The setting sun sank below the horizon.
Night gradually fell.
The faint light grew brighter and brighter.
As darkness enveloped the entire Snow Ninja Village, the lights that had switched on one after another and illuminated the whole village lent it a distinctive hue. In the northeastern part of the village, a colorful cableway ran down from the mountainside, its lights casting vibrant shadows. This was one of the Snow Ninja Village residents' favorite places to visit in their free time at night. Of course, the people most often seen here were young couples, strolling hand in hand. Ever since the village had been rebuilt, the area had hosted plenty of couples on dates every night—unless heavy snow fell in the depths of winter.
Today, however, was a little different.
The weather had been clear and sunny during the day.
But now, as night fell,
the entire mountain cableway
was deserted.
At all three entrances, signs read, "Under maintenance. Temporarily closed." Apart from the guards stationed in plain sight, dozens of Anbu members were hidden among the shadows around the foot of the mountain.
Across the vast mountain cableway,
there were only two figures at that moment.
They were none other than Naruto and Hinata, walking hand in hand. Neither said a word along the way. Now and then, they glanced at each other, their hands clasped a little tighter as they savored each other's warmth. It was just like all those dates they had gone on in Konoha two and a half years ago: so familiar, so reassuring, so warm.
It seemed that at this moment,
Hinata had finally let go of the unease and turmoil she had felt for more than two years.
Her eyes had grown bright. At last, she felt a peace she had not known