Konoha: The thirty-year-old Uchiha is not motivated.

"Mile is not an illegitimate child; she has a father and a mother!"

Looking at the strange girl with a peculiar grin in front of her, Mile's fair and delicate face puffed up like a steamed bun.
"Liar sister, lying is not something a good child should do!"

"I didn't expect you to be so clear-headed, even though you look a bit simple-minded."

Seeing that Miroku hadn't taken the bait, Nonoyu shook her head regretfully. Her smile didn't fade when she brought up her parents; instead, she casually pulled a few candies from her pouch and handed them to him.

"Miroku, is it? It's nice to meet you."

"Wow~ Thank you, you con artist sister!"

Upon seeing the delicious candy, the displeasure on Little Miroku's face instantly vanished. She happily accepted it, and a sweet "Big sister!" filled Nonou's eyes with a smile.
Of course, it would be even better if the prefix "scammer" could be removed.

"Did you handle all the procurement for the orphanage again this year?"

Uchiha Osamu watched with a smile as the two children, one big and one small, interacted amicably. His gaze then shifted and landed on the enormous basket on Nono's back.
"The principal can rest assured that I'm handling things."

Nonou tightened her grip on her basket, nodded with a smile. If anyone else from the courtyard had come, they might have been ripped off by these unscrupulous merchants taking advantage of the New Year.

As she spoke, she took out a list and ticked off the vegetables section.

"Let me see, all that's left is meat."

"We just bought a lot of meat!"

Upon hearing the word "meat," Little Maitreya, who had just popped a lemon candy into his mouth, brightened up and excitedly raised his hand, saying...
"How are meat prices? Have they gone up?"

After paying for the vegetables, Nonou shook her empty purse, her brow furrowed slightly as she asked...

"It's gone up just a little bit."

Uchiha Shigeaki recalled the price list inside the butcher shop, and nodded slightly.
"Tsk~ This is going to be difficult!"

Upon hearing this, Nono's face fell.
The orphanage seems to be short of funds, and we'll have to pay out of our own pockets again this year.

"Sister Zhili, Little Maitreya, I'm going to buy meat now. The kids in the yard are waiting for me~"

Although she really wanted to tease the adorable little Miroku a bit more, the thought that lunchtime was fast approaching forced Nono to regretfully pocket her money pouch, wave goodbye to the two of them, and dash off towards the Uchiha butcher shop.

"Sister Zhili, what did you mean by the orphanage you just mentioned?"

Watching Nonou's anxious retreating figure, a glint flashed in Komiroku's eyes. A few seconds later, she pursed her lips, turned to look at Uchiha Shigeaki beside her,

"Nonou is a child who grew up in an orphanage; the orphanage is her home."

He briefly recounted Nono's tragic past, and as Miroku listened, his face grew increasingly contorted with worry.

Did I say something really offensive?

She just proudly told the other person that she has a father and mother. Wasn't that just hitting a nerve?
"Too much?"

Uchiha blinked in confusion. Weren't the two of them interacting quite amicably just now?

"Sister Zhili, wait for me a moment, I'll be right back."

Tormented by his conscience, Little Maitreya clenched his fists, grabbed the scroll containing the meat, and gave chase.
"This child"

After a moment's recollection, Uchiha Rinpoche guessed the reason for Miroku's emotional change. He shook his head with a complex expression, but his eyes were full of relief.

Welcome back next time!

Outside the Uchiha butcher shop, Nonou looked helplessly at the two boxes of fresh meat in her hands, which were meant to be used as dumpling filling.

"Oops, I'm late."

She was prepared to pay out of her own pocket, but to her surprise, the butcher shop was out of fresh meat, apparently bought up by a mysterious customer who had arrived before her.

If she hadn't spent so much time at the market, she might have been able to buy a few more boxes.

"Are we going to Shimura's butcher shop?"

Konoha has more than just the Uchiha clan's butcher shop; Shimura's butcher shop is actually quite good, but its prices aren't as competitive.

"Didn't Shinnosuke say he'd give me a discount if I mentioned his name? He better not lie to me, otherwise... hmph~"

Fortunately, she has connections. Although the former trio has gone their separate ways, they still keep in touch from time to time. If Shinnosuke Nohara dares to lie to her, Nonou will definitely treat him to some good juice at the next gathering.
"You're lying to Nono-neechan!"

"Ok?"

Hearing a call from afar behind him, Nono turned around in confusion and found that it was the sweet and innocent girl he had just parted ways with.

"Little Maitreya?"

"Huff, huff."

Little Miroku, panting heavily, ran up to Nonou, her fair face slightly flushed from the exertion.
"What is it?"

"Please accept this!"

Seeing the two boxes of not-so-plump fresh meat in Nonou's hands, Komuro mustered his courage and presented the valuable scroll in his hands with both hands.

