Spring Festival!

The next day, Konoha became lively.

Regardless of what everyone had been busy with before, today was a day to celebrate the New Year amidst the festive lanterns and colorful decorations.

At the request of Uchiha Fugaku, Roy was responsible for taking Sasuke and Naruto out to play.

He, Uchiha Shisui, and Uchiha Itachi were going to participate in the Daimyo's blessing ceremony.

On the main street.

"Big Brother Roy, I want that."

Sasuke pointed at a snack that looked like a candied hawthorn, looking at Roy with an expectant face.

"Sure."

"Boss, I'll take two."

Roy said, handing over the money.

"Is that Lord Roy?"

"My house was in disrepair before, and it was you who came to help me. I'll give these two to you for free."

"You..."

The boss reached out his hand, and the smile that had been plastered on his face came to an abrupt halt.

His arm even trembled slightly.

"I still have to pay."

"Happy New Year!"

Roy took the candied snacks from the boss's hand and handed them to Sasuke and Naruto.

"Happy New Year..."

The boss replied, sounding a bit strange.

Roy didn't pay attention to the boss's odd behavior and turned to continue strolling through the streets with the two little ones.

"Big Brother Roy, just now..."

"It's nothing."

Before Naruto could ask his question, Roy interrupted him.

At the same time, he offered a bright, sunny smile.

"I... okay."

This smile made Naruto, who had originally wanted to say something more, nod heavily.

A smile appeared on his face once again.

Although the New Year was slightly chilly, Naruto felt warmer than he did in the summer.

"Big Brother Roy, let's go eat ramen."

Sasuke looked at the long line in front of Ichiraku Ramen with anticipation.

Sasuke rarely ate food from outside.

After all, he usually ate at home.

"Mm-hmm."

"I'll wait in line here, you two go sit to the side and wait for a while."

Roy took the initiative to walk to the back of the line and said to the two little ones.

The two little ones nodded and sat down to the side.

While eating the snacks in their hands, they chatted about something.

"That's the fox-demon brat, isn't it? Why is he with the young master of the Uchiha clan head's family?"

"I don't know. It looks like he was brought out by someone from the Military Police Force. Is that Lord Uchiha Roy from the Military Police Force?"

"Could it be that the Nine-Tails incident back then really had something to do with the Uchiha clan?"

"Don't talk nonsense. The lords of the Uchiha protected the Daimyo and have done many things for everyone in the village."

"That's right, the Uchiha lords are still performing patrol and guard duties outside the village even now. Perhaps the Uchiha lords are keeping an eye on the fox-demon kid."

Although the people around were whispering, they didn't dare to speak too loudly.

But because they were too close, not only did Roy hear it, but Naruto on the side heard it too.

The smile on his face vanished once again.

Seeing Naruto's low spirits, Roy left a Shadow Clone to wait in line.

Then, he walked over to Naruto.

"Little Naruto, are you unhappy because you heard those words?"

"But... does your unhappiness change what everyone is saying?"

"Or do you think that by being unhappy, you can somehow strike back at those who hurt you?"

Roy asked with a calm expression.

"But..."

Although Naruto didn't quite understand what Roy was talking about, he felt that it made a lot of sense.

"Keep that optimistic mindset of yours, walk until the very end, and stand at the pinnacle of this ninja world."

"Go and tell those people they were wrong, instead of wallowing in sorrow here by yourself."

"Of course, you could also choose to become strong and kill them all."

As Roy spoke, his expression turned fierce.

A murderous aura instantly enveloped Naruto.

"No, no, no... Brother Roy, I wouldn't do that."

"They aren't wrong; I've been treated like this since I was born, I'm used to it."

"I don't have hatred, I only have..."

Naruto couldn't continue.

Because he didn't want to show his cowardice in front of Roy, one of the few people who acknowledged him.

Nor did he want to reveal his unbearable past and fragile heart.

"Little Naruto, you're a bit of a fool."

"But, I don't hate your foolishness."

Roy had originally intended to guide Naruto, but he truly couldn't think of how to console him.

After all, no one could convince Naruto to forgive or let go of the things he had experienced since he was small.

Yet, Roy had forgotten that in the heart of this little guy, Naruto, there already lived a sun.

"Alright, the shop is too crowded. Let's get our food to go and eat somewhere else."

Roy's shadow clone returned at this moment.

As for the pointing and whispering of the people around them, Roy simply ignored it.

After eating the ramen, the three of them resumed their mode of wandering and snacking.

By evening, the three of them returned to Uchiha Fugaku's courtyard.

By this time, Uchiha Fugaku and the others had already returned.

"Clan Leader, my mission is complete, so I'll be taking my leave."

Roy greeted them and then departed.

Little Naruto went to take a bath with Sasuke, as he was prepared to sleep at Sasuke's house tonight.

The next day, after increasing the funding for Konoha this year, the Daimyo departed.

The Uchiha clan arranged for four Jonin to act as an escort mission and serve as the Daimyo's guards.

Uchiha Nagasawa, Uchiha Kawaichi, Uchiha Nagaban, and Uchiha Sanshiba.

Konoha returned to peace once more.

Roy's daily routine also returned to training and refining chakra.

A week had passed since the Spring Festival.

As the morning sun spilled into the room, Roy slowly opened his eyes.

"System, panel."

Roy raised his hand and swiped open his panel.

Host: Uchiha Roy
Ninjutsu: Fire Style: Fireball Explosion [89%], Fire Style, Blue Flame [79%]; Lightning Style: Lightning Snake Frenzy [87%], Lightning Style: White Worm [98%]
Taijutsu: Konoha Style Taijutsu [99%], Uchiha Style Taijutsu [99%]
Genjutsu: Thorn Bind
Kekkei Genkai: Sharingan [21%] [3-Tomoe], Mera Mera no Mi [12%] [Zero-cost uses: 1]
Fixed Chakra: 11500
Items: Improved Explosive Tag *50, Improved Kunai *50, Explosive Tag 1200, Kusanagi Sword: Turin...
Buff: Double Chakra Extraction
Function: Portable Space [1000m³]
Main Mission: Save the Uchiha [55%] [Mission Requirement: After the Uchiha Clan Downfall Night, preserve as many Uchiha clansmen as possible. The higher the number of survivors, the higher the rank and the more generous the rewards]
Side Mission: Investigate the Satori Organization

Looking at his own panel, Roy felt a bit of a headache coming on.

As expected, is combat truly necessary?

If he were to rely solely on his own training, the progress would be far too slow.

Based on the current situation, this level of strength is still sufficient.

However, when facing future threats, this level of power is essentially just serving himself up on a silver platter...

Investigate the Satori Organization—should he go and stir up some trouble?