Night.
Just like the festivals of the Land of Whirlpools in previous years.
This year, the Land of Whirlpools is still so lively. Everyone came out early with their entire families. After working for a whole year, it can be said that if there are no special days, today is the last holiday. So, they all take this time to relax, go out for a meal with the whole family, then eat some snacks, play some games, have fun, and finally, watch the fireworks before going home.
The new migrant workers who haven't experienced the Land of Whirlpools' festival before also come out to play on this day, following everyone else.
Enjoying an atmosphere that can't be felt outside, their hearts are suddenly filled with emotion...
This is truly living!
"Jun big brother." Kushina looked at Uzumaki Jun who had hurried over, pouting as she said, "Mikoto has been waiting for you for a long time."
"Sorry, sorry." Uzumaki Jun said apologetically, "There were some matters that needed handling, so I'm a bit late."
Seeing Kushina's unhappy expression, he quickly reached out and stroked her smooth, long hair. Immediately, Kushina stopped complaining, humming with enjoyment, her eyes narrowed.
After all these years, Kushina still hasn't changed!
Uzumaki Jun smiled, then walked over to Mikoto, who was looking at him with a gentle smile, and said, "Sorry for the wait."
"It's fine." Mikoto shook her head gently and said, "If you're busy, you don't have to accompany us."
She knew that as the Daimyo of the Land of Whirlpools, Uzumaki Jun must have many things to do. So, if he didn't have time, Mikoto wouldn't blame him.
"Not busy, not busy." Uzumaki Jun crouched down, looking at Mikoto's bulging belly, and said cheerfully, "It's all handled now."
"Did he cause any trouble today?"
Mikoto became pregnant a few months ago.
He didn't know if the one inside was really Itachi.
If it is, he must still let him feel paternal and maternal love!
"No." Mikoto stroked her own belly, a happy smile on her face, murmuring, "It's really wonderful."
Hearing Mikoto's words, Uzumaki Jun took her hand and said, "Have you been for prenatal checkups recently?"
Prenatal checkups are very important.
"Big sister Kyoko and little sister Nono checked me this morning." Mikoto nodded gently and said, "Very healthy. Probably a boy."
"Is that so." Uzumaki Jun smiled and nodded at Kyoko and Nono. He didn't say thank you; if he did, Kyoko and the others would definitely be upset.
"And I've already talked with big sister Kyoko." Mikoto didn't mind Uzumaki Jun's demeanor; she had gotten used to it during this time. So...
Perhaps her child really will have a few more mothers?
She said with a smile.
"When the time comes, I'll have her and little sister Nono assist with the delivery."
And Uzumaki Jun still smiled and nodded. Regarding the matters of the several women, he didn't interfere too much. Perhaps it's just fine to keep things peaceful like this.
"Since that's the case, let's set off." Kushina walked to Uzumaki Jun's other side, habitually linking her arm with his, and said happily, "The Land of Whirlpools has had many delicious new foods these past few years."
...
"Kakashi, aren't you going to eat?" A girl with brown hair and purple face paint happily handed a paper food container to the spiky white-haired boy in front of her and said, "These takoyaki are really delicious!"
"No." Kakashi shook his head and said flatly, "You eat them."
"After eating, we still have a mission to carry out."
He didn't expect that coming to the Land of Whirlpools to gather intelligence would coincide with the Land of Whirlpools' festival. But this wasn't bad either; presumably, surveillance in the Land of Whirlpools wouldn't be very strict today, which 正好方便 them carry out their mission.
"Kakashi is still so serious." Rin Nohara didn't mind Kakashi's words, saying softly, "Actually, Sensei Minato sent us here precisely because he wanted us to relax a bit."
"Yeah!" The short black-haired girl next to her nodded and said with a smile, "You don't need to be so serious today, Kakashi."
"No." Kakashi looked around, saying seriously, "Right now is the time to carry out the mission."
No matter what, in his heart, carrying out the mission is the most important thing. If his father back then had also seriously carried out the mission, he wouldn't have been blamed by the villagers.
So...
He will not make mistakes.
However, Rin Nohara brought a takoyaki ball up to Kakashi's mouth, wearing a sweet smile, and said, "Just have one bite."
