251-255

Chapter 251: Six of One, Half Dozen of the Other  

Shindai and Uchiha Hikari had just left the barbecue joint.  

Rin Nohara had to help out at the Ninja Hospital that afternoon, and, naturally, her shadow, Obito, was going to follow her.  

Shindai was picking his teeth, grumbling, "Seriously, I treated them and didn't even get a single good word."  

Then, Shindai stealthily glanced around, then, feeling safe, pulled out a cigarette from his pocket and lit it with a satisfied sigh.  

"A cigarette after a meal, it's like being in paradise!"  

Uchiha Hikari gave him a strange look. "Aren't you afraid of getting beaten up?"  

Shindai let out a disdainful laugh. "Hmph, me, afraid? That'd be a miracle! I'm just letting them have their way, that's all. If I got serious, it'd be hard to say who's the boss around here!"  

But suddenly, Shindai changed his tune, warning Uchiha Hikari, "You can't be turned against me, you hear? You're on my side, no snitching!"  

Uchiha Hikari's eyes already held a hint of contempt. "But aren't you fearless?"  

Shindai stubbornly retorted, "Yeah, I'm not afraid of them, but they're a hassle. I hate hassle, get it?"  

"Nope, I don't get it. Pakura and Kushina already told me to keep an eye on you, so... sorry, not sorry."  

"Cough, cough..."  

Shindai suddenly started coughing violently.  

Shindai anxiously said, "You can't do that! That's just not right!"  

Uchiha Hikari's eyes, which had only shown a hint of contempt, were now full of it. "Oh, you're 'right'? The other night, before dawn, you secretly used Iron Sand to move me to the sofa and slept in the bed yourself. How 'right' of you!"  

Shindai immediately looked embarrassed. "But I also got smacked on the head by Pakura that day, and I apologized to you! I just really missed my bed, you know, wanted to sleep in it."  

Uchiha Hikari scoffed. "Don't say I didn't give you a chance. Put that out now, and I'll pretend I didn't see anything."  

Shindai took a deep drag, then reluctantly tossed the cigarette, which he'd only smoked two puffs of, to the ground, stomping it out in frustration.  

Shindai mumbled, "What the heck? She's just like Pakura now."  

Uchiha Hikari finally understood why Minato Namikaze had said "you'll get used to it" that day, maybe even that she'd join in.  

Living under the same roof with Shindai for half a month, sometimes Shindai was just too annoying.  

When he did something bad and couldn't hide it, he'd blame her. Of course, Pakura and Kushina Uzumaki wouldn't believe him, and then Shindai would get a beating.  

The most ridiculous thing was when Shindai threw socks he'd worn for almost a week under the sofa. Pakura smelled them and found them, and by then, the socks were stiff. When she questioned Shindai, he actually claimed they were hers!  

Honestly, Uchiha Hikari almost couldn't hold back that time.  

And Uchiha Hikari felt that, without a doubt, there would definitely be times in the future when she wouldn't be able to hold back.  

Shindai asked, "Oh, right, I'm going back to the lab tomorrow. Do you want to come with me?"  

Uchiha Hikari nodded. "Yeah, I don't know anyone else in Konoha, so I'll just stick with you."  

Shindai looked exasperated. "What do you mean you don't know anyone? Pakura, Big Sister Kushina, Lord Minato, and just now Obito and Rin, you know them all now, don't you? You're just too aloof. Being so cold all the time at your age isn't good, you seem unapproachable."  

Uchiha Hikari looked at Shindai with a subtle expression. "Me, 'at my age'? You've got some nerve saying that."  

Shindai stood in front of Uchiha Hikari, placed his hand on top of her head, then moved his hand horizontally back to his own chin.  

Shindai scoffed, "Heh, shorty!"  

A vein pulsed on Uchiha Hikari's forehead. No one had ever called her a "shorty" before!  

Uchiha Hikari's right hand was already clenched into a fist. Just as Shindai was about to continue his teasing, a familiar voice came from the side.  

"What a coincidence."  

Shindai and Uchiha Hikari looked over simultaneously. It was Hiruzen Sarutobi.  

"Yo, Lord Third Hokage! Are you out for a stroll?"  

