Shindai promised Jiraiya he would make a Puppet within a week and give it to him.
Jiraiya left contentedly.
Instead of going home, Shindai went directly to the research base to wait.
As Shindai almost fell asleep from waiting, Orochimaru finally walked out from his lab.
Orochimaru saw Shindai but pretended not to notice as he moved toward the kitchen to get himself a glass of water.
Shindai "whooshed" upright immediately. He grabbed a glass, filled it with water, and presented it respectfully to Orochimaru with both hands.
Orochimaru accepted the glass with an odd expression on his face. After sipping slightly, he said, "Speak. What do you want."
With an overly kiss-up smile, Shindai said, "Serving Orochimaru-sama a glass of water is only my duty, isn't it?"
Orochimaru placed the glass on the table. "Is that so? Then I'll go back and continue my experiment if there's nothing else."
"Eh, wait, Orochimaru-sama. Actually, there was something small..."
Orochimaru looked at Shindai with an expression that clearly said "I knew it."
Shindai rubbed his hands together nervously. "Well...Orochimaru-sama, you must have quite a lot of money, right? Could I borrow some from you?"
Orochimaru crossed his arms and looked down at Shindai. "Why would you think I have money?"
Shindai replied matter-of-factly, "Because you're one of the Sannin! You get at least several hundred thousand ryo just doing any ordinary mission report. Also, unlike Master Jiraiya who frequents hostess bars or Lady Tsunade who gambles, you should have saved up plenty of money by now, right?"
Orochimaru didn't reply. Instead, he glanced around the room.
As soon as Shindai noticed this gesture, his face turned dark instantly.
"Er… Suddenly I just remembered Pakura asked me to go home early today. I'll leave first. See you later, Orochimaru-sama."
Shindai hurried away—it had become too awkward.
Compared with Jiraiya and Tsunade, Orochimaru might actually be the one with the least money.
After all, how many people conducting research are rich?
Research always burns through money rapidly.
Shindai self-funded all the materials for his experiments—spending money like throwing it into fire.
After watching Shindai leave, Orochimaru picked up the glass again and took another sip.
Money? He certainly had quite a lot of it since he never used his own funds for research.
He just simply didn't feel like lending any to Shindai.
Ever since Shindai started working here, he'd already broken several expensive instruments and still owed Orochimaru money.
...
Just as Shindai reached his doorstep, Kushina Uzumaki from next door dragged him inside forcefully.
Shindai straightened his clothes and asked, "What was that for?"
"Wait here."
Kushina went next door to fetch Pakura, who stood beside Shindai after arriving.
Confused, Pakura murmured to Shindai, "What happened?"
Equally puzzled, Shindai shrugged helplessly, "I don't know either."
Kushina Uzumaki gave a dry cough, her face glowing with barely contained excitement: "I've got big news to announce!"
Before Kushina could finish speaking, Shindai cut in: "Let me guess, Sister Kushina wants to tell us about your wedding with Lord Minato happening in a week?"
Pakura exclaimed in surprise: "Really? Congratulations, Sister Kushina!"
But Kushina's smile immediately vanished, her face turning Ao.
Next second.
Shindai rubbed the bump on his head, angry: "What was that for?!"
Kushina huffed angrily: "What do you mean what was that for? You just spoiled all the fun by blurting it out like that!"
"Whatever. Here, you're both sincerely invited to attend my wedding with Minato in a week." Kushina handed over the wedding invitations to Shindai and Pakura.
Shindai and Pakura accepted the invitations: "We'll definitely be there."
After returning home, Pakura asked Shindai: "What are you planning to give as a wedding gift for Sister Kushina and The Fourth?"
"I've already prepared something. Let me go get it to show you."
Shindai brought out a box from his room. When he opened it, there were three Q-style dolls inside.
"Wow, they're so cute," Pakura looked at the dolls in the box, instantly showing an expression of delight. "However, I recognize the dolls of Sister Kushina and The Fourth, but who does this third doll represent?"
"It's for their future child," Shindai answered.
Pakura expressed surprise: "Huh? Sister Kushina and The Fourth have just gotten married, and you've even made a doll representing their future child already?"
Shindai smirked smugly: "Yeah, how about it? Isn't it thorough preparation?"
Pakura propped her chin up and asked: "But their future child might not necessarily be a boy. Why don't you make one for a girl too?"
Shindai spoke confidently: "No, it will definitely be a boy. Because... I can tell!"
Pakura looked at Shindai puzzled: "Tell? How can you tell that?"
Shindai immediately employed [changing the subject]: "That's not important. What are you planning to give as a gift, Pakura? If you haven't prepared anything yet, I can help you prepare a gift too."
Pakura smiled and said: "I've already decided what I'm going to give."
Pakura took out a golden amber stone.
"I picked up this amber stone by accident while executing a mission near a desert area. The flower preserved in the amber is a desert rose, representing unwavering and eternal love. I'll present it as a wedding gift for Sister Kushina and The Fourth."
Shindai gazed at the amber stone in Pakura's hand and sighed in admiration: "That really is beautiful."
Pakura smiled and said, "I do think it's quite beautiful too. That's why I've always kept it as a good luck charm. Since I left Sunagakure, this has been the only thing I've held onto."
"Oh? Then maybe you should pick something else instead? After all, what matters is the thought behind it."
Noticing how much Pakura cherished the amber stone, Shindai suggested choosing another gift.
"No thanks, I'll stick with this one. I don't need lucky charms anymore."
Pakura flashed him a radiant smile.
Shindai was momentarily stunned, suddenly feeling distinctly flustered. Instinctively turning his head away, he said, "Fine by me. But once it's given, there's no taking it back."
Pakura gave him a playful glare. "Please, I'm not like you! Listen up—no bringing food in plastic bags on the wedding day! It's so embarrassing!"
Shindai replied with an annoyed tone, "What are you talking about? I was just kidding that day. Why'd you take it seriously?"
Pakura scoffed, "Hmph, you've got a history of pulling stunts like that! You wouldn't put it past yourself!"
Shindai grumbled inwardly—what kind of image did he actually have in Pakura's mind?!
Over the next week, Pakura and the three others—including Obito—helped Kushina Uzumaki and Minato Namikaze prepare for their wedding. Although everything was kept simple, all the necessary formalities were still observed.
Meanwhile, Shindai stayed at Jiraiya's research base helping him build puppets.
Shindai had also decided that right after Kushina and Minato's wedding, he'd head to Kannabi Bridge to check if any treasure was hidden there.
If there truly was a treasure trove, then money worries would become a thing of the past.
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