Chapter 175
Spring of Konoha Year 57
Chapter 175 The Spring Festival of Konoha Year 57
The spring breeze of Konoha 57 had not yet completely dispelled the chill of winter, but the warmth of the festival had quietly permeated the streets and alleys of Konoha Village.
Brand new shimenawa ropes hang in front of every household, the pine needles emit a refreshing pine scent, and the air is filled with the aroma of rice cake soup and grilled fish.
In this season that symbolizes new life and reunion, Menma's house, located near the Hyuga clan's territory, is unusually filled with a lively atmosphere.
Inside, a stove burned, its orange flames flickering and dispelling the chill of early spring.
Naruto Uzumaki sat cross-legged on the tatami mat, with several brand-new ninja primer picture books spread out in front of him.
That was a New Year's gift from Menma, although it only consisted of 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, while muttering to himself, "Zi, Chou, Yin... Ah, wrong again!"
"Idiot Naruto, make your hand seals faster and more accurate! If you're this slow, the enemy would have riddled you with holes by now!" A clear but furious voice rang out.
The one speaking was Hinata Hyuga, or rather, the one currently in control of this body was Hinata, the big sister from the "Limited Tsukuyomi World".
Today, instead of wearing the elaborate light purple kimono that the main family wore, she changed into a more practical dark blue outfit, casually layered with a short, off-white haori over it, the neckline slightly open to reveal her beautifully shaped neck.
Her long, smooth, dark blue hair was not tied up neatly at the back of her head as usual, but instead tied into a high ponytail with a simple hair tie, which swung gracefully behind her head as she spoke.
She was sitting cross-legged, carefully cradling a baby wrapped in a light blue swaddle.
Her younger sister, Hinata Hanabi, who is less than a year old and shares the same parents.
Hinata, the leader of the group, has a flamboyant personality, just like her outfit.
At this moment, while she was mercilessly criticizing Naruto's clumsy hand seals, she stretched out her free hand, her five fingers flying, and with a few quick "swish swish swish" movements, she completed several basic hand seals in an instant. The speed was so fast that it almost left afterimages, leaving Naruto dumbfounded. He subconsciously shrank his neck, feeling a bit intimidated by this fierce Hinata.
"Sister... Sister..." Hanabi in her arms seemed to be attracted by her sister's nimble movements. She babbled and waved her small arms upwards, trying to grab Hinata's swinging ponytail.
Her little face was rosy, and her pure white eyes curiously surveyed everything around her.
"Hey! Hanabi is such a good girl!" Hearing her younger sister's mumbled call, Hinata's impatience vanished instantly, her eyes crinkled, and her voice softened considerably.
She lowered her head and affectionately rubbed her nose against Hanabi's soft, tender face.
"Call me 'sister' one more time~"
"Sister... Sister..." Hanabi giggled, waving her little fists even more vigorously.
"Haha, Hanabi is so cute!" Naruto breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Hinata's attention had shifted, and he also came over to tease the baby.
He put down the picture book, rubbed his cheeks vigorously with both hands, made exaggerated and funny faces, and made strange "puff puff" and "rumble" sounds.
This trick really worked.
Hanabi was amused by Naruto's expressive face and kept giggling. She kicked her little hands and feet excitedly, her big eyes curved into crescents, and she made "ya ya" noises, as if trying to imitate Naruto's funny expressions.
The warm interior was filled with the innocent laughter of children.
Mianma sat at a low table a little further away, holding a cup of hot tea in his hands, the rising steam blurring his calm face.
He looked at the strange yet inexplicably harmonious scene before him.
The boisterous Naruto, the fiery and straightforward Hinata, and the pure and innocent Hanabi in her arms.
His gaze lingered for a moment on the gentleness Hinata showed as she teased Hanabi, a tenderness so different from her usual flamboyant self, before falling on Naruto's pure and joyful smile, a subtle ripple stirring deep within his heart.
Is this what "family" feels like?
"Hey, Menma!" Hinata's voice interrupted Menma's thoughts.
While gently shaking the firework in her arms, she frowned and began to complain to Menma, her tone full of dissatisfaction with the Hyuga main family.
"Do you think my old man is crazy? He still has a long face during the New Year, with a bunch of rules, eating is like torture! And those elders, they keep talking about 'main family,' 'branch family,' and 'caged bird' all the time, it's so annoying! If it weren't for the fireworks, I wouldn't bother going back to see their old faces!"