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled kindly. "Yes, I am. And you two?"  

Shindai replied, "Me and Hikari just finished eating, and we're about to walk around a bit to digest, then go see Pakura."  

"Is that so? Well, perfect, let's walk together."  

Shindai, Uchiha Hikari, and Hiruzen Sarutobi walked down the street.  

Shindai introduced her to him. "This is our previous Hokage here in Konoha, Lord Third. He's retired now."  

Hiruzen Sarutobi asked kindly, "Hikari, how's life in Konoha? Are you getting used to it?"  

Uchiha Hikari replied somewhat coldly, "It's fine."  

Shindai whispered, "Be more enthusiastic! Lord Third is my sugar daddy! I have something to ask him later. Smile, give him a smile!"  

Uchiha Hikari forced out a rather awkward smile. "It's great here, I'm really getting used to it, I like it a lot."  

Shindai secretly gave Uchiha Hikari a thumbs up.  

Hiruzen Sarutobi was barely able to keep his smile from bursting out; he was overjoyed inside.  

Minato Namikaze hadn't been wrong at all; it seemed Uchiha Hikari really listened to Shindai.  

One Shindai brought a Scorch Release bloodline limit user to Konoha, and now he'd brought a former Uchiha powerhouse.  

It was like a huge pie falling from the sky!  

Hiruzen Sarutobi instructed Uchiha Hikari, "If you need anything in your daily life, you can tell Minato. He'll try his best to meet your needs."  

"Really?!"  

Before Uchiha Hikari could say anything, Shindai's eyes lit up.  

Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately coughed. He knew Shindai was short on cash right now, and based on his understanding of Shindai's shamelessness, it was highly likely Shindai would use Uchiha Hikari's name to try and scam money from Minato Namikaze, then claim he'd agreed to it.  

So Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately emphasized, "It's for what Hikari needs, not what you need, Shindai, don't get it wrong!"  

Shindai also understood the meaning behind Hiruzen Sarutobi's words and pouted. "So stingy."  

Then Shindai put on a fawning smile and said to Hiruzen Sarutobi, "Lord Third, can I ask you something?"  

Hiruzen Sarutobi instantly became wary. "What is it? I really don't have any money left. That 200,000 ryo last time was all I had!"  

Shindai said seriously, "Hey, what's with all this talk about money? Money ruins friendships, you know? Do I look like that kind of person?"  

Hiruzen Sarutobi's mouth twitched. He really wanted to say that Shindai was exactly that kind of person.  

"Just say it then."  

Shindai rubbed his hands and said, "I'm a bit poor lately, can I just owe the rent for a bit? Let me open the shop first, and I'll pay the rent once I start making money?"  

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Shindai, exasperated. After all that, it was still about money, wasn't it?  

Hiruzen Sarutobi agreed. "Alright, I can agree to that, but you can only owe it for one year."  

"That's enough, that's enough! You're truly amazing, Lord Third! A role model for men! Unlike Lord Minato, whose money is all managed by Big Sister Kushina, he doesn't have a single ryo on him!"  

Hiruzen Sarutobi pursed his lips, looking at Shindai. Shindai really shouldn't have given compliments, because his own money was also held by Biwako Sarutobi. In reality, they were all in the same boat.  

Chapter 252: "What I, Shindai, Say is Set in Stone!"  

With Hiruzen Sarutobi agreeing to let Shindai defer rent for a year, Shindai's financial burden dropped significantly.  

Starting tomorrow, with the money he had, he could make a few sample puppets and finally open his shop! He'd just need to collect half the deposit from customers when they ordered, then make the puppet, and finally collect the remaining balance upon delivery. This way, the business would be able to operate smoothly.  

Shindai couldn't help but grin from ear to ear.  

Suddenly, Hiruzen pulled Shindai aside, "Shindai, when your shop opens, my puppet..."  

Shindai thumped his chest, assuring him, "Leave it to me! What I, Shindai, say is set in stone. I'll definitely deliver on my promise!"  

Hiruzen's face also crinkled into a smile, like a blooming chrysanthemum.  

Uchiha Hikari looked curiously at Shindai and Hiruzen beside her; their smiles were... a bit mischievous.  

