Preparing Gifts

After heading out with Might Guy, Bai Yue quickly spotted today's little group.

There were quite a few people.

Aside from Mitaraishi Anko, who had been implicated by Orochimaru's defection, all the companions they had met at the barbecue restaurant last time were present.

"Hmph~" The instant Kurenai Yuhi saw Bai Yue, she snorted.

The previous experience had left her unforgettable for life. She had even warned herself never to have anything to do with the Hyuga Main Family unless absolutely necessary.

"Senior Kakashi, Senior Kurenai Yuhi, and all the seniors~ Long time no see." Bai Yue politely greeted them.

"Might Guy~ Is this kid the indispensable person you mentioned?!" Ebisu was somewhat displeased. He had thought it would be Mitaraishi Anko, yet it was just such a little bean.

And they had been kept waiting for so long!

"Of course~" Oblivious to Ebisu's displeasure, Might Guy said proudly, "Young Bai Yue is also an indispensable member."

"Let's go~" Kakashi still looked cold beside them, but he was at least much better than before.

"Looks like Might Guy's shameless pestering was quite useful." Bai Yue nodded, finding it rather amusing.

"Wait~ Are we choosing just one gift with so many people?" Asuma Sarutobi suddenly spoke.

"That's true~ There are too many people!"

"Then what if..."

Bai Yue suddenly felt that taking the day off had been a mistake!

They had not even unified their opinions. What a hassle.

Kakashi apparently thought the same. He had originally stopped to wait, but the moment he heard this, he immediately left.

Fine then~ I'll pick out a gift myself too.

After sighing, Bai Yue also turned and left.

Bai Yue's departure immediately triggered a chain reaction. In the blink of an eye, the little group that had originally contained more than a dozen people split apart.

"Wait for me, Bai Yue!" Seeing everyone scatter, Might Guy was dumbfounded. In the end, guided by instinct, he chose to follow Bai Yue.

"Senior Might Guy, shall we go together?"

"Sure!" Might Guy, who knew absolutely nothing about this stuff, immediately agreed.

"Then let's go take a look around..." As a shut-in who rarely left home, Bai Yue actually knew even less about Konoha.

But he had Might Guy beside him, a rare beast that randomly spawned in every corner of Konoha. Even though Might Guy focused on training, he definitely knew more than Bai Yue. "Senior Might Guy, do you know where in Konoha there are shops that offer gift customization?"

"I don't!"

Well, that had been a waste of hope.

Shaking his head helplessly, Bai Yue decided to put his mouth to use.

He strolled toward a place he had deliberately taken note of before.

Before long, Bai Yue arrived at his destination with a bewildered Might Guy in tow.

Yamanaka Flower Shop~

This was an area Bai Yue had always paid close attention to.

It was the shop belonging to Ino Yamanaka's family, one of the future Konoha 12.

"Big sister, please wrap me a lily bouquet." A mouth was not merely for eating.

"Certainly, little brother!" Being called big sister made Yamanaka Keiko incredibly happy.

After all, it was only natural to be happy when such a tiny, adorable child called her big sister.

While Yamanaka Keiko wrapped the lilies, Bai Yue looked over the flower shop, which had only recently opened.

"Little one, your lily bouquet is ready~"

"Thank you, big sister~" Once the payment and goods had been exchanged, Bai Yue immediately said, "Big sister, may I ask you about a place?"

"If I know, then of course." Yamanaka Keiko had a favorable impression of this little one from the Hyuga Clan.

"Do you know where in the village there are shops that offer gift customization? Or somewhere that can customize ceramics would work too."

"Gift customization? Ceramic customization?" Yamanaka Keiko immediately began racking her brains.

It was the first time she had heard the term gift customization. It sounded like it had potential?

When she had time someday, she could give it some thought and open such a shop to pass the time.

"Little brother, I haven't heard of anywhere in the village that does gift customization. But as for ceramics shops, I remember there's one on Xinye Street. I just don't know whether they offer customization."

"Thank you, big sister!" Having received a useful answer, Bai Yue thanked her and immediately set off.

Of course~ he did not forget the foolish Might Guy.

They headed straight for their destination.

Before long, the two arrived at Xinye Street.

"Hm?! Kakashi, and Kurenai Yuhi?! They actually came here too. Looks like this place is pretty good." Bai Yue smiled upon seeing two familiar faces in succession.

"Kakashi!" Beside Bai Yue, Might Guy immediately called out upon seeing his lifelong rival.

"..." That shout drew the attention of nearly half the street, including Kakashi.

At nearly the same time, Bai Yue and Kakashi both covered their foreheads.

This guy was truly a headache.

Unwilling to deal with Might Guy, Kakashi directly used the Body Flicker Technique and ran off.

"Bai Yue, I'll go find Kakashi first."

"Alright, go on." Bai Yue naturally would not stop him. "Remember to meet at the ceramics shop here later."

"Mm!" After nodding heavily, Might Guy immediately chased after him.

Shrugging, Bai Yue continued onward.

As he passed Kurenai Yuhi, who was selecting ornaments in a shop, Bai Yue merely glanced at her and did not go over to greet her.

"Is the owner here?"

"Yes, yes, yes. What can I do for you, customer?" A slightly calculating voice came from the rear courtyard and swiftly approached.

"Boss, does your shop accept private ceramic commissions?" Bai Yue asked directly.

"Of course. What kind of porcelain would you like to commission?"

"Can you customize two sets of ceramic dolls?" Bai Yue said calmly. "Of course~ money is not an issue."

"No problem!" The owner answered without hesitation. "What kind of ceramic dolls would you like to commission?"

Since money was not an issue, there was no issue!

As for why the owner immediately believed in Bai Yue's financial means?

What a joke~ Those distinctive Byakugan were not something to be taken lightly.

"Do you know Minato Namikaze?"

"Of course I know Lord Minato Namikaze!"

"Good. Make a set of ceramic dolls of Teacher Minato and Kushina Master's Wife, wearing wedding attire. Oh, right~ Have you seen Kushina Master's Wife before?"

"I know them both, I know them both!" The owner immediately nodded.

Ceramic dolls modeled after real people? The difficulty was indeed high, but it was not a big problem!

"The other set should be cute chibi versions. Forget it, you probably don't know what chibi means. I'll draw it for you."

"Got it!"

After a round of discussion, Bai Yue left the ceramics shop in satisfaction.

It cost one million ryo, roughly one-thirtieth of an Asuma.

It was rather expensive. But considering the private commission, the difficulty, the material loss, and the labor, Bai Yue could accept the price.

Besides~ expensive was good. The more expensive it was, the greater the favor Might Guy owed.

After stepping out and looking around, Bai Yue helplessly shook his head when he still could not find Might Guy.

That useless fool! Who knew where he had run off to.

He turned directly to the owner, who was seeing him off, and said, "Boss, if a watermelon head with thick eyebrows wearing a green tight suit comes by, tell him the gift is already prepared and that I've gone home."

"Alright!"