She made no attempt to hide referring to her father, Hyuga Hiashi, as "Old Deng," and her words were sharp and biting, even getting the elders of the main family to criticize her.
To her, the corrupt and rigid Hyuga main family was far less important than the little sister in front of her who needed her protection.
Menma listened to her complaints and smiled faintly.
Hinata's outfit today is different from her usual style, giving her a unique and slightly edgy vibe.
He knew that Hinata, the eldest sister, harbored deep-seated hatred for the Hyuga main family, and that her complaints were more of an emotional outburst.
Recently, the eldest sister complained that after losing the White Eye, the elders of the main family seemed to have become generally bad-tempered and often scolded members of the branch family.
'Judging by the time, Toneri and his father should be arriving soon.' Menma vaguely remembered that Toneri and his father had come to the Hyuga clan when Hinata was seven or eight years old, or perhaps even earlier, to find a suitable Byakugan.
Mianma took a sip of tea and turned his gaze toward the corridor.
Hinata Takashi, Hinata's bodyguard, was kneeling meticulously on the veranda of the hut, his back to the warm interior and his face to the scattered patches of snow in the courtyard that had not yet completely melted.
He was dressed in the standard dark ninja uniform of the Hyuga clan, his posture upright like a pine tree, his Byakugan always open, providing a 360-degree vigilance over his surroundings.
Since Shura's second attack, Hyuga Takashi's tasks have become much heavier, especially around the Lunar New Year.
Even though the Hyuga clan's territory was right next door, he remained vigilant.
That mysterious and unpredictable Asura appeared repeatedly in the Hyuga clan's territory without leaving a trace.
At that moment, Hinata's complaints about the main family and the clan head were clearly heard by him inside the house, but his young face remained expressionless, like a stone statue.
He had no right to comment on the eldest daughter of the main family's capricious remarks; his duty was simply to protect her safety.
Just then, Hinata Takashi's body tensed up almost imperceptibly for a moment, then relaxed again.
He turned to the side and bowed respectfully towards the courtyard: "Lord Hokage."
The wooden door of the veranda was gently pulled open, and a breeze carrying the chill of early spring rushed into the warm interior.
Standing outside the door was none other than the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had removed his Hokage robes and was now dressed in a dark brown casual outfit.
He wore a warm smile and carried several simply packaged gift boxes in his hand, with a few tiny snowflakes clinging to his straw hat.
"Excuse me, children." The Third Hokage's voice was gentle, carrying the kindness characteristic of an elder. "I heard Naruto is spending the New Year here with you this year, Menma. I came to visit and bring some New Year's gifts."
His gaze swept across the room, and when he saw Hinata holding Hanabi, a perfectly timed look of surprise flashed in his eyes: "Oh? Hinata and Hanabi are here too, how lively."
"Third Hokage!" Naruto jumped up excitedly upon seeing the Third Hokage, completely forgetting his previous "funny face performance," and rushed to the door like a cannonball.
"What brings you here? Come in, come in!"
Menma also stood up and bowed slightly: "Third Generation Lord".
His actions were polite, showing the warmth of the host.
Hinata, the eldest sister, held Hanabi and casually raised her chin as a greeting. Her attitude wasn't particularly respectful, but it wasn't anything seriously wrong either.
"Oh, a third-generation old man, what a rare guest."
Her tone remained as casual as ever.
The Third Hokage didn't care about Hinata's nickname at all, and walked into the house with a smile, placing the gifts he brought on the low table.
There were new stationery items for Naruto, several introductory books on chakra refinement, a bottle of ramen from Naruto's favorite brand, a nice set of dark blue clothes for Menma, and some small toys.
Seeing Hinata and Hanabi, the Third Hokage stroked his beard and smiled apologetically, "It seems this old man wasn't prepared enough. I didn't expect Hinata to bring her little sister here too. We can't skimp on the New Year's money."
As he spoke, he took out several small red paper bags that he had prepared beforehand, symbolizing good fortune, and handed them to Naruto, Menma, and Hinata respectively.
As an elder, he would inevitably give out lucky money to younger generations when he occasionally encountered them around the Spring Festival, so he carried quite a few small red paper bags with him.
"Wow! New Year's money!" Naruto cheered as he took it, eager to open it and see how much was inside.
Mianma took the paper bag; it felt slightly heavy in her hand, not light at all.
He calmly expressed his gratitude: "Thank you, Lord Sandai."
Hinata took her share, weighed it in her hand, and pouted, unusually polite: "Thanks, Third Hokage. I'll buy Hanabi some candy later."