After a brief stroll, Hiruzen left, and Shindai and Uchiha Hikari went to find Pakura, waiting for her to finish work so they could all go home together.  

Hiruzen arrived at the Hokage Tower and found Minato Namikaze.  

Minato, seeing Hiruzen's beaming face, chuckled, "Third Hokage, you must have confirmed things, and the results are very satisfactory, right?"  

Hiruzen cheerfully puffed on his pipe and replied, "Satisfactory, of course, satisfactory! Extremely satisfactory! That kid, Shindai, is really something."  

Minato smiled, "Good that you're satisfied. Let Asuka continue to stay with Shindai; her hatred will eventually resolve. So, next, we need to resolve the other two matters."  

The smile on Hiruzen's face faded, and he asked with a hint of seriousness, "The Konoha Military Police Force and the Root Anbu, right?"  

Minato nodded, "Exactly. Fugaku and I have reached a consensus on this, and you, Third Hokage, are also aware of it. Fugaku has already mobilized; half of the Konoha Military Police Force is willing to follow his arrangements, while the other half strongly opposes it.  

Next, I plan to forcibly reform the Konoha Military Police Force. The Uchiha clan members willing to cooperate will be assigned to various departments within Konoha, while those who oppose will remain in the Konoha Military Police Force.  

Fugaku is currently the captain of the Konoha Military Police Force. I'll add a vice-captain, and then Fugaku and the vice-captain will jointly recruit other ninja to serve in the Konoha Military Police Force, subtly influencing those opposing Uchiha clan members."  

Hiruzen puffed on his pipe, saying, "I trust you and Fugaku can handle that. What about Root?"  

Minato looked troubled, "Since I became Hokage, Danzo, as the leader of Root, hasn't reported anything about Root to me. So, I need your help with this, Third Hokage. I want to disband Root and establish a new Anbu training department to carry out Root's original duties.  

Therefore, I'll need your support, Third Hokage, along with the other two advisors."  

Hiruzen sighed and agreed, "It's only right. I know Danzo well; he treats Root as his private army. Even now that you're Hokage, he might not listen to you. When do you plan to disband Root? And who do you plan to make the head of the new Anbu training department?"  

Minato replied, "I plan to have Shikaku Nara lead the Anbu training department. Although Shikaku isn't exactly the perfect fit, I haven't found a more suitable candidate yet. So, until a proper person emerges, Shikaku can temporarily assist. I plan to disband Root in seven days and arrange for the Anbu to take over everything from Root."  

Hiruzen agreed, "Alright, I understand. I'll go find Homura and Koharu soon. In seven days, the announcement of Root's disbandment and the Anbu's operation must be executed simultaneously. Since we're doing this, we shouldn't give Danzo even a sliver of an opportunity."  

Minato's eyes sharpened. Announcing Root's disbandment and having the Anbu take over everything at the same time? Was he worried Danzo would do something?  

Minato nodded gravely, "I understand."  

Hiruzen exhaled a puff of smoke, then sighed, "Minato, I have a personal request. No matter what you find in Root, I hope you can let Danzo off the hook just this once. If Danzo does anything else after this, then handle it according to the rules; I won't speak for him again."  

Minato let out a long breath and agreed to Hiruzen's request, "Alright, for this operation, no matter what we discover, I won't hold Danzo responsible."  

---  

The next day, Shindai brought Uchiha Hikari to Orochimaru's underground research base, a place they hadn't visited in a long time.  

The scientific research department base was now nearing completion, meaning this place would soon be abandoned.  

Shindai suddenly mused, "Asuka, this place holds many memories for me. Many of my research projects were completed here. It's about to be abandoned, and it makes me feel conflicted."  

Uchiha Hikari felt a bit uncomfortable in this place.  

It was just too gloomy, reminding her of some unpleasant experiences.  

"What's wrong? You look so nervous. Huh... don't tell me you're scared of ghosts here?"  

Shindai seemed to have discovered one of Uchiha Hikari's weaknesses and became incredibly excited.  

Uchiha Hikari extended a finger and pointed behind Shindai.  

Shindai turned his head, took one look, and instantly jumped three meters high, screaming, "Ghost!"  

Shindai cowered behind Uchiha Hikari, trembling.  

