The excitement of Festival continues, and the lights illuminate every smiling face.
A small group of six people, Naruto, Hinata, Ino, Karin, Hikari, and Hanabi, were still moving slowly among the bustling crowd, enjoying the festive atmosphere.
From time to time, someone will say hello to Naruto on the road.
They also encountered Nawaki and Tsunade.
Dan Katō Their bodies have been sent to Orochimaru for care. If that doesn't work, they can wait until their souls are rescued and change their bodies.
Few people mentioned that those people who were resurrected and died ruined the current atmosphere.
After a few brief exchanges, the two groups passed by each other.
However, Hanabi Hyuga, who was walking slightly ahead, had his little brows furrowed slightly, as if he was absent-minded.
She looked back from time to time, her eyes passing over Naruto who was surrounded by Hinata, Ino, and Karin, and finally landed on Uchiha Hikari who was quietly following Naruto like a shadow.
Hanabi's eyes flashed with a hint of cunning and understanding.
She suddenly stopped, turned around, and faced Naruto and the light behind him.
"Naruto brother!"
Hanabi's crisp voice attracted everyone's attention.
Naruto stopped and looked down at Hanabi, with questions in his eyes. "What's wrong, Little Hanabi? What else do you want to play?"
Guang also turned his head slightly and looked at Hanabi calmly.
Hanabi had a just right look on her face, with a hint of worry. She blinked first at Naruto, then at the light behind Naruto, and then said in a low and concerned tone:
"To be honest... I'm a little worried about Dad."
She paused and looked in a certain direction among the Festival crowd.
"When we came over just now, I thought I saw my father sitting there drinking alone, his expression... seemed unhappy."
Hanabi raised his head and looked at Naruto with those pure Byakugan:
"I want to see him and talk to him. Is that okay?"
As soon as these words came out, a look of worry immediately appeared on the face of Hinata next to her. She also remembered her father's depressed look before. "Father, he..."
Ino and Karin looked at each other, why is Uncle Hiashi unhappy?
It's so hard to guess!
However, Naruto's reaction seemed to have been expected.
There was no surprise on his face, but he looked at Uchiha Hikari behind him very quickly.
This is a drama that was "discussed" with Hanabi before.
"That's it..."
Naruto pretended to ponder, then nodded and said in a tone of "Since you are worried, then go ahead",
"Then let Older Sister take you there. She has a good sense of direction, is calm, and is very strong. I can rest assured that she will accompany you to find Uncle Hiashi."
He turned his head and said to Guang: "Guang, please go with Hanabi and pay attention to safety."
"Hmm."
Guangyan responded concisely, stepped forward, and naturally took Hanabi's little hand.
This series of arrangements and reactions flowed smoothly.
This made the three girls Hinata, Ino, and Karin feel a little strange.
Hanabi is worried about his father going to find him. This is normal, but why did Naruto specifically designate Guang to go there?
And between Guang and Hanabi, it always feels like there is some "little secret" that they don't know?
But before they could think about it or ask questions, Guang already took Hanabi, nodded slightly to Naruto and the three girls, then turned around, deftly blended into the crowd, walked in a slightly different direction from the main road, and soon disappeared in the dim light.
Guang knew it very well in his heart.
This mission of "taking Hanabi to find his father" is actually a "little plan" that Hanabi and Naruto made in advance.
The purpose is not just for Hanabi to see Hiashi, but also to give Naruto more energy to do things.
She knows that on the scale in Naruto's heart, Hinata, Ino, Karin, Hanabi, and she all have their own unique and important positions.
But she also understood that she would be the only one who would stay with Naruto for a longer time in the future.
Whether it is the upcoming dangerous journey or the long-term companionship and protection in the future, her ability and positioning determine this.
Therefore, she is not eager to compete for the opportunity to be alone or express herself with Naruto in an occasion like Festival tonight where everyone gathers.
Just like what Naruto told her when he persuaded her, she also believed it deeply:
"The running water does not compete to be first; what competes is to keep flowing."
Light does not need to compete for short and long moments.
What she has is a longer future, a calmer companionship, and a deeper tacit understanding.
Tonight, letting Hinata and the others spend more time with Naruto and enjoy the warm time before the war is not a loss to her.
Time alone with Naruto...
Still behind!
Guang held Hanabi's hand, and the corners of his mouth curved in an almost imperceptible arc.
After leaving the large army, we walked to a relatively secluded side road, where the hustle and bustle around us was slightly reduced.
Hanabi immediately regained his quirky appearance.
She let go of Guang's hand, and instead hugged one of Guang's legs, hanging on her like a koala, raising her little face, laughing, showing a sly smile:
"Hey, Older Sister, after we play for a while, do you want to go to Hokage Rock?"
She lowered her voice, as if sharing a big secret:
"If you look at Fireworks over there, it's a great place! The view is super good! And..."
Hanabi leaned close to Guang's ear and said in an angry voice:
"Brother Naruto made an appointment with me to meet up above at half past nine!"
Hanabi's desire to find his father is not entirely an excuse.
She was indeed keenly aware of the flash of loneliness and complexity in her father Hiashi's expression when he saw Naruto helping her tie Obi with Older Sister in front of Festival.
She was worried about her father's condition and wanted to see him and stay with him. This was a filial piety from the bottom of her heart.
But at the same time, this also perfectly constitutes the "reason" for her and Guang to temporarily leave and create an opportunity to later meet Naruto alone at Hokage Rock.
Her and Guang's plan is to first find Hiashi together, check on his condition, talk to him, and comfort their old father.
Then, the two of them can take a look around and have fun in other less crowded areas of Festival.
When the time was close to 9:30, they quietly went to Hokage Rock and met Naruto who arrived on time, and together they enjoyed Festival's grandest Fireworks performance from that perfect location.
In this way, Hanabi not only takes care of his father's emotions and fulfills his concern as a daughter, but also leaves enough space for Naruto and them.
Little Hanabi's thoughts are evident.
Guang looked down at Hanabi hanging on his lap with bright eyes, and patted her head gently.
She is so cute, no wonder Naruto likes to take her out so much.
"Okay, I'll listen to you."
Uchiha Hikari
Karin