Konoha.
As the village stabilized with more clans settling in, everything began to function in an orderly way. The storefronts prepared in advance by the ninja clans also began opening one by one, filling the streets with a constant buzz of chatter.
Currently, on the bustling main street, everyone's focus was centered around one hot topic: who would ultimately become the Hokage.
In a newly renovated yakiniku restaurant, several people were gathered around a grill. One particularly chubby man was impatiently flipping the sizzling meat, his tiny eyes full of expectation.
The others around him were sipping tea and chatting casually.
"Shinshi, is this the yakiniku place you said was so amazing? Doesn't look like anything special~"
Shimura Kenichi looked around the shop's plain interior, unimpressed. It was just an ordinary grill joint, crowded, sure, but otherwise unremarkable.
"Just wait till you try it. The meat here, grilled by Boss Tarō himself, is absolutely top-tier!"
Akimichi Shinshi wiped drool from the corner of his mouth, eyes fixed on the meat, enthusiastically vouching for the place.
"The owner is a Uchiha?"
The pineapple-haired man across from him glanced at the fan insignia on the wall and asked casually.
"Ah!"
As soon as he finished speaking, a woman sitting in the corner let out a startled yelp.
"Minako, this is a public place, keep it down. I can't hear the ingredients speaking to me anymore~"
Still focused on his grilling, Akimichi Shinshi looked up with a bit of helplessness at the disheveled woman, reminding her in a low voice.
"My bad, forgot that's a banned word around Minako."
The pineapple-haired man rubbed his temples and apologized.
"Sigh~ I still don't get why Uncle Jin told us to accept that debt."
Just hearing the name Uchiha got Shimura Kenichi worked up again. When they went to ransom Shimura Jinji a while back, the Shimura clan had poured in a ton of money. When they couldn't raise enough, they even wrote IOUs.
They had thought that once he was rescued, they could appeal and deny the debt. But unexpectedly, every elder released from the Uchiha prison accepted the debt willingly and vowed to repay it with interest.
"Yeah, Minako put in the most. That debt's gonna take a lifetime to pay off~"
Akimichi Shinshi shook his head sympathetically. While the Akimichi clan had also spent a decent sum, it was still manageable. Not like the Yamanaka clan, who had dumped more than a billion ryo into it.
"It was worth it."
Staring out the window, Sarutobi Sasuke finally joined in the conversation.
"Teacher Takinousuke said after being captured, he endured inhuman torture. His brain was supposedly damaged beyond repair, yet thanks to the attentive care of one jailer, he miraculously recovered his senses."
Recalling his teacher's account, a glow flashed through Sasuke's eyes, his heart filled with gratitude toward a certain someone.
"Grandpa Souichiro is over seventy, but still strong as ever."
Yamanaka Minako perked up a little, brushing her dull hair aside and managing a slight smile.
"Plus, those outfits I drew from the lottery sold like crazy in the Fire Capital. The nobles are fighting to buy them. I actually recovered quite a bit of money."
Under Shinshi's envious glare, she picked up a perfect piece of golden meat and savored it.
"Mmm~ Oishii~"
The meat melted in her mouth. A light returned to Minako's eyes as she praised the taste with surprise and delight.
"Heh heh~ Told you this place is number one in the shinobi world!"
Though she'd stolen his carefully grilled pork belly, Shinshi let it slide this time—Minako had been through enough already.
Just don't take the last piece.
Clink!
Kenichi dropped his teacup in shock at Minako's earlier comment. Even the hot liquid soaking his pants didn't faze him.
It was... too small anyway.
"What? Those rags are actually worth that much?!"
He stood up, shouting in disbelief. After drawing a bunch of bizarre outfits from the lottery, his first instinct had been to incinerate them with Fire Release rather than let them bother him any longer.
"Mmhmm, especially those skimpy swimsuits. Some nobles paid crazy money to bid on them."
Minako licked her glistening lips, still confused why anyone would pay millions for a bikini the width of a finger.
