Konoha had all sorts of high-level meetings, and Haseo attended one of them. He couldn't figure out why he'd hardly been called in since then.
The higher-ups were more concerned with the village's rapid transformation after the war and what strategies it should take moving forward. As for ordinary citizens and lower-ranked ninja in Konoha, they only cared about the upcoming Winter Festival… After a war ended, people always needed a way to let their joy out. Although this joy was largely just an emotional rebound—years of pressure, fear, and anxiety always needed some channel through which to be released.
Just one week after Haseo returned to Konoha, Orochimaru also fully emerged from Ryuchi Cave and returned to the village. As expected, he had completed the trials of Ryuchi Cave and signed a summoning contract with that place… Of course, his main summoning partner had definitely changed to another snake now—perhaps that snake was named Senja.
In such a short time, Orochimaru could have only completed the most basic summoning trial. Naturally, he couldn't be like Haseo, who had met the White Snake Sage. In fact, the current Orochimaru hadn't even heard of who the White Snake Sage was… Come to think of it, wasn't the image of the immortal white snake that Orochimaru constantly pursued actually the White Scales Great Snake?
However, regardless of whether he had seen the White Snake Sage or not, at this moment, Orochimaru had evolved from a ninja whose name contained "snake" into a true expert capable of commanding snakes.
After returning from Ryuchi Cave, Haseo specially went to check up on Orochimaru's mental state—it's better to be safe than sorry. Fortunately, he found no sign of anything unexpected; Orochimaru was still himself.
So thick, so long—the snakes didn't scare him at all. Just how much resilience and fearless personality did he possess? Whether that's a good thing or a bad thing is seriously up for debate… Compared with Orochimaru, Jiraiya showed significantly more human qualities.
This white-haired kid always failed when learning ninjutsu—he was afraid of ghosts, toad cuisine, and Tsunade's punches. Sometimes he worked hard, but after overexerting himself he'd slack off. Occasionally, he would peep as well.
And when Jiraiya laughed, he looked genuinely silly and goofy. At times, Haseo couldn't understand: it made sense that Orochimaru turned out the way he did, due to his personality—but why did Jiraiya start off so sunny and adorable as a child, only to later become a thoroughly greasy middle-aged man?
*Strong Will Ninja Biography* was written pretty well, right? Why did he choose to write *Make Out Paradise* instead?
What do you mean *Strong Will Ninja Biography* was a failure while *Make Out Paradise* became a hit?
Oh, then everything makes sense.
After the war, Jiraiya's whereabouts became unpredictable. Sometimes he was in Konoha, sometimes at Mount Myoboku. Anyway, he kept shuttling between these two places. However, before the Winter Festival, he still returned to the village.
Leading up to the festival, Konoha gradually became more lively—it no longer felt like a hidden ninja village at all. Even many ordinary citizens of the Land of Fire were allowed entry into the village after undergoing inspections. Konoha, once the Hidden Village, had become anything but hidden now.
Red lanterns lined every road in Konoha—from the main street that ran through the village center, all the way to the Hot Spring Town where Haseo lived.
Parades, performances, and food stalls filled the streets with endless variety. And as night fell on this day, the Hokage would also lead a ceremonial procession through the village for observation and celebration.
Unlike the formal celebrations held by the Daimyo at the Daimyo's Castle before, Konoha's Winter Festival was smaller in scale but far more lively and full of grassroots energy—it had the kind of genuine festive spirit you could feel in your bones.
Haseo himself had no particular interest in such events. However, as evening approached, the sounds of drums and fireworks reached his ears without pause. Even if he wanted some peace and quiet, it was impossible to find any.
"Haseo! Get ready—it's time to go."
Jiraiya's voice rang out suddenly from outside Haseo's window, then quickly drifted away into the distance. That guy had merely come to shout and stir things up... He seemed even more energetic than usual today, almost like he was feeding off the crowd's energy.
"Fine. Might as well take a walk outside."
At this point, there was no way Haseo could stay cooped up indoors anymore. Without bringing any Ninja Tools, he simply took his two long swords, slipped on his shoes, and stepped out the door.
The moment he set foot onto the street, the bustling crowd and festive atmosphere rushed toward him all at once.
He shoved both hands into his pockets and drifted with the crowd. Not knowing exactly what to do next, he decided—just for now—he'd let himself drift along with everyone else.
