Take It Down

The reports from this period indicate that the profits have been quite good. Apart from the blind boxes not achieving the expected explosive popularity, the movie's revenue increased significantly compared to the previous installment.

Grasswood, in particular... it seems its reputation has been established this time.

This kind of story, which is lighthearted, comedic, and with a touch of romance, has been unexpectedly popular.

Perhaps it's also because the war just ended!

Everyone's heart craves happiness.

As for the blind boxes... it's possible that the pricing was too high, and without the internet to create buzz, not many people bought them.

Kusana looked at the message from the store manager in a remote town in the Land of Fire: "Boss, I might, it seems... have found the big spender Leader mentioned!"

"..."

The amount earned in this small town accounts for almost half of the total?!

And it was all from one person...

Keep in mind that Mujie's last outing not only secured the market in the Land of Fire but also the neighboring Land of Earth.

Although it didn't cover the entire Land of Fire or Land of Earth, not even half, the market has expanded considerably compared to the initial "Gambling Shadow"!

Therefore, besides a big spender, no one else could be this extravagant.

Of course, it's also possible that because not many people bought them, the performance there is truly outstanding.

Kusana sighed with emotion, "Speaking of which... Consultant Mujie is actually quite good too."

It's just that.

Looking further down.

He fell silent again.

Frowning slightly, he asked, "Why is the revenue from the Land of Grass also so high? Especially the blind boxes... they're even higher than in some major cities in the Land of Fire."

As soon as he finished speaking.

Kana, standing beside him, hesitated and said softly, "Perhaps... it's because of Lord Jiraiya and Consultant Mujie!"

"???"

"They, they heard that Teacher Ooki released exclusive blind box merchandise and were very excited. They've been constantly opening blind boxes at the blind box store, and it seems to have attracted a lot of attention with their frenzy," Kana said, her face slightly flushed, her voice still quiet. "Lord Jiraiya... hopes to draw figurines of the Three Great Sage Princesses to complete the entire set, and Consultant Mujie..."

Before she could finish.

Kusana's eyelids twitched, and he seemed to understand something.

The Three Great Sage Princesses.

They were the Frog Woman, the Snake Woman, and the Slug Woman.

Although there were only three of them... depending on their outfits, poses, seasons, and rarity, each Sage Princess had different styles.

It wasn't easy to collect them all.

"So, Mujie also wants to collect the Three Great Sage Princesses?"

"No, he wants them all!"

"???"

"He wants to collect all the female character figurines from Teacher Ooki's published books!"

"..."

So the real big spender was in the Land of Grass?!

"Orange light! Orange light! Orange light! Open for me!"

"I want purple light! Purple light! Give me a swimsuit Snake Woman, and I'll complete the summer series."

This is a blind box store somewhere in the Land of Grass.

At this moment.

A crowd had gathered around, curiously watching the two individuals who were flushed and had ferocious expressions as they opened boxes.

How many days has it been?

These two are still here opening boxes?!

The store manager, holding a microphone, shouted, "Purple light! Purple light! This Mr. Wu... is currently leading by one point. Traveler from the Land of Fire, what are you waiting for? Another hundred packs? Perhaps the next one will be your desired figurine!"

He fanned the flames, unafraid of causing trouble.

Opening blind boxes... and they started competing for no reason. It could be said that if it weren't for this guy, perhaps the two of them wouldn't have been so crazy!

The surrounding people were getting excited, cheering them on.

Not far away, the three of them also looked on speechlessly.

Especially Yahiko, who covered his face, looking quite embarrassed.

"This old man... how many steamed buns could be bought with this much money?" Yahiko sighed with emotion, his face bitter. "All of it was spent here! What a waste!"

As the words fell, a moment of silence hung in the air.

"..."

Nagato and Konan patted Yahiko sympathetically.

Then, Nagato... frowned as he looked at Jiraiya inside.

Just as he thought.

It was like Teacher Amang and Mother had said.

These Konoha's Sannin... weren't good people. Following him would easily lead to bad influences!

"Don't worry, I've already told Kana-neechan as you asked," Konan whispered slyly. "I'm sure Kana-neechan will tell Amang-sensei before long."

The words landed.

Yahiko snapped back to attention, his sadness vanishing. He lowered his voice, "Did I expose myself? If Father finds out... I'll definitely get beaten again."

"Don't worry, it'll be fine."

"Sigh, Father is actually pretty good. Except for those times when he acts a bit strange, he's fine the rest of the time. It's just that the other day Wu Wei came to talk to me..." Yahiko sighed with emotion. "If there was absolutely no other way, I wouldn't have done this, but Wu Wei said only Amang-sensei can handle Father Mujitsu."

