After receiving Ebisu's hint, Shindai fully grasped the truth.
Because everyone was too ostentatious and cared about appearances, they couldn't bring themselves to buy his puppets.
Shindai burst into laughter.
Ebisu rubbed his hands together and asked, "So Shindai, about my third-generation puppet..."
"I'll make sure it's handled perfectly. Come pick it up tomorrow at noon! Fill out a form with your requirements, Kabuto Yakushi!"
Kabuto Yakushi took out a form and handed it to Ebisu.
Ebisu felt extremely happy in his heart; he originally just wanted to buy a second-generation Maria No. 1, but didn't expect that he could actually purchase a third-generation one.
After finishing the form, Ebisu handed it to Shindai and then pulled out a poster, saying to him, "Make it according to this."
Shindai glanced at the beautiful woman on the poster and said, "No problem, leave it to me."
Ebisu directly shoved 350,000 ryō into Shindai's hand: "Then...I'm counting on you, Shindai. I'll come get it tomorrow!"
Ebisu left completely satisfied.
Shindai, being someone who takes immediate action, sprang into action right away, writing the words 'full confidentiality' on Jiraiya's poster.
"Alright! Then I'll go start working now. Once this order is completed, I'll treat you all to a feast!"
Shindai left completely satisfied as well.
Two hours after Shindai left, another person entered the shop, asking how exactly the full confidentiality worked.
Hikaku Uchiha and Kabuto Yakushi exchanged glances, sensing an ominous premonition.
Because both of them had already been waiting for Shindai's store to go bankrupt—how could things now look like it might miraculously revive?
Shindai stayed late that night finishing Ebisu's puppet before heading home.
When he got home and learned from Hikaku Uchiha about someone coming to inquire about the confidentiality process, Shindai laughed so hard he couldn't stop smiling the whole night.
Shindai instructed Hikaku Uchiha that if anyone else came to place an order, follow the procedure: collect the upfront payment, have them fill out the form, and then give him the forms when he comes back in the evening.
The next day, Shindai personally delivered the freshly made Maria No.1 to Ebisu.
Hearing his Maria No.1 tenderly call him "Lord Ebisu~", Ebisu felt as though he were standing atop clouds, floating—he was absolutely thrilled! It was simply wonderful!
And after this order from Ebisu, fortune seemed to be favoring Shindai now. Although business wasn't booming, he received two or three orders every week.
Shindai's Dream Workshop finally became profitable!
Now it was time to work on Hiruzen Sarutobi's puppet. He had promised to make it after the shop opened, but Shindai had postponed it until now—after all, he hadn't had any money back then.
Previously, Shindai's spending money had mainly come from reimbursements sent by Minato Namikaze to Hikaku Uchiha, which he cleverly exploited.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had finally received his order, looked at the Biwako Sarutobi with eyes full of nostalgia and affection.
"Shindai, I was starting to think you'd forgotten all about me."
Shindai kissed ass, "Forget The Third? Impossible. Good things need time to shine."
Hiruzen agreed, "Well said!"
Hiruzen followed Shindai's instruction and pressed the activation button.
"Hiruzen~ I miss you so much~"
The Biwako Sarutobi puppet reached out and hugged Hiruzen's arm, acting playful and affectionate.
Hiruzen's face turned red instantly!
That was it—the spirit of youth burning bright!
Shindai warned, "Third, you better watch out. If Lady Biwako finds out, you'll be in deep trouble—and it might just drag me into the mess too."
Hiruzen assured him, "Don't worry about that at all. Hey, Shindai… what exactly have you been working on lately at that abandoned experimental facility? We keep hearing explosions from there."
Shindai answered, "I'm researching my Kekkei Genkai—aiming for some real innovation."
Hiruzen advised earnestly, "Just don't get too obsessed like Orochimaru did. Life isn't only about research—you should spend more time with Pakura and Asu Natsuka too."
Shindai grumbled, "Huh? You want me to hang out with them? Why? They're already hanging out together all the time, and with Sister Kushina too. If I go near them, I might just end up scolded—or even beaten up."
"You're still not quite mature yet. One day when you grow up, you'll understand. I really do believe in you, you know."
Hiruzen chuckled and shook his head.
Shindai looked at Hiruzen somewhat strangely.
Believe in him? Believe in him for what?
Besides, he was getting too comfortable already—if he matured any further, he'd start rotting from the inside.
...
Another two months passed. It was now about three months until Kushina Uzumaki would give birth.
Inside the Hokage Building,
Hiruzen Sarutobi, Koharu Utatane, and Homura Mitokado were discussing matters with Namikaze Minato.
They were extremely cautious about Kushina's childbirth because during pregnancy, the female Jinchuriki redirects the energy used to suppress the tailed beast toward nurturing the fetus. This weakens the seal significantly.
Back when Mito Uzumaki gave birth, the seal had nearly cracked completely.
Hiruzen proposed, "Minato, let's set up the delivery room outside the village, protected by strong barriers and Anbu forces. For the actual birthing process, we'll have Lady Biwako assist while you stay close by to protect Kushina and ensure the seal remains intact. Also, treat this matter as top secret—fewer people who know, the better."
Namikaze Minato nodded seriously, "Understood."
Outside the office window, several insects flew away.
Inside Danzo's residence.
Even though it was broad daylight, Danzo remained in a dark room lit only by a solitary candle.
The flickering candlelight cast an eerie glow across Danzo's face, twisting it into a visage of deep menace.
Tatsuma Aburame entered the room and reported to Danzo, "Lord Danzo, Kushina Uzumaki, the Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails, is expected to give birth in three months. The delivery will take place outside the village, guarded by both seal masters and Anbu, with Minato Namikaze present to assist with the seal."
Danzo, who already looked sinister, now appeared even more ominous.
Danzo spoke coldly, "In other words, during Kushina Uzumaki's childbirth, Minato Namikaze will be preoccupied maintaining the seal, offering the perfect chance to eliminate him."
Danzo took out a blank scroll and began writing on it with a brush before handing it to Tatsuma Aburame. "Go to the underground exchange network. During the Third Great Ninja War, the Akatsuki organization that Hanzo and I wiped out together has recently resurfaced.
The current Akatsuki has become a mercenary organization taking contracts through the underground exchange network. Their strength seems formidable. Deliver this scroll to them and let them handle this matter.
Remember to conceal your identity. Minato Namikaze's [Flying Thunder God Technique] poses some trouble. If this fails, it won't trace back to us."
After receiving the scroll, Tatsuma Aburame immediately left to carry out the task.
Danzo's chilling voice echoed through the dim room. "The Fourth Hokage…" He let out a low snort.
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