Of course, there was another purpose behind Saya's exaggerated appearance: to cover up her true identity and protect herself.
The main strength of a puppet master lay in their puppets, but the fragility of their physical bodies was a common challenge in this profession. Disguising themselves became essential, as confusing their true form with that of their puppets was a widely accepted tactic to mislead enemies.
In the upcoming Chunin Exam, Misumi Tsurugi had misjudged Kankuro's true form, failing to utilize the advantages of his Soft Modification Ninjutsu. Consequently, all his attacks were directed at Kankuro's puppet, leading to his eventual defeat.
This outcome underscored how crucial it was for a puppet master to blend seamlessly with their creations, a lesson not lost on those who were observant.
Facial tattoos among puppet masters were a matter of personal choice. While some adhered to conventional styles, many opted for more casual designs, and the absence of facial tattoos drew no complaints.
Strength could easily overshadow such superficialities; as long as one demonstrated enough prowess, they could disregard all sorts of explicit or implicit social rules.
Yet, Daimaru found himself perplexed by Saya's aesthetic choices. Her stand-in puppets, intended to disguise her true self, were each more grotesque than the last.
Kankuro might have accepted anyone as a companion, but even the small doll Saya clutched looked like a remnant from a horror film—enough to scare children into tears, and even adults felt a twinge of discomfort at its sight.
"You really don't care about your hobbies, do you, Miss Saya?" Daimaru ventured, his tone light but tinged with a hint of resignation. "If that's all you wanted, perhaps it's best if you head home." He would have preferred to close the door on her, but the prospect of her becoming a future client kept him rooted in place.
With a frown, he turned to shut the door, but a white arm shot out, blocking his way. "What do you mean by that? Are you looking for trouble?" she replied, irritation creeping into her voice.
"Is it true you were abandoned by your original team?" she pressed, her tone oddly curious rather than mocking.
"Do you really want to poke fun at me about it?" he responded, crossing his arms defensively.
"Who cares about your feelings? I'm merely asking! Since you're clearly at a loose end, I'm being generous by offering to take you in. I need one more person for my team in this year's Chunin Exam, and if you follow my orders, I can give you that spot." Her tone shifted slightly, implying that she expected him to jump at the offer.
Daimaru stood there, momentarily speechless. Just how unpopular could this girl possibly be? He had joined a new team over a month ago, completed several missions, and even travelled to the borders of the Grass Country. Yet somehow, Saya hadn't caught wind of it.
"May I ask who the other teammate is?" he inquired, raising an eyebrow in curiosity.
"Why do you care?" she shot back, her defensiveness evident. "As long as I'm here, everyone else is just filling space..."
Just then, the door of the apartment next door swung open, revealing a girl with long, light purple hair tied in twin tails, wearing a green headband. She emerged, dragging a pile of garbage behind her.
"Sana? Here to clean up your sister's mess again?" Daimaru asked, recognizing her from previous encounters.
"Yes, Daimaru-senpai. There's no need for Onee-sama to do such chores—just leave it to me," the little girl chimed sweetly. Though she seemed easier to engage with than Saya, Daimaru knew she had a fierce side. Rarely did she show her true nature, but beneath that sweet facade lay a formidable personality that overshadowed her sister's.
Daimaru smirked lightly. "So the teammate you're looking for isn't your sister, then?"
Saya remained silent, her lack of response confirming his assumption.
"Thank you for the offer, Miss, but I'm afraid I already have a new teammate," Daimaru replied, trying to maintain his politeness.
"What? How is that possible?" Saya's expression shifted to disbelief. "You're not just saying that to reject me, are you? Do you really want to humiliate me?"
"Sister, don't be like that," Sana interjected, attempting to calm her sister's rising agitation. "If Daimaru-senpai is lying, we can make him clean the toilets for ten years as punishment..."
"Okay, one, I'm not lying! Two, relax, Sana," Daimaru said, a hint of nervous laughter escaping him. "I didn't do anything wrong! And is it really necessary to go that far?"
"Anyone who angers Onee-sama deserves it!" Sana declared, her eyes glinting with mischief, but a sense of seriousness underlined her words.
"But he's just a Genin filling up space," Saya snapped, disdain evident in her tone.
Daimaru shrugged lightly. "If you don't have many requirements, I could recommend someone."
"Really? There are still Genin out there alone?" Saya's skepticism was palpable. "Are you genuinely being nice to me?"
"Hey, I'm just stating what I see. We're neighbours, after all, so it makes sense to help each other out," Daimaru replied, maintaining a friendly demeanour while gauging her response.
"Who are you talking about? As long as you follow my orders, I might consider it," Saya demanded, her confidence wavering slightly.
"Look, I know someone who specializes in taijutsu. Sure, he doesn't know ninjutsu or genjutsu, but he's strong. You could use someone like that," Daimaru leaned against the doorframe, adopting a more casual posture.
"Seriously? A taijutsu user who isn't even a ninja?" Saya rolled her eyes, crossing her arms in a display of skepticism.
"Yeah, well, you're an amazing kunoichi, yet you can't even find a Genin for your team?" Daimaru challenged lightly, hoping to provoke a response.
"Zip it! I am an amazing kunoichi, the best of the best, believe me!" Saya shot back, her cheeks flushing slightly as the indignation washed over her.
"My teammate, Yome, often interacts with him. I can introduce you tomorrow. Whether it works out is another story," she conceded, her posture softening as the weight of her earlier bravado dissipated.
"Fine! If that's how it is," Saya said begrudgingly, her shoulders slumping slightly in defeat.
"But if it works out, I'll owe you a favor..."
"There's no need for that," Daimaru replied, dismissing her offer with a casual wave of his hand.
"You're taking it whether you like it or not!" Saya retorted, rummaging through her pockets before tossing a few small bottles at him. "This is your deposit. Once everything is settled, I'll provide a thank-you gift. If you refuse, I'll make sure you regret it!"
Daimaru caught the bottles, inspecting them closely. "Is this... trauma medicine? You're more generous than I expected. I suppose I'll accept it, then!"
He tucked the bottles away with a reluctant smile, recognizing the small yet meaningful gesture. After all, a little extra support never hurt anyone, and in their world, it could prove invaluable.