Inside the lab.
Orochimaru was implanting First Hokage Hashirama Senju's cells into Yamato.
Meanwhile, Shindai maintained an electromagnetic field to assist Orochimaru with the surgery.
Hikaku Uchiha watched curiously from the side—but not at the surgery itself, since she couldn't understand Orochimaru's surgical techniques. Instead, she was watching Shindai.
This was the first time she'd seen Shindai look so serious.
When focused like this, Shindai looked somewhat handsome.
Time passed, minute by minute.
The cell transplantation had actually been quick, but most of Orochimaru's time was spent observing how Yamato's body reacted to the transplanted Hashirama cells, continuously making adjustments.
Shindai's electromagnetic field had already been reinforced multiple times, visible sparks of electricity flickering through the air.
This level of magnetic intensity used to assist the surgery was extremely high.
Yamato's body would occasionally twitch involuntarily.
There wasn't anything dramatic next—like Yamato suddenly developing critical complications and Orochimaru panicking as he scrambled to save him.
Throughout the entire process, Orochimaru remained calm, exuding an aura of total control.
Another half hour passed before Orochimaru exhaled deeply and said, "Alright, you can stop the electromagnetic field now."
After deactivating the field, Shindai asked cautiously, "Lord Orochimaru, how did the surgery go?"
Orochimaru replied composedly, "Very successfully. However, since his body is now in the phase where his own cells are fusing with the Hashirama cells, we still need to monitor him constantly for possible rejection reactions."
Shindai immediately jumped in with flattery: "Only someone like Lord Orochimaru could perform such a surgery! Not even Lady Tsunade could match this!"
Orochimaru shot him a sidelong glance: "Say that kind of thing in front of Tsunade next time."
"Eh…?"
Shindai choked instantly. Say that in front of Tsunade? Was he out of his mind? He must've lost his senses to even consider doing that.
"Fine then, I don't need your help anymore. Both of you can leave this lab now. Remember what you promised me, or else next time you'll be lying on this operating table yourself."
Orochimaru began driving them out. The surgery's success was just the beginning; what came next would truly be busy, since Yamato's condition required constant monitoring.
Shindai opened his mouth slightly, silently grumbling in his heart—truly cold-hearted. When he needed help, he'd call you over, but once done, he'd kick you aside without hesitation.
"Asu Natsuka-san, let's go. I have work to do now."
Shindai took Hikaku Uchiha with him to another lab.
This room was the one he previously damaged—it had been completely renovated and looked brand new.
Shindai muttered under his breath, "So clean… Is Orochimaru-sama seriously a germ freak?"
Hikaku asked curiously, "What are you going to do now? Making your Puppet again?"
Shindai stared intently at Hikaku and pleaded, "It's true they're Puppets, but they aren't my Puppets—they're for sale! Asu Natsuka, you absolutely must keep this secret for me—at least until my shop opens. If Pakura and Sister Kushina find out, I'm finished!
I only told you because I trust you. You can't betray that trust. Think carefully—wasn't it me who rescued you when you were sealed? Wasn't it me who gave you all the dried meat? Who took you to catch goldfish with paper nets, who brought you to Konoha, and who even gave you my own bed to sleep in?!"
You should be on my side—don't turn around and side with Pakura and Sister Kushina. Do you understand me?"
Actually, when Shindai first said he trusted her and had told her first, Hikaku felt rather pleased.
But as she kept listening, something gradually felt off.
When Shindai started bringing up old debts like that, it meant whatever he was planning definitely wasn't good news!
Seeing that Hikaku remained silent, Shindai anxiously grabbed her shoulders and shook her. "Your hesitation is making me really nervous right now! Come on, don't hesitate—just promise me quickly!"
Hikaku rolled her eyes. "Fine fine, I get it. This time, no matter what I see, I won't say anything to Pakura and them. Happy now?"
Shindai exhaled in relief, a bright smile appearing on his face. "That's the spirit! We're the real partners here—who would let ourselves get completely under Pakura and Sister Kushina's thumbs? Hehe!"
Hikaku Uchiha raised her eyebrows.
Joined at the hip?
Pure nonsense. There's no way she'd ever share the same pants Shindai hadn't changed for nearly two weeks.
Besides, Pakura and Kushina Uzumaki hadn't actually controlled or oppressed her—they'd treated her very well.
Calling them 'big demons'... if Pakura and Kushina Uzumaki ever found out about this, tch, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Full of enthusiasm, Shindai declared, "Alright then! It's getting late, so let's start by making a basic Puppet prototype first. Then, within a week, using every penny I have, we'll create six sample Puppets and officially open shop!"
Several hours later...
Hikaku's expression grew increasingly strange. Why did the Puppets Shindai made look so suggestive?
A dangerous glint flickered through Hikaku's eyes as she asked cautiously, "So your shop sells this kind of Puppet? Or are these just for... personal use?"
"I've got Kannazuki already—why would I need these Puppets myself? Of course they're for selling! I'm going to make three female Puppets divided into three tiers, and three male Puppets also categorized into three tiers, targeting different customer needs. This is my dream—I'm definitely going to earn a fortune!
Asu Natsuka, if you ever want one too, I can help you customize one at the cheapest tier price. Guaranteed to be love-at-firs—cough! What are you doing?!"
As Shindai was speaking enthusiastically, Hikaku Uchiha suddenly threw a small fist straight into his abdomen.
Shindai clutched his stomach, eyes filled with confusion as he looked at Hikaku Uchiha—the first person who had ever dared to punch him.
Hikaku Uchiha smiled and said, "Sorry, but I don't need it."
Shindai replied irritably, "If you don't need it, just say so! Why hit me for no reason?!"
The smile remained on Hikaku's face as she replied, "I always see Yagura and Kushina hitting you, so I wanted to try it myself. It really does feel great!"
"Are you out of your mind?!"
Shindai nearly lost his mind. One Yagura and one Kushina Uzumaki were already bad enough—now there was another Hikaku Uchiha too? What did he do in his past life to deserve this?
Still, compared to the punch, what worried Shindai more was Hikaku revealing secrets: "You promised me you wouldn't tell anyone!"
Hikaku snorted: "Don't worry, I don't have the habit of breaking promises. If I promised you, I won't tell Yagura or Kushina."
Hearing her assurance, Shindai felt slightly reassured.
"Keep going for half an hour more, then we'll pack up and go back for dinner!"
Once again full of energy, Shindai started enthusiastically working on the Puppet.
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