After recording the specifications, Tenten took a standard Kunai as a reference and had Naruto compare it to the specific grip length and blade proportions.
After the two confirmed all the details, Tenten counted the deposit and placed it into a safe under the counter engraved with a Fuinjutsu, then tore off a small note, wrote down the order number and amount, and gave one copy to Naruto.
"You're actually quite lucky."
Tenten added casually as she tore off the note and handed it over, "My dad happened to have something to do outside today and asked me to watch the shop."
"Usually, he and my mom take shifts in the shop, and I only come to help occasionally when I don't have missions or training."
"If you hadn't run into me today, let alone a custom order, you might have had to go to two other shops just to rent standard ninja tools from the counter."
Naruto folded the order note in half and tucked it into the inner compartment of his ninja tool pouch.
"Then thank you, Tenten. After your dad finishes it, just notify me whenever. Send a message or have a teammate pass the word along, either way is fine, and I'll come to pick it up."
"You're participating in the Chunin Exams too, right?" Tenten nodded and set the pen down next to the ledger.
"Then we'll see each other at the Chunin Exams. Good luck."
Naruto nodded at Tenten, then pushed open the wooden door and walked out.
The matter of the Flying Thunder God Technique-specific Kunai was basically settled. Although it wasn't certain exactly when he could receive the goods, at least the channel was opened.
Once this order was completed, he would have two exclusive ninja tools in his hand that could retain the Flying Thunder God formula for a long time, so he wouldn't have to re-mark a standard Kunai every few days.
After watching Naruto leave, Tenten closed the inventory ledger that had been spread out on the counter and wrote a line of small text on the stack of note paper to remind her dad about the details of the Chakra-conductive metal order, then tidied up the scattered documents on the counter.
As Tenten bent down to put back the ninja tool samples she had just taken out, the bell on the door chimed.
"Welcome to..."
Tenten stood up, habitually wearing her customer service smile, but before she could finish, the smile on her face paused.
The two people who had walked into the shop were Anbu members wearing animal masks. The one in front wore a cat mask, while the one behind wore a dog mask.
The cat-masked Anbu stopped in front of the counter, his gaze lingering on Tenten's face for less than a second before sweeping over the inventory ledger and order slips on the counter that hadn't been put away yet.
The dog-masked Anbu stood with their back to the door, their gaze sweeping over the ninja tools displayed on the shop walls through the eye holes of the mask.
"What did Uzumaki Naruto buy here just now?" The cat-masked Anbu asked.
"Huh?"
—
After saying goodbye to Tenten, Naruto walked back along the streets of Konoha and went to the public market. At this hour, the market was almost closing, and the remaining produce had been picked over several times. Still, he managed to buy a small bag of rice, some green onions, two eggs, and a piece of meat from an old woman who was preparing to pack up.
The old woman kept her head down while taking the money, counting it twice without once looking up at Naruto's face.
Naruto didn't mind and left after thanking her. Back at his apartment, he busied himself in his kitchen.
He had learned to cook when he lived alone in his past life. While he was no master chef, whipping up a few home-cooked dishes was no problem.
He washed the rice and cooked it. Then he sliced the pork thin and rendered the fat in the pan, sautéed the green onions until fragrant, then poured in the beaten eggs and stir-fried them together, finally drizzling a bit of soy sauce for seasoning.
In less than half an hour, a plate of stir-fried pork with green onions, a plate of scrambled eggs, and a bowl of rice were served on the low table.
After eating, Naruto wrapped the leftovers in plastic wrap and put them in the refrigerator.
Now, the refrigerator was finally no longer filled with just expired milk and instant noodles. It was stocked with fresh vegetables and meat, and there were two saury fish frozen in the freezer.
He had purchased these in batches over the past few days. Konoha's market had several stalls, and he visited different ones each time—buying meat on the east side and vegetables on the west—trying his best not to attract attention.
After eating and wiping the kitchen counter clean, Naruto walked into the living room and created several Shadow Clones.
The Shadow Clones sat opposite the main body and began discussing the details of throwing a Kunai.
The clones spoke back and forth in moderate tones. In between, Naruto intentionally had the Shadow Clones say a few things about Chakra and the like, letting the sound pass through the walls and vents so the Anbu crouching in the tree opposite could hear.