Shizune was also encouraging him from the side. Kakashi was just too serious. No matter when, he was always so serious, never relaxed. Sensei Minato had also asked the two of them to help guide Kakashi a bit more.
But...
"Smack!" Kakashi directly swatted the takoyaki ball away. He glanced at the ball on the ground, then looked at Rin Nohara and Shizune, his expression blank as he said, "I'm going to check over there."
A mission is a mission!
He will not make mistakes...
Absolutely!
Yet no one noticed a pair of eyes, 一直盯着 them and...
The forehead protectors they wore...
...
"Pakkun Jūzō, Hoshigaki Fuguki." Uzumaki Jun led Mikoto and the others into a grilled fish restaurant, smiling as he said, "Business is good today!"
This grilled fish restaurant was jointly opened last year by Pakkun Jūzō and Hoshigaki Fuguki.
Hoshigaki Fuguki was responsible for procurement and grilling, while Pakkun Jūzō was responsible for preparing the fish.
Because of their special techniques and ninja precision, the taste was quite excellent, attracting many customers.
"Lord Jun." Hoshigaki Fuguki and Pakkun Jūzō, seeing Uzumaki Jun, quickly put down their work and said respectfully, "You've come."
"It's fine." Uzumaki Jun nodded and said, "You do your work. I'm just here to take a look and chat for a bit." He glanced at the fish on the grill, "Hmm, smells really good."
"Hehe." Hoshigaki Fuguki's face showed a proud smile as he said, "Lord Jun, you must try some later. Mine and Jūzō's grilled fish shop has the best taste on this street."
Even the Daimyo of the Land of Whirlpools praised his grilled fish; it seemed he should hang these words at the entrance later. Believing that after hearing Lord Jun's words, surely many more customers would come.
"Alright." Uzumaki Jun said with a smile, "I'll try your skills then." Then, looking at Pakkun Jūzō who was preparing fish to the side, he said, "Next year, Jūzō, your son will also start school."
It's really unexpected that Pakkun Jūzō finally got married and had children. Although, due to the Land of Whirlpools' nationality laws, he married a foreign woman, but...
It's still much better than Hoshigaki Fuguki, this single fat pufferfish.
You should know that as long as a citizen of the Land of Whirlpools marries a foreign woman, that woman can obtain Land of Whirlpools citizenship. So, many women want to marry men from the Land of Whirlpools.
This is also a method to solve the problem of single men in the Land of Whirlpools.
But even with this advantage, there are still those who remain single...
"Yes, Lord Jun." Pakkun Jūzō's face suddenly showed a gentle smile as he said, "So many years have passed already."
He was now very grateful for his decision to join the Land of Whirlpools back then. If he hadn't joined the Land of Whirlpools, 估计就算自己最后逃出去了,也是做提刀砍人这种无聊事! (estimated that even if he had eventually escaped, he'd just be doing boring things like swinging a sword to kill people!)
How could he be as happy and content as he is now!
Looking around, Pakkun Jūzō shook his head helplessly, "Seems that brat went out to play with his grandmother."
"Really sorry, I can't have my son come pay his respects to you."
"It's fine." Uzumaki Jun shook his head, smiling as he said, "You know we don't follow those customs here."
He's really changed a lot!
Although, due to his sharp teeth, Pakkun Jūzō's smile isn't very pleasant to look at, but...
After looking for a while, there's a unique kind of charm to it.
At least it gives a sense of security.
And that happy smile is really quite...
Infectious!!
"Please wait a moment."
And at this time, Hoshigaki Fuguki's fish was also grilled. He said cheerfully, "Please enjoy."
"Hmm." Uzumaki Jun nodded, distributed the plates to Mikoto and the others, then tasted some himself.
Immediately...
His eyes lit up, and he gave a thumbs up, saying, "Really fragrant!"
Flavorful, well-cooked, not dry or tough, and no fishy smell. Really good!
Looking at Hoshigaki Fuguki's happy expression because of his praise and Pakkun Jūzō's slightly upturned lips, for some reason, Uzumaki Jun's heart also calmed down...
Perhaps this is the life they want.
Peaceful, yet still able to feel happiness...
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