"Hey?"

Confused, Nono blinked. Why are you giving me a gift all of a sudden?
"What I just said was unintentional. I really didn't know you, Nono-neechan."

"Haha, you really are a cute kid."

The fact that she later became the wandering priestess traveling between countries speaks volumes about Nono's intelligence. She instantly deduced why Miroku was like that, and smiled, her expression showing no trace of resentment.
"It's alright, I wouldn't take such a small thing to heart."

Growing up in a warm orphanage with a foster father named Lao Yin, Nono's childhood wasn't as miserable as Miroku imagined; in fact, she was happier than most families.
"Please accept this no matter what."

Unsure whether Nonou's smile was genuine or forced, Miroku, feeling guilty, pursed his lips and shoved the scroll filled with fresh meat into Nonou's arms.
"etc."

See you next time, Nono-neechan!

Watching Miroku's figure disappear into the street, Nonou lowered her raised arm, her gaze falling on the storage scroll in her arms. After hesitating for a moment, she slowly pulled it open.

"This is...meat?"

As a large character for "meat" appeared in the center of the sealing formula, Nonou's expression instantly became extremely strange.
"This child certainly knows how to give gifts."

Uchiha Rinpoche, who was waiting in front of the market, looked down at the somewhat fearful little Miroku and softly asked,
"Has it been delivered?"

"It's delivered. I'm sorry, Sister Zhili, I gave away an important ingredient for the hot pot to someone else without permission."

"Don't blame yourself, you just gave it to someone who needed it more."

They might not be able to finish the meat worth over a million yuan even if they ate hot pot until the fifteenth of the month. It would just go bad and be a waste if left out for too long. Donating it to an orphanage would be a very wise choice.

"And today's hot pot."

If we can't buy the meat, my master will be very angry.

The thought of his gluttonous teacher made Little Maitreya's face grow even more bitter. He regretted not secretly keeping a few boxes for himself.

"It's nothing, it's just meat."

Looking at the mournful face of the little Miroku, Uchiha Rinko shook her head. She definitely wouldn't be going to Shimura's butcher shop.

So that leaves...
She touched the Inuzuka clan kennel membership card tucked in her pocket, and a strange smile appeared on her lips.

"Little Maitreya, would you like to eat dog meat hot pot?" "Huh?"

Inuzuka Kennel

"Ha~"

A little girl, around ten years old, with spiky brown hair, was yawning listlessly, leaning against the cash register.

"Kuromaru~ When will Mom come back?"

"Wang~"

The black and white husky puppy lying beside her raised its head and barked, its face displaying the same human-like boredom as its owner.
Because his mother went out to buy high-end ingredients every day, Inuzuka Tsurugi, who was still at the Upper Ninja Academy, was forced to stay behind to look after the shop.

The Inuzuka family's kennel usually doesn't have much business, and now that everyone is busy preparing for the New Year, the shop is even quieter. Only a group of adorable puppies are playing happily inside the enclosure, a scene that is very heartwarming for dog lovers.

Of course, for another group of dog lovers, it's a comfort food.

"Little Maitreya, what do you think of that chubby meat dog?"

Outside the kennel's glass window, Uchiha Osamu's scrutinizing gaze swept over each chubby puppy, finally settling on a small, rather heavy-looking brown dog.

"Slurp~ It must taste delicious!"

Little Miroku wiped the drool from the corner of her mouth. Having grown up in hardship alongside Reimu, she was a second-rate dog lover. When they were constantly hungry, any wild animal became their food source.
P.S.: Except for frogs.

Ding-a-ling~
"Mom, welcome!"

Hearing the door open, Inuzuka Tsurugi at the counter immediately assumed it was his mother returning, but when he looked up, he realized it was a customer who had come in.
Is the boss in?

"I am the boss."

Inuzuka Tsurugi has a very straightforward and outgoing personality. She wasn't timid despite her mother's absence. Besides, her mother entrusted the shop to her before she passed away, so she's now in charge of it.

"You're the boss? Fine, see if this card works."

Although Uchiha Rinpoche had doubts, he didn't ask any further questions after seeing the Inuzuka mark on the girl's cheek. Instead, he took out the membership card he had drawn from the blind box.

"This is a distinguished guest! Please have a seat."

Upon seeing the card bearing her family crest, Inuzuka Tsurugi's expression changed drastically. She had heard her mother mention this card; it was an extremely rare membership card for the kennel, with only three in the entire Hidden Leaf Village.
One was in the hands of the First Hokage who founded Konoha, and the other was in the hands of a mysterious silver-haired man.
There's another one that should have been sent out not long ago, how did it appear so quickly?
"No need to sit."

