New Year!

The next day, Konoha grew lively.

Whatever everyone had been busy with before, today was a day to celebrate the New Year amid festive decorations.

At Uchiha Fugaku's request, Roy was in charge of taking Sasuke and Naruto out to have fun.

He, Uchiha Shisui, and Uchiha Itachi had to attend the Daimyo's blessing ceremony.

On the main street.

"Big Brother Roy, I want that."

Sasuke pointed at a snack that looked like candied hawthorn and gazed at Roy expectantly.

"Sure."

"Two, please."

As Roy spoke, he handed over the money.

"Lord Roy?"

"My house was in disrepair before, and you came to help me. These two are on the house."

"You..."

The shopkeeper reached out, but the smile that had been plastered across his face abruptly vanished.

Even his arm began to tremble a little.

"I still have to pay."

"Happy New Year!"

Roy took the candied hawthorn from the shopkeeper and handed one to Sasuke and Naruto.

"Happy New Year..." the shopkeeper replied, sounding a little bewildered.

Roy paid no mind to the shopkeeper's odd reaction and turned to continue strolling with the two little ones.

"Big Brother Roy, just now..."

"It's all right."

Before Naruto could finish his question, Roy cut him off.

At the same time, he gave him a bright, easygoing smile.

"I... okay."

The smile made Naruto, who had been about to say more, nod firmly.

A smile returned to his face, too.

Though the New Year's air was chilly, Naruto felt warmer than he had in summer.

"Big Brother Roy, let's get ramen."

Sasuke looked at the long line outside Ichiraku Ramen, anticipation on his face.

Sasuke rarely ate food from outside.

After all, he usually ate at home.

"Mm-hmm."

"I'll wait in line. You two go sit over there for a bit."

Roy took his place at the end of the line and spoke to the two little ones.

They nodded and went to sit nearby.

They munched on their candied hawthorn and chatted about something.

"That fox-demon brat—why is he with the Uchiha Clan Head's young master?"

"Who knows? Looks like someone from the Military Police Force brought him out. Isn't that Lord Uchiha Roy from the Military Police Force?"

"Could the Uchiha Clan really have been involved in the Nine-Tails Incident?"

"Don't talk nonsense. The Uchiha lords protected the Daimyo, and they've done plenty for everyone in the village."

"Exactly. The Uchiha lords are still out patrolling and guarding the village. Maybe they're just keeping an eye on that fox-demon brat."

The people nearby talked among themselves, but none of them dared speak too loudly.

But they were so close that Roy heard them—and so did Naruto.

The smile vanished from Naruto's face again.

Seeing how downcast Naruto had become, Roy left a Shadow Clone to hold their place in line and went over to him.

"Little Naruto, did hearing that make you unhappy?"

"But if you're unhappy... will that stop them from saying things like that?"

"Or do you think being unhappy will let you strike back at the people who hurt you?"

Roy asked calmly.

"But..."

Naruto didn't understand what Roy meant, but somehow, it sounded like he had a point.

"Keep your optimism, make it to the end, and stand at the pinnacle of the shinobi world."

"Tell those people they were wrong. Don't just sit here feeling sorry for yourself."

"Of course, you could also get stronger and kill them all."

As Roy spoke, his expression turned fierce.

A murderous aura enveloped Naruto in an instant.

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

"They're not wrong, either. I've always been treated like this. I'm used to it."

"I don't hate them. I just..."

Naruto couldn't bring himself to finish.

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

Nor did he want to expose his painful past and fragile heart.

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

"But I don't dislike that about you."

Roy had wanted to comfort Naruto, but he couldn't think of what to say.

After all, no one could tell Naruto to forgive or move on from what he'd endured as a child.

But Roy had forgotten that a little sun already lived in Naruto's heart.

"All right, it's too crowded inside. Let's get takeout and eat somewhere else."

Roy's Shadow Clone had returned by then.

As for the people around them pointing and whispering, Roy ignored them completely.

After eating their ramen, the three of them went back to strolling and snacking.

They continued until evening, when they returned to Uchiha Fugaku's courtyard.

Uchiha Fugaku and the others had already returned.

"Clan Head, I've finished my assignment. I'll be going now."

Roy called out a brief farewell and left.

Little Naruto went to bathe with Sasuke and planned to spend the night at his home, too.

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

The Uchiha also assigned four jonin to escort him and serve as his guards.

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

Konoha returned to calm once more.

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

A week had passed since the New Year.

The morning sunlight poured into the room, and Roy slowly opened his eyes.

"System, show me my panel."

Roy raised a hand and brought up his status 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 Magatama], Mera Mera no Mi [12%] [1 use without consumption]

Solid Chakra: 11500

Items: Improved Explosive Tag *50, Improved Kunai *50, Explosive Tag *1200, Kusanagi Sword: Durin...

Buff: Double Chakra Extraction

Function: Portable Space [1000m³]

Main Quest: Save the Uchiha [55%] [Quest requirements: After the Night of the Massacre, preserve as many Uchiha as possible. The more survivors, the higher the level and the more generous the reward.]

Side Quest: Investigate the Satori Organization

Looking at his status panel, Roy felt a bit troubled.

So he really did need to fight?

If he only trained on his own, his progress was far too slow.

Given the current situation, his strength was enough.

But against the threats to come, this level of strength was nowhere near enough...

Should he stir up some trouble while investigating the Satori Organization?