“Congratulations on the opening of your new shop, Shendai-kun.” Kurenai Yuhi placed the flower basket—carefully selected from the Yamanaka Flower Shop—onto the counter.
Her beautiful ruby-like eyes curved into crescent moons as she smiled.
“May your business flourish.” Shendai accepted the flower basket and said with a chuckle, “Kurenai-nee, you’re a little late.” Shendai’s father had once saved the life of Kurenai Yuhi’s father on the battlefield, and the two families had been close ever since.
Therefore, Shendai was very familiar with Kurenai Yuhi.
After Shendai’s parents passed away, Kurenai Yuhi had looked after him like an older sister.
As for Sarutobi Hiruzen using his Telescope Technique to observe the manga shop from a distance, it didn’t matter.
Shendai couldn’t be bothered to pay it any mind.
“I just got back from a mission.” Leaning lazily against the counter, Kurenai Yuhi’s elegant figure was on full display.
She asked, “So, how’s business been?” “Five people have come by so far.” Shendai said, “And one of them was your student, Hinata.” “Hinata.” Hearing the name, Kurenai Yuhi leaned her pretty face in close to Shendai’s—so close that Shendai could smell the faint fragrance of her hair.
She teased, “That girl is very interested in you, you know.
She’s cute, has a good personality, and she’s the heiress of the Hyuga clan.
So, when are you going to make a move?” Shendai replied with a grin, “I think it’d be even better if she came with her teacher.
A pure little lady and a gorgeous older sister…
a man could enjoy the best of both worlds.” “Little Shendai, you naughty boy!” Kurenai Yuhi’s pretty face flushed red, and she tapped a finger against Shendai’s forehead.
But her tone held no real reproach; if anything, it carried a hint of affection.
Kurenai Yuhi also realized her actions just now might have been a bit too intimate.
Her cheeks burned, and for a moment, she didn’t know what to say.
Shendai broke the awkward silence with a smile.
“So, would you like to read a manga?” “You don’t have very many manga here.” Following Shendai’s lead, Kurenai Yuhi walked over to the bookshelf and looked over the four manga volumes on display.
“You can’t put all the good stuff out at once.” Shendai said, “The first read is five thousand ryo.
After you finish, you are one hundred percent guaranteed to receive a random reward from within the manga.” “What a clever business idea.” Kurenai Yuhi smiled, assuming this was just Shendai’s promotional gimmick—like reading manga and getting a free gift.
The woman glanced over the selection, picked up the newly drawn Digimon—Part 1 volume, and sat down to read.
“Digimon?
Virtual lifeforms that inhabit a computer network?
What does ‘computer network’ mean?
Wow, this little creature is so cute.
This zombie dinosaur looks a bit scary, though.” Kurenai Yuhi was quickly drawn into the story of Digimon—Part 1.
The novel plot and unique setting felt like an eye-opener.
Like a child, she would even grow tense whenever Taichi Yagami and the others were in danger.
Time passed without her noticing.
After finishing the manga, Kurenai Yuhi still felt a bit reluctant for it to be over.
At that moment, A system message appeared.
[Customer Kurenai Yuhi has finished reading Digimon—Part 1 and obtained—”Poyomon”!] [‘Poyomon’—A juvenile, spore-type Digimon covered in white fluff.
It enjoys dancing through the air in search of safe, enemy-free locations.
When encountering a foe, it will spit sticky bubbles to create an opening for escape.
After system modification, this Digimon can evolve through the continuous supply of its owner’s chakra.] Hum— A ray of light descended onto the table before Kurenai Yuhi.
When the light faded, it revealed an adorable little creature, snow-white and so round it didn’t even seem to have limbs.
Kurenai Yuhi’s mouth dropped open in shock.
“This is…” “You’re in luck.
That’s a Poyomon.” Shendai said, “This Poyomon is a female Digimon.
As long as you continue to feed it with your chakra, it can eventually evolve into forms like Lillymon or Rosemon.” “W-What you just said…
is that true?!” Kurenai Yuhi stared at Shendai, dumbfounded.
“This is just too incredible!” She had assumed that the “reward” Shendai mentioned would be something like a poster or a plushie.
She never imagined an actual Digimon would appear.
This was a creature that existed only within the pages of a manga!
And having just read the manga, she knew that once these Digimon evolved to a certain stage, their power became quite terrifying.
Ultimate-level Digimon like Daemon or Piedmon were by no means inferior to Kage-level shinobi—they might even be stronger.
The final boss, Apocalymon, possessed the fearsome power to plunge an entire Digital World into darkness.
If she could properly raise this Poyomon, it would undoubtedly become an incredible ally.
At this moment, Kurenai Yuhi looked at Shendai with eyes full of shock.
Whoever could open a manga shop like this was certainly no ordinary person.
To call him unfathomable would not be an exaggeration.
But to her, Shendai was still Shendai.
Knowing that was enough.
After her initial surprise, Kurenai Yuhi turned her gaze back to the Poyomon.
The fluffy white creature stared up at her with a pair of adorable black eyes.
The woman had absolutely no resistance to it.
Kurenai Yuhi happily scooped up the Poyomon and cooed, “Will you come home with me, little one?” The Poyomon made a childish voice, much like a young girl’s.
“Okay, okay~” “You can talk?!” Kurenai Yuhi was even more astonished.
“I downloaded your human language when I was born.” Poyomon replied.
“Wow, you’re just too cute.” Kurenai Yuhi hugged the Poyomon, utterly smitten.
Cradling the Poyomon in her arms, she smiled at Shendai.
“I got a very cute pet today.
I’ll come by again tomorrow.” “You’re welcome anytime.” Shendai laughed.
“Well then, little Shendai, big sister is off.” Kurenai Yuhi tilted her head slightly, flashed a sweet smile, and left with the Poyomon.
In the Hokage’s office, Sarutobi Hiruzen watched through the crystal ball as Kurenai Yuhi exited the shop holding the Poyomon.
He said gravely, “Yuhi did not have that white pet in her arms when she entered.
Did she obtain it from the manga?” Kakashi said, “It seems so.
The owner of the manga shop stated that any reward from the manga is possible.
Sakura’s reward earlier was a Danger Beast.” “What an unfathomable manga shop.” Suddenly, Sarutobi Hiruzen’s expression flickered.
He said, “Has that boy gone in as well?” … “Kurenai.” Asuma, walking along the street, greeted Kurenai Yuhi with a smile as they crossed paths.
“Mm.” Kurenai Yuhi, holding the Poyomon, nodded politely.
Although Asuma had pursued her multiple times, she had clearly turned him down each time.
Their usual encounters consisted of nothing more than a brief, polite exchange.
Asuma looked at the Poyomon in Kurenai Yuhi’s arms and smiled.
“That’s a cute little creature.” “I got it at the manga shop.
I have something to attend to, so I’ll be going now.” Kurenai Yuhi said, then promptly left with the Poyomon.
Asuma had hoped to exchange a few more words with her, but she departed without giving him a chance to speak further.
“Manga shop?” Curious, Asuma looked at the Ariya Manga Store in front of him and walked inside.
“Boss, just now…
was that you?” Asuma stepped in and recognized Shendai at first glance.
His expression stiffened slightly.
Kurenai Yuhi had rejected him time and again, yet she was very close to Shendai, often shopping and eating with him.
This led Asuma to suspect that the reason for her rejections was likely Shendai.
The moment he saw Shendai, he felt as though he were looking at a romantic rival.