Uchiha Hikari rolled her eyes. Who was really scared of ghosts here?  

And the person Shindai mistook for a ghost was none other than Orochimaru.  

Because the underground research base was very dim, and Shindai had only glanced briefly, he hadn't clearly seen who it was.  

Orochimaru's overly magnetic, raspy voice came through, "You've been gone for a while; your courage seems to have shrunk."  

"Huh?"  

Shindai cautiously peeked his head out from behind Uchiha Hikari and looked closely. This time, he finally saw clearly.  

Shindai complained, "Phew, I knew it; how could there be ghosts in this world? Lord Orochimaru, just make a sound! Scaring people like that can kill them!"  

Orochimaru sneered, "Why should I make a sound? You're trespassing in my research base."  

Shindai was puzzled, "What trespassing? Didn't we agree before that I could do research here whenever I wanted?"  

Orochimaru looked down at Shindai and said, "Yes, I did say that, but I also said that if you didn't fulfill the three requirements I set, I might directly prohibit you from entering the experimental base.  

My second requirement was that you could use the experimental equipment freely, but you couldn't damage it. You had to return it to its original place after use. If it broke, you had to fix it yourself, and if you couldn't fix it, you had to find a way to solve it yourself. Did you do that?"  

Cold sweat beaded on Shindai's forehead. Before he went to Kannabi Bridge, he had indeed damaged the instruments in a laboratory. He had completely forgotten about that.  

Chapter 253: Yamato  

Like a ninja caught in a genjutsu, Shindai's heart was pounding. It seemed Orochimaru was about to settle scores with him.  

And this "settling scores" looked like it meant he wouldn't be allowed to do experiments in the lab anymore. How could he let that happen?!  

These experimental instruments were ridiculously expensive, and some were even custom-made by Orochimaru himself, meaning they were impossible to buy. Without them, Shindai's research would be stuck!  

"Let go of me, now!"  

Orochimaru, with a dark expression, forcefully shook his right leg. Uchiha Hikari also had a vein throbbing on her forehead, feeling embarrassed by Shindai's antics.  

Because Shindai was currently clinging to Orochimaru's leg, wailing.  

"Oh, Lord Orochimaru, I know I messed up! It wasn't intentional! I was actually planning to fix it, but Lord Minato suddenly gave me an urgent mission. I had no choice but to go and thought I'd fix it when I got back. I'm telling the truth! Even during the mission, I was still thinking about how to fix it when I returned, so please, just give me one more chance! Ah~"  

Orochimaru's face grew darker and darker. How could he shake off this guy? He was like a persistent chakra leech!  

Uchiha Hikari was already regretting coming with Shindai. She'd long heard from Shindai himself that he went to Kannabi Bridge because he thought there was treasure there. "Urgent mission," what a blatant lie!  

Orochimaru tried shaking his leg again, and when Shindai still didn't budge, his eyes started to become dangerous. "Let go, and I'll give you one chance!"  

Shindai instantly let go and stood ramrod straight. "Thank you, Lord Orochimaru! I knew Lord Orochimaru wouldn't hold it against me. After all, Lord Orochimaru is one of the Sannin and the head of the Scientific Research Department. A small mishap like this is just a drop in the ocean for Lord Orochimaru!"  

Orochimaru said ominously, "Shut up! I'm adding a fourth requirement now: if you violate any of the previous three requirements again, for each violation, you'll be my experiment subject for seven days!"  

Shindai shivered. Being Orochimaru's experiment subject? That didn't sound good. What if he accidentally ended up dead? But he probably wouldn't, not now that Orochimaru and Hiruzen had reached a consensus. He'd just have to be careful from now on. If he did accidentally... well, he'd just have to be stubborn about it! After all, if he really dug his heels in, Orochimaru wouldn't be able to do much.  

Yep, that's the plan!  

Shindai thumped his chest and guaranteed, "Yes, I understand, Lord Orochimaru! I promise to follow the rules from now on!"  

"Perfect. I have a surgery coming up, and I need an assistant. You'll assist me with the operation."  

Shindai asked curiously, "What kind of surgery is it?"  

