Chapter 175: Konoha’s Spring Festival In The 57th Year
The spring breeze of Konoha 57 had not yet fully dispelled the winter chill, but the warmth of the festivities had quietly permeated the streets of Konohagakure.
Every household had new shimenawa hanging in front of their doors, door pines emitting a fresh pine scent, and the air was filled with the aroma of rice cake soup and roasted fish.
In this season symbolizing rebirth and reunion, Menma’s residence near the Hyuga Clan Territory was unusually bustling with life.
Inside the house, a heater was burning, with orange-red firelight dancing, dispelling the biting cold of early spring.
Naruto Uzumaki sat cross-legged on the tatami, with several brand-new ninja primer picture books spread out in front of him.
That was the New Year gift Menma gave him, although it only showed a few hand seal gestures.
Naruto was trying to imitate the hand seals in the picture book, his little face scrunched up, looking extremely serious, mumbling to himself: “Rat, Ox, Tiger… Ah, wrong again!”
“Dummy Naruto, hand seals have to be fast! Accurate! If you’re as slow as that, the enemy would’ve turned you into Swiss cheese already!” A crisp voice full of fiery temper rang out.
The speaker was Hinata Hyuga, or rather, at this moment, the one dominating this body was Big Sister Hinata from the Limited Tsukuyomi World.
She wasn’t wearing the main family’s elaborate light purple kimono today, but had changed into a deep blue combat uniform more suitable for activity, casually throwing on a short off-white haori outside, with the collar slightly open, revealing a beautifully lined neck.
Her smooth deep blue long hair wasn’t neatly tied behind her head as usual, but was simply tied high into a ponytail with a hair tie, swinging neatly behind her head with her speaking motions.
She was sitting cross-legged, carefully holding a small infant wrapped in a pink-blue swaddling cloth in her arms.
Her same father and mother, less than a year old blood sister, Hanabi Hyuga.
Big Sister Hinata’s personality was as flamboyant as her outfit.
At this moment, while unceremoniously criticizing Naruto’s clumsy hand seals, she extended her free hand, fingers flying, “whoosh whoosh whoosh” a few times, completing several basic seals in an instant, so fast it almost left afterimages, leaving Naruto dumbfounded, instinctively shrinking his neck, instinctively a bit intimidated by this fierce Hinata.
“Sis… Sister…” Hanabi in her arms seemed attracted by her sister’s deft movements, babbling from her little mouth, her lotus-root-segment-like little arms struggling upward, trying to grab Hinata’s swinging ponytail.
Her little face was pink and chubby, a pair of pure Byakugan curiously surveying everything around.
“Ah! Hanabi is so good!” Hearing her sister’s vague call, the impatience on Big Sister Hinata’s face vanished instantly, her eyes curving, her voice softening several degrees.
She lowered her head, rubbing her nose tip affectionately against Hanabi’s tender little cheek.
“Call once more, Sister~”
“Sis… Sis…” Hanabi giggled, her little fists waving even more vigorously.
“Haha, Hanabi is so cute!” Seeing Hinata’s attention shift, Naruto immediately breathed a sigh of relief and leaned over to tease the little infant.
He put down the picture book, rubbed his cheeks hard with both hands, squinting and making all sorts of exaggerated funny faces, making “puff puff” and “roll roll” weird sounds from his mouth.
This trick worked indeed.
Hanabi was amused by Naruto’s rich expressions into nonstop “giggle giggle” laughter, her little hands and feet kicking excitedly, her big eyes curving into crescents, babbling “ya ya” from her mouth, as if trying to imitate Naruto’s weird face.
The warm room was filled with the innocent laughter of children.
Menma sat at a slightly farther low table, holding a cup of hot tea in his hands, the steaming vapor blurring his calm face.
He watched this somewhat strange yet inexplicably harmonious scene before him.
The boisterous Naruto, the hot-tempered and straightforward Big Sister Hinata, and the pure-as-fresh-snow little Hanabi in her arms.
His gaze lingered for a moment on the gentleness Hinata showed while teasing Hanabi, so different from her usual flamboyance, then fell on Naruto’s purely joyful smiling face, a faint ripple rising deep in his heart.
This was probably the feeling of “family”?
“Hey, Menma!” Big Sister Hinata’s voice interrupted Menma’s thoughts.
While gently rocking Hanabi in her arms, she furrowed her delicate brows and began complaining to Menma, her tone full of dissatisfaction with the Hyuga Main Family.
