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Early the next morning, Shinji got up early. The testing last night went a bit late; the others were still sleeping and hadn't gotten up yet. Looking at the still spotless All-Purpose Shop, Shinji stood up and went to the kitchen.
These days, Karin and Deidara had been waiting in the All-Purpose Shop for Shinji's return. At least on this point, Shinji felt he should make them a breakfast to properly reward them. Thus, Shinji started bustling in the kitchen early in the morning. Since all four were still children, Shinji prepared preserved egg and lean pork congee, along with fried eggs for them.
Before long, the aroma from the kitchen began to fill the entire All-Purpose Shop.
"Lord Shinji, let me handle this!" Karin was awakened by the aroma from the kitchen. She originally wanted to make a loving breakfast for the just-returned Shinji today. Unexpectedly, she slept too late last night and overslept. Only then did she rush into the kitchen and say this to Shinji.
"It's alright, Karin. You go wash up first. It'll be ready soon. By the way, after you're done, go wake the others up," Shinji didn't mind, directly telling Karin to go wash up first.
"Then... alright, Lord Shinji," Karin pouted, then got up and walked towards the washroom. Watching Karin's somewhat deflated back, Shinji chuckled lightly. Still a child's personality.
Soon, Deidara, Itachi, and Jūgo all came to the dining table.
"How did you rest last night?" Shinji asked Jūgo. After all, it was his first time at the All-Purpose Shop; there might be some factors of not being used to it.
"Lord Shinji, I rested very well last night. I like this place very much," Hearing Shinji's words, Jūgo put down his chopsticks and spoke solemnly.
"That's good. Eat, eat. We don't have so many rules here," Shinji looked at the well-behaved Jūgo, a feeling of heartache within him. This was still just a 5-year-old child.
After breakfast, Shinji returned to the spot he always occupied. After all, opening for business required some diligence. Before long, just as Shinji was dozing off somewhat, the door of the All-Purpose Shop opened. Entering were Mikoto Uchiha and Hinami Hyūga.
Just after finishing the meal, Shinji had asked Itachi to go home and tell Mikoto to come over today, and also to call Hinami Hyūga along. Thus, Mikoto Uchiha and Hinami Hyūga came over to the All-Purpose Shop together.
"Boss Shinji, long time no see," As soon as she entered, Mikoto Uchiha teased.
"It's really been hard on you during this time, Mikoto," Shinji responded. After all, during his absence, Deidara and Karin had troubled Mikoto Uchiha with many things.
"That doesn't matter too much."
"Good morning, Boss Shinji," Hinami Hyūga bowed slightly. Actually, the interactions between Shinji and Hinami Hyūga weren't many, only at gatherings together. Fugaku Uchiha brought Mikoto Uchiha, Hiashi Hyūga brought Hinami Hyūga, Hizashi Hyūga brought Miki Hyūga (OC name assumed based on context, might need clarification if she appears again) together to laugh at Shinji, the bachelor...
"Morning, Hinami. Come, come, sit," Shinji asked Jūgo to bring over two stools, while Shinji skillfully took out the tea tray, teapot, and teacup set.
"Wonder why Boss Shinji called us over today?" Mikoto Uchiha asked first.
"On the way, I made a trip to the battlefront with Kumogakure," Shinji said with a smile.
"You saw Hiashi? How is he?" Hinami Hyūga asked somewhat nervously. Actually, Hiashi Hyūga and Hinami Hyūga had only been married for 2 years; this was the first time she had been separated from her husband for so long. Although Mikoto Uchiha didn't say it explicitly, the worry in her eyes couldn't be hidden.
"They're both fine. We even had a small drink together," Shinji understood this feeling of a husband being on the battlefield; hearing news would naturally be exciting. Ahem, these two ladies, you wouldn't want your husbands to know about your excitement, right? Hmm? Seems like some strange things got mixed in.
"That's good then," Hinami Hyūga breathed a sigh of relief. As long as the person was fine, that was good.
"Then do they have any information to pass on to us?" Mikoto Uchiha keenly spotted the crucial point. After all, if not for this, Shinji probably wouldn't have called them over.
"Yes. These are letters from Fugaku and Hiashi for you two," Shinji took out two letters and handed them respectively to Mikoto Uchiha and Hinami Hyūga.
Mikoto Uchiha took the letter and took a deep breath, then opened the letter. The salutation made her choke.
