The fireworks were in full bloom over the streets, their dazzling radiance blanketing the sky as silver flowers and blazing trees suddenly lit up brilliantly before gradually fading into the darkness.
Brief yet beautiful.
Standing in the designated viewing area, the fireworks reflected off their cheeks, their flickering flames mirrored in their eyes.
The clamoring sounds of the crowd filled their ears. The two stood silently, speechless, as if time had been frozen here forever.
A moment was also eternity.
It was not until the show ended and the crowd dispersed, when the cool night wind swept past and stirred up the grass clippings and flower petals scattered across the ground.
"There's somewhere I want to go."
"Let's go."
They crossed the city and strolled along the flower-lined path through the mountain forests. The cherry blossoms had already passed their peak bloom. Following the familiar route, they arrived at the top of Hokage Rock.
"As expected, this view is the best."
The entirety of Konoha was visible from the mountain.
Tsunade turned around with a smile and looked at Mimi.
Mimi did not answer. She walked to Tsunade's side, leaned against the railing meant to prevent falls, and looked down over Konoha. She stretched out her hand, and from a distance, it looked as though she were holding Konoha in her palm.
"In the past, it seemed like one hand was enough to grasp the entire village."
"But now, one hand isn't enough to hold it all."
Mimi spoke softly.
"Really?" Tsunade stretched out her hand toward the vast city blazing with lights and said, "It really is. It grew this big before we even realized it."
"I remember that back then, you even said you wanted to splash paint on the Third Hokage's statue, so he could learn just