Orochimaru explained, "A cell transplant surgery. Konoha took in a five-year-old child from the Land of Fire who was in a critical condition. Konoha's medical ninja couldn't heal him. I found that his cells had a high compatibility with the First Hokage's cells. He won't live much longer, so I proposed to the Fourth Hokage that we transplant Hashirama cells into him. Perhaps the powerful vitality of the Hashirama cells can heal him, and..."  

Shindai picked up the conversation, "And there's a chance he might awaken the Wood Release Kekkei Genkai, right?"  

Orochimaru nodded, "Exactly. If we continue like this, he won't live past three days. It's worth a try. Perhaps it could bring another Wood Release Kekkei Genkai ninja to Konoha."  

Shindai stroked his chin. It seemed this child was the future Yamato.  

Shindai agreed, "Alright, when do we start?"  

Orochimaru walked towards a laboratory ahead, speaking as he went, "Now. His life force is constantly draining. The longer we delay, the lower the chances of success. I've already prepared everything I need. I was about to perform the surgery myself, but with you here, it's an added layer of security."  

Uchiha Hikari asked Shindai, "It looks like you'll be busy. Should I leave first?"  

"Do you want to watch? If you do, just come along. As long as you don't disturb Lord Orochimaru, he won't say anything."  

Uchiha Hikari was quite curious about cell transplant techniques and also wanted to see what Shindai looked like when he was serious. So, Uchiha Hikari said, "I want to watch."  

"Then come on. Though Lord Orochimaru and I have completely different research focuses. I specialize in my Magnet Release Kekkei Genkai and puppets. I'm not sure how much help I'll be, even if he calls me an 'added layer of security.'"  

Shindai and Uchiha Hikari arrived at Orochimaru's laboratory.  

In the room, there was a huge cultivation tank, and inside, a gaunt, skeletal child. If not for the tiny bubbles appearing in the liquid within the tank, Shindai would have thought he was already dead.  

Shindai asked, "Lord Orochimaru, what do you need me to do?"  

Orochimaru, while putting on his lab coat, explained, "Your magnetic field. I'm worried his current body won't be able to handle the powerful vitality of Hashirama cells, even though only Hashirama cells can save him right now, because his current body lacks endurance.  

I've developed a special nutrient solution, and through the electromagnetic field you generate, it will affect the ions and charged particles in his body, influencing the cell's electrical activity and enzyme activity. This will regulate his body's physiological functions, accelerate blood circulation, raise his pain threshold and body's tolerance, promote the expulsion of inflammatory products, and enhance his immune function."  

Shindai listened attentively, nodding occasionally to show he understood. Meanwhile, Uchiha Hikari's gaze became increasingly hazy. She couldn't understand any of it!  

Orochimaru had finished putting on his lab coat, opened the cultivation tank, and carried the child—who was almost certainly Yamato—to the operating table.  

Then, Orochimaru inserted various needles into Yamato's body and took out a glass bottle containing Hashirama cells.  

Once everything was ready, Orochimaru said, "Alright, let's begin the surgery, Shindai. Use the lowest possible electromagnetic field."  

Shindai used his Magnet Release ninjutsu to create a magnetic field, then transformed it into an electromagnetic field, enveloping Yamato.  

"Increase the intensity a little."  

Shindai strengthened the electromagnetic field.  

"Increase it a bit more."  

"Keep going."  

"Good, stop! Maintain this level."  

After Orochimaru called out, Shindai immediately stopped increasing the electromagnetic field and maintained its intensity. Yamato, who was lying on the operating table, his face originally pale, now had a slight hint of color.  

Orochimaru reminded him, "During the surgery, if I ask you to strengthen the electromagnetic field, strengthen it proportionally to the first increase."  

"Alright, I understand."  

Orochimaru took a scalpel and began implanting the cells of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, into Yamato's body.  

Chapter 254: Who Is It, Who Is It, And Who Else?!  

The Lab and a Serious Shindai  

Inside the lab, Orochimaru was implanting the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju's, cells into Yamato. Shindai was maintaining an electromagnetic field to assist Orochimaru with the surgery. Uchiha Hikari watched curiously from the side, though she wasn't actually looking at the surgery itself – Orochimaru's methods were completely beyond her understanding. Instead, she was focused on Shindai. It was her first time seeing him look so serious. When he was focused, Shindai was actually a little bit handsome.  

