Naruto: I'm in Konoha, my name is Uzumaki Menma

Chapter 356 Kushina's Daily Life
The morning light filtered through the thin mist, bathing the streets of Star City in a soft golden hue.

The morning market on the east bank of the You River is already bustling with activity. The shouts of vendors, the sounds of bargaining, and the aroma of fresh fruits and vegetables mingle together, creating the most ordinary morning in this city.

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

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

"Mikoto! Over here!"

A lively voice came from the side.

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

Her signature red hair shone like a burning flame in the morning light, and her green apron was still covered in flour, indicating that she had been busy in the kitchen since early morning.

"Kushina." Mikoto smiled and walked over. "You're here to buy groceries so early too?"

"There's nothing I can do. Minato has to have meetings all day today, and I overslept this morning and forgot to prepare bento boxes for everyone," Kushina said helplessly, already squatting in front of a vegetable stall, carefully selecting carrots.

Her movements were swift and focused, carefully checking the color and freshness of each carrot: "That kid, Guang, forgets to eat as soon as he gets busy, and that girl Ziyanghua too..."

Mikoto squatted down beside her and took a cloth bag out of the basket: "I want to buy some carrots too. Gaara seems to really like carrot and pork rib soup lately."

When Gaara was mentioned, Kushina paused in her hand movements.

She looked up, a hint of concern flashing in her gray eyes: "Is the child doing alright? I heard from Shuimen that he has already carried out several A-level missions in the six months since he graduated."

"Hmm." Mikoto nodded, her voice gentle. "Thanks to your guidance, his mastery of the Tailed Beast's power is becoming increasingly refined. It's just..."

She paused, then sighed softly, "I always felt that he still couldn't forget about his uncle."

These words were spoken softly, but Kushina could hear the worry in them.

Over the years, Mikoto has taken care of Gaara and his two siblings, and has come to know them very well. She knows that although Gaara appears to be calmer and more mature on the surface, there are always some unresolved things hidden deep in his eyes.

"About Yashamaru..." Kushina said softly, gripping the carrot in her hand tightly.

She still remembers what Gaara looked like when she first met him a few years ago.

That boy with dark circles under his eyes and a timid expression always seemed to have a wisp of sand flowing around him as if it were alive.

What shocked her even more was the emotion contained within those sands.

After inspection, it was determined that the sand was not a Magnet Release bloodline limit, but it seemed to instinctively protect Gaara.

Kushina handed the carrots she had chosen to the vendor to weigh, then turned to Mikoto and said, "I can feel the love in the sand around him. Like...like a mother to her child."

These words startled Mikoto slightly.

Kushina continued, her voice carrying a certain certainty: "I noticed it when I was training him before. The sand would actively protect him, even without his awareness. It wasn't a Magnet Release bloodline limit ability, but a very special kind of chakra—"

"Full of the will to protect and love."

Kushina recalled those days of training.

When Gaara was trying to control Shukaku's power, the sand would always form the perfect defense, blocking Kushina's attacks without hurting her.

That precision and gentleness...

“I think so too,” Mikoto said softly, putting the selected mushrooms into the basket. “Perhaps there are other hidden reasons behind Gaara’s mother’s death and his uncle’s death.”

The two were silent for a moment.

The hustle and bustle of the morning market flowed around them, but a quiet little space was formed between them.

The vendor weighed out the carrots, packed them in a plastic bag, and handed them over, saying, "Thank you for the eight ounces."

Kushina took out a banknote from her wallet and handed it over; the stall owner promptly gave her change.

Kushina took the change and carrot, stood up, and dusted off her apron.

“Anyway,” she gave Mikoto a bright smile, “that child is here for us. No matter what happened in the past, there’s still a long road ahead.”

Mikoto also stood up and returned a gentle smile: "You're right."

The two visited several more stalls and bought fresh fish, seasonal vegetables, and some seasonings.

Kushina even went to a dried goods store to buy seaweed and bonito flakes, as Minato loved her miso soup the most.