She looked down at Hanabi in her arms and said, "Look, Hanabi got a share of the New Year's money from Grandpa Hokage."
Hanabi seemed to sense the joyful atmosphere and giggled again, reaching out her little hand towards the third generation.
After distributing the New Year's money, the three generations, with Mianma's polite offer, found a seat by the stove.
Hyuga Takashi quietly closed the door, shutting out the cold air from outside, and continued to stand guard in the corridor like a loyal sentinel.
The third generation looked at the three children with very different personalities in front of them.
The lively and carefree Naruto, the calm and reserved Menma, and Hinata holding her younger sister with a wild and genuine look in her eyes, all with a gentle yet subtle complexity in their gazes, especially when they pass over Naruto and Menma.
He cleared his throat, a smile of encouragement on his face: "Children, the Ninja Academy will officially open after spring. You've all reached the age to enroll."
He looked at Naruto: "Naruto, are you looking forward to it? At the Ninja Academy, you will not only learn how to become a ninja, but you will also make many friends your own age."
"Friends?" Naruto's eyes lit up like stars, and he nodded vigorously, his blond hair bouncing.
"Of course I'm looking forward to it! I'm super excited! I want to make lots and lots of friends! I want to become the strongest ninja! Like...like the Hokage!" He excitedly waved his little fist, as if he could already see himself calling out to his friends and dominating the ninja academy.
For him, escaping the isolation of the "fox spirit" and having true friends was something he longed for even more than learning ninjutsu.
The Third Hokage nodded with satisfaction, then looked at Menma: "Menma, you have a calm personality and strong learning ability. I believe you will definitely achieve excellent results in the Ninja Academy. The path of a ninja is long, and laying a solid foundation is crucial."
Menma met the Third Hokage's gaze, his azure eyes calm and unwavering, and nodded slightly: "Yes, Third Hokage, I will do my best."
His answer was as concise and appropriate as ever, leaving no room for criticism, yet it also revealed no genuine emotion.
Ninja Academy?
For him, a "Shura" who experienced war in the "Limited Tsukuyomi World" and controlled the vast power of the "Star Country," it was more like a stage play that he had to participate in, one that he had to wear a mask.
It was just a period of time spent playing with Naruto and Hinata.
Finally, the Third Hokage's gaze fell on Hinata, who was holding Hanabi.
Hinata, the eldest sister, raised an eyebrow and spoke first, her tone carrying a hint of nonchalant wildness: "I know, Hokage. It's just school, I'll go. But let's make this clear first, if anyone at school dares to bully my sister or mess with me, don't deduct my credits when I beat them up!"
As she spoke, she defiantly waved her fist, and Hanabi in her arms seemed to find her sister's action amusing, so she also waved her little fist with a "ya ya" sound.
Upon hearing this, the Third Hokage stroked his beard and burst into laughter, his laughter filled with helplessness and a hint of tolerance: "Hinata, Hinata, your personality... The Ninja Academy has its rules; classmates should be friendly. But, well,"
He changed the subject, a sly glint in his eyes: "I don't think anyone would dare to mess with you. If it were that person, the teacher and I would understand. Just don't go too far."
Hiruzen Sarutobi had also heard some things about this Hyuga lady, and knew that she had a dual personality. He had also met Hinata, who was gentle and somewhat shy, a few times.
Using strict rules to control Hinata actually backfired.
The warm firelight illuminated several young faces. Naruto was still excitedly imagining his life after entering the academy, chattering away. Menma listened quietly, occasionally sipping his increasingly cold tea.
Hinata, the eldest sister, was teasing Hanabi in her arms while listening to Naruto's "grand ambitions" in a daze, a lazy yet slightly indulgent smile on her lips; Hanabi's babbling voice was like the crispest wind chimes in spring.
Hiruzen Sarutobi instinctively reached for the pipe and tobacco pouch, but then remembered the children in front of him and stopped.
Seeing this heartwarming scene, a genuine smile appeared on his weathered face.
The shadow of war seems to have temporarily receded, and the peaceful daily life is so precious.
He hopes that these children can find their own path and bonds in their upcoming ninja careers.
Outside the window, the first rays of spring in 57 years are quietly climbing onto the branches, melting the last bit of snow.
On the veranda, Hyuga Takashi's Byakugan still vigilantly patrolled the courtyard, guarding this noisy yet genuine warmth.
The new year is slowly unfolding.
(End of this chapter)