Kushina's Daily Life

Morning light filtered through the thin mist, dyeing the streets of Star City a soft gold.

The morning market on the east bank of the Nether River had already come alive. Vendors' calls, haggling voices, and the fragrance of fresh fruits and vegetables mingled together, forming the most ordinary morning in the city.

Mikoto Uchiha carried a woven bamboo shopping basket on her arm, her white apron swaying gently in the morning breeze.

She stopped in front of a mushroom stall, her slender fingers carefully checking the quality of the shiitake mushrooms.

"Mikoto! Over here, over here!"

A voice brimming with energy came from the side.

Mikoto turned her head and saw Uzumaki Kushina waving at her.

That signature red hair was like a burning flame in the morning light, and there was still a bit of flour stuck to her green apron. Clearly, she had been busy in the kitchen since early morning.

"Kushina." Mikoto walked over with a smile. "You're shopping this early too?"

"I can't help it. Minato has meetings all day again today, and I overslept this morning and forgot to prepare everyone's bentos." Kushina spoke helplessly, already crouching in front of a vegetable stall and carefully picking out carrots.

Her movements were quick and focused. She checked every carrot's color and freshness with care. "Hikari is the same way. Once she starts working, she forgets to eat. And that girl Ajisai—"

Mikoto crouched beside her and took a cloth bag from her basket. "I need to buy some carrots too. Gaara seems to have taken a liking to carrot and pork rib soup lately."

At the mention of Gaara, Kushina's hands paused.

She lifted her head, a trace of concern flashing through her gray-white eyes. "How is that child doing now? I heard from Minato