In the blink of an eye, another month had passed.
During this month, Sarutobi Hiruzen, representing Konoha, engaged in three large-scale negotiations with Kumogakure. They finally finalized 90% of the treaty details, with only minor loose ends remaining to be discussed. However, both sides had clearly established their fundamental understanding, and it wouldn't be long before the peace treaty signing ceremony could be held.
Though the talks spanned a month, the negotiation process had gone smoothly from the start.
Even on matters of reparations, as long as Sarutobi proposed something, Kumogakure would at most haggle over a few percentages before agreeing.
Everything was going so smoothly that Sarutobi couldn't help but exclaim inwardly, "Steady! The Sarutobi clan is saved!"
Buoyed by joy and confidence, Sarutobi grew even warmer toward the Kumogakure envoys, taking them on multiple tours around Konoha and encouraging them to come visit again even after the treaty was signed.
The members of the Kumogakure delegation responded with cheerful smiles, as if the brutal war between their two sides just months ago had never happened.
Half a month later, the treaty details were finalized, and both sides formally signed the peace treaty.
Before the official signing ceremony, the village held a massive peace festival to welcome this new era of harmony.
On that day, nearly all the villagers poured into the streets to celebrate. The avenues overflowed with crowds, and the entire village buzzed with joy and laughter.
Yoru, walking through the streets with Hinata, leisurely enjoyed the relaxed, cheerful atmosphere.
At first, Hiashi was somewhat displeased with Hinata going out to play.
As the eldest daughter of the prestigious Hyūga clan, and the heir to the Main Family, how could she mix with commoners in some vulgar celebration?
But Yoru waved it off casually:
"Hiashi, the people are the foundation of everything. Be it the Fourth or Fifth Hokage—without the people's support, how would they have risen to power?"
"Even the ever-blundering Sarutobi Hiruzen spent his time in office currying favor with the masses. Your Hyūga clan may have endured for a thousand years, but if you don't change your mindset, even the Ino-Shika-Chō Clan will have a better chance at the Hokage seat than you."
"Besides, Hinata is my student. How I teach her is my business."
Hearing this, Hiashi was left speechless, standing frozen on the spot.
Yoru didn't bother with him any further and led the slightly shy, nervous Hinata out of the Hyūga compound to wander around the village.
Along the way, Yoru saw many familiar faces—members of the Akimichi, Nara, Yamanaka, Aburame, Haruno, and Inuzuka clans—most with their children in tow.
This festival was a paradise for children. Usually, clan heirs underwent strict ninjutsu and secret technique training, chakra control exercises, and so on. Only during these big festivals could they openly enjoy themselves.
But none of them noticed Yoru—or rather, they subconsciously ignored him.
Even when they saw Hinata, her noble Hyūga attire gave them pause and awe.
With Uchiha Fugaku's rise to power, the Uchiha clan had been elevated to divine status in Konoha. And by association, the Hyūga clan, once considered the Uchiha's equal in dojutsu, now held a similarly elevated position.
At the top stood the Uchiha, followed by the Hyūga, and below them the traditional secret technique clans like the Ino-Shika-Chō, the Aburame, and the Inuzuka.
Yoru and Hinata wandered about leisurely. Hinata was full of joy—this was her first time experiencing something like this. Though Hiashi had taken her out in the past, going out with her sensei felt entirely different from going with her father.
She was free to explore the little stalls, freely buy snacks, and happily shove them into her mouth.
At first, she was hesitant and asked Yoru if it was okay. But his response quickly eased her worries.
"A festival is a time of celebration, meant to commemorate the past. On a day like this, why chain yourself with pointless restrictions?"
"Sensei is right! You're the best, Sensei!"
With a candied fruit skewer in one hand and cotton candy in the other, Hinata beamed with happiness as she followed Yoru.
As they passed by Ichiraku Ramen, Yoru noticed the long line and was a bit surprised.
With one glance, he spotted a small blond figure—squeezed in among the crowd, impatient and eager.
The boy kept craning his neck to see how many people were left ahead of him, gripping a wrinkled discount coupon so tightly it was nearly torn.
"Uzumaki Naruto…"
Recognizing the boy, Yoru's lips curled slightly upward. He could clearly sense the abundant, overwhelming chakra within the child—so dense that even among all the people Yoru had ever encountered, Naruto's chakra was near the top.
And it was unusual.
It wasn't just the power of the Uzumaki clan and a fragment of the Nine-Tails—it was something deeper.
A power hidden within Naruto's very soul.
"So… Asura's chakra is already beginning to exert its influence."
"He's even more malnourished than Hinata, yet the energy within him has accumulated to such a degree…"
Yoru was deeply astonished.
Compared to Hinata's tough life, Naruto had it even worse. At least Hinata still had food to eat.
But Naruto?
Originally, Sarutobi Hiruzen would give him some allowance once a month. But after being ousted, the old man was too focused on preserving his clan's influence to care about Naruto's survival.
Labeled the "demon fox's child", Naruto was truly living meal to meal.
"If Kushina knew about Naruto's current situation… forget the Sarutobi clan—the entire village might be flattened under the fury of Seventh Division Captain, Uzumaki Kushina."
"Even if Asura's path is one of love, does he really have to endure such a harsh childhood to grow, Sage of Six Paths?"
Yoru smiled faintly as he watched the disheveled, malnourished boy, whose blue eyes still shone brightly.
Ichiraku was packed, but the ramen guy worked quickly. Before long, Naruto's turn arrived.
