By the time the Third appeared, Hanabi and Hikari had already stopped fighting.
More and more familiar faces appeared.
Apparently, everyone knew this was the best place to watch the fireworks.
The festival fireworks rose into the sky in increasingly rapid bursts, blooming into brilliant colors against the night and illuminating the faces atop the rock, each wearing a different expression, yet all swept up in the festive atmosphere.
"Everyone's here. How wonderful!"
Hinata, who had no idea what had just happened, took her younger sister's hand.
Everyone knew that after tonight, the festival lights would eventually go out, and the dazzling fireworks would disperse into wisps of smoke.
The war had not ended. It had merely been paused because Naruto had stopped moving.
When the sun rose tomorrow, the war would resume.
Naruto leaned comfortably between Karin and Hikari, slowly closing his eyes as though he had fallen asleep.
Shikaku could practically foresee it:
In a little while, once the fireworks ended and the crowd dispersed, the moment this Lord Hokage opened his eyes after his brief "nap"...
He would absolutely, immediately, without a moment's delay, launch into another round of work. The man paid well, but he certainly knew how to wear people down.
Naruto had never been one to procrastinate, especially when major threats or his companions' safety were involved.
At that thought, Shikaku sighed silently, his face full of resignation and helplessness.
He quietly tugged at his son, who stood beside him, likewise gazing up at the fireworks.
Feeling his father's tug, Shikamaru turned in confusion, his eyes asking, "What is it?"
Shikaku offered no explanation. He merely pointed subtly toward Naruto with his chin, then shook his head with a wry smile that said, "You know how it is."
Shikamaru followed his father's gaze and