Time passed by, second by second. The Hashirama cell transplant was quite quick, but Orochimaru spent most of his time observing how Yamato's body was reacting to the implanted cells, constantly making adjustments. Shindai's electromagnetic field had been strengthened several times, and you could even faintly see currents of electricity. The intensity of this electromagnetic field, used to assist with the surgery, was extremely high. Yamato's body would occasionally twitch.  

There wasn't any dramatic, heart-stopping moment next, like Yamato's body suddenly going into critical condition and Orochimaru frantically trying to save him. Orochimaru remained perfectly calm throughout, looking completely in control.  

Another half hour passed, and Orochimaru let out a long breath. "Alright, you can release the electromagnetic field now."  

Out of the Lab and a Secret Project  

After releasing the electromagnetic field, Shindai asked, "Lord Orochimaru, how did the surgery go?"  

Orochimaru replied with composure, "It was very successful. However, he's now in the phase where his own cells are fusing with Hashirama's. We'll need to observe him constantly, as there might be rejection."  

Shindai immediately started flattering him. "For a surgery like this, it has to be you, Lord Orochimaru! Even Lady Tsunade can't compare!"  

Orochimaru squinted at Shindai. "Next time, say that to my face, with Tsunade present."  

"Uh..."  

Shindai was speechless. Say it to his face with Tsunade there? He'd have to be crazy, risking his life to do that.  

"Alright, I don't need your help anymore. You two can leave this lab. Remember what you promised, otherwise, you'll be the one on the operating table next."  

Orochimaru started shooing them away. The successful surgery was just the beginning; now was when things really got busy, as Yamato's condition needed constant monitoring. Shindai mumbled to himself, thinking how he was called over when needed, then kicked out when done. So cold.  

"Hikari, let's go. I've got my own things to do."  

Shindai led Uchiha Hikari to another lab. This was the lab Shindai had messed up last time, now completely refurbished.  

Shindai muttered, "So clean... Lord Orochimaru isn't a clean freak with OCD, is he?"  

Uchiha Hikari asked curiously, "What are you going to do? Make your puppets?"  

Shindai looked intently at Uchiha Hikari, pleading, "It is indeed puppets, but not for me. They're for selling! Hikari, you absolutely have to keep this a secret for me, at least until my shop opens. If Pakura and Big Sister Kushina find out, I'm done for! I'm trusting you by letting you know first, so you can't let me down! You need to remember: who saved you when you were sealed? Who gave you all the dried meat? Who took you goldfish scooping? Who brought you to Konoha? And who! Let you sleep in their bed! You should be on my side, not with Pakura and Big Sister Kushina, understand?"  

A "Dream" and a Punch  

Honestly, at first, when Shindai said he was trusting her and letting her know first, Uchiha Hikari felt pretty happy. But the more she listened, the more something felt off. When Shindai started bringing up old favors, it meant whatever he was planning was definitely not a good idea!  

Seeing Uchiha Hikari stay silent, Shindai anxiously grabbed her shoulders and shook her. "Your hesitation is making me nervous! Come on, don't hesitate, just agree to me!"  

Uchiha Hikari rolled her eyes. "Alright, alright, I get it. No matter what I see this time, I won't tell Pakura or them, okay?"  

Shindai breathed a sigh of relief, a smile immediately spreading across his face. "That's how it should be! We're two peas in a pod, how can we let those two demon lords, Pakura and Big Sister Kushina, control us? Hehehe!"  

Uchiha Hikari's eyebrows twitched. "Two peas in a pod?" That was pure nonsense. She wouldn't be caught dead wearing Shindai's pants, especially the ones he hadn't changed in almost half a month. Besides, Pakura and Kushina Uzumaki had never controlled her; they'd been nothing but good to her. "Demon lords..." If Pakura and Kushina found out about that, she shuddered to imagine.  

Shindai, full of motivation, declared, "Alright! It's getting late, so let's just make a prototype puppet for now. Then, within a week, I'll use all the money I have to make six sample puppets and open for business!"  