"Oh, right." Before parting, Kushina suddenly remembered something: "Want to come over for dinner tonight? I'm planning to make oden!"

Mikoto thought for a moment and said, "Okay. Gaara and the others should be back early today too."

"Then it's settled!" Kushina said happily, carrying the heavy shopping basket and walking towards home, her red hair dancing in the morning light.

Mikoto watched her departing figure, and the corners of her mouth unconsciously turned up.

She glanced down at the ingredients in the basket, already starting to plan her lunch menu.

Kushina returned home, placed the shopping basket on the kitchen counter, quickly changed into her pajamas, and retied her apron.

The kitchen is her most familiar battlefield.

The sounds of knives striking the cutting board, water rinsing vegetables, and the subtle hum of pots heating up formed the symphony of her morning.

Cut the carrots into even, rolling pieces, score the shiitake mushrooms with crosshatch patterns, and blanch the pork ribs to remove any unpleasant odor.

The miso slowly melts in the spoon, releasing a rich aroma.

Kushina's movements were fluid and graceful, each step demonstrating exceptional skill.

About an hour later, the kitchen was filled with an appetizing aroma.

Kushina turned off the stove and divided the stewed carrot and pork rib soup into three insulated bento boxes.

Next came miso soup, rice, fried fish, vegetable salad... She arranged the food delicately in the compartments of the bento box, like arranging a work of art.

Finally, she took out sticky notes and a pen from the drawer.

On the first sticky note, she wrote the two characters "Shuimen" in her delicate handwriting and stuck it on the largest bento box.

After thinking for a moment, I drew a small smiley face next to it.

The second one is written with "light".

Kushina paused for a moment, then added, "Remember to eat on time."

The third picture is of "hydrangea".

She drew a cute flower pattern.

With the bento box prepared, Kushina formed hand seals.

"Shadow Clone Technique!"

As the white smoke dissipated, another identical Kushina appeared in the kitchen.

The shadow clone winked at the main body and picked up three bento boxes: "Don't worry about it, leave it to me~"

"Please," Kushina laughed. "Minato is in the administration center, Hikaru might be at the training grounds or in the Anbu, and Hydrangea is at the Ninja Academy. If you can't find them, just call their communications number!"

"Understood!" the shadow clone replied energetically, carrying the lunchbox out the door.

Kushina herself then began preparing the oden broth for dinner.

She gently simmered the kelp and bonito flakes in water, her movements as tender as if she were caring for something precious.

Star City Ninja Academy.

When the bell rang at noon, the corridor was instantly filled with cheerful noise.

The children ran out of the classroom; some were in a hurry to go to the training field to practice, some were discussing the class content in twos and threes, and some were chasing each other across the corridor.

Ziyanghua walked out of the classroom of Class 3, Grade 1, carrying a stack of lesson plans; her short purple hair was a little messy.

"These kids...they're so naughty!" she muttered. "They're not cute at all!"

Even though she said that, she couldn't help but smile as she watched the children running past her.

These six- or seven-year-old children, with their eyes sparkling with curiosity about the world and a longing for ninjutsu, reminded her of herself many years ago.

"That means they're very energetic."

A gentle voice came from the side.

Hydrangea turned her head and saw Yakushi Nonou walking out of another classroom.

The principal of the Star Ninja Academy was dressed in a simple black and white outfit, and his eyes behind his gold-rimmed glasses were smiling.

"Principal!" Ziyanghua quickly stood up straight and bowed respectfully.

Nonou waved his hand and walked to her side: "Don't be so reserved. How are you getting used to being a teacher?"

Ziyanghua hugged the lesson plan in her arms tighter, the dissatisfaction on her face gradually fading, replaced by an expression that was a mixture of accomplishment and tenderness: "Actually... it's not so bad. Although I always complain about how naughty they are, I have to admit that these children are really talented. Even some of the children who started later and whose grades are temporarily lagging behind are working very hard to catch up. Seeing their progress little by little, I feel... it's pretty good."

