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Shin, Kushina, and Mikoto strolled through Konoha's bustling food street.
"We're finally rich! We can buy anything we want!"
Kushina clutched a handful of snacks, her eyes scanning the stalls for more treats.
"We weren't exactly poor before, but now we're loaded," Shin said.
With the ten billion Ryo he had swiped from Kirigakure, they wouldn't have to worry about money for a while.
"Let's go get some Yakiniku!"
Shin led Kushina and Mikoto into a popular Yakiniku restaurant.
A familiar voice called out.
"Nawaki, you're living the good life, huh? Eating Yakiniku? Looks like you're rolling in dough."
"Of course! I've made a lot of money lately. I even completed a C-rank mission outside the village!"
"Do missions really take that long? You were gone for over half a month."
Nawaki was curious about their long absence.
"Yeah, some missions take time," Shin said vaguely.
He couldn't tell Nawaki the truth. What he had done could make him an enemy of Kirigakure.
If Kiri found out he was the one who infiltrated their village, killed their Shinobi, and stole the Forbidden Scroll, they would demand Konoha hand him over.
And knowing Hiruzen, he might actually do it.
If word got out, Shin might become an enemy of not just Kiri, but Konoha as well.
"By the way, Nawaki, are you here alone?" Shin changed the subject.
"Nope, I'm with some friends. They're not here yet. I came to reserve a table."
"Who's coming?" Kushina asked.
"My team, and Minato's team. We're still working together."
Shin, Kushina, and Mikoto used to be part of their group, but after becoming Chunin, they had moved on to higher-level missions.
"Since we're all here, let's eat together. My treat!" Nawaki said grandly.
"No, it's my treat. I promised to buy you all dinner when we got back."
Shin shook his head. The food here was good, but it was also expensive. Nawaki's allowance probably wouldn't cover it.
"Well, if you insist..."
They reserved a large private room. Soon, Minato, Akiko, Tsume, Hiashi, and Kai arrived.
Kai's expression changed when he saw Shin, but he remained silent.
Shin was surprised to see Kai there. He wasn't exactly the social type.
"Shin, you're back!" Minato and the others greeted them with surprise.
"Yep, that mission was tough."
Shin lied. Kushina and Mikoto had been the ones who defeated the missing-nin; he hadn't even lifted a finger.
"I want to go on B-rank missions too," Minato said enviously.
After completing a C-rank bandit extermination mission, he was eager for more challenging tasks.
"Actually, after this trip, I realized it's better to stay in the village. We're not taking any missions for a while."
Shin said. It was the truth. He wanted to focus on developing his Ice Release. Training was more important than pointless missions.
After dinner, Shin and his team headed back to the Senju compound with Nawaki. Akiko and Kai, however, went in a different direction.
"What's going on? Don't they live in the Senju compound too? Why aren't they going home?"
"Didn't you know? Akiko moved out last week. Then Kai suddenly moved out too," Nawaki explained.
"Oh, and there's something else..." Nawaki's expression turned mischievous.
"Akiko seems to like Minato."
Shin, Kushina, and Mikoto remained expressionless. They already knew.
Nawaki was disappointed, then continued, "Shin, you must be wondering why Kai came with us today. He has a crush on Akiko, so he tagged along."
"Nawaki, I figured that out back in the Academy. You're just realizing it now?"
"Oh... so you knew." Nawaki was surprised.
Shin suddenly stopped, his eyes fixed on a nearby alley.
"What's wrong?" Mikoto asked softly.
"No point hiding. Come on out," Shin said calmly.
"What?" Nawaki looked at Shin, confused.
Kushina and Mikoto, however, drew their Kunai, their eyes alert.
"I can't believe a brat like you discovered us."
Three Shinobi emerged from the alley. They were tall and muscular, with dark skin and a powerful aura.
"You're from Kumogakure, aren't you?" Shin asked.
The leader of the Kumo Shinobi was about to speak, but Shin's question surprised him.
"They really are from Kumo."
Shin saw their surprised expressions and confirmed his suspicions.
He had never seen Shinobi with such dark skin in Konoha.
Only those from the Land of Lightning had that skin tone. It was easy to tell.
He hadn't been entirely sure at first, but their reaction confirmed it.
Their hostility was clear. They were here for them, or rather, for the Uzumaki.
In the original story, Kushina had been captured by Kumo.
Even though the timeline had changed, it seemed Kumo was still targeting Kushina.
"Capture the two Uzumaki brats. Kill the other two. Be quick. Don't attract the Anbu's attention."
The Kumo leader lunged at Shin.
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