A few hours later, Uchiha Hikari's expression grew increasingly odd. The puppets Shindai was making... why were they so suggestive? A dangerous glint flashed in Uchiha Hikari's eyes as she asked, "The shop you're opening, is it to sell these puppets? Or are they... for your own use?"  

"I have Kannazuki, why would I need these puppets? Of course, they're for selling! I'm going to make three female puppets, divided into three tiers, and three male puppets, also in three tiers, to sell to clients with different needs. This is my dream! I'm going to make a fortune! Hikari, if you ever want one in the future, I can custom-make one for you at the lowest tier price, guaranteed to make you never want to let go... cough! What are you doing?!"  

Just as Shindai was getting excited talking, Uchiha Hikari's small fist landed a punch in his abdomen. Shindai clutched his stomach, his eyes wide with confusion, looking at Uchiha Hikari, who had just punched him for the first time.  

Uchiha Hikari smiled at Shindai. "Sorry, I don't need one."  

Shindai grumbled, "If you don't need one, you don't need one! Why'd you punch me?!"  

Uchiha Hikari kept her smile. "Every time I see Pakura and Kushina punch you, I suddenly wanted to try. It felt great, as expected."  

"Are you insane?!"  

Shindai felt like his life force was draining. Having one Pakura and one Kushina Uzumaki was already enough for him to handle, and now there was Uchiha Hikari added to the mix. Had he committed some terrible sin in his previous life?  

However, more than the punch, Shindai was worried about Uchiha Hikari spilling the beans. "You promised me you wouldn't say anything!"  

Uchiha Hikari "hmph-ed." "Don't worry, I don't have a habit of breaking promises. Since I agreed, I won't tell Pakura or Kushina."  

Hearing Uchiha Hikari's promise, Shindai felt a bit more at ease.  

"Half an hour more, then we'll pack up and head back for dinner!"  

Shindai tirelessly continued tinkering with his puppets.  

Chapter 255: Shindai's Dream Shop  

The Grand Unveiling  

Six days later, inside the lab, Shindai gazed at the six brand-new puppets, filled with a sense of accomplishment. He puffed out his chest and looked at Uchiha Hikari next to him. "Hikari, you are now permitted to praise me! Go all out!"  

Uchiha Hikari just rolled her eyes at Shindai. This past week, she'd only been watching Shindai make puppets out of boredom, just to pass the time. But before she knew it, Shindai started bossing her around and having her help. The puppet creation, originally estimated to take a week, was finished in five and a half days with Uchiha Hikari's help.  

Seeing Uchiha Hikari stay silent, Shindai asked, puzzled, "Huh? Why aren't you praising me?"  

Uchiha Hikari was doing well not to curse him out. "What's there to praise? I don't think this is anything to be proud of. Since you're done, you won't need to come here anymore, right?"  

Shindai shook his head. "Not exactly. I still need to come here sometimes. But I saw the shop Lord Third is renting to me; it's quite big. There's a room in there about the same size as this one that can be used as a puppet-making workshop. After Lord Orochimaru's science research department is established, if I need to do research, I'll go there."  

Uchiha Hikari scoffed. "More research? Research what? How to make your perverted puppets even more perverted?"  

Shindai sighed. "Can you stop looking at my puppets with such a biased view? How are my puppets perverted? They're 'easy on the eyes'! As products for sale, they need to look good to sell, right?"  

Uchiha Hikari's gaze drifted to the chests of the three female puppets, and she let out an annoyed "hmph."  

Shindai noticed Uchiha Hikari's gaze and immediately understood, chuckling mischievously as he nudged her. "Oh, I see, it's jealousy! You're still young, maybe you'll grow more later. And even if you don't, it's fine; some people like flat chests. Don't worry too much."  

A vein immediately popped on Uchiha Hikari's forehead. She delivered a direct elbow strike to Shindai's chest.  

"Cough!"  

Shindai's eyes nearly popped out. "You, how could you hit your boss?!"  

Uchiha Hikari frowned. "What do you mean 'my boss'?"  

Shindai explained, "I'm planning to recruit you as the shop manager! If I'm not your boss, then what am I? After the shop opens, I'll only be there for a few days before going back to my research. I won't have time to look after the shop, so I'm preparing to make you the manager to help me watch it. You don't have anything else to do, right? I'll pay you then. And there's an employee too, my junior, Kabuto. He's that kid with glasses from the crafts shop. I told him a long time ago that when I open a shop, I'd have him help out."  