She teaches first-grade students, who are six or seven years old and have just left their parents' arms. They are at an age when cats and dogs dislike them, and being naughty is the norm.

However, the Land of Stars has gathered talents and resources from all over the world. The average talent of these children is indeed far superior to that of ordinary ninja villages. What is even more remarkable is that, under the relatively peaceful educational environment of the Land of Stars and the influence of the "Will of the Stars," their eyes are filled with a pure desire for knowledge and power.

Hydrangea's three years in the Star Kingdom were filled with experiences.

First, he systematically learned the sealing techniques and space-time ninjutsu theory inherited from the Uzumaki clan from Minato and Kushina; then he joined the sealing team for practice, participating in the maintenance and research and development of multiple barriers and seals.

Later, out of interest, she went to the medical department to study basic medical ninjutsu. However, whether in the sealing class, which required high concentration and precise operation, or in the medical department, which required meticulousness and patience, she always felt that she was missing something and could not fully integrate into that highly professional and somewhat closed environment.

It wasn't until Yakushi Nonou heard about her situation that she took the initiative to approach Minato and proposed that Hydrangea be transferred to the Ninja Academy as a teacher.

Nonou took a liking to the hydrangea. Although she was young, she had struggled to survive in the cruel ninja world for many years. She not only mastered solid sealing techniques and a variety of basic ninjutsu, but also accumulated a wealth of valuable experience in wilderness survival, intelligence gathering, and crisis management.

These are precisely the things that ninja academy students need to learn and practice most.

At the same time, the hydrangea's own talent in sealing techniques and space-time ninjutsu can help the school discover and cultivate talents in this area as early as possible. After all, ninjas who are good at sealing techniques and space-time ninjutsu are a scarce resource anywhere.

“You teach children more than just ninjutsu,” Nonou told her at the time, “you also teach them the wisdom to survive in danger. That’s something you can’t learn from textbooks.”

Standing here now, the hydrangea finally understands the meaning of that sentence.

She teaches first-year students, and in addition to basic chakra refining and the Three Body Technique, she also teaches some wilderness survival skills and sealing techniques theory.

The children studied diligently, and she taught with great dedication.

"It's good that you can adapt." Nono smiled gently, her gaze sweeping over the lesson plan in Hydrangea's arms: "I've seen your teaching plan, it's very creative. Especially that 'Sealing Technique Game,' the children really like it."

Ziyanghua's face flushed slightly: "I just thought that if we could introduce it through a game, they might understand the principles of sealing techniques more easily..."

“A very good idea,” Nono said approvingly, a pleased smile on her face. “Education shouldn’t be rigid. By the way, remember to attend the teachers’ meeting this afternoon; we need to discuss curriculum adjustments for next semester.”

"Yes, principal."

As the two were talking, familiar footsteps and shouts came from the front of the corridor:
"Principal Nonou! Hydrangea!"

Kushina's shadow clone jogged over, carrying a bento box, her red hair bouncing with the movement.

“Aunt Kushina!” Hydrangea’s eyes lit up.

Kushina, the shadow clone, handed her the bento box: "Hey, this is the lunch I forgot to make for you guys this morning! Sorry, sorry, I overslept!"

Ziyanghua quickly took the heavy food box and felt the warmth of "home" emanating from it, which warmed her heart as an orphan.

After experiencing the indifference and exploitation of Amegakure, and after a long period of wandering and loneliness, it was Menma, Uncle Minato, Aunt Kushina, and everyone here who gave her a new home and warmth.

She nodded vigorously, her eyes shining with gratitude: "Thank you, Aunt Kushina! I love your cooking the most!"

"Remember to come home early tonight. I invited Mikoto, Gaara, and the other two siblings to have oden together today!" After saying that, the shadow clone turned into white smoke with a "bang" and disappeared.

………………

On the other side, the Star City Administrative Center building, top-floor offices.

The afternoon sunlight streamed into the room through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting long shadows on the polished floor.

