"Good evening, viewers. This is the Konoha Evening News Channel."
"I'm your host."
At this moment, the festivities were reaching their climax. Beneath the starry night sky, blazing red lanterns dotted the buildings like stars, while laughter and merriment filled the streets.
Not everyone enjoyed the bustle, however. Some were still busy with the trivial chores of daily life at home.
The television was on, and the news was broadcasting as usual, adding a trace of warmth to the otherwise deserted home.
The somewhat precocious girl had not gone out to play with her friends. Instead, she had chosen to stay home and keep her mother company.
They had prepared a whole tableful of dishes, yet only mother and daughter were eating, making the place feel even more desolate.
"Let's let Dad and the others eat first."
The mother busied herself fetching the photographs placed in the household shrine, then set out bowls and chopsticks and poured the wine.
"Come home for dinner, all of you."
The mother and daughter both lowered their heads and clasped their hands in silent mourning.
The broadcast on the television continued, but they had no heart to listen.
"Here is a breaking news report. It has been confirmed that—" The host paused slightly as he looked at the manuscript, a trace of absurdity crossing his face. Yet driven by professional composure, he calmly continued reading.
"Under the leadership of Fourth Hokage-sama Tsunade, Konoha's Medical Technology has made another breakthrough, successfully solving the problem of the dead being unable to return to life."
The female host beside him opened her mouth so wide that it could have fit a goose egg.
"At present, related developments are proceeding smoothly. A group of resurrected people has already returned to society and resumed work."
She understood every individual