Shindai used the Transformation Jutsu and crept toward the handicraft shop.
He wanted to see for himself what kind of person Yamanaka Kazuma truly was.
Inside the handicraft shop, there were quite a few customers—both adults and children.
The crafts sold in the shop clearly showed signs of Shindai's unique creativity.
When the handicraft shop had first opened, its product selection was very limited.
Although Minato Namikaze and others had helped promote the orphanage's shop, the lack of variety was still a big issue.
As for crafting, Shindai—who specialized in puppets—had far too many ideas.
So Pakura asked Shindai for help, hoping he could teach her how to make handicrafts so she could then teach the orphans.
Now, the best-selling products in the shop were Shindai's Mech-Ninja series—miniature mechanical parts assembled into uniquely shaped mechanical ninja figures.
As soon as Shindai entered the handicraft shop, he immediately locked eyes on his target. After all, members of the Yamanaka clan either had yellow or orange hair.
And sure enough, this person was standing right next to Pakura, helping her showcase the products to customers.
Shindai couldn't hide his irritation.
[Mocking someone you don't know? That always hides ulterior motives!]
Shindai approached mockingly and said, "Look who it is—the great Yamanaka ninja! What, gave up on being a shinobi and took a part-time job at a handicraft shop now?"
Yamanaka Kazuma asked in confusion, "Excuse me… do I know you?"
"I'm here shopping, so what else could I be other than a customer? Surely I'm not another employee? This place is barely bigger than a shoebox—how many employees does it even need? Come on, explain this thing to me."
Shindai pointed at a Mech-Ninja figure and ordered Yamanaka Kazuma to explain it.
Pakura, who had been showcasing products to other customers, shot a glance toward Shindai.
Though Shindai had disguised himself using the Transformation Jutsu, Pakura still felt something was off—there was an oddly familiar aura about him.
Walking over, Pakura said to Shindai, "Let me show this customer around."
But Shindai refused, "No way. I want him to explain it. Isn't he an employee?"
"He's not…"
Before Pakura could finish saying that Yamanaka Kazuma wasn't an employee, the latter interrupted with a polite smile, "It's fine—Pakura. You take care of the others. Sir, let me explain this to you."
Shindai exaggerated his tone sarcastically: "It's fine—Pakura. Are you two really that close? Calling her by name already—getting a little too cozy, aren't we?"
Yamanaka Kazuma's eyebrows had already slightly furrowed.
Is this guy here to start trouble?
Why would he pick on *him* specifically?
Looking thoughtfully at Pakura, who was also deep in thought, Yamanaka Kazuma suddenly understood.
Looks like another one of Pakura's admirers.
Yamanaka Kazuma maintained a polite smile as he spoke. "Pakura and I might not be very familiar with each other right now, but I'm making an effort to get closer to her. There's absolutely no way I'd try to take advantage—right now, we're friends. Isn't it perfectly normal for friends to call each other by their names?"
Shindai glared at Yamanaka Kazuma with a dark glare.
Fucking hell—he actually said his intentions out loud just like that. How arrogant!
Shindai whispered in a low, sinister tone, "Is that so? You think just tagging along doing chores with Pakura for a couple days will earn her favor? What a sweet fantasy you've got going."
Yamanaka Kazuma chuckled. "This is a great opportunity for Pakura and me to understand each other better. It's fair competition—if you want in, feel free!"
Shindai sneered. "Fair competition? If you knew who I really was, you wouldn't dare say such ignorant things!"
"Oh? Then who are you?"
"I am..."
Shindai suddenly stopped mid-sentence, nearly blurting out his real name.
He was currently disguised using Transformation Jutsu.
"Hmph, my name is Shangtianda Zhen!"
Yamanaka Kazuma slightly raised his eyebrows. Shangtianda Zhen? This name... why did it sound so offensive toward his own name?
Yamanaka Kazuma began introducing the Mech-Ninja. "Well then, let me explain. The name of this product is Mech-Ninja. It's a doll painstakingly handcrafted by the children at the orphanage—one tiny piece at a time—and finally assembled together. It's a highly collectible item."
Shindai snorted disdainfully. "Just this?"
Yamanaka Kazuma looked puzzled. "What else? Isn't it just a doll after all?"
Shindai mocked him further. "You really didn't do your homework. With skills like this, you still think you can win over Pakura? Dream on."
Now slightly annoyed, Yamanaka Kazuma thought to himself: What else could there possibly be to say about a doll?
Then Shindai invoked [Upend Heaven Itself], launching into a detailed explanation directed at Yamanaka Kazuma:
"First off, it's not called a doll—it's called an action figure. As the name suggests, its design concept imitates a ninja. To ensure mobility and structural stability, joints like the shoulders and elbows have been carefully engineered using different types of connections—ball joints, pin joints, etc.—allowing various cool combat poses which enhance both the playability and display value of the figure.
And it's not just about being movable—it has to hold together solidly too. How the parts connect, how deep they nest—those all go through tons of testing and fine-tuning...
Shindai bombarded Yamanaka Kazuma with professional jargon, explaining the design philosophy behind the Mech-Ninja in detail, leaving Yamanaka Kazuma momentarily stunned.
After finishing his explanation, Shindai looked at Kazuma contemptuously. "So? Did you understand any of that? If not, I can go into even more depth."
Kazuma closed his slightly open mouth and stared at Shindai curiously. "How come you know so much about this?"
Shindai snorted. "That's none of your business."
"I'm telling you, there's absolutely no way between you and Pakura, so give up on it!"
Yamanaka Kazuma glanced at Shindai before saying, "We'll talk outside."
"Who's scared of who!"
Shindai thought Yamanaka Kazuma was ready to throw down with him, which immediately thrilled him.
As he followed Yamanaka Kazuma out of the handicraft shop, Shindai had already made up his mind.
Later, he'd wait for the right moment to paralyze this guy with the [Iron Sand Binding Field], then beat him within an inch of his life, making sure he never dared think that way again.
"Hehehe..."
Shindai couldn't help letting out a laugh.
Yamanaka Kazuma looked at Shindai strangely—why was this guy laughing maniacally?
Outside the handicraft shop in a small alleyway,
Shindai provocatively waved at Yamanaka Kazuma, "Don't say I didn't give you a chance. You can strike first!"
Though he said that, Shindai had already discreetly activated the [Iron Sand Binding Field] beneath Yamanaka Kazuma's feet. The moment Yamanaka moved to attack, he'd make sure he regretted it.
"Is that so?" asked Yamanaka Kazuma curiously. "I never said I wanted to fight you. I just said I wanted to talk."
"Eh?"
The tension was already building like this—weren't they going to fight?
"You're Shindai, aren't you?"
Yamanaka Kazuma suddenly called him by name, which briefly took Shindai by surprise.
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