Dearest Wife Hinami~
Hmm??? Mikoto Uchiha and Hinami Hyūga glanced at each other, then exchanged the letters with slightly flushed faces. It was clear the salutation Fugaku wrote to Mikoto Uchiha must also be some embarrassing name.
Soon, the two opened their respective letters and began carefully examining the text. While reading, they kept glancing strangely at Shinji, making him feel somewhat uncomfortable.
After a long time, Mikoto Uchiha and Hinami Hyūga simultaneously put down the letters in their hands. After a moment of silence.
"Boss Shinji, didn't expect Otogakure was actually founded jointly by you and Lord Orochimaru," Mikoto Uchiha spoke first. This news was quite shocking.
"Yes, Hiashi's letter just told me about this," For some reason, Shinji felt Hinami Hyūga's hand gripping the letter seemed very forceful, trembling slightly.
"Since that's the case, our family will definitely cooperate fully," Mikoto Uchiha stated calmly. Fugaku had also mentioned in the letter, asking her to take out a large portion of the money their family had saved over the years and give it to Shinji as an investment. Of course, Mikoto Uchiha also agreed with this decision.
After interacting with Shinji, she found Shinji was a very mysterious person, but so far hadn't done anything to harm them. Instead, many things were considered for their Uchiha clan.
"Our family will also cooperate! But!!!" Hinami Hyūga put the letter back into her pocket and said expressionlessly.
"But what?" Shinji asked somewhat puzzledly.
"But didn't expect that old geezer actually hid his private money in that place!!! Just wait till he comes back, he's dead!!!" Hinami Hyūga said fiercely. Seeing this scene, Shinji and Mikoto Uchiha glanced at each other. Hiashi Hyūga's life wouldn't be easy in the future.
After two days, Jūgo also integrated more harmoniously within the All-Purpose Shop. He was actually a very gentle big boy. Even Deidara's impression of Jūgo was extremely good. And just after Mikoto Uchiha and Hinami Hyūga took the letters back, today, the two finally brought over some finances in large and small bags.
Although, Hinami Hyūga's expression clearly wasn't that good. Under Hiashi Hyūga's instructions, Hinami Hyūga actually found a large sum of private money! This was simply unbearable for Hinami Hyūga, who possessed the Byakugan.
She actually failed to find Hiashi Hyūga's private money first! But this couldn't be blamed on Hinami Hyūga either. After all, Hiashi Hyūga hid his private money within the Hyūga clan's ancestral grounds! He calculated precisely that no Hyūga clan member would dare hide private money in the clan's ancestral grounds!
However, the amount seemed somewhat different from what Hiashi Hyūga mentioned in the letter. Of course, Hinami Hyūga didn't pay too much attention to this matter either. After all, perhaps Hiashi Hyūga just remembered the amount incorrectly. But what Hinami Hyūga didn't know was that one day, the Great Elder of the Hyūga clan excitedly entered the clan grounds intending to check his private money, only to be astonished to find all his private money had vanished! This shock almost sent the Great Elder away! A lifetime's worth of painstakingly saved private money vanished just like that without a sound. Anyone would break down, right?
"Boss Shinji, it's all here. This is all of Fugaku and Hiashi's money," Mikoto Uchiha placed several large boxes on Shinji's counter.
"Oh ho, actually so much?" Shinji asked somewhat puzzledly.
"Yeah, didn't expect them to actually hide so much private money! They're dead when they come back!" Hinami Hyūga said while cracking her knuckles.
"Indeed. Didn't expect Fugaku to also hide so much private money! And here I was thinking every day how to save household expenses!" Mikoto Uchiha felt the same way. Watching the two women's actions, Shinji could only silently mourn for Fugaku Uchiha and Hiashi Hyūga in his heart.
"By the way, Mikoto, seems like news from the battlefield arrived today?" Shinji chuckled lightly, thinking of a good way to divert attention.
"News arrived?" Hearing this, both Mikoto Uchiha and Hinami Hyūga became somewhat nervous. Since Shinji returned, news from the battlefield hadn't been transmitted back these few days. Fortunately, news finally arrived today.
"Yes, take a look?" Shinji held the news obtained just now from some other channels. Recorded on it were the battle reports between Konoha and Kumogakure for the past two days.
"Let me see!" Mikoto Uchiha excitedly took the slip of paper from Shinji's hand, attempting to find news about Fugaku Uchiha on it. There were only a few short lines.
