Crack crack crack—!
A dense burst of firecrackers exploded in the heart of Konoha's commercial district. Red scraps of paper fluttered down after being blasted skyward, landing on the street and the shoulders of the onlookers.
Before the smoke from the firecrackers had fully dispersed, a crowd had already gathered at the entrance—housewives who had just come from the market.
Children with schoolbags who had gotten out of class, young ninjas fresh from the training grounds with forehead protectors still tied around their heads, and young couples strolling with baby carriages.
All of them had been drawn over by the firecrackers. The crowd packed into a semicircle before the shop, their chatter rising and falling.
"What kind of shop is this? Snow King Ice City? Never heard of it..." A middle-aged woman dressed in deep blue stood on tiptoe to peer inside, then lowered her head to look at the sign bearing a cartoon snowman.
"What does it sell?" A woman holding a child leaned forward beside her, her gaze shifting between the sign and the mascots at the entrance.
"No idea—but that row of mascots at the door is pretty cute. White and chubby... are they snowmen? Looks like it sells drinks."
"Maybe it's another new thing Lord Hokage came up with." A young ninja chimed in.
"That braised food shop that opened a while ago was absolutely delicious. This Snow King place sells drinks, so they should taste pretty good too."
On the steps at the entrance, a row of large white mascots gently swayed in place. Their snowman-like heads bobbed slightly, their round bodies wrapped in red capes, each holding a small sign that read, "Grand Opening."
A catchy tune began to play: "You love me, I love you, Snow King Ice City, sweet as can be!"