The Unnamed Island near the Land of Waves.
"Haha, Shin, look! I caught a big one!"
In the sunlight, Kushina held up a large, wriggling fish and called out to Shin Uchiha, her face glowing with delight.
Hearing Kushina call, Shin Uchiha lazily lifted the straw hat covering his face, gave her a perfunctory glance, then covered his face again, offering only a limp wave of his hand.
The afternoon sun felt pleasantly warm on his skin, making him want to sleep.
Kushina pouted at Shin's response. Just as she was about to go over and teach him a lesson, Uchiha Mikoto hurriedly caught her arm and said,
"Just let Shin rest for a bit. I'll fish with you."
Kushina was soon persuaded. She made a face at Shin, then returned to her grand fishing endeavor.
Watching Kushina act like a child, Uchiha Mikoto shook her head in amusement. She set a coconut she had just picked from a tree beside Kushina, then took another over to Shin.
"Shin, are you thirsty? Would you like some coconut water?"
Shin Uchiha waved lazily without saying anything, then drifted back to sleep.
Uchiha Mikoto placed the opened coconut beside Shin, then picked up the nearby fishing rod and walked over to Kushina as she called to her.
While Shin and Kushina were on vacation, two uninvited guests arrived at the Great Bridge not far from them.
With Kakashi and the others standing guard, Tazuna had made rapid progress on the Great Bridge, and it was almost finished.
With new hope for their lives in sight, the people Tazuna had called in to help build the Great Bridge were full of enthusiasm. The hammering rang out in a steady clatter, and even their calls to one another carried laughter.
But while everyone was