The office was spacious and simple, with bookshelves and filing cabinets mostly containing bookshelves and filing cabinets, which were neatly arranged with reports, archives and development plans from all over the Star Kingdom.

Minato Namikaze sat behind a large desk, with piles of documents awaiting his review in front of him.

Despite the flourishing development of the Star Kingdom and the high efficiency of its administrative system and newly established secretariat, which are able to prioritize and screen massive amounts of government documents from all over the country and various departments and provide preliminary processing opinions, the heavy burden of making final decisions, coordinating all parties, and grasping the overall direction still largely falls on Watergate's shoulders.

Browsing through these reports alone consumes a significant amount of his time and energy each day.

Shuimen had considered quitting.

He would have this thought every time he was overwhelmed by mountains of documents, or when he saw that guy Mianma had run off somewhere to "stir up trouble" again and left all the government affairs to him.

Firstly, this was a business that his son had personally established and entrusted to him, embodying the hard work and hopes of countless people; secondly, over the years of growing up alongside this country, he had also developed a deep affection for this land and its people.

Watching the Star Kingdom unite the fragmented other nations into the prosperous land it is today fills him with a sense of accomplishment and responsibility that he cannot truly let go of.

At that moment, a small meeting was taking place in the office.

Seated on either side of Minato are Uchiha Hikaru, Hyuga Hizashi, Uzumaki Kaoru, and Hoshigaki Kisame.

Each person had a thin, lightweight device resembling a tablet computer on the table in front of them.

This is a "Chakra Network Personal Terminal" developed by the Star Country by combining sealing techniques, chakra conduction technology, and rudimentary electronic information technology. It is about the size of two palms, thin and sturdy.

It integrates a highly encrypted chakra network system for the secure and efficient transmission of encrypted information and top-secret intelligence between the core layers of the Star Kingdom.

In high-level meetings like this one, all documents, data, and charts are shared, annotated, and recorded in real time through this terminal, greatly improving efficiency and confidentiality.

"Lord Minato... that's how it is."

Wearing a traditional white kimono of the Hyuga clan, Hyuga Hizashi had a serious expression as he swiped his finger across the terminal screen to bring up a report: "Although Kirigakure of the Land of Water has ended its Blood Mist policy in recent years, its resource competition with our country in the southern seas has become increasingly frequent."

He transmitted the report to the Watergate terminal.

Detailed text and data, along with several map markings of the southern sea area, immediately appeared on the screen.

"In particular, the competition with our country for fishery resources, seabed mineral veins and control of shipping lanes in the South China Sea has not eased, but has instead intensified."

“Last week, one of our maritime patrol squadrons engaged in a small-scale battle with Kirigakure ninjas in disputed waters. I am once again formally requesting that at least three squadrons of patrol troops be sent to the southern coast and that the equipment of the patrol fleet be upgraded.”

Minato quickly scanned the report, his brows furrowing slightly.

He turned to Kisame Hoshigaki, his greyish-white eyes showing a grave expression: "What intelligence do you have from the Anbu?"

Kisame grinned, revealing his sharp teeth. His sharkskin was wrapped in bandages, but its outline was still visible.

"Based on information gathered by the Dark Intelligence Unit from the coastal areas and underground gold exchange centers of the Land of Water—" Kisame operated the terminal and transmitted an encrypted file to Minato.

"Some pirate forces that were originally entrenched on the islands surrounding the Land of Water have recently been subjected to an unprecedentedly severe crackdown by Kirigakure."

"These stray dogs, having lost their shelter and supply points, have begun to migrate and roam in large numbers to the southern waters of our country."

"In the past month, three fishing towns and two major trade routes along my country's coast have been harassed to varying degrees, with merchant ships being hijacked and fishermen suffering losses. Although these are all small groups of bandits who are not a significant force, the frequency of these attacks is increasing, and it is hard to say that there is no involvement of the Fog Shadow organization or even spies infiltrating behind the scenes."

