Several nights later, at the Shinobi Tavern.
In the scene projected by a gaming machine, a burning pea, you have turned the last zombie into ashes.
Accompanied by the cartoon version of Hashirama Senju's jubilant dance, a message box appeared on the screen, announcing the completion of the level.
Sitting in front of the gaming machine, dressed as a waitress, Nono's face showed little joy.
She didn't immediately press the option to proceed to the next level. Instead, she picked up a pen and began jotting down her experience from the just-cleared level and some issues she had noticed.
After finishing, feeling a bit stiff, she couldn't help but stretch, causing her fitted shirt to outline a somewhat exaggerated curve on her chest.
Nono quickly realised this, blushed slightly and sighed in relief after looking around to ensure no one had noticed.
She usually preferred to wear a loose nun's habit, which didn't present such problems.
Relaxing, Nono took another look around.
The tavern was as lively as ever. The gaming machines, bar, and regular seats were all filled with customers.
Among these customers were several notable figures.
For instance, not far away, the Police Force's team leader, Fugaku Uchiha, was playing cards. He was a regular here.
Sitting beside him was a beautiful woman with long black hair, likely his fiancée, Mikoto Uchiha.
Nono also noticed that Minato Namikaze, who had recently gained fame on the battlefield, was present tonight. He even greeted Natsuhiko, suggesting they had a good relationship.
Shikaku Nara, Choza Akimichi, and Inoichi Yamanaka, the future clan heads of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio, were also frequent visitors.
Additionally, many customers in the tavern were disguised using the Transformation Jutsu, claiming to be members of the "Killer" clan. This look was said to be trendy when the tavern first opened.
Although Nono didn't quite understand their aesthetics, she didn't dare underestimate them.
After all, no one knew how many powerful shinobi were hiding among these people.
For example, the "Doctor," who often had love-hate battles with "Dongba," exuded an aura of authority that reminded Nono inexplicably of Danzo.
However, Nono quickly realised she was letting her professional instincts take over again, analysing others' information subconsciously, and couldn't help but shake her head with a wry smile.
In fact, what she initially intended to focus on was the performance of the other waitstaff.
With the tavern so busy, their work was naturally very demanding.
So when Nono saw everyone busy to the point of exhaustion, she felt a bit guilty.
After all, since she started working here, her daily job was just to play the game Wood Release: Battle Against Zombies.
Although Natsuhiko said he wanted her to help test and improve the game, even giving her the title of game tester, Nono always felt that this job could have been more secure.
After all, just playing games every day—how could that be considered work?
Even though she liked Wood Release: Battle Against Zombies, Nono couldn't fully enjoy it due to her guilt about earning her salary without much effort.
Though she had ulterior motives for working at the tavern, she was known as the "Walking Priestess" because she always perfectly completed her missions by fully immersing herself in her undercover roles.
This time, she was playing the role of a girl working hard to support an orphanage, so naturally, she was particularly attentive to her job as a waitress.
So, she would instead give up this cushy job of playing games and working generally like her colleagues.
Just then, Choza Akimichi, who had just finished a round of cards nearby, grumbled:
"Where's my 'Couch Potato's Delight' combo? I've played a few rounds, and it still hasn't arrived!"
"Sorry, it'll be right there!"
Nono stood up reflexively and headed towards the kitchen.
But she had only taken a couple of steps when Natsuhiko, the tavern owner, appeared out of nowhere and stopped her.
"Nono, where are you going?"
Natsuhiko asked with a smile.
"I…"
For some reason, seeing Natsuhiko's smiling face now made Nono a bit nervous, and she weakly replied, "I just saw that everyone's too busy, so I wanted to help…"
"There's no need for you to get involved in those tasks, Nono. Just focus on testing the game."
Natsuhiko spoke in a gentle yet firm tone.
These past few days, he had been engrossed in developing the cursed seal techniques within Nono's body, making significant progress.