“Tell me, is that old geezer in my family nuts? Still keeping a straight face during New Year, tons of rules, even eating feels like being tortured! And those elders, yapping ‘main family’, ‘branch family’, ‘caged bird’ all day, annoying as hell! If not for Hanabi, I wouldn’t bother going back to see their old faces!”
She unreservedly called her father Hiashi Hyuga “old geezer”, her words sharp, even roasting the main family’s elders.
To her, that decayed and rigid Hyuga Main Family was far less important than this little sister in front of her, who needed her protection.
Menma listened to her complaints and smiled faintly.
Hinata’s outfit today was different from usual, carrying a bit of a sassy girl vibe.
He knew Big Sister Hinata’s aversion to the Hyuga Main Family was deep-rooted; this complaining was more emotional venting.
Just recently, while listening to Big Sister’s complaints, the main family’s elders seemed to have worse tempers after losing their Byakugan, often scolding branch family members.
‘By the time, the Tenseigan User and his father should be coming soon.’ Menma vaguely remembered that the Tenseigan User and his father came when Hinata was seven or eight, or even earlier to the Hyuga Clan seeking suitable Byakugan.
Menma took a sip of tea, his gaze turning toward the veranda.
Hyuga Ko, as Hinata’s guard, was at this moment kneeling meticulously on the veranda of the small house, back to the warm interior, facing the scattered unmelted snow in the courtyard.
He wore the standard dark ninja outfit of the Hyuga Clan, posture straight as a pine, Byakugan kept activated, 360-degree alert without blind spots around.
Since Shura’s second attack, Hyuga Ko’s duties had increased quite a bit, especially around the New Year.
Even though next door was the Hyuga Clan Territory, he still maintained vigilance.
That enigmatic Shura had repeatedly appeared in the Hyuga Clan Territory back then, without any trace.
At this time, Hinata’s complaints about the main family and clan head inside the house clearly reached his ears, but his young face showed no emotional fluctuation, like a stone statue.
The main family eldest daughter’s willful remarks were not for him to comment on; his duty was only to protect her safety.
At that moment, Hyuga Ko’s body tensed imperceptibly for an instant, then relaxed again.
He turned sideways, bowing respectfully toward the courtyard: “Hokage-sama.”
The wooden door of the veranda was gently slid open, a breeze carrying early spring chill surging into the warm interior.
Standing outside was the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had taken off his Hokage robe and was wearing a deep brown everyday outfit.
His face bore a warm smile, and he carried several simply wrapped gift boxes in hand, with a few tiny snowflakes on his conical hat.
“Excuse the intrusion, children.” The Third’s voice was gentle, carrying the unique kindness of an elder.
“I heard Naruto is spending New Year at your place this year, Menma. I came to visit, and brought some New Year gifts along the way.”
His gaze swept the interior, and upon seeing Hinata holding Hanabi, a perfectly timed surprise flashed in his eyes: “Oh? Hinata and Hanabi are here too, quite lively.”
“Third Grandpa!” Seeing the Third, Naruto immediately jumped up excitedly, forgetting his previous “ghost face performance”, rushing to the door like a little cannonball.
“How come you’re here? Come in, come in!”
Menma also stood up, bowing slightly in greeting: “Third Hokage.”
His movements were polite, with the enthusiasm of a host.
Big Sister Hinata, holding Hanabi, just casually lifted her chin as a greeting, not particularly respectful, but without any major fault.
“Yo, Third old geezer, rare guest.”
Her tone was still blunt and straightforward.
The Third didn’t mind Hinata’s address at all, chuckling as he entered the house and placed the brought gifts on the low table.
There were new stationery and a few chakra refinement primer books for Naruto, plus Naruto’s favorite brand of ramen, a set of good-quality deep blue new clothes for Menma, and some small toys.
Seeing Hinata and Hanabi, the Third stroked his beard and smiled somewhat apologetically: “Looks like this old man wasn’t prepared thoroughly enough, didn’t expect Hinata to be here with her sister too. Can’t skimp on the New Year’s money.”
With that, he pulled out several pre-prepared red envelopes symbolizing good fortune from his bosom, handing them respectively to Naruto, Menma, and Hinata.
After all, as an elder, encountering juniors around New Year, it was inevitable to give some New Year’s money, so he carried quite a few red envelopes.
“Wow! New Year’s money!” Naruto cheered as he took it, eager to tear it open and see how much was inside.
