Minato Namikaze earnestly assured Hiruzen Sarutobi that he would sponsor Shindai and requested him to approve Shindai's entry into Konoha.
Hiruzen smiled kindly at Shindai. "Shindai, how about you? What do you think?"
Shindai responded with equal seriousness, "I've long admired Konoha in my heart. In my eyes, Konoha is like a lighthouse guiding through stormy seas—a role model for the entire ninja world!
You, Hokage-sama, are the soul of Konoha. Without you, Konoha would be like a sky without the sun or a moonless night—completely deprived of its light!
When I was still in Sunagakure, I deeply admired Konoha and revered the Hokage. The first time I met you, I could immediately tell there was something extraordinary about you.
You enjoy taking a puff or two on your pipe, yet your teeth remain as white as ivory. That little mustache of yours is full of charisma, and look at your physique—even Jiraiya-sama has to admit defeat!
Your image perfectly matches my ideal vision of a Kage!
Every word you speak carries profound wisdom—it blows my mind and truly enlightens me. You truly possess vast knowledge and remarkable intelligence. No wonder you became Hokage!
Most importantly, it's thanks to great leadership like yours—possessing foresight and exceptional management skills—that powerful ninjas like Jiraiya and Minato have been cultivated."
Jiraiya, Minato Namikaze, Kakashi, Obito, and Rin Nohara stared with wide eyes at Shindai, who kept going non-stop.
They had heard flattery before—it wasn't new to them.
But hearing someone compliment so ridiculously while maintaining such a serious expression? This was truly unprecedented.
Hiruzen's smile was starting to stiffen. He even ran his tongue over his teeth slightly. Last night, his wife Biwako had just complained about tobacco stains from smoking all day.
Besides, did every single thing he said really contain profound philosophy?
Seemingly... Not exactly.
Weren't those plain and simple words meant to be easily understood? Where was the philosophy in that?
Seeing Shindai still babbling away, Jiraiya couldn't take it anymore. He nudged Minato slightly, signaling him to do something to shut him up.
Right now, Jiraiya was embarrassed for Hiruzen.
Now Shindai had even started praising Hiruzen's wife.
Did he even meet her before he started throwing out all those compliments?
Minato gave Shindai's sleeve an awkward tug. "Alright, enough already. The Third only asked whether you're willing to join Konoha. All you needed to say was 'yes.'"
Shindai put on a solemn expression. "Hey, Minato-sama, I need to say something here. These are all my heartfelt words. Are you implying what I said isn't true?"
Minato's expression turned grim. Could he really point out that all those exaggerated praises Shindai gave weren't actually true?
Minato Namikaze said with visible embarrassment, "You, you're absolutely right."
Seeing that Shindai was about to start again, Hiruzen Sarutobi quickly interrupted. He already had goosebumps just thinking about it: "Shindai, so does this mean you're willing then?"
Shindai declared with fervor, "I, Shindai! Am willing to join Konoha! I will give all my strength and wisdom to Konoha! Sacrifice every drop of my blood for Konoha! Where the leaves dance, fire burns eternal! I wish to be the flame that lights up Konoha!"
Hiruzen looked at Shindai with a wrinkled face. It had been a very long time since he last felt this awkward.
Hiruzen forced a smile and said, "Alright, alright, welcome to Konoha, Shindai. Later, Minato will help you with your registration. Since you've just joined Konoha, we can only assign you the rank of Genin for now. I hope you understand."
Standing straight, Shindai immediately replied, "Oh, I completely understand! Any decision made by the Hokage must be correct! I will carry out the Hokage's orders without question!"
Hiruzen chuckled awkwardly, "Good, good. It's great that you have such a mindset, Shindai. Then Minato, please take Shindai away now."
Right now, Hiruzen just wanted Shindai gone as soon as possible. He'd been Hokage for decades, seen everything, but what Shindai had just said almost broke his composure entirely.
As he saw Shindai following Minato Namikaze away, Hiruzen sighed in relief and wiped his forehead, only to discover there was actually sweat on it.
The flattery from Shindai had literally made Hiruzen break out in a sweat.
After leaving the Hokage Building, Obito remarked, "Man, Shindai, your face is really thick. How could you say such outrageous flattery? When did the Hokage ever have pecs?! Even if he did, how could they possibly be bigger than Tsunade's?!"
Shindai gave Obito a sidelong glance and snorted, "How do you know he doesn't? Have you ever seen the Hokage naked?"
Obito snapped, "Alright, I haven't seen the Hokage naked, but come on, even without seeing him naked, isn't this obvious enough?!"
Shindai shrugged, "Maybe the Hokage just hides them under layers?"
"Stop talking already, let's go handle our official business."
Minato stopped Shindai and Obito from continuing their discussion about whether or not they had seen Hiruzen naked.
Since there were many people in the Hokage Building and the two of them were speaking loudly about this topic, numerous glances came their way.
Minato was genuinely worried these two would get carried away and say something even more outrageous.
Because Minato Namikaze and Jiraiya were there accompanying him, Shindai's registration process went smoothly.
Holding the steaming-hot identification card and a Konoha ninja forehead protector in his hands, Shindai officially became a ninja of Konoha.
Jiraiya clapped his hands together and announced, "Alright then! To celebrate Shindai joining Konoha, Obito and Rin being promoted to Chunin, and Kakashi becoming Tokubetsu Jonin, I'm treating everyone to barbecue!"
"Great!"
An hour and a half later.
Jiraiya, with a grim look on his face, quietly asked Minato Namikaze beside him, "Why didn't you tell me Shindai and Obito could eat this much?"
Minato looked at Shindai and Obito stuffing their faces, helplessly saying, "I thought it was just Shindai. I didn't expect Obito would end up in a competition with him."
Kakashi and Rin Nohara were done eating and were now drinking juice.
In fact, Obito was full too, just like Kakashi and Rin Nohara.
But seeing how much Shindai could eat, Obito couldn't help but feel competitive. He was determined to beat Shindai in an eating contest, which led to the current situation.
Jiraiya took out his wallet and glanced inside—it was still thick.
But that might not last for long.
Grumbling, Jiraiya said, "They're the ones fighting it out, so why do I end up footing the bill?"
Minato comforted him, saying, "Master Jiraiya, if you just visited those places less often, you wouldn't have this problem."
Jiraiya replied discontentedly, "Are you kidding me? How is that even possible? Do you know how tough life would be for those lovely girls without my patronage?"
Minato twitched the corner of his mouth. Calling them 'lovely girls' at his age? That's truly shameless.
Why couldn't Jiraiya ever kick that habit?
Besides Jiraiya and Obito—who both had sour looks on their faces—the rest happily left the barbecue restaurant.
Jiraiya was upset because his wallet had been drained, while Obito was simply stuffed beyond comfort.
As soon as they left the restaurant, Shindai suddenly realized something.
Wait—he still hadn't figured out where he was going to sleep tonight?
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