When the owner of the barbecue shop saw the three people entering his store, the worry lines on his face caused by the war instantly faded. His entire face lit up with a smile.
"Please, come right in!"
He quickly ushered the three patrons who spent money inside.
In times like these, no matter how tough life got, making money came first.
"Boss, you've put on some weight," Kin remarked casually.
The barbecue shop owner first glanced around to see if a certain white-haired guy was present. Last time, that guy had to wash dishes to pay off his bill. In the current economic climate, that wouldn't fly.
"Don't worry, we've got money today," Kin said, patting the owner's belly. Typical Akimichi physique.
This barbecue shop was backed by the Akimichi clan. These days, only businesses with ninja clan support could stay open amid the war's economic impact. Otherwise, they'd all be forced to shut down.
"Wouldn't dream of doubting you," the owner chuckled.
Some things were better left unsaid.
But Uchiha Kin wasn't paying attention to the owner's attitude anymore. He had spotted a certain rival.
Their eyes met, sparks flying between them.
"Here we go again," Yamanaka Inoichi sighed, rubbing his forehead.
"Kin, let's eat together. My treat today," Akimichi Chōza offered warmly.
"Much appreciated," Kin replied, already taking a seat.
"And my two teammates," he added, pointing at the two stunned faces behind him. Kin's speed was so fast it seemed like teleportation to their eyes.
"Come on, the more the merrier," Chōza said, unfazed. Between his family's funds, wartime earnings, and the clan discount card he'd prepared, he could afford to treat a few people.
Of course, he was also aware of how the Foundation's Internal Art increased one's appetite. He'd come prepared.
"Excuse us," Namikaze Minato said, pulling Uzumaki Kushina to sit beside him.
His gaze fell on a scruffy-looking boy with a ponytail, who was locked in a glaring contest with Uzumaki Kin. The intensity between them was almost tangible.
"Don't mind them, or else..." Inoichi trailed off.
He couldn't very well say, "You'll realize just how monstrous my teammate is." That would be rude.
"Let's talk about you instead," Inoichi said, turning away from his reputation-damaging teammate and focusing on Minato.
"Namikaze Minato, the genius of the Iwagakure front. Even on the Sunagakure front, I've heard of you."
Though official battle records weren't publicized, the people managing the ninja archives were only human. Rumors naturally reached the ears of those who paid attention.
"I've just been lucky to survive. 'Genius' is too much praise," Minato replied modestly. There had been many close calls where sheer luck was the only reason he'd made it out alive.
"What about me!? Me!? Have you heard of me?" Kushina asked, raising her hand with none of Minato's humility.
Inoichi hesitated.
"Minato's teammate... that's pretty notable, right?"
There had been no news at all about Minato's teammate.
Kushina slumped, her entire figure turning gray. How could this be? She, the prodigious Kushina, was completely unknown?!
"Uh..." Inoichi scratched his head awkwardly.
"Don't mind her," Kin said, already picking up slices of meat to grill.
"How's the situation on the Sunagakure front? They took a pretty bad beating."
The White Fang had nearly taken out the Kazekage and Chiyo back then. Only his inability to fully control that final strike had allowed the two to survive.
"It's... complicated," Chōza sighed.
"The Kazekage has focused his attention on the Land of Rivers battlefield. Most of our forces there don't dare make a move."
Despite the White Fang's near victory, the current Kazekage was hailed as the strongest in history. He wasn't to be underestimated.
Even Tsunade hesitated to act, leaving the front in a stalemate. Ironically, the Sunagakure front was the quietest of all battlefields.
"When will this war end?" Nara Shikaku chimed in.
A heavy silence fell over the group. This was their first war, and none of them could predict its course. Right now, Konoha was under attack from three villages.
And Kin knew that Kumogakure was also stirring.
"Surrounded," Kin mused.
The others nodded grimly.
After eating their fill, the group went their separate ways.
Kin and his teammates headed to the training grounds for their afternoon session. Their break was only temporary—if a major battle erupted, they'd be sent back to the front immediately.
"Is that... Hyuga Kiyoshi?" Kushina asked hesitantly, spotting three figures in the distance.
Their Byakugan marked them unmistakably as members of the Hyuga clan. Leading the way was an adult Hyuga in a green flak jacket, followed by a young man dressed like nobility. Bringing up the rear was a boy with his head bowed, carrying an assortment of items.
Hyuga Kiyoshi had always been proud. Seeing him reduced to this servant-like role made Kushina doubt her eyes, but the face was undeniably his.
"Just the Hyuga clan's old tradition. The branch family exists to serve the main house," Kin said with a shrug.
"Is it because of the Caged Bird Seal?" Minato asked.
He was familiar with Hyuga Hizashi and knew about the Hyuga branch family's initiation ritual. According to Hizashi, the Caged Bird Seal was meant to protect the clan.
So why describe it as enslavement?
"But isn't it meant to safeguard the Byakugan?" Minato pressed. The Kiyoshi he knew would never willingly act this way unless forced.
"Whoever's bullying my classmate needs a lesson!" Kushina fumed, but Minato grabbed her sleeve and shook his head.
"If you confront them now, you'll only hurt his pride more."
Kin tucked his hands into his sleeves, watching the Hyuga group disappear into the distance.
"The Caged Bird might have started as a form of protection," he mused.
"But when those who control it realize those branded can't resist, any noble purpose becomes twisted."
Kind-hearted people were few and far between. Over generations, the original intent had warped beyond recognition.
What began as twisted protection had become oppression, breeding resentment.
A bird trapped in a cage will always yearn for the freedom of the sky, no matter the dangers.
Because sometimes, dignity outweighs life itself.
Perhaps in the future, faced with danger, the next generation would make the same choice to impose the Caged Bird.
And so the cycle would repeat.
But those who seek to break the chains and those who forge them are fundamentally different generations.
There's no room for understanding between them.
Those who crave freedom fear no peril, while those who desire safety willingly forsake liberty.
It's a clash of ideals.
"But without the cycle, there's no meaning in discussing it."
A smile played on Kin's lips.
Now, he could attempt to undo the Caged Bird.
And set the cycle in motion.
...
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(End of Chapter)