'Kumogakure surprise attacks Konoha's rear' These few short words sent a wave of panic through Mikoto Uchiha and Hinami Hyūga's hearts. This news was truly too distressing. After all, their husbands were currently on the battlefield. Surprise attack, how suffocating was this term?
'Uchiha clan and Hyūga clan join forces in the rear, intercepting the Fourth Raikage transmitted via Heavenly Transfer Technique. Simultaneously forming a three-way pincer attack upon the arrival of the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi!' Seeing this, Mikoto Uchiha and Hinami Hyūga finally breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, it was positive news.
'Fourth Raikage injured after enduring the surprise attack. Successfully transported back to Kumogakure's camp via Heavenly Transfer Technique after several Kumogakure ninjas fought desperately!'
'Konoha's great victory!' Looking at the intelligence on the slip, Mikoto Uchiha and Hinami Hyūga finally truly breathed a sigh of relief.
"How about it, relieved now? Fugaku and Hiashi are fine," Shinji looked at the reactions of the two women, suddenly feeling somewhat amused.
"Hmph! Good that they're fine! Hiashi better come back obediently and repent to me!" Hinami Hyūga said insincerely. Clearly, she was the one who most hoped Hiashi Hyūga could return safely.
"Is that so?" Mikoto Uchiha looked teasingly at her close friend. Actually, Hinami Hyūga wasn't bad at heart, just somewhat haughty.
"Mikoto, you just know how to undermine me!" Hearing Mikoto Uchiha's teasing, Hinami Hyūga immediately felt embarrassed.
"Thank you for the news, Boss Shinji," Mikoto Uchiha said gratefully.
"No problem, just a small matter. Since Fugaku and Hiashi's private money has arrived, then I won't keep you two any longer. I still need to deliver these things," Shinji said with a light chuckle.
"No problem. Then we'll leave first," Mikoto Uchiha said. Subsequently, Hinami Hyūga also stood up to bid farewell and leave.
Looking at the money boxes on the table, Shinji turned his head to look behind. "Karin, bring our money over too."
"Okay, Lord Shinji." Shinji himself didn't know how much money he had now. The money at home was all managed by Karin, so Shinji himself wasn't very clear. When Karin brought the money box over, it was visibly less than Fugaku Uchiha's and Hiashi Hyūga's. After all, Shinji didn't have much savings here, and often customers wouldn't pay in cash. Being able to have this much now was largely thanks to the system lottery winnings.
"Is Lord Shinji going out again?" Karin looked worriedly at Shinji. Shinji had only been back for two days; why was he leaving again?
"Yeah, need to go to the Land of Rice Paddies. Or... Karin, want to go together?" Shinji suddenly chuckled lightly. He could see the longing in Karin's eyes.
"Can I? Can I?" Sure enough, the moment Shinji spoke, Karin jumped up directly. Being able to go out with Shinji was a very good choice.
"Yes, you can. Let's take you all out together this time. Deidara, stop peeking. I already saw you. And Jūgo, let's go out for an autumn picnic together," Shinji had long seen Deidara constantly peeking around the stairs. Anyway, he had already set his teleportation point in Otogakure now, so presumably, he could bring them along too.
"Okay, okay! I've wanted to go out and play for a long time!" Deidara said excitedly. Although he had enjoyed staying in Konoha these days, Deidara, who inherently loved traveling around, still couldn't hold back his heart. Jūgo was much calmer, just quietly standing behind Shinji, adopting an attitude of whatever Shinji says goes.
Light reappeared. When they reappeared, Shinji had brought Karin, Deidara, and Jūgo into Otogakure. This was a street shop Shinji had prepared for himself. Although it hadn't started business yet, everything needed inside was already present.
"Is this Otogakure?" Deidara looked curiously out the window. This place was significantly smaller compared to Konoha, and the buildings outside were clearly much simpler.
"Yeah. You guys go out and play. I'm going to find Orochimaru and Kakuzu," Shinji chuckled lightly, then signaled they could move freely.
"Yay! Karin, Jūgo, let's go out and play!" Deidara jumped up excitedly. Konoha was already very familiar, but this Otogakure was his first time here.
"I want to follow Lord Shinji," Karin stood directly beside Shinji, reaching out and grabbing the corner of Shinji's clothes.
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