Zou Hyuga smiled. "We need to get out and unwind once in a while."
After a pause, Zou eyed Oto's clothes and pursed his lips. "I thought you'd wear a yukata today and say something like, 'Zou, are you sure you can help me put this on?'"
Oto Uchiha shot Zou a glare and clicked her tongue. "I was just on duty, so I didn't bring a yukata. But I suppose the Transformation Technique could do in a pinch."
Zou shook his head gently and produced a yukata from behind his back like a magic trick.
Looking a little surprised, Oto said, "You actually carry women's clothes around? When did you pick up that hobby?"
Ignoring her teasing, Zou rubbed his nose. "Didn't you leave this at my place? I figured I might as well return it..."
Oto stepped forward to take the yukata, scratched her earlobe, and murmured:
"Zou, are you sure you can help me... put on... my yukata?"
Just then, fireworks shot into the sky one after another, bursting into brilliant colors against the darkness. The Hanabi Festival had officially begun.
Zou looked at Oto with a broad smile. "What was that, Oto? I didn't catch it. Say it again."
The Hokage Building was brightly lit.
Unlike the streets, steeped in festive cheer, the atmosphere here was tense and solemn.
The Third Hokage had no time to spare even a glance at the fireworks outside. He stared gravely at the Casualty Report before him.
The ANBU Squad he had sent to the Black Market to investigate the Mercenary Organization the Masked Man belonged to had been ambushed. All that remained was the intelligence brought back by a ninja beast.
The intelligence detailed the missions the Mercenary Organization had accepted over the years.
This ever-growing organization could