The hot pot at home is still waiting for the meat to be cooked. Uchiha Rin shook his head, his cold gaze inadvertently falling on the black and white husky next to Inuzuka Tsurugi.
"Woof! Mmm~"

Animals are far more sensitive to danger than humans. The moment it was being stared at, Blackie, who had been yawning out of boredom, stood on end, its four legs began to tremble violently, and it let out a terrified howl.
"Black Ball? This is an honored guest. Show some manners and bow!"

Inuzuka Tsuru frowned upon seeing this; his friend wasn't usually like this.
"Wang~"

Blackie was practically riddled with holes; he was in no mood to bow.

Slippery~
"Oh? I'm sorry, it's not usually like this."

Seeing the terrified Kuro, Inuzuka Tsuru felt utterly humiliated. He grabbed Kuro and lifted him up, threatening him menacingly.
"How dare you urinate and defecate anywhere! I'll turn you into dog meat stew when I get back!"

"Oh?"

Upon hearing this, Uchiha's eyes lit up. This shop was so thoughtful, even offering processing services.

"I'm sorry, sir, but all the dogs here are carefully bred by our Inuzuka family. We're sure to find one that suits your taste."

After tossing the embarrassing Kuro-maru onto the counter, Inuzuka Tsurugi began earnestly introducing the dog to the two customers who had come to pet it.

In her view, the Uchiha sisters, Miroku and Miroku, should be the kind of traditional dog lovers.

How many can I choose at once?

The dogs in this kennel are mostly small breeds, not much meat, Uchiha Rinpoche looked around and asked softly.

"Given the rarity of your membership, you may choose any dog ​​from the kennel."

"That's good, little Maitreya, keep pretending!"

"Yes!"

The already hungry and thirsty Little Maitreya received the order, took out the sack that had been prepared behind him, excitedly stepped forward, pulled open the fence, and carefully selected the ingredients for tonight's meal.

Hmm. Shiba Inu meat is too dry, Corgi legs are too short, this Pug is quite fat, but a bit ugly.
"Mmm mmm mmm"

Sensing the threat of death, the dogs were instantly terrified, cowering in a corner, trembling with fear.
"Uh? Sir, what do you want?"

Inuzuka Tsuru, who had never seen a dog petted with a sack before, stared blankly at the eager Miroku. Why did this girl, who looked to be about his age, exude such a ferocious aura?
Sensing something was amiss, she quickly stepped in front of Maitreya, shielding the puppies behind her.
"Didn't you say you could choose any? There are a lot of people in the family, one or two aren't enough to go around."

Little Maitreya frowned, looking indignant. Could this shop be a rip-off?

"You guys want to take it home and pet it?"

Although their kennel offers rental services, they generally conduct a client assessment beforehand to avoid animal cruelty.
"Masturbate?"

The drooling little Maitreya was taken aback upon hearing this, gently wiping the glistening drool from the corner of his mouth, his face full of question marks.
"Yeah, what are we supposed to do if we don't masturbate? Bring it home and cook it in hot pot."

"."

Upon hearing this, the room fell into an instant, deathly silence.

"You guys aren't really going to make dog meat hot pot, are you?"

Sensing the atmosphere was starting to turn sour, Inuzuka Tsuru's expression changed, and he tremblingly raised his finger.
"No, dog meat hot pot is absolutely forbidden!"

"Gudong~ Do you have any other recommended recipes?"

Little Maitreya swallowed hard, his face full of anticipation.
Dog meat hot pot is already a top-notch delicacy, so is there any cooking method that is even more delicious?
"How could you eat such a cute dog?"

Inuzuka Tsurugi was now completely certain of the Uchiha clan's ill intentions. His face filled with vigilance, he spread his arms wide, tightly shielding the trembling dogs behind him.

"What? So this isn't a dog meat restaurant after all?"

Seeing this, Little Miroku put down the sack in his hand with a look of disappointment, and turned to look at Uchiha Shigeaki behind him.
"Sister Zhili, it seems we've come to the wrong place."

Uchiha, who had somehow acquired the black and white husky, shook his head with a hint of regret.

"That's such a pity, the meat of this dog looks really good."

Blackie: Woof~~ (Master, save me! I don't want to swim on my back in the hot pot.)
"Blackball! I'll do anything you ask as long as you don't eat it!"

Looking at his friend who had been taken hostage, Inuzuka Tsuru bit his lip and said dejectedly,

"Hmm? You really are willing to do anything?"

Looking at the subdued Inuzuka Tsurugi with a smile in his eyes, the Uchiha's true intentions were revealed.

"So, do you sell meat?"

Don't underestimate ninja dogs. Excellent ninja dogs enjoy the finest meat, and the Inuzuka clan must have their own special supply channels.
"I see."

Hearing these suggestive words, Inuzuka Tsuru painfully closed his eyes, reaching for the zipper of his shirt, his slightly undulating breasts heaving up and down.

"Why are you taking off your clothes? We don't want this meat!" (End of Chapter)