He pulled up several photos and displayed them on the terminal screen.

Looted merchant ships, traces of destruction in coastal villages, and blurry images of pirate ships.

Shuimen leaned back in his chair, his gaze sweeping over the constantly updating intelligence summaries and map markers on the terminal screen.

Despite being a body contaminated from the dead, the exhaustion from mental exertion still made him rub his throbbing temples.

He exhaled, his gray eyes sharpened, and his previous weariness was replaced by solemnity.

He looked at Uchiha Hikaru, who was sitting on his left, listening quietly the whole time.

"Hikari, what's your opinion?"

Uchiha Hikaru raised his jet-black eyes, and his cool voice echoed in the office:

"It is necessary to increase the number of patrol troops."

"I suggest we immediately intensify screening of people entering and leaving all islands and ports along the southern coast. I suspect that elite spies from the Hidden Mist Sect may have already infiltrated among refugees, caravans, or remnants of pirate forces, attempting to infiltrate..."

After the Land of Stars annexed the Land of Wind, it was separated from the Land of Water by a complex sea area with several island nations and a peninsula of the Land of Fire extending southward, forming the current situation of a region where three forces are intertwined.

The relationship between the Land of Stars and the Hidden Mist Village of the Land of Water can always be described as hostile, since the four ninja swords that originally belonged to the Hidden Mist Village are now in the hands of the Land of Stars, which has always been a thorn in the side of the Hidden Mist Village.

Shuimen exhaled and tapped his fingers on the terminal screen, bringing up the defense deployment map of the southern sea area.

He moved quickly, but every instruction was carefully considered.

"Three additional patrol squadrons will be dispatched to the southern waters to focus on protecting the shipping lanes around Yulin Island." Shuimen ultimately decided: "At the same time, we will strengthen the inspection efforts at coastal ports, and all ships entering and leaving the area must be strictly inspected."

He paused, then looked at Kisame: "The Anbu intelligence squad needs to strengthen its intelligence gathering on the Land of Water."

"Understood." Kisame nodded, already recording the instructions on the terminal.

This thorny and urgent issue has been temporarily put to rest, but the atmosphere in the meeting room has not eased much.

Watergate marked the issue as "processed" and moved on to the next topic, "Vanilla, what's the latest news from the Political Intelligence Division?"

Vanilla Whirlpool's long red hair was neatly tied back. She operated the terminal at an extremely fast speed, transmitting an encrypted intelligence to everyone's devices almost at the same time as Watergate finished speaking.

"Recently, our intelligence agents planted in Kumogakure have sent back important intelligence..."

"The Hidden Cloud Village has sent a diplomatic mission to the Hidden Leaf Village, which seems to be related to the Chunin Exams that the Hidden Leaf Village is preparing for."

Chunin Exam?

This word subtly changed the atmosphere in the meeting room.

Minato frowned as he quickly scanned the intelligence report.

The text on the screen was concise yet packed with information: the size of the Cloud Village delegation, their itinerary, the number of meetings they would have with Konoha's high-ranking officials...

"What exactly happened?" Minato's brows furrowed immediately.

As the former Fourth Hokage, he knew all too well that such joint exams often involved complex political maneuvering and intelligence gathering.

Vanilla opened the detailed attachment to the intelligence report and displayed it on the terminal screen: "According to intelligence analysis, Konoha seems to intend to expand the scale and influence of the Chunin Exams this year, inviting several surrounding smaller ninja villages to participate. Currently, Takigakure, Amegakure, and Kusagakure have been confirmed to have received invitations..."

She paused, then looked at Minato: "Even the Sound Village received an invitation."

Minato could understand when he heard the first few names.

Takigakure and Kusagakure have always had good relations with Konoha; Amegakure is located in a strategically important area and has just changed its leader, so it is normal for Konoha to try to win them over and test their abilities.

But the Hidden Sound Village...

[Image: Konoha Year 63, Ninja World Map, Land of Stars Territory]

(End of this chapter)