Konoha's morning war

"Big sis? What about mine?"

Seeing that Naruto had received a reward, Sasuke pointed a finger at himself, his face practically screaming "pitiful." Chinatsu nearly died of shame.

"Well~ Multiple Shadow Clone... ahem, you two can practice it together for now. But Sasuke, you can't make hundreds at once like Naruto. That would drain you dry."

Chinatsu awkwardly scratched her cheek with a finger. Even if she had an idea for an original ninjutsu, she wasn't some deity who could whip it into existence the instant inspiration struck.

Just give me a little time. It shouldn't take too long... probably.

Fortunately, Multiple Shadow Clone alone was enough to keep Naruto and Sasuke busy training for a while.

Multiple Shadow Clone was an upgraded version of the ordinary Shadow Clone Technique, capable of creating hundreds or thousands of clones at once. It was a forbidden technique because, without enough chakra, all those shadow clones would drain the original's chakra dry, leaving them on the brink of death.

But the Uzumaki Clan's chakra reserves were nothing to worry about. Although the Uchiha Clan wasn't known for its chakra reserves, its members still had considerably more than ordinary ninja without a special bloodline, so that wasn't much of a problem either.

Watching the two begin practicing Multiple Shadow Clone by copying what she had shown them, Chinatsu simply sat down, propped her cheek on one hand, and quietly watched.

Rest was important too. She could just call this supervision.

Everything was proceeding according to the original plan, and they were even ahead of schedule. By the time the original storyline began, they should have enough strength to avoid becoming cannon fodder.

A satisfied smile appeared on Chinatsu's face. Sasuke and Naruto, still training, were thoroughly puzzled by their big sister's smile.

They didn't understand just how much pressure Chinatsu was under. She didn't have a system like those other ridiculously overpowered transmigrators, nor had she started out with some amazing ability from another anime.

Fortunately, she at least had one or two golden fingers she could put to use.

Although she kept saying she would take things one step at a time, before she knew it, she had reached the point where she could look ten steps ahead with every step she took.

There were still more than four years until the original story began.

The next day, the Ninja Academy was on break, so Naruto and Sasuke didn't have to go to school. They had trained all night and were now fast asleep in the early morning.

Chinatsu, meanwhile, had gone to bed early and risen early. Looking up at the sun in the sky, she felt positively brimming with energy.

"With those two little guys asleep, I'll do my own thing." Chinatsu stretched luxuriously, then strolled leisurely out of the Uchiha Residence and onto Konoha's streets.

There were hardly any young life-forms to be seen on the streets this early in the morning. Instead, they were filled with terrifying beings known as "housewives," all brimming with fighting spirit.

"Come one, come all! Don't miss out! Tomatoes are only 100 each today!"

"What? That cheap?!"

"I'll take two pounds!"

"Me too... stop shoving me!"

"Show me a little respect..."

"Your dignity isn't worth a single tomato!"

With one shout from a roadside stall owner, more than half the housewives' attention was instantly captured. They thundered over, their pounding footsteps making it seem as though an earthquake had struck.

That scene... that fighting spirit... they truly lived up to their reputation as the terrifying beings known as "housewives."

Morning meant war.

Chinatsu chuckled softly at the sight, but she also noticed that not all the housewives had joined the battlefield. Some were watching the women scrambling for tomatoes with scornful looks on their faces.

Curious, Chinatsu walked over and politely asked, "Excuse me, aren't you going to buy some tomatoes?"

"Oh, little Chinatsu! Hahaha, are you here to buy groceries too? Taking on battle-hardened housewives like us at your age is no easy feat. How about letting Auntie show you the ropes sometime~?" the housewife said with a laugh.

Chinatsu awkwardly waved her hands, explaining that she was only out for a walk and had absolutely no desire to join this war between housewives.

"Little Chinatsu, you're asking why I'm not buying those cheap tomatoes over there, right? That's because my target has more practical value... eggs!"

Full of confidence, the housewife pointed a finger at a nearby shop that hadn't opened yet. The shop was running a special promotion that day: an entire carton of eggs at a full fifty percent off!

Just as the housewife finished explaining, a staff member slowly pushed open the shop's doors. Before the employee could even open their mouth to announce that they were open, the housewives waiting to strike shot forward as though they knew the ninja's Body Flicker Technique.

The corner of Chinatsu's mouth twitched slightly. She realized she had still underestimated these aunties. They were aunties from a ninja village, after all. When they got serious, she felt as though they could take out a genin with a single kick each.

Konoha really was full of "youth."

Chinatsu wasn't in the mood to keep admiring these battles between housewives. How could she waste her precious time off here?

Although she hadn't decided what to do next, she naturally had to get moving first.

Chinatsu continued onward. She had thought that was how her morning would pass, but who knew heaven would hand her a jackpot?

Look who had appeared before Chinatsu.

Hinata Hyuga and Neji Hyuga!

Although Neji Hyuga wasn't part of Chinatsu's plan to build goodwill, Hinata Hyuga was.

Last time, Chinatsu had rescued Hinata while acting as an Anbu. Back then, she had deliberately left her voice undisguised so that Hinata could recognize her naturally in the future, earning her a huge boost in goodwill all at once.

This was the perfect opportunity!

With both hands in her pockets, Chinatsu rapidly considered how to strike up a conversation with Hinata Hyuga as naturally as possible.

Hinata Hyuga, approaching in small steps from the opposite direction, soon noticed Chinatsu. That was only natural, though. With Chinatsu's looks, it would have been stranger not to notice her.

"She's the orphan from the Uchiha Clan. She really is a beauty, just like the rumors say."

Neji Hyuga, who was walking with Hinata, also gave Chinatsu another look before explaining to the visibly curious Hinata.

"Uchiha... huh?"

Hinata blinked blankly, yet she couldn't tear her gaze away from Chinatsu.

This big sister... why did she feel so familiar...?

In less than half a minute, they were finally about to cross paths. Chinatsu pressed her lips together. Just as she prepared to deliver the best opening line she had managed to come up with in those thirty seconds, Hinata unexpectedly spoke before she could.

"Big sister! You're the Masked Big Sister who saved me last time, r-right?!"