The two sat down behind Sasori and watched his movements closely.
His hands were steady and quick, as though he were following a prewritten program.
Whatever part or component he needed, he never had to turn around. He simply reached out, grabbed it, and put it straight to use.
Pakura secretly gave Xuanhui a thumbs-up, expressing her admiration and amazement at Sasori.
Sasori was so absorbed in his work that he didn't even register their breathing.
After tinkering for a while, he slowly set the thing in his hands onto the workbench.
"I'm out of oil-soaked steelwood again. Better go make some more!"
He turned his head and discovered the two watching him intently!
The light fell across their faces, giving their features striking definition!
"Holy shit!"
Sasori recoiled in fright, banging his lower back against the workbench!
"You okay, Sasori? Didn't damage anything, did you?"
"I'm fine, I'm fine. This puppet body can take a beating!"
He straightened up the workbench he'd knocked out of order, then turned back to them.
"Brother Xuanhui, Sister-in-law Pakura, what brings you here?"
"We came to see you, of course!"
Xuanhui's gaze landed on the puppet on the workbench.
"You're so absorbed in your work that you don't even notice someone approaching!
If this were a fight, someone would already have snuck up on you!"
"That's only when I'm working. I keep an eye on my surroundings in battle!"
Xuanhui slung an arm around Sasori's neck and pointed at the puppet on the workbench.
"Have you modified all the ones I gave you?"
"I used those up ages ago. I'm upgrading them now."
"Are you still making puppets out of wood?"
"What else would I use? What do you have in mind?"
"Have you considered mechanical materials like steel?"
Sasori shook his head,