Even if Shin didn't bother replying to its questions, White Zetsu didn't dare ignore Shin's.

  "That's enough. You go."

  Shin gave a casual wave, dismissing White Zetsu. The creature, overjoyed at its survival, scurried off in a panic.

  "Psh, as if I'd waste the effort killing that …"

  Shin shook his head. White Zetsu wasn't worth the trouble.

  "Sounds like the Third Shinobi World War might really be brewing."

  He chuckled softly. Things were too tranquil these days. A war might liven up the Shinobi world.

  "And Madara is bound to stir the pot as well," Shin mused.

  Surely the old Uchiha po orchestrate a full-scale flict to weaken each Hidden Vilge, clearing the way for his "Eye of the Moon Pn." If Shin were in Madara's shoes, he'd do the same.

  After purchasing some supplies, Shin strolled around for a bit before returning to the Land of Whirlpools, arriving by nightfall.

  ....

  The moment he walked in, Kushina—waiting at home—hurried over with a slight pout:

  "Finally back. Thought maybe you'd ditched us."

  "Heh. Well, I didn't. Check out the gifts I brought."

  Shin pced a bag oable. Tris, accessories, all sorts of small items he khe girls would like. Instantly, their eyes lit up.

  Mikoto and the others rummaged eagerly through the stash, letting Shihe a quiet sigh of relief.

  While they were occupied, Shin opehe System panel in his mind. The interface still read:

  [System Upgrading…]

  This so-called upgrade had been going on fht years with no sign of pletion. If not for the fact that the interface still existed, Shin might've presumed the system was broken.

  Suddenly, Kushina tugged on Shin's sleeve:

  "Hey, e with me a sec."

  She led him into her room, shutting the door and turning the lock.

  Mikoto, from the living area, blinked in surprise:

  "No way…did she actually gh with that pn?"

  "n, Mikoto-nee?" Konan asked, blinking ily at Mikoto.

  Mikoto's cheeks went pink; she deed to expin further, especially not to an i girl like Konan. Meanwhile, Tsunade smirked, half-guessing what .

  …

  The m, Kushina emerged looking worn out, but triumphant—like someone who'd scored a hard-fought victory.

  "Heh heh… So in the end, Shin's helpless before my womanly wiles. My charm is unstoppable—you guys see? I even got Shin to cave!"

  She ched her fist in celebration.

  Mikoto g her, lips quirking with faint jealousy. She'd e to terms with sharing Shin, but it was still a bit sour seeing him spend the entire night aloh Kushina. Even Tsunade raised an eyebrow at their dynamic.

  Kushina hopped over to Shin:

  "Tell 'em. You've finally agreed to join Suikagakure. Isn't that right?"

  Shin shrugged, a half-smile crossing his face.

  Shin nodded. In the end, he'd yielded to Kushina's…persuasion. And after st night's efforts, plus some brand-new "moves" she'd ried before, well…worth it.

  "Tch."

  Mikoto scoffed, rolling her eyes. She gave Shin a sharp look, remembering how he'd repeatedly said he would never join Kushina's "Fantasy Vilge." Yet here he was—captured by the enemy!

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