Uchiha Hikari wondered, "Didn't you say you're out of money? How are you going to research puppets?"  

Shindai sighed. "Not puppets. I need to prepare. There's a huge crisis coming in the future, and I need to be ready! Big Sister Kushina might even be pregnant already; there's not much time left."  

Uchiha Hikari asked, puzzled, "A big crisis? What crisis?"  

Shindai didn't elaborate, only saying, "It's just a guess. Don't worry, your salary will be high! You won't be short-changed, but I'll have to owe you for now, until the puppets start selling."  

Uchiha Hikari imagined herself sitting in a shop, selling these perverted puppets for Shindai. Uchiha Hikari flatly refused, "No way!"  

"Don't be like that, Hikari! You're just sitting around anyway. I'm begging you, please!"  

"No!"  

Shindai relentlessly pestered Uchiha Hikari, begging her to be his shop manager.  

"Shindai's Dream Shop" Opens Its Doors  

The next day, Shindai placed his puppets inside the shop, displaying them in glass cases. After hanging up the signboard he'd prepared earlier, the shop officially opened.  

Shindai's Dream Shop  

Of course, Shindai invited everyone he could to the opening day. However, some didn't come, like Orochimaru, Minato Namikaze, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Kakashi, and others. Orochimaru simply thought it was embarrassing and a waste of his time, so he didn't show up. Minato Namikaze was busy and could only come after work. Hiruzen Sarutobi was in a meeting at the Hokage's office. As for Kakashi, he was still on a mission outside the village.  

At the shop entrance, Pakura, Uchiha Hikari, Kushina Uzumaki, Obito, Rin Nohara, and Kabuto Yakushi stood speechless, staring at the poster plastered by the door. The poster showed Jiraiya embracing one of the puppets, striking a kissing pose. That's right, Shindai had specifically taken this photo when he handed the finished puppet over to Jiraiya that day. Shindai already had the idea then to make Jiraiya his brand ambassador. On the poster, there were several large words:  

"Hand-picked puppets by Jiraiya, one of the Legendary Sannin of Konoha! Jiraiya himself says they're great!"  

Pakura and the others felt their scalps tingle. They couldn't imagine what expression Jiraiya would have when he returned to Konoha and saw this. They completely failed to understand what Shindai was thinking. When opening a shop like this, shouldn't you be discreet? Why be so flashy?  

Shindai walked out of the shop entrance with a radiant smile. "Hey there, why are you all standing outside? Come on, come in! It's the first day of business, so please show your support!"  

But no one moved. This was because many curious onlookers had gathered around, mainly drawn by the highly appealing poster outside Shindai's shop.  

Pakura and Kushina Uzumaki asked Shindai with dark expressions, "The shop you mentioned opening, it's this kind of shop?"  

"Mmhmm! And let me tell you, it's my opening day today, and there are so many people around, so you can't beat me up!" Shindai knew very well that Pakura and Kushina Uzumaki probably wanted to punch him right now. But the shop was already open, the deed was done. Heh, they couldn't do anything to him!  

Although he was standing outside, Obito still caught sight of the three beautiful female puppets in the glass cases inside, and his eyes glazed over. Rin Nohara looked at Shindai, speechless. She'd heard about Shindai's "dream" before, but she never imagined he'd actually make it a reality. Kabuto Yakushi was already thinking about how to reject Shindai later; working here felt like it would compromise his integrity. Uchiha Hikari looked at Shindai with a calm expression, as she had already known what was coming.  

Under Shindai's persistent invitation, Pakura and the others, heads down, afraid of being recognized by the crowd, were forced to enter Shindai's shop. Despite feeling embarrassed, Obito and Kabuto Yakushi couldn't help but occasionally glance at the three "Maria 1" puppets Shindai had made, because they were indeed beautiful.  

As Pakura and the others entered, many curious onlookers also streamed into the shop. They wanted to see what kind of puppet shop Shindai had actually opened. Shindai's smile never left his face as he watched so many people come in, because these current onlookers might just be his future customers.