The New Year had arrived.
Snow had started falling last night, drifting down all through the night without stopping by morning. Konoha's rooftops, streets, and branches were all covered in a thick blanket of white.
From afar, the entire village looked as though it had been tucked beneath a snow-white cover, so quiet that only the sound of snowflakes landing could be heard.
The atmosphere in the village was different from before.
Although the clashes along the border continued, with reports arriving every so often of another battle somewhere or several more deaths elsewhere.
The New Year was still the New Year. No matter how serious things were, they had to be set aside for a while.
The shops on the streets had reopened. Some people had built snowmen outside their doors and wrapped red scarves around them, giving the place a festive feel.
Children ran back and forth through the streets with small bags of snacks in their hands, chasing one another as their laughter carried from one end of the street to the other.
Many people stood in line outside the shops. Some were taking advantage of holiday sales, some were buying gifts, and others simply stood by the roadside chatting about their plans for the coming year.
The taverns were packed. Hot steam drifted through the gaps in the curtains, mingling with the scent of grilled skewers and the sound of people laughing and talking.
The restaurants were full as well. Families sat together, eating steaming hot pot dishes with smiles on their faces.
The ninja world had New Year celebrations too, no different from those of ordinary people.
Compared to Genkawa Uchiha's previous life, the New Year here had none of those complicated traditions. There were no rituals or staying up to welcome the new year.