The afternoon sun reflected off the flooded paddy fields, scattering vibrant, kaleidoscopic ripples across the water.
From the safety of the shaded canopies, a chorus of cicadas droned rhythmically, adding a distinctly pastoral charm to the summer landscape.
Unfortunately, Hideki Sato and his teammates were in no mood to appreciate the rural aesthetic.
Though it was rapidly approaching four in the afternoon, the summer sun remained mercilessly oppressive.
Under the blistering, stagnant heat, a thin sheen of sweat had long since broken out across all three of their foreheads.
“Sensei, aren’t we supposed to be ninja?” Kushina complained, directing a fierce glare toward Tsunade, who was currently napping soundly in the shade of a massive tree.
“Why are we out here doing manual labor?
Look how hot it is!
What if we get heatstroke?” “Ninja?” Tsunade drawled, not even bothering to open her eyes.
“You greenhorns aren’t even close to being qualified.
Keep moving.
The mission deadline is sunset.
If you don’t finish by then, your very first deployment goes on the record as a failure.
And don’t worry about heatstroke—my medical ninjutsu happens to be exceptionally good.” Indeed, Hideki, Kushina, and Mikoto were currently enduring the absolute baseline of a shinobi’s career: a D-rank mission to plant rice seedlings.
Mikoto sighed softly, turning to give Kushina a reassuring smile.
“Come on, let’s just push through.
The plot isn’t actually that large.
If we work together, we should be able to finish this in no time.” Standing nearby, Hideki immediately chimed in.
“Exactly.
Besides, Charmander is already out here pulling its weight.
Kushina, you keep shouting about becoming the Hokage, but don’t tell me you’re about to be outperformed by a Pokémon.” Hideki gestured toward the far end of the mud, where Charmander was already systematically poking holes and setting roots with astonishing precision.
The reverse psychology worked flawlessly.
Kushina immediately rolled up her sleeves, hitched up her trouser legs, and marched straight back into the muck.
“Who are you calling outperformed?!
For the sake of the Hokage mantle, even if it’s just planting rice, I’ll be the undisputed champion of this field!” Watching Kushina storm off with renewed fury, Mikoto couldn’t help but quietly whisper to Hideki, “You really have her completely figured out, don’t you?” “That’s just Kushina’s pure, unfiltered nature,” Hideki replied, stepping into the flooded field.
“You make it sound like I’m some kind of master manipulator.” Mikoto watched his retreating back, her dark eyes flickering with quiet contemplation.
In her memory, Hideki Sato had always been an incredibly low-profile figure at the Academy.
Aside from being relatively handsome and maintaining a flawless streak on theoretical exams, his only real defining trait was being labeled as Kushina’s shadow.
No one could have anticipated that he would explode out of obscurity during the graduation exam, registering the single fastest victory against an examiner in their entire class.
Was his quiet demeanor over the years a deliberate strategy to hide his light?
To avoid the envy that naturally targets a prodigy?
Had Hideki known the elaborate political genius Mikoto was turning him into, he would have fiercely objected.
Do you think I wanted to be low-profile?
If I had pulled Charmander years ago, I would have been walking around the village with my nose in the air every single day.
After two grueling hours of backbreaking labor, the massive field was entirely populated by neat rows of green seedlings.
Aside from Charmander, who looked as energetic as ever, the three Genin were completely drenched in sweat.
Disregarding all notions of clan etiquette or poise, Kushina and Mikoto collapsed directly onto the dry grass at the edge of the field.
Tsunade finally yawned, stretched her legs, and strolled over to the exhausted trio.
“Well, look at that.
You kids actually managed to beat the sunset.
Not bad.
Alright, you’re dismissed for the day.
Tomorrow morning at ten o’clock, meet me at the same spot.
And make sure to bring an extra bento.” “Why do we need an extra bento?” Kushina asked, tilting her head back to look at her mentor.
“Because I am a human being who requires sustenance,” Tsunade replied flatly.
“Furthermore, we aren’t taking any missions tomorrow.
It’s time I actually teach you some real skills.” Without waiting for a response, the Senju princess turned and vanished down the road.
“In that case, I’ll handle Tsunade-sensei’s bento,” Hideki said, brushing the dried dirt off his clothing.
“Since I’m already cooking for two, adding a third isn’t a massive chore.” “Awesome!
I want ramen tomorrow!” Hearing the mention of food, Kushina’s exhaustion seemed to evaporate instantly.
She bolted upright, her eyes wide and pleading as she looked at Hideki.
“No ramen,” Hideki countered firmly, shaking his head.
“The noodles will turn into a soggy, bloated mess by noon.
How about fish instead?” Kushina pouted slightly but nodded.
“Fine, fish it is.
I’ll leave the menu up to you.” Listening to their casual back-and-forth, Mikoto’s confusion deepened.
For one, she hadn’t realized their daily lives were intertwined to the point where Hideki was routinely preparing meals for the Uzumaki girl.
Secondly, the domestic dynamic felt entirely inverted—why was the boy handling the culinary duties?
In truth, Kushina had attempted to cook for him once in the past.
The resulting creation wasn’t quite a bio-weapon, but the sheer culinary trauma had left Hideki bedridden with severe stomach cramps for days.
From that point on, he had banned her from the kitchen for his own survival.
“By the way, Mikoto,” Hideki added, turning to the Uchiha girl.
“Would you like me to prepare a portion for you as well?
If I’m already making three, a fourth isn’t an issue.” Mikoto’s initial instinct was to decline out of politeness, but a growing curiosity about Hideki’s actual culinary skill won out.
“If it isn’t too much trouble, Hideki-kun, I would appreciate that.
In return, I’ll bring some homemade pastries for us to share in the afternoon.” After a few more moments of casual chatter, the trio prepared to head toward the residential districts.
Covered in mud and sweat, they all desperately needed a bath.
Suddenly, Hideki felt a familiar weight drag down on his shoulders, followed immediately by a distinct, comforting fragrance filling his senses.
“Hideki, my legs are completely dead from the mud,” Kushina murmured, resting her chin heavily against his shoulder as she engaged in shameless aegyo.
“Carry me home.” “You didn’t even wait for my permission before jumping on,” Hideki grumbled, though his hands automatically moved to support her weight.
“What am I supposed to do, dump you in the dirt?” “Heh, my arms are locked around your neck.
If I go down, you’re coming with me.” “…” Watching the two figures merge into one as Hideki adjusted his grip and began walking, Mikoto felt a sudden, unexpected pang of envy stir in her chest.
Though she maintained an impeccable reputation and possessed many acquaintances at the Academy, the rigid politics of the Uchiha surname had always isolated her from forming true, unburdened connections.
As for her fellow clansmen, she had long grown weary of their suffocating arrogance.
The effortless, chaotic, and deeply affectionate dynamic that Hideki and Kushina shared was something Mikoto had never once experienced in her life.
Before long, Hideki arrived at the gates of his modest estate with the redhead still clinging to his back.
Kushina finally slid down to her feet.
Without a moment’s hesitation, she reached into her pocket, produced a polished brass key, and unlocked his front door with practiced, casual familiarity.
Watching the door swing open, Hideki finally snapped.
“Wait a minute…
why exactly do you have the keys to my house?!” ( End of Chapter ) CREATORS’ THOUGHTS imyou23 Creation is hard, cheer me up!
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