As soon as he finished speaking.

A lively sound seemed to reach them. The three looked up, and their faces immediately lit up with happy smiles.

Teacher Amang was here!

"Slap!"

"What?"

"Slap, slap, slap!"

"I already said, what is it!" Mujitsu, annoyed by the patting on his shoulder, turned his head indignantly. "I feel like I'm definitely going to get an orange rarity this time. If you ruin my luck by patting me, you'll pay for it..."

Before he could finish.

Seeing the person smiling at him, Mujitsu blinked.

Then.

He shivered all over, as if snapping back to reality. He chuckled nervously and said, "Leader, why are you here? Oh my! It's getting late, I still need to go back and cook for the children."

"Don't lie to me. Your wife cooks, and sometimes that kid Wu Wei does it. You, as the father, can't do anything!"

Kusana rolled his eyes and blocked him directly.

Mujitsu's clan was very small. So small that a single accident could lead to its extinction. There were only he, Wu Wei, his wife, and a few clan members at home.

Of course.

Most clans in the Land of Grass were small like this. Even Wu Wei and Longzhi's clans were considered large.

Looking at Mujitsu, who was standing there looking embarrassed and trying to quibble, Kusana sighed inwardly. He thought about this guy... he had truly worked hard and made great contributions this time!

And he had only just returned a few days ago.

Perhaps he should let him relax a bit?

Or reward him?!

Therefore, after a moment of hesitation, he lowered his voice. "If you want this kind of thing, you should tell me! My... factory still has them. I could have gotten them all for you. How could you be so addicted?"

However.

As soon as he finished speaking.

Mujitsu looked at Kusana with dissatisfaction. "Leader, you're insulting me! As an excellent Grass Ninja, how could I be addicted? This isn't addiction, it's just a tiny bit of curiosity!"

Standing among a pile of figurines, he proudly lifted his head at a forty-five-degree angle.

"I don't want the result. I'm just enjoying the tense and exciting process."

"..."

Kusana looked at Mujitsu, who was full of pride, and then at the figurines at Mujitsu's feet. He was stunned for a moment.

That's right.

A ninja!

How could he lack such self-control?

He wasn't like Tsunade... searching for emotional solace.

Perhaps Mujitsu was just trying to relax!

He nodded with a smile, patted Mujitsu on the shoulder, and was about to say something when.

Mujitsu suddenly leaned in and whispered, "When should we go get them? Are there all of them? Or maybe we should find a dark and windy night? Oh, and can I design one myself? Like, with less clothing... Don't worry, I promise I'll only keep it to myself..."

Before he could finish.

Kusana's eyelids twitched. He looked speechlessly at Mujitsu, who was full of anticipation beside him, and then let out a long sigh. He said with deep meaning, "Little Wu, I'm very disappointed in you!"

He waved his hand.

Instantly, several Grass Ninja guards jumped out.

"Take him away! A thousand times this time, and you can come out after you're done copying."

"???"

Before Mujie could react, he was immediately seized by several ninjas.

"Leader, what are you doing?"

"Take him away! Take him away!"

"No! Leader, I was wrong! I can recite that thing backward by heart now!"

"I just made contributions to the Land of Grass, shed blood for it! I just got back! You can't treat me like this!"

However.

No one paid him any mind.

After a short while.

He was taken away.

As for Jiraiya, who was standing before them… he blinked, watching the bizarre scene unfold.

Weren't they just having a pleasant conversation?

Why was the man taken away again?

Could it be… that his purchase of books from Mujie yesterday had been discovered?!

Thinking this, Jiraiya's heart tightened. As expected of Grass Ninja! I've heard they're very skilled at gathering information, and seeing it today truly confirms it!

Less than a day had passed, and he'd already been caught.

Thinking of himself… Jiraiya worried about being captured again, so he immediately put away his figurines. With a sigh, he tilted his head up at a forty-five-degree angle, a melancholic expression on his face, and quickly said, "It's time for me to embark on my journey. The Ninja World awaits this immortal's salvation!"

Indeed, he had stayed in the Land of Grass for quite some time.

It was a shame.

He hadn't found Teacher Ooki yet. Perhaps he and his master… were not destined to meet!

However.

After walking only a few steps.

"Hey, hey, hey, traveler from the Land of Fire, you didn't pay for those hundred items just now!"

"..."

Upon hearing this, Jiraiya reached into his pocket.

However.

After a short while.

His face stiffened, but his footsteps didn't stop. Under everyone's gaze, he simply…

bolted away.

"???"

Leaving the bewildered shop owner, who quickly shouted, "Someone's shop-lifting!"