The New Year tradition began with a small number of Uchiha Clan members adopting it, then gradually spread to the entire clan. As Uchiha Gen's status and influence grew, more and more people came to know of and celebrate the holiday.
Each passing year felt like a cleansing, washing away the dust and exhaustion from one's body.
Night had fallen.
Firecrackers and fireworks began going off outside the window, all sorts of dazzling things blossoming across the sky. With his sharp eyes, Uchiha Gen even spotted people launching Fire Dragon Bullets and Great Fireball Techniques into the air. There was no need to think about it—they had to be those old men living in the villa district as well.
Only people like them, peacefully enjoying their retirement, would dare not care whether Uchiha Gen minded such things.
"What are you thinking about?"
"Hm?"
When Uchiha Gen turned around, he saw that his second brother, Izuna, had come over.
"Nothing. I just suddenly lost my goal."
"Feeling lost?"
"A little."
Izuna exhaled a puff of warm breath and scooped up a handful of snow from the ground, kneading it back and forth.
"Yeah. None of us expected the Uchiha to come this far. Gen... I really have to thank you for letting me see true peace."
"Peace?"
Hearing that, Uchiha Gen turned his attention to the countless lights in the distance. Firelight reflected in his eyes, flickering endlessly.
...Yes, peace. Along the way, he had trampled over an unknown number of corpses, practically wading through blood and leaving bloody footprints with every step.
He bore sins too numerous to count, yet countless people who had followed him all this way had benefited because of them. Perhaps, several hundred years from now, he would no longer be in this world, and his