"What a coincidence~"
Sasuke and Sakura had barely stepped out of Friend's House, not even closed the door yet, when Karin appeared with a cheerful smile.
These two girls had become just like that weird rumor about "where there's a venomous snake, an antidote is sure to be nearby": whenever one arrived, the other would soon appear. Sometimes Sasuke suspected they had planned it in advance.
"It's too coincidental. Why is it that every time I come by, you 'just happen' to show up?" Sakura asked with a stiff smile.
"Heh heh." x2
Both young women smiled outwardly, but their eyes held mutual hostility.
"Where are we going?" Sasuke spoke up, trying to defuse the situation. It wasn't that he failed to understand the motives of the two girls, but he genuinely didn't know how to choose between them.
Should he do what his future self did and choose Sakura? But his feelings toward her were still just comradeship from their time in Team 7, nothing more. As for Karin, he had no clue why she liked him. It wasn't simply a matter of picking one of the two; he wasn't interested in either that way. How could he pick someone he didn't truly like?
"One Avenue!"
"Shimo-no Night Market!"
They spoke in unison.
Crack!
Their eyes locked, sparks nearly flying between them.
One Avenue was a street next to the Alliance's Uchiha district—half of it belonged to the Uchiha's private land. The street's shops were mainly restaurants, sweet shops, and tea houses, something like the central commercial district near the Hokage Rock in Konoha. It boasted an elegant setting and high-end food and stores. Recently, they'd even built an observation tower. At night, you could climb to the top and see the neon lights of a bustling city—an absolutely gorgeous view.
Hearing the name "One," it suggested "first" or "number one," reflecting certain ambitions of the Uchiha clan. In the beginning, Uchiha Fugaku had wanted Friend's House to be located on One Avenue for easier ties with Link, but Sasuke considered many factors and chose a quieter commercial zone farther from the Uchiha district. He wanted fewer people bothering Link. After all, that sweet shop was built for his friend, not really meant to be some high-traffic business.
Shimo-no Night Market, going by the name alone, was clearly more down-to-earth. It was on the outskirts of the city, filled with food stalls, goldfish scooping, hoop-toss games, and other small amusements for the public. The Alliance's rapid growth had brought many refugees from the Third World, plus countless civilians and ninja from other nations—most people didn't have much money. Prices in the Alliance base were typically high, so many couldn't afford the established commercial areas. As a result, markets and night bazaars emerged.
The Executive Committee had issued multiple decrees to regulate them, since unregulated street vendors could obstruct traffic and foster grassroots black organizations. The Alliance base was, after all, a city of ninja. Modern ninja might differ somewhat from the old days, but they certainly wouldn't allow a mafia-like group to grow. Yet the fact that these grassroots gatherings existed showed a real local need. If left unchecked, people would create their own self-governing enclaves. Konoha had faced something similar long ago, with predictable results—Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado were well-practiced in handling such matters.
Sakura's reason for choosing One Avenue was simple: she got along well with Sasuke's parents. As a Konoha jōnin recognized by Tsunade and as a member of Team 7, Sakura was actually quite well-off. Her lifestyle had naturally become more upscale: tea and sweets, gourmet meals. Not pursuing reincarnation, buying special techniques, or paying for body modifications, she had ample disposable income. She wanted a serene, romantic dinner with Sasuke, then maybe head up the tower to watch the stars and moon, and if it all went well, they'd end the evening back at the Uchiha district's home…
Karin's choice highlighted just how different the two were. Shimo-no Night Market was the liveliest street scene around, packed with stalls selling snacks, souvenirs, handicrafts, and all kinds of amusements—perfect for ordinary folk at modest prices. Even though Karin's earnings weren't high, and she was still paying off surgeries after being infected by Original Cells, she could still go out, eat, drink, and have fun in that unconstrained, simple way she loved.
Those two places mirrored the two girls themselves.
"Sasuke, you decide where we go," they said, both turning to him.
Without hesitation, he replied, "We're not going to One Avenue or Shimo-no Night Market." Seeing their shocked expressions, he continued calmly, "I'm heading to Kishō-ji Temple to eat. Want to come along?"
Kishō-ji was a temple built this year in the Alliance base. True to its name, people often visited to pray for others. There was also a small shopping street there—neither extremely busy nor deserted, with midrange prices and moderate crowds. On a weekday like today, it likely wouldn't be packed.
Sasuke's reasons were straightforward: first, he could go there to pray for Link. A leisurely temple visit suited him. Second, the temple was close to Tobirama's lab, where he planned to stop by after dinner and a stroll to check on Link.
"Of course," Karin agreed immediately.
She was the type of woman who'd "follow the chicken if she married a chicken, follow the dog if she married a dog." If she liked a man, she'd adapt herself to whatever he liked.
"Me too," Sakura quickly added.
She'd hesitated only because earlier that day, Mikoto Uchiha had asked her to bring Sasuke over to eat on One Avenue so they could "accidentally run into each other"; apparently, his parents wanted to discuss something. But Sakura pushed her prospective mother-in-law's request out of mind. She might even hint at her own feelings for Sasuke during dinner…
Sasuke didn't glance at their expressions. Hearing their answers, he stepped out in front, walking at an unhurried pace.
Trailing behind, the two girls exchanged glances.
(This woman's feelings for Sasuke are almost as strong as mine!) x2