KONOHA :THE RISE OF KAITON

Konoha Village, 16 years old.

In the bustling commercial district on the east side of Konoha Village, a long line stretched outside a restaurant bearing the plaque "Akirai BBQ." The tantalizing aroma wafting from within made passersby swallow unconsciously.

"This place is insane! It's only been open for a week, and it's already this packed!"

"Right? Their barbecue tastes way better than anything else in the village!"

Inside one of the restaurant's private rooms, a blonde-haired girl with twin ponytails was finishing the last skewer of grilled chicken wings.

"Ah... hiccup! So good, I'm stuffed," she said, patting her belly with satisfaction.

Across from her sat a boy who looked no older than five or six. His black training outfit contrasted with his disapproving glare.

"Tsunade! You eat too much! Can't you leave something for me?" he scolded.

"Cut it out, Kaiton," Tsunade replied smugly, a mischievous grin lighting up her round face. "It's not my fault you eat so slow."

Kaiton sighed. "What's up with Dad? He lets you eat here for free and now expects me to handle your school meals? Who's his kid—me or you?"

---

It had been a month since Kaiton had arrived in this world. Memories from his past life were fuzzy, cloaked in a strange haze. Still, the general shape of things was becoming clearer.

His name in this life was Kaiton, born a commoner. This world was one of supernatural powers, where ninjas dominated with incredible skills. While the world felt oddly familiar, he couldn't pinpoint why.

Kaiton's father, Akirai, had recently retired from his career as a ninja. His mother, Hinatabi, managed the household. Their family followed a traditional model where the man earned while the woman cared for the children.

Unfortunately, Akirai's retirement left the family without a steady income. After weeks of deliberation, his parents decided to open a restaurant specializing in dango.

This, however, quickly became a nightmare for Kaiton, who detested the monotonous taste of rice balls. As a carnivore at heart, he eventually convinced his parents to switch their menu to barbecue, an idea inspired by his memories of his past life.

---

The Birth of Akirai BBQ

In the 1980s, meat was always a luxury. Kaiton taught his parents the basics of grilling. "It's simple," he explained. "Skewer meat and vegetables, grill them over charcoal, and brush on this sauce I'll teach you to make."

His parents caught on quickly. After finalizing the recipes and securing a shop location, they opened Akirai BBQ two weeks later. Business exploded on the first day, with Kaiton working tirelessly to ensure everything ran smoothly.

That's when Tsunade appeared.

She was no older than six, yet her wide-eyed curiosity—and more importantly, her empty stomach—caught Kaiton's attention. Unable to resist her puppy-dog stare, he handed her a skewer.

Big mistake.

After finishing the first skewer, Tsunade demanded more. Kaiton refused, adamantly reminding her, "Being cute doesn't mean you get free food!"

The two ended up arguing until Hinatabi intervened, pacifying the situation by giving Tsunade ten more skewers.

---

The next day, Tsunade returned with a fat stack of bills, enough to make Kaiton's jaw drop.

"A hundred thousand ryo?!" he exclaimed, staring at the cash.

Tsunade patted her chest confidently. "I told you I'd pay. Keep the extra as pre-payment for my meals. You're cooking for me from now on!"

While taken aback, Kaiton saw an opportunity. He decided to go beyond simple barbecue for this wealthy little customer, whipping up stir-fried dishes to accompany her meals.

---

For the next two weeks, Tsunade became a regular, eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner at Akirai BBQ. Their shared time led to an unexpected friendship.

"Don't be late for school tomorrow, Kaiton," Tsunade reminded him after finishing another feast. She left with a packed dinner for her family, leaving Kaiton to close the shop late into the night.

---

A New Semester

When Kaiton returned home that evening, he was ready to collapse into bed. Before he could retreat to his room, Akirai tossed him a small pouch.

"What's this?" Kaiton asked, perking up.

"Pocket money for school tomorrow. Spend wisely," Akirai said, yawning.

Kaiton opened the pouch, finding a considerable amount of cash inside.

"Wow, this must be tens of thousands of ryo!" Kaiton exclaimed, only for Akirai to shatter his excitement.

"Don't get too excited. Part of it is for Tsunade's meals," Akirai clarified nonchalantly.

"Wait... what?!" Kaiton groaned, realizing most of the money wasn't truly his.

"Remember, you're her chef now. She's growing and needs good food," Akirai added with a chuckle.

---

The next morning, Kaiton groaned as his alarm rang. Today marked the beginning of his first semester at the Ninja Academy. Though exhausted from work, he felt a twinge of excitement.

For Kaiton, becoming a ninja wasn't just a dream; it was a necessity. His ultimate goal was to use his skills to achieve financial freedom.

"One day, I'll own barbecue restaurants across the world," he muttered, imagining a life of ease where he'd delegate the hard work to others.

For now, however, his focus was on school—and on surviving Tsunade's relentless appetite.

---

As Kaiton walked toward the Academy, he couldn't help but reflect on how much his life had changed. From a meatball-eating commoner to the owner of the most popular barbecue restaurant in Konoha, he was carving his own path.

But this was just the beginning.

The real challenge lay ahead: mastering the art of being a ninja while managing the ever-growing demands of Tsunade, Akirai BBQ, and his own ambitions.

Tomorrow, the world of ninja training awaited.

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