Shindai, after Ebisu's advice, finally understood.
Because it was too flashy, and everyone cared about their reputation, they couldn't bring themselves to buy his puppets.
Shindai chuckled.
Ebisu rubbed his hands and asked, "Then Shindai, about my third-grade puppet..."
"I'll make sure it's handled properly for you. Come pick it up at noon tomorrow! You have any requirements? Just fill out a form. Kabuto!"
Yakushi Kabuto took out a form and handed it to Ebisu.
Ebisu was extremely happy. He originally just wanted to buy a second-grade maria no. 1, but didn't expect to be able to get a third-grade one.
After filling out the form, Ebisu handed it to Shindai, then took out a poster and said to Shindai, "Make one just like this for me."
Shindai glanced at the beautiful woman on the poster and said, "No problem, leave it to me."
Ebisu stuffed 350,000 ryo directly into Shindai's hand: "Then... I'll leave it to you, Shindai. I'll come pick it up tomorrow!"
Ebisu left, satisfied.
Being a man of action, Shindai immediately got to work, writing the words'Strictly Confidential' on Jiraiya's poster.
"Alright! I'm going to get to work now. Once this order is finished, I'll treat you all to a big meal!"
Shindai also left, feeling satisfied.
Two hours after Shindai left, another person entered the shop, asking what'strictly confidential' meant and how it worked.
Uchiha Hikari and Yakushi Kabuto looked at each other, both having a bad premonition.
Because they were both waiting for Shindai's shop to go out of business, but now it seemed like it was showing signs of coming back to life.
Shindai worked overtime that night, finishing Ebisu's puppet before returning home.
After getting home and learning from Uchiha Hikari that someone had come to ask about the confidentiality process, Shindai smiled from ear to ear all night.
Shindai instructed Uchiha Hikari that if anyone placed an order in the future, she should follow the process: after they paid the deposit and filled out the form, she just needed to give the form to him when he returned at night.
The next day, Shindai personally handed the freshly made maria no. 1 to Ebisu.
Upon hearing his maria no. 1 call out to him gently, "Lord Ebisu~", Ebisu felt as if he were standing on a cloud, floating~ It was simply wonderful!
With this order from Ebisu, luck seemed to be on Shindai's side. Although the orders weren't exactly booming, he was able to get two or three orders a week.
Shindais Dream House was finally profitable!
Then, it was time to arrange Hiruzen Sarutobi's puppet. He had promised to make it once the shop opened, but Shindai had dragged it out until now because he really didn't have any money before.
Previously, Shindai's pocket money had all been scammed from Minato Namikaze by having him reimburse Uchiha Hikari.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, who finally received his goods, looked at the young version of Sarutobi Biwako before him, his eyes full of nostalgia and affection.
"Shindai, I almost thought you had forgotten about mine."
Shindai buttered him up: "I could never forget you, Sandaime. Good things always take time to polish."
Hiruzen Sarutobi agreed: "Well said!"
Then, following Shindai's instructions, Hiruzen Sarutobi pressed a button.
"Hiruzen~ I miss you so much~"
The Biwako puppet reached out and hugged Hiruzen Sarutobi's arm, acting coquettishly.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's face instantly flushed red!
That's the feeling, the feeling of youth!
Shindai warned him: "Sandaime, you have to be careful. If you get caught by Lady Biwako, you'll be in big trouble, and it might even implicate me."
Hiruzen Sarutobi assured Shindai: "Don't worry, you don't need to worry about that at all. But... Shindai, what are you messing around with in the abandoned laboratory? I can hear explosions from time to time."
Shindai replied: "Just researching my Bloodline Limit, doing some innovation."
Hiruzen Sarutobi said earnestly: "Don't become like Orochimaru, focusing solely on research. There's more to life than just research; you should spend time with Pakura and Ashita Natsu."
Shindai said unhappily: "Huh? Me, spend time with them? Why should I! The two of them are in cahoots now, and with Kushina-sister added to the mix, if I spend time with them, I'll likely get scolded, or even beaten up."
"You are still not mature enough. You'll understand when you're more mature. I have high hopes for you."
Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled and shook his head.
Shindai looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi with a strange expression.
High hopes for him? What hopes?
Also, he was already mature enough; any more mature and he'd be overripe.
...
Two more months passed, and there were only about three months left until Uzumaki Kushina's delivery.
In the office of the Hokage Building.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, Utatane Koharu, and Homura Mitokado were discussing with Minato Namikaze.
They attached great importance to Uzumaki Kushina's delivery because when a female Jinchuriki is pregnant, the sealing energy used to suppress the Tailed Beast is diverted to nourish the fetus, which causes the seal to weaken.
The seal had almost broken when Uzumaki Mito gave birth.
Hiruzen Sarutobi suggested: "Minato, let's set up the delivery room outside the village and protect it with a tight barrier and Anbu. For the delivery, let Biwako handle it, and you accompany and protect Kushina to ensure the seal isn't broken. At the same time, keep this matter confidential; the fewer people who know, the better."
Minato Namikaze said seriously: "Understood."
Outside the office window, a few bugs flew away.
At Danzo's house.
Even though it was broad daylight, Danzo stayed in a dark room, lighting a candle and just sitting there.
The flickering candlelight made Danzo's face look very sinister.
Ryuma Aburame entered the room and reported to Danzo: "Lord Danzo, the Jinchuriki is expected to give birth in three months. The delivery room will be set up outside the village, and there will be seals and Anbu guarding it. Minato Namikaze will also accompany her to maintain the seal."
Danzo, who already looked sinister, looked even more so now.
Danzo said gloomily: "In other words, when Uzumaki Kushina gives birth, Minato Namikaze will need to maintain the seal and won't be able to attend to anything else. It's a good opportunity to get rid of him."
Danzo took out a blank scroll, picked up a pen, and started writing. Then he handed it to Ryuma Aburame: "Go to the underground exchange center. The Akatsuki Organization, which was destroyed by me and Hanzou during the Third Shinobi World War, has been rebuilt.
The current Akatsuki Organization has become a mercenary group accepting commissions at the underground exchange center, and their strength seems pretty good. Give this scroll to the people of the Akatsuki Organization and let them handle this matter.
Remember, hide your identity. Minato Namikaze's Flying Thunder God Technique is a bit troublesome. If they fail, it won't implicate us."
After Ryuma Aburame took the scroll, he immediately left to handle the matter.
Danzo's cold voice echoed in the dim room.
"Fourth Hokage... Hmph."
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