The noon heat during summer was always unbearable, and the sweltering feeling after lunch was especially unpleasant.
"Tsubaki, hurry up and learn [Ice Release] already. If you could create some ice cubes, we'd cool off a bit."
The technological development path of this world had taken such an odd direction. The power system was still at the steam boiler level, yet movies were already quite common, and electricity was widely used. Even some small, simple computers existed, although their performance might not surpass those bulky vacuum tube computers from his previous life. Surveillance systems, medical applications, and similar technologies were no longer particularly shocking. Yet despite all that, civilian air conditioning wasn't even widely available—it was truly unbelievable.
"It's too difficult to learn [Ice Release] without *Kekkei Genkai*," Tsubaki replied, looking at Mizuki who seemed overly anxious.
In theory, [Ice Release] was a combination of Water and Wind Nature Transformations, but in reality, it was incredibly difficult. Mizuki couldn't remember anyone ever successfully mastering [Ice Release] without possessing *Kekkei Genkai*. It was just so hard—if one's chakra nature didn't naturally possess both Water and Wind Attributes, the likelihood of mastering [Ice Release] was about as slim as Mizuki becoming *The Fifth*. Tsubaki's Chakra Attributes—Water, Wind, and Lightning—were far superior to Mizuki's ordinary Fire Attribute. If she hadn't been his fiancée, Mizuki would've probably gone mad with jealousy.
『Water Attribute I can understand, but where did Wind and Lightning Attributes come from?』
Putting aside Mizuki's private concerns over how his fiancée might secretly be a terrifying monster, Tsubaki gently fanned herself with her folding fan for a moment before turning to give Mizuki a few cooling breezes.
As for why the engaged couple wasn't sitting together and sharing the fan—well, let's just say Mizuki, who carried the aura of lifelong bachelorhood from his past life, had acted too carelessly again.
『With no AC around, getting cozy will just make us sweat even more!』
"The flower shop hasn't been open properly for two or three days. We have time today, let's go check it out in the afternoon."
"Eh? It's way too hot; there probably won't be many customers," Mizuki didn't really want to go. "Don't look at me like that—I'm staying home to keep cool."
"If we don't go soon, all the flowers will wilt. I'm going."
"Okay, okay. Let's take a look." Finally, it was Mizuki who gave in, faced with Tsubaki's big, pleading eyes.
『I wonder if I'm imagining things, but ever since coming back injured from the Land of Waves, Tsubaki's been stricter with me.』
While Mizuki was sighing inwardly about his fiancée no longer obeying him unconditionally, he heard Tsubaki say, "If you have free time these next few days, don't bother hiring any more staff—we can handle everything between us two."
Right when he heard this, Mizuki knew he was destined to walk further down the road of being a flower shop owner—but then suddenly, an idea hit him.
"Tsubaki, we could hire a temporary worker… one who works for free."
『Free labor is stupid not to take advantage of.』 Mizuki couldn't help but feel proud of his own cleverness.
Afternoon had arrived, and although many villagers preferred not to go out at this time, the streets hadn't become any less crowded. During the Chunin Exams, the number of outsiders kept increasing. After the news spread that the third round would be held in a month, more and more people interested in the event flooded into Konoha, making its streets even livelier—but causing headaches for the ninja on patrol duty.
"Staying surrounded by flowers doesn't feel quite so hot."
Unexpectedly, Mizuki found business unusually good. Watching Tsubaki busily running around, he occasionally stepped in to lend a hand. Observing the busy Tsubaki wiping sweat from her brow while smiling brightly,
"This must be the kind of life Tsubaki wants—peaceful and simple, an ordinary flower shop where a family lives harmoniously together, working hard for their livelihood."
This is a world deeply scarred by constant warfare and a fractured social order. Even in the comparatively peaceful Konoha Village, most people still yearned desperately for lasting peace. Thus it wasn't difficult to understand why so many wounded souls tirelessly sought paths toward peace—even if such peace was illusory, like [Mirage on Water or Flower in Mirror].
To be honest, since his sudden arrival in this world, besides physical discomfort, what troubled him most was a sense of detachment. Suddenly thrown into a strange environment, while simultaneously trying to fix problems left behind by his former self, dissatisfaction often built up inside him. But once everything finally calmed down, Mizuki began carefully observing his surroundings with a new perspective. Tsubaki, who spent the most time with him and continuously cared for him, became like an emotional tether connecting him to this world, pulling him back from a carefree mindset to reality.
"And Tsubaki isn't as weak as she appears outwardly—she's actually a strong and clever girl. Perhaps sensing my inner struggles, she found various ways to help me along."
Just like before, whenever he worked alongside Tsubaki on the same task, his heart would feel especially calm. Only during those moments could he let go of all worries and quietly enjoy a blissful period free of troubles.
Sometimes Mizuki wondered how those individuals with prophetic abilities could live so carelessly each day. If Mizuki himself didn't know future events, he probably could have easily accepted the present situation already—his cultivation strength might not stand out, but it was decent enough. Living contentedly as an ordinary ninja for the rest of his days should have sufficed.
"Sometimes, trouble comes simply from knowing too much."
By evening, after finishing a day's work and returning home, nobody came asking about the morning incident. Since no one raised questions, Mizuki put it aside, able now to focus peacefully on personal matters.
The next morning early, Mizuki was awakened by loud knocking at his door. Grumpy from interrupted sleep, he had no choice but to go open it.
"I specifically told Tsubaki not to come so early," Mizuki grumbled sleepily. Yet upon opening the door, he saw Kakashi Hatake standing there accompanied by Sakura Haruno.
"Ohayou," Kakashi greeted casually. Beside him, young Sakura also politely bowed in apology.
"What brings you here today?" Mizuki asked drowsily mid-yawn—"I thought you'd wait another couple days. Anyway, come on in."
"No need. I've delivered the person, and now I have other matters to attend to," Kakashi said, handing over a scroll to Mizuki. "This is what you wanted. After you're done reading it, just ask Sakura to return it to me."
"So straightforward? Then thank you," Mizuki said, taking it without hesitation.
"Then I'll leave Sakura in your hands." With that, Kakashi immediately vanished using the Body Flicker Technique.
"That urgent?" Mizuki glanced at the item in his hand and said to Sakura, "Why don't you come in first? We can get breakfast once Tsubaki arrives."
"You don't need to be so formal, Teacher Mizuki," Sakura replied. "I also brought some pastries as a little gift. Please feel free to enjoy them."
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