Menma took the envelope, feeling it slightly heavy in hand.
He thanked calmly: “Thank you, Third Hokage.”
Hinata took her share, weighed it, pursed her lips, and unusually politely said: “Thanks, Third Grandpa. I’ll buy candy for Hanabi later.”
She lowered her head to Hanabi in her arms: “Look, Hokage Grandpa’s New Year’s money, Hanabi has a share too.”
Hanabi seemed to sense the joyful atmosphere and giggled again, her little hand reaching toward the Third.
After distributing the New Year’s money, the Third, at Menma’s invitation, sat down by the heater.
Hyuga Ko silently slid the door shut, blocking the outside chill, still standing guard on the veranda like a loyal sentinel.
The Third looked at the three children of vastly different personalities before him.
The lively and bouncy Naruto, the quiet and reserved Menma, and Hinata holding her sister, with wildness and candidness between her brows; his gaze was gentle with a hint of imperceptible complexity, especially when passing over Naruto and Menma.
He cleared his throat, a encouraging smile on his face: “Children, after spring begins, the Ninja Academy will officially open. You’ve reached enrollment age.”
He looked at Naruto: “Naruto, looking forward to it? At the academy, you’ll not only learn ninja skills, but also make many friends your age.”
“Friends?” Naruto’s eyes lit up like stars instantly, nodding vigorously, his blond hair bouncing.
“Of course! Super looking forward! I’m gonna make tons and tons of friends! I’m gonna become the strongest ninja! Like… like the Hokage!” He excitedly waved his little fist, as if already seeing himself at the academy surrounded by friends, dominating the scene.
To him, escaping the isolation of the “demon fox” and having real friends was more anticipated than learning ninjutsu.
The Third nodded gratifiedly, then looked at Menma: “Menma, your personality is steady, learning ability strong; I believe you’ll achieve excellent results at the academy. The ninja path is long; building a solid foundation is crucial.”
Menma met the Third’s gaze, his deep blue eyes calm and unwavering, nodding slightly: “Yes, Third Hokage, I will do my best.”
His answer was as always concise and proper, impeccable, yet revealing no true emotions.
Ninja Academy?
To him, this “Shura” who had experienced war in the Limited Tsukuyomi World and controlled the vast power of the Land of Stars, it was more like a mandatory masked stage play.
Just a period of days playing with Naruto and Hinata.
Finally, the Third’s gaze fell on Hinata holding Hanabi.
Big Sister Hinata raised an eyebrow and spoke first, her tone carrying a carefree wildness: “Got it, Hokage old man. It’s just going to school, whatever. But say it first, if anyone at school is dumb enough to bully my sister or mess with me, don’t deduct points when I beat ’em up!”
She waved her fist threateningly as she spoke, and Hanabi in her arms seemed to find her sister’s action fun, also “ya ya”-ing and waving her little fist.
The Third, hearing this, stroked his beard and burst into hearty laughter, full of helplessness and a touch of tolerance: “Hinata ah Hinata, your personality… The academy has its rules, classmates should be friendly. But well,”
He changed tack, a sly glint in his eyes: “I think no one dares mess with you; if it’s that one, the teacher and I would understand. Just don’t go overboard.”
Hiruzen Sarutobi had heard some things about this Hyuga eldest daughter, knowing she had dual personalities; that soft, shy Hinata, he had seen a few times too.
He knew hard rules wouldn’t work well on Hinata.
The warm furnace fire illuminated several young faces; Naruto was still excitedly envisioning post-enrollment life, chattering nonstop; Menma listened quietly, occasionally sipping the cooling tea in his cup.
Big Sister Hinata teased Hanabi in her arms while half-listening to Naruto’s “grand ambitions”, a lazy yet slightly indulgent smile on her lips; Hanabi’s babbling sounds were like the crispest wind chimes in spring.
Hiruzen Sarutobi instinctively reached for his pipe and tobacco pouch, then remembered the children before him and stopped.
Looking at this heartwarming scene, his weathered face showed a genuine smile.
The haze of war seemed temporarily distant; peaceful daily life was so precious.
He hoped these children could find their own paths and bonds in the upcoming ninja careers.
Outside the window, the first ray of spring light in Konoha 57 was quietly climbing the branches, melting the last bit of snow.
On the veranda, Hyuga Ko’s Byakugan still vigilantly scanned the courtyard, guarding this noisy yet real warmth.
The new year was slowly unfolding its curtain.