Wearing that was basically being naked, wasn't it?
She raised her elegant fingers and added with a strange tone, "That summer-limited bikini fetched five million ryo~"
"Damn!"
Kenichi slammed the table in frustration. His petty heart filled with regret.
There had been a golden chance to get rich, right in front of him, and he blew it.
Wait a second!
"I remember the draw was 168,000 ryo per spin, right?"
His mind kicked into calculation mode. Looking at the others with a sly expression, he asked.
"Yeah, why?"
The rest were now thinking about how to sell off the strange prizes their clans had won. Unlike Kenichi, they hadn't burned everything immediately.
"Oh, no reason~ Just asking."
Eyes sparkling with scheming light, Kenichi silently rejoiced. He had just discovered a new gold mine.
"Oh, really..."
Heads down, each of them avoided eye contact. None could see the greed spreading across each other's faces.
If a 10-spin lottery guaranteed one swimsuit, that's 1.68 million ryo for a product that could easily sell for 3 to 4 million with good marketing.
Each of them started smiling with shared, unspoken understanding. Cups clinked, hearts aligned. A joyous little banquet indeed.
[Today, once again, is full of hope~]
On the lively streets of Konoha...
Two radiant girls strolled along the bustling commercial area, enjoying their usual shopping trip.
On the left was a tall girl with a curvy figure and a mix of black and white hair that drew plenty of attention. A purple mark on her forehead gleamed under the sun as she smiled youthfully.
Beside her was a graceful purple-haired girl with gentle elegance. Her wavy locks and cool demeanor gave her the air of a noble lady. She bore a similar mark on her forehead—smaller and lighter in color.
"Chi-nee, why are you out so early today?"
Senju Itama tilted her head, puzzled. Usually, Uchiha Chi would come shopping after lunch.
"Okaa-sama said she's not cooking today, so I should eat with you outside."
Chi furrowed her brow, recalling her mother's oddly evasive farewell earlier.
"Eh? That monkey-haired ape said the same to me!"
Itama, examining shop displays, turned back in surprise. That line sounded oddly familiar.
"Gin-san too?"
Chi suddenly stopped walking, her sense of unease growing. What kind of coincidence was this?
"Yeah, he went night running again last night. Came back reeking of oysters."
Itama made a disgusted face, recalling Gin drenched in sweat and smelling like the ocean.
"Those night market snacks must be great if he keeps going back. Should we try them too?"
If Gin kept visiting the same seafood stall, it must be top-tier.
"He's into night running now?"
Chi narrowed her eyes, increasingly suspicious.
"Yeah, he heads out every few nights."
Itama wasn't too concerned. As long as Gin came home at night, she was fine with it.
"I see..."
Chi sighed inwardly at her clueless friend.
Proximity to water doesn't guarantee you draw from the well—why was Itama so dense?
If it were her, their child would already have Sharingan by now.
Oblivious, Itama remained cheerful. Chi's cheeks were flushed, her cool eyes glittering with scheming. Her desire to "conquer the clan" grew stronger.
Gin-san, the Uchiha know how to seize opportunities~
"Forget that monkey ape. I heard a bunch of new stores opened—let's shop properly today!"
Chi's silence was broken by Itama pulling her along toward the new clan-run commercial district.
Along the way, the shops had grown exponentially. Everything was new and exciting. As they browsed, Itama suddenly stopped at one stall.
"Chi-nee, look! Such a cute plushie!"
She waved her hand excitedly, pointing at a fluffy red fox doll.
"Nine tails, huh? It is pretty cute."
Chi walked over, nodding in agreement.
"Boss, how much for this fox doll?"
"One moment, please."
The stall owner—a red-haired teen—shyly ducked into the back and called out.
"Gramps, how much for the Nine-Tails doll?"
"Hmm? Is that Gin?"
A strong voice replied, and out walked an elderly man with gray-red hair.
"Oh, it's not."