As he stepped forward, the surrounding villagers immediately frowned and stepped back with obvious disgust.
Naruto noticed—of course he noticed. His eyes dimmed, but he quickly perked up again and raised his coupon.
"O-One special tonkotsu ramen! With the discount!"
"Even the demon fox wants to eat ramen?"
"That coupon's long expired, isn't it? I remember it was handed out back when the Fourth became Hokage—valid for only a year. That was years ago!"
"If you don't have money, don't hog the seat! Get lost, demon fox!"
"Yeah, way to ruin the festival vibe. Seeing the fox brat on a happy day—what rotten luck!"
Naruto's voice seemed to trigger something. People in line turned to stare. Even the diners inside paused to glare at him with open disdain.
Naruto panicked. But instead of responding, he immediately checked his crumpled coupon.
"E-Expired?!"
He stood frozen as if struck by lightning.
That coupon—he'd found it by a trash can while taking out garbage last time. It could be exchanged for one bowl of special ramen at Ichiraku. He'd treasured it like a precious gem ever since, never willing to use it.
Today, the whole village was celebrating. Naruto thought he'd treat himself… but never realized the coupon had long since expired.
He didn't recognize many kanji, and the paper was so wrinkled that the expiration date had blurred. He had no idea.
"Ah, the Fourth Hokage coupon… That's been expired for years now," muttered Teuchi, the ramen guy, noticing the scene.
"But no worries. Since it's the festival, I'll give you—"
"Here's 100,000 ryō. From now on, his ramen can be deducted from this."
A sudden voice drew everyone's attention.
They turned to see an unfamiliar face—and froze when they noticed Hinata's white Byakugan eyes, the Hyūga crest on her robe, and the unmistakable noble air about her.
Everyone fell silent.
"100,000 ryō…"
Teuchi stared at the silver note Yoru handed over, stunned.
That was the kind of payment you'd only see from a B-rank or higher mission. For a ramen shop that earned a few dozen ryō per bowl, it was a fortune.
Naruto looked up, surprised, his big blue eyes wide with curiosity—and a little embarrassment.
He didn't fully understand money, but even he knew that 100,000 was… a LOT.
He remembered once having a few 100-ryō notes, so 100,000 must be…
A gazillion!
"U-Uncle, I… I can't accept this…"
"You're not allowed to refuse."
Yoru ruffled Naruto's messy hair and crouched down with a smile, leaving the crowd stunned.
"Alright, Boss. From now on, just deduct his meals from this."
"Got it, got it!"
Teuchi happily accepted the note and began preparing the ramen. That money was worth a full year of business.
Yoru didn't linger. He turned with Hinata and walked off.
Naruto, now seated, ran after them—but by the time he reached the door, all he saw was a bustling crowd.
Yoru was already gone.
"Uncle…"
Naruto's throat tightened. His eyes stung. He was on the verge of tears.
He was just a child—he didn't understand complex emotions. But he knew that Yuki Yoru was the first person in years who had shown him such kindness.
"Uncle! I won't forget you!"
He shouted toward the crowded street.
Dozens of villagers gave him contemptuous glares.
But Naruto just grinned—completely unfazed.
Yoru walked to the edge of the street and gave a casual wave.
Several white-eyed Hyūga elite shinobi appeared from the shadows.
"Take Hinata home."
"Yes, milord!"
Hinata gave her teacher a look but didn't ask any questions. She obediently followed the Hyūga jōnin back to the clan compound.
As soon as the Hyūga disappeared, several ANBU appeared—wearing masks and exuding bloodlust, their eyes spinning with three-tomoe Sharingan.
Moments later, a figure flashed down like lightning and dismissed the ANBU.
"…Mizukage-sama."
"Long time no see, Fugaku," Yoru said, smiling at the man in the fire-patterned Hokage cloak. "You're looking well."
"Mizukage-sama, you flatter me."
Uchiha Fugaku looked at Yoru with a complicated expression.
The last time they met was in the Land of Iron, when Fugaku served as Minato's escort.
After that, they hadn't spoken again. Even though Kirigakure's political support had helped Fugaku's rise, this Mizukage had never once spoken to him directly.
If Mangetsu hadn't told him, he wouldn't even have known that Yoru had taken Hiashi's daughter as a disciple—or that he was in Konoha at all!
"I just ran into Minato's son."
Yoru skipped the pleasantries. Though both men held the title of Kage, their strength and stature were worlds apart.
Fugaku froze, unsure what Yoru meant, and replied honestly:
"Naruto has always been under Sarutobi's supervision. In the past, even the most ordinary Uchiha couldn't get within a kilometer of him without being driven away by Sarutobi's forces."
"After I took office, I was too busy with other matters. And Naruto… as a Jinchūriki, I assumed Sarutobi wouldn't let go easily, so…"
"You are the Hokage."
Yoru's gaze sharpened.
"You earned this seat through your own strength and merit—through the people's support—not through Sarutobi's blessing. Don't forget that, Fugaku."
Fugaku's body jolted.
"Being a Jinchūriki is a heavy burden, yes. And it can cause villagers to despise them. But Naruto is different. He's Minato's son."
"We both know the truth behind the Nine-Tails attack. He's the child of a sacrificial hero—a Hokage who died for the village. You of all people should know how he should be treated."
"Allowing the deceased to feel despair can lead to serious problems, Fugaku."
Allowing the deceased to feel despair...
Fugaku suddenly felt a shiver down his spine, even instinctively activating his Mangekyō Sharingan!