The lively festival was being prepared, and Tsunade felt completely bewildered.
Looking at the little girl before her, she asked softly, "May I ask what this festival is for?"
At the mention of it, Tenten perked up and said, "It's a festival held to praise and celebrate the benevolence and greatness of Fourth Hokage Princess Tsunade."
"What?"
Tsunade remembered that the people below had proposed something similar before, but she had rejected it every time.
Mainly because it was too embarrassing. She felt terribly self-conscious about it.
Tsunade did not think she was particularly great.
Nor did she like listening to flattery. With that time, she would rather get a few more practical things done.
Mimi, she thought.
"What are they doing?" Tsunade muttered.
"Right? You think so too?" Tenten looked at Tsunade and said, "But don't say things like that carelessly. I also think it's a little unnecessary. Fourth Hokage is clearly still alive, yet they've put her up for worship as if she were dead. More than anything, I think everyone just wants more holidays to celebrate."
"When exactly does the festival begin?" Tsunade asked, looking toward the bustling streets.
"August second."
"August second?"
"Yeah. It's Fourth Hokage's birthday."
A birthday?
It seemed like it had been a very, very long time since she had celebrated one.
"It's her fifty-seventh grand birthday~" Tenten said with a sweet smile.
Tsunade's face darkened.
Sure enough, they never should have held this festival.
But since she was already here, she might as well enjoy it properly.
She found a Hot Spring Inn to stay at, washed away the dust of travel, and changed into clean clothes. Soon after, the festival arrived as scheduled.
From daytime onward, drums and music rang out. People carried shrines as a massive procession celebrated and paraded