It was Uzumaki Shūsuen, nearly seventy now. He'd retired and handed the business to his grandson.
"You're Uncle Shūsuen? Long time no see!"
Itama greeted him with surprise.
"Huh? You were that clingy one trailing behind Gin. Still look the same. Must be nice being a ninja—age hits slower."
Though old, Shūsuen's wit was sharp. He chuckled warmly.
"You look healthy too. Why retire?"
Itama grinned and gestured at the teen.
"This your grandson?"
"Masahiko, this is an old family customer. Always give her a discount."
He patted the boy's head.
"Hello, I'm Uzumaki Masahiko. Please support our business!"
The boy bowed politely.
"I'm old. The Fire Nation business is his now."
"Ohh~ No wonder you look alike. What about your son?"
"That brat Kagetō's too hot-headed. I left him running the shop back home. Masahiko's smarter—he'll inherit."
Shūsuen scowled at the mention of his son, who still dreamed of becoming a ninja.
"I see. And this plushie?"
"9,000 ryo."
"I'll take two!"
"Got it~"
As the girls walked off hugging their Nine-Tails dolls, Masahiko looked conflicted.
"Grandpa, I saw the invoice… those dolls are supposed to be 900 ryo?"
Hack hack "Masahiko, today I teach you the most important rule in business."
Eyes glowing with wisdom, Shūsuen declared:
"Always charge more to friends."
"..."
"Heh~ Finally completed the set. That monkey-haired ape is gonna love it~"
Itama cheered, hugging the plushie.
"Gin-san likes this kind of thing?"
Chi looked skeptical.
"He always stares at his collection and complains he hasn't completed the tailed beast set."
"Really... so he's into collecting bijū, huh?"
Chi's expression turned thoughtful.
"I heard Hashirama and our clan leader are competing to capture tailed beasts. I wonder what they look like for real?"
"I heard big bro already caught two. But Tobirama has them locked up in a forest, won't let anyone near."
Chi's expression darkened slightly.
"So stingy! If our clan leader caught one, he'd probably parade it around the village for three days!"
"Hmph! Big bro would let me ride one. Not like boring old Tobirama!"
Eventually, hunger struck. They stepped into a new restaurant for lunch.
"Let's order!"
The menu was overwhelming. Itama smiled and told the chubby waiter:
"I'll take the whole book!"
The Akimichi waiter blinked at her slim figure.
"Uh, our shop focuses on value meals, you sure—"
"Two books!"
When the food came, both girls felt slightly guilty. Their families probably weren't eating this well.
"Wonder what okaa-sama / that monkey-haired ape is eating for lunch?"
Pop~
In a purple-lit room, a cork-like sound echoed.
"Mm~ Gin-san, you're as tireless as ever. My jaw's about to dislocate~"
Covered in sweat, Lady Eimi licked her lips, snuggled up, and cooed.
"Sorry, things have been busy lately."
Gin gently stroked her cheek.
"As long as you don't forget me, I'm happy."
She purred.
Gin lowered his head, staring into her glistening eyes. And once again, the battle began.
"You've been keeping in shape, huh? Smells nice~"
"I cleaned thoroughly just for you~"
Heh heh~
(Passage omitted)
"Whew~ Gin-san, little Chi is getting sharper. She's starting to suspect me."
After their storm passed, Eimi stretched her legs, toes wiggling, and sighed with satisfaction.
"We can't keep hiding this. Let's tell her."
Chi's mother froze.
"Let's wait a bit more. She might not be ready."
Gin fidgeted and asked with an odd look.
"You don't have... like, athlete's foot or anything, right?"
"Hmph! I take hygiene seriously. I'd never let Gin-san eat anything unclean~"
Offended, she pressed her foot into him in protest.
"Okay okay, I get it!"
Gin gasped, looking at her alluring form.
"I skipped lunch and came straight here. Who told you to look so delicious?"
Flushed, Eimi raised her leg again.
"You really should bring silk next time. Feels too plain without it."
(End of Chapter)
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