It's still too late

[Ding, detected that someone is using the Telescope Technique to monitor this area. Would you like to block it?]

At that moment, the system's voice echoed in Fuji's mind.

*Surveillance? Someone's watching over here?*

Wait, the Telescope Technique? Isn't that Sarutobi Hiruzen's ninjutsu?

Fuji's expression didn't change, but his thoughts were racing.

"System, can you determine if they're watching me or someone else?"

[The other party is monitoring Naruto. Would you like to block it?]

"No."

Fuji silently nodded in his mind, keeping his expression unchanged as though nothing had happened. However, he had already figured out that it was most likely Hiruzen Sarutobi using the Telescope Technique to observe Naruto.

At this moment, Fuji had no reason to attract unnecessary attention. If he blocked the Telescope Technique, Hiruzen, with his sharp instincts, would surely notice and become suspicious of Fuji.

Though Fuji wasn't afraid of Hiruzen, staying low-key and avoiding unnecessary exposure was his priority. He wasn't ready to reveal his full capabilities yet.

"Fuji, is Hoopa also a Pokémon from your shop?"

"Is it for sale?"

Anko asked, her eyes lit with curiosity as she looked at the mischievous Hoopa, while Kurenai also glanced at the Pokémon with interest.

"Didn't I mention? Hoopa is one of the Pokémon I acquired through a special method," Fuji responded with a smile. "But no, Hoopa isn't for sale. It's my partner."

"That's too bad, I like Hoopa," Anko said, looking a little disappointed.

"If you want, you can come by and visit Hoopa anytime. I don't mind," Fuji offered with a smile. "Or maybe, Kurenai, you can try your luck. You might get your own Hoopa."

Hearing Fuji's words, Naruto scratched his head. *Didn't I hear him say something similar earlier?*

"It probably isn't that easy, is it?" Kurenai chuckled, her eyes gleaming with amusement as she seemed to understand the underlying joke.

"Of course not. Hoopa is an Illusion-type Pokémon, and the odds of drawing it are very, very low," Fuji admitted with a grin.

In fact, the odds weren't just low—it was practically impossible to draw another Hoopa.

"Well, I'll give it a try. I feel like I have pretty good luck. Maybe I'll draw a Pokémon that suits me," Kurenai said with a soft smile.

Kurenai wasn't necessarily set on getting Hoopa. She thought the Pokémon like Snivy and Vulpix were adorable and would be a good fit for her as well. She had heard from Anko that all the Pokémon at Fuji's shop were assigned randomly.

*Fate decides...*

That phrase had come from Anko, who in turn had heard it from Fuji. It was a beautiful sentiment.

Kurenai glanced at Fuji, chuckling to herself.

"Do you know the process, Kurenai?" Fuji asked, handing her a Pokédex from behind the counter.

"I do. You get five chances a day to draw randomly from the Pokédex," Kurenai replied. She paused and blinked playfully, "There aren't any ugly Pokémon, right?"

"Ugly? Well, I can't guarantee that," Fuji said with a light laugh. "Beauty is subjective, after all. But I can promise that every Pokémon has its own special traits and uniqueness."

From Fuji's perspective, there were certainly some Pokémon that could be considered unattractive, but most were either cute or strong and commanding. And with five chances a day, if you didn't like one, you could always try again—like how Anko had drawn an Ekans and then opted for a second attempt.

"Alright, I'll give it a go," Kurenai said with a smile before tapping 'Go' on the Pokédex screen.

Anko leaned in eagerly, curious to see what kind of Pokémon Kurenai would get. Naruto, too, wanted to take a closer look but hesitated. He wasn't very familiar with Anko and Kurenai, and felt a bit shy around them.

Naruto was more comfortable around his peers, but Anko and Kurenai were much older, and he didn't know them well enough to be as outgoing. Plus, at his current height, it would be awkward trying to peer over their shoulders, so he stayed back.

Fuji, meanwhile, glanced at Kurenai more attentively. Unlike Anko, who was more bold and spontaneous, Kurenai was quieter and more reserved.

Both women were undeniably beautiful, but their personalities set them apart.

*In the future, things will change for them...* Fuji thought.

Anko would have her struggles, gaining weight during the Boruto era, and Kurenai would face her own challenges, particularly with her relationship with Asuma and giving birth to their child, Mirai Sarutobi.

At this point, though, Kurenai and Asuma hadn't started dating yet, or so Fuji guessed. The two wouldn't officially become a couple until three years later.

There was still time...

---

L