To him, Nono was now no different from a human mining machine, and he wished he could keep her tied up 24/7 to extract Chakra at high intensity, using it to analyse and refine those cursed seal techniques. He wouldn't waste her time on waitress duties.
"But… everyone else is so busy, and I'm the only one taking it easy…"
Nono said with a troubled expression.
Natsuhiko replied thoughtfully, "This Wood Release: Battle Against Zombies is our tavern's main attraction this year, designed to expand our customer base."
"So your job, Nono, is actually essential. Don't waste time on trivial matters."
As he spoke, Natsuhiko glanced around and finally fixed his gaze on Kushina Uzumaki, who was playing a game nearby.
"Kushina, come here."
Natsuhiko stood in place, but his voice unexpectedly rang out next to Kushina's ear.
This was an application of Natsuhiko's bgm technique, which involved releasing Chakra near someone's ear and converting it into sound.
When teaching classes, Natsuhiko often used this method to ensure that even the students in the back could hear him clearly despite his softly spoken tone.
He could even convert Chakra into sound directly in someone's ear, requiring only a whisper for the person to hear clearly, allowing for discreet communication.
Natsuhiko referred to this technique as the Whispering Transmission Jutsu.
Kushina, who had been engrossed in researching her card deck, was pleasantly surprised to hear Natsuhiko's voice and eagerly ran over.
"Natsuhiko, Natsuhiko, are you calling me to play cards?"
It turned out that Natsuhiko often played Ninja Card Battle with Kushina at the tavern's central duel platform to promote the game, showcasing the power of newly released cards.
So, when Kushina heard Natsuhiko calling her, she instinctively thought it was for that.
However, Natsuhiko sternly replied, "Play, play, play—all you do is play."
"Don't forget, you're also one of the tavern's owners. The tavern is so busy right now; how can you not lend a hand?"
"Since Choza's order has been delayed for so long, go to the kitchen and check on it."
"???"
Kushina stared at Natsuhiko in disbelief.
Every time she tried to help before, Natsuhiko would say that as an owner, she didn't need to do everything herself.
So why was he saying something completely different now?
But what surprised Kushina even more came afterward.
After speaking with her, Natsuhiko turned and gently said to Nono:
"Now you can relax, Nono. Go back and play… I mean, test the game."
"???"
Kushina finally understood that Natsuhiko had sent her to help so that Nono could continue playing the game!?
How could Natsuhiko say such a double standard right in front of her?
The one who wanted to play was made to work, and the one who wanted to work was told to play.
What kind of world was this?
Kushina couldn't help but ponder.
…
"Darn Natsuhiko, bad Natsuhiko…"
Although she was unwilling, Kushina ultimately obeyed and did as Natsuhiko instructed.
Of course, during the process, she continued to complain about Natsuhiko's unfairness in her mind.
This guy loved to push tasks onto her at the ninja academy, claiming it was to give her more opportunities to grow.
At home, Grandma Mito had also shifted much of her affection toward Natsuhiko, often using him as an example to teach her, making her feel like a fool.
And now, he wanted to take away the last peaceful place she had at the tavern!
The hero's halo that Natsuhiko had gained from saving her was starting to fade, and Kushina recalled the fear of being under Natsuhiko's domineering control…
It seemed that the second phase of her "Overthrow the Unfair Boss Plan" needed to be accelerated…
However, what annoyed Kushina the most was Natsuhiko's blatant favouritism towards Nono.
Why?
How could someone usually be so dense that they couldn't take a hint and suddenly become so attentive?
With a pout, Kushina handed Choza his "Couch Potato's Delight" combo, then stood at a distance, gazing gloomily at Natsuhiko and Nono, who had returned to the gaming machine and were chatting intimately.
After glaring at Natsuhiko, Kushina turned her attention to Nono.
Damn it, what does she have that I don't?
Kushina puffed her cheeks in thought...
(End of Chapter)
P.S
Advance 70 Chapters are up on my Patreon.
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