If you were to ask Misa what time of day was most pleasant at her diner, it would undoubtedly be the evening.
At this time, the students from the Ninja Academy were out of school, and the working adults were off the clock. They wandered the streets, their eyes scanning the rows of restaurants and snack shops.
For people who had worked hard all day, only an unrestrained, delicious dinner could soothe their weary souls.
Because of this, the evening was not only a favorite time for the village's workers, but also for the restaurant owners. More people meant more income, and more income meant a better life.
Everyone was filled with hope, working diligently for a better tomorrow.
"Auntie Misa!" A somewhat childish voice reached the ears of Auntie Misa, who was busy preparing food for her customers.
Misa looked up and smiled at the owner of the young voice. "Oh, it's Ryo. Why are you so late today?"
"Ah, Auntie Misa, you have no idea! The school suddenly had an assessment today, so we were all held back. It's so annoying," Ryo said, shaking his fist in frustration, his face still cherubic.
"Hehe, what would you like to eat today?" Misa wasn't really in it for the money. Her shop sold sweets and snacks, which didn't hold much appeal for the adults looking for a drink and a skewer of grilled meat in the evening. However, it was exceptionally popular with the children.
Because Misa's goal wasn't to make a profit, she sold her goods at just enough to break even. So, as soon as school let out, her shop, both inside and out, would be filled with the sound of children's laughter.
That laughter often reminded Misa of her son, who had died on a mission just before the end of the last war. If he had just held on a little longer, the war would have been over. But he didn't make it. Her child had left her forever.
Now, listening to the cheerful voices that filled her shop, Misa's heart found some solace.
"Let me see… I'll have the red bean cake today," Ryo said, looking at the menu.
"Red… red bean cake? Alright…" Misa paused for a moment.
That other child hadn't come in a long time. Red bean cake was her favorite. Misa couldn't help but remember the little girl with the beautiful pink hair who used to frequent her shop.
She's probably graduated by now and become a fine ninja in her own right, Misa thought.
Everything in Misa's diner seemed so peaceful, so wonderful. If not for a white insect that landed on the roof and detonated in a violent explosion, that wonderful peace might have lasted forever.
BOOM!
In an instant, the small shop, once filled with the laughter of children, was reduced to rubble.
Cries and screams surrounded Misa as she lay pinned beneath a heavy beam. She struggled to lift her head and look around, but her vision was blurry. A warm stream of liquid flowed down from her forehead, further obscuring her already hazy sight.
She reached up to wipe it away and her hand came back covered in blood.
"Is it… is it war again?" Misa looked helplessly at the children around her—some alive, some already dead, some dying—and slowly closed her eyes.
"Auntie… Auntie Misa…"
A terrified, tear-filled voice called out to her. Misa opened her eyes again, and the first thing she saw was Ryo, covered in blood.
"Quickly… get… get out of here. Go… to the shelter," Misa said to Ryo, her voice weak.
"No… no… Auntie Misa!" Despite his terror, Ryo was trying to move the beam that pinned her down. But with his small, undeveloped body, it was obviously impossible.
"Don't… don't waste… your energy… I… I know my… my condition… You have to go… go now. Take… take the others… and go." Every word was an immense effort for Misa. The beam was crushing her chest, compressing her lungs. Even breathing was difficult, let alone speaking.
"I… I…" Tears streamed down Ryo's young face. He knew what he was doing was useless, but he didn't want to give up. Auntie Misa was a good person. When he had no money for snacks, she would often treat him.
Heh, this is the world of a child—simple, and ardent.
The sound of explosions kept reaching Sakura's ears. She froze, her mind momentarily drifting.
Sakura placed a hand on her chest and felt it. Hmm, no change, same as always. Which meant she hadn't suddenly jumped three years into the future.
"I see. So that means…" Sakura looked at the smoke rising in the distance and the crowds of people running and screaming.
"That means… it's an enemy attack…"
"Hey, what are you spacing out for?"
When Shikamaru, Choji, and Ino found Sakura, she was watching the fiery explosions as if they were a fireworks display.
"Oh, it's you guys again." Sakura was pulled from her thoughts by Shikamaru's voice. She had been trying to figure out who would attack Konoha at a time like this, and on such a large scale.
But she racked her brain and couldn't come up with anything. Konoha was weak right now, but the other villages weren't much better off. No one would rashly start a war without full preparation.
"What do you mean, 'you guys again'? Shouldn't you be doing something about what's happening?" Ino said, clenching her fists.
"Crap." Ino's words jolted Sakura. She suddenly remembered the two people at her house. Their abilities were decent, but they likely wouldn't be able to handle an opponent of this caliber.
"Hey, where are you going?" Ino shouted as Sakura's figure hurried away.
"To save people…" Sakura's words trailed off as she vanished from their sight.
"What do we do, Shikamaru?" Ino had hoped Sakura would lead them to fight the invaders. She wanted to see just how strong Sakura had become.
"We'll evacuate the civilians. Help them get to the shelters," Shikamaru said without hesitation. He knew the limits of their abilities. Right now, this was the only thing they could do. As for the invaders, the Fifth Hokage would handle them.
When Sakura rushed home, she breathed a sigh of relief. Everything was fine. Karin and Yakumo hadn't run off; they were staying put in the house.
"Sakura, what's going on outside?" Karin asked worriedly.
"I'm not sure either. Are you two okay?" Sakura shook her head, indicating she didn't know.
"We're fine. Um, are there intruders?" Karin asked again.
"Probably," Sakura said uncertainly. "As long as you're okay. I'll take you to the shelter."
"No, I'm going with you," Karin said stubbornly.
"Don't be ridiculous. I don't have time to look after you. You and Yakumo go to the shelter now, you hear me?" Sakura's tone was stern.
"Then… are you going to fight the enemy?" Karin was startled by Sakura's sharp tone. She shrank back and asked timidly.
"I won't." Sakura shook her head. "The village still has the Hokage, and Lord Jiraiya, and so many Anbu. It won't be my turn to fight. Don't worry. I just want to… watch the show."
Sakura scratched her head, her serious attitude from a moment ago crumbling in an instant.
"Uh, well, be careful then." Karin was left speechless by Sakura's reason.
"I want to watch the show too," Yakumo chimed in.
"You need strength to watch the show. One wrong move and you'll get caught in the crossfire. You go with Karin," Sakura said leisurely.
"I…" Yakumo was at a loss for words. She finally just pouted and gave up.
"That's settled then. I'm going to scout out the enemy's situation first," Sakura said, then turned and left again, heading toward the area with the most intense explosions.
One thing after another. Let's see who would dare to attack Konoha at a time like this.