Omen Flower Eight-Pattern Dragon

After agreeing on the price, Kurama Murakumo immediately got to work without another word.

After all, it was not easy for a Genin to maintain a family's dignity. Even if that family existed in name only and had just two or three members left, the expenses were still considerable.

The down-and-out artist desperately needed this income to ease his family's strained financial situation.

To make the painting as perfect as possible, Uchiha Mai stripped without reservation until he was wearing only a pair of briefs, then stood before the mirror and explained his requirements.

"This."

Uchiha Mai pointed to his back and said, "Put nine dragons right in the center. They need to look fierce without being evil, imposing without being enraged.

The nine dragons cannot take up too much space, nor can they feel disconnected from the painting's overall style. Their styles should be relatively unified, but each dragon must have its own distinctive traits.

As for the colors, I prefer black, but not plain black—the kind of black that looks brilliantly multicolored. You know what I mean, right?

The style should fall somewhere between realism and freehand expression. The lighting and shadows need to be strong, making it seem like an illusion while still feeling very real."

Despite being a client for the first time, Uchiha Mai had already grasped the essence of it.

"Understood, understood."

Kurama Murakumo wiped the cold sweat seeping from his brow. They had agreed on several hundred animals, yet the very first request, just for nine dragons, had already reached this level.

Wouldn't the requests that followed be outrageously absurd?

This was the greatest challenge of Kurama Murakumo's more than ten-year career as an artist. He vaguely had a feeling it would be.

"This."

Uchiha Mai reached behind himself and touched the spots