The grand Summer Festival ceremony night finally arrived Konoha.
The whole village seemed to be on fire, with lights brightly lit and people buzzing.
The main road and each Commercial Street are decorated like flowing stars, with various stalls lined up in rows. The aroma of food, cheerful music, children's laughter, and the sound of Fireworks blooming in the night sky interweave into a lively symphony of celebrations.
The current Fireworks is just a trial play, and at ten o'clock there will be a concentrated play of Fireworks.
The atmosphere of Festival was completely pushed to a climax after Jiraiya boarded the temporarily built Central Stage and officially announced several important news to all the villagers!
Jiraiya temporarily took the first Hokage's robe and pasted a piece with "five" written on it as the fifth Hokage's robe. There was no way, he was over 1.9 meters tall, and the other Hokages wore smaller ones.
After standing on Central Stage, he announced in a loud and passionate voice:
"Everyone from Konoha, on this night worthy of celebration, I would like to announce some good news to you."
"Through the heroic fighting of Ninjas on the front line."
"Land of Earth Iwagakure, Land of Wind Sunagakure, have officially returned to our Land of Fire Konoha Shinobi Village.
From now on, they will become our staunchest partners and jointly safeguard the peace and prosperity of Shinobi World!"
"In addition! Not long ago, Land of Lightning Kumogakure, who attempted to take advantage of the situation, launched a surprise attack under the leadership of his Raikage, but was successfully repelled by Konoha Ninja led by me and Hatake Sakumo."
"This means that we have taken another solid and great step away from Shinobi World's true peace and unity!"
"Long live Konoha! Long live Lord Hokage! Long live peace!"
"Oh oh oh oh oh--!!!"
The villagers and Ninjas gathered under the stage burst into deafening cheers and applause.
Iwagakure and Sunagakure surrendered, and Kumogakure's attack was defeated.
This series of good news is like the most powerful stimulant, injected into everyone's heart.
The worries about war and uncertainty about the future during this period were replaced at this moment by a huge sense of pride and a strong longing for peace.
Konoha residents' emotions are at an all-time high.
The joy of celebrating victory perfectly blends with the joy of Festival itself, making this night more lively and exciting than ever before!
And in this sea of joy, Sixth Hokage Naruto Uzumaki is leading several Girl, just like ordinary young men and women, leisurely shuttle among the crowd of Festival.
Beside him, Hinata Hyuga was wearing a light Purple Eyes exquisite Yukata, with a shy and happy blush on his face, following closely beside Naruto;
Ino Yamanaka is Yukata who wears a goose Yellow Eyes, concise and generous;
Karin, wearing Red Eyes Yukata, pushed up his glasses and was very interested in a booth selling desserts next to him;
Uchiha Hikari is still wearing a simple dark Yukata, with a cold expression, but his eyes never leave Naruto;
Hanabi Hyuga is like a happy bird, wearing a cute pink rabbit pattern Yukata. One hand is held by Naruto, and the other hand is holding a Windmill, swinging back and forth excitedly to make Windmill spin.
With a relaxed smile on Naruto's face, he sometimes responded to Girl's words, sometimes bought Hanabi a small snack, sometimes stopped to watch the performances on the roadside, and was completely immersed in this rare holiday happiness that belongs to ordinary people.
He was even "asked" by Hinata and Hanabi to tie the complicated Obi behind Yukata for them before Festival started.
In sharp contrast to the hustle and bustle on the main road and the warmth and excitement around Naruto, there is a relatively quiet Public Seating Area on the edge of the Festival area.
Hyuga Hiashi, the patriarch of the Hyuga Clan, is sitting on a bench glumly at the moment.
In front of him were several snacks and bottles of wine bought from the stalls, but he obviously had no appetite. He just drank cup after cup in silence, and his face looked particularly gloomy under the light of the lantern.
Sitting next to him is Inoichi Yamanaka.
Inoichi ate it with gusto, holding Yakitori in his hand.
"I said Hiashi."
Inoichi swallowed the food in his mouth, glanced helplessly at his old friend who was exuding low pressure, and advised,
"Okay, stop being so sullen. Today is Festival, be happy."
He touched Hiashi lightly with his elbow:
"Besides, you know in your heart that this will happen sooner or later.
Naruto that Kid... no, it's Lord Hokage, his thoughts about Hinata and Hanabi, as well as his person, ability, status...
What else are you worried about?"
Inoichi paused, with a narrow smile on his face, and lowered his voice:
"Look at my Ino, isn't it... Oh!
Everyone understands in their hearts.
Children have their own fate and choices. As fathers, we have to let go when it's time to let go, and we have to bless when it's time to bless."
He picked up a bunch of Dango and pretended to hand it to Hiashi:
"Come, have something to eat, don't just drink. Today is a rare holiday. Rino is still waiting for me to go shopping with her, but I can't spend the whole night drinking here with you."
However, Inoichi's persuasion not only failed to improve Hiashi's mood, but made his face even more ugly.
He put down the wine glass heavily with a muffled sound.
"Sooner or later... of course I know."
Hiashi said in a muffled voice, with suppressed irritability and sadness in his voice.
"From the moment I saw Hinata and Hanabi having dinner at Naruto's house, I knew that such a day would come.
He is Hinata's rare friend.
Hanabi That girl has been clinging to him since she was a child."
He raised his head and took another sip of wine. The spicy liquid slid down his throat, but it couldn't clear away the depression in his heart.
"But... knowing is knowing, seeing with your own eyes... is another thing."
He recalled the scene he saw when he was looking for his daughter.
Naruto was slightly bent over, with a somewhat clumsy but very gentle expression on his face. He carefully tied the complicated Obi on the back of Yukata for his eldest daughter Hinata.
Hinata lowered his head, his ears were red, but he couldn't hide the happy smile at the corner of his mouth.
The youngest daughter, Hanabi, stood aside with a smile, waiting for Naruto to help her tie it...
That picture was so beautiful that it was dazzling.
It declared extremely clearly that Two Daughters, whom he had taught carefully, protected strictly, and regarded as a treasure since childhood, had really grown up, and their hearts were already filled with the figure of another man.
That man is strong, reliable, and has the world in mind, and he is about to steal their hearts completely.
"I... I'm not dissatisfied with Naruto... with Lord Hokage."
Hiashi's voice deepened, with a complex emotion of pride, reluctance and loss.
"On the contrary, I know his excellence better than anyone else, and I am grateful for his care for Konoha and Hyuga Clan. I also know that Hinata and Hanabi will never be wronged if they follow him."
He clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white:
"But... I just... feel uncomfortable!"