It wasn't just lively; everyone was clearly caught up in the joy and excitement. As Haseo followed the parade through the streets, before he realized it, his hands had been pulled from his pockets, and enthusiastic villagers kept stuffing his hands full of colorful flags, one after another.
He couldn't help but smile bitterly. It was awkward—neither appropriate to throw these things away nor to keep them.
As he walked, Haseo suddenly lifted his head and saw the red lanterns lining the streets being lit one after another. A line of glowing lights quickly spread throughout Konoha.
The lights shone first, and only then did night finally fall.
The Preliminary Night Festival had officially begun.
The fireworks hadn't stopped since they started, bursting overhead in colorful displays. Though each bloom lasted only moments, they continued without pause, covering the sky so thoroughly that the real stars disappeared from view.
No matter how loud the fireworks boomed or the drums beat, they couldn't drown out the joyful laughter all around.
But for some reason, the more lively it became, the more Haseo's thoughts gradually emptied. In an instant, he felt as though floating high above, looking down upon the tiny flickering lights below; in another, as though sinking into a pitch-black abyss, feeling not even a trace of warmth.
The louder the celebration grew, the deeper the silence within him became.
Haseo didn't often go this deep into his own thoughts, but once he did, it was tough to snap out of it…
What was different about him when he first arrived in Konoha?
And what was different about Konoha itself back then?
"Haseo…"
"Haseo."
As Yuzuru was continuously sinking downward, he suddenly heard someone calling his name. The voice first seemed distant and ethereal, but then became clear and tangible. At the same time, he felt a sudden tug at the back of his robe, forcing him to stop and turn around.
Haseo blinked a few times before realizing who it was.
It was Tsunade.
Tonight, Tsunade wore a long, light-colored robe with delicate cyan patterns—a perfect blend of youthful charm and dignity appropriate for the occasion. Later on, she would be accompanying the Third Hokage.
When Haseo turned around, he saw her bent over slightly with both hands resting on her knees; the wide hems of her sleeves nearly swept the ground... A ninja's stamina alone could allow her to circle Konoha without breaking a sweat, yet squeezing through the densely packed crowd just to reach Haseo's side had proven quite a challenge indeed.
The streets overflowed with bustling crowds, yet these two stood still amidst the chaos.
Tsunade wasn't wearing her usual ninja footwear tonight either, instead sporting a pair of brown leather boots. From Haseo's perspective, he could see a sliver of collarbone and a patch of skin peeking out from where her robes parted at the neck.
Her hair was no longer tied up in that girlish single ponytail either—it had been carefully styled, her golden locks gathered behind into an elegant coiffure secured by a hairpin and a dangling ornament. However, probably due to rushing so quickly or pushing through the thick crowd, strands of her golden hair now hung loosely across her forehead.
When she lifted her face toward him, he noticed her eyelashes looked particularly long tonight, her eyes sparkling. Haseo even realized someone had applied a touch of subtle makeup upon her.
"Hey, Haseo, haven't you eaten anything yet?" After regaining her breath, the young Tsunade straightened herself and asked.
"Huh?"
Haseo was caught off guard, not quite following what she meant.
"I bought some pastries earlier—they're yours now."
Before Haseo could fully understand what was happening, Tsunade pinched a small white square-shaped pastry between her fingers, playfully attempting to poke his face with it. He snatched it up and tossed it into his mouth.
"The rest are all for you too."
Then, Tsunade shoved a large paper bag into Haseo's arms. It was only now that he realized she had been hiding such a large bag inside her sleeves all along.
"Tsunade-sama..."
Just then, from afar came someone calling Tsunade's name—it was obvious she had abandoned her post briefly.
"Coming!" With a playful flick of her tongue, Tsunade responded, waving at Haseo before making her way back through the crowd in the direction she had come.
As Tsunade walked away, Haseo instinctively started chewing the pastry in his mouth... Hmm, actually, it wasn't all that delicious—it was a bit too sweet.
But just like that, because of this small little encounter, the world regained its original colors.
Today was just New Year's Day, not Lantern Festival Eve, yet somehow Haseo thought he understood the meaning behind "Qing Yushan" (the famous verse by Xin Qiji) after all.
No, no, no—he immediately shook his head afterward. He had thought too much again. She was still just a child.
"I'm not into loli types anymore."
This statement has a huge issue... You're either born a lolicon, or you ain't one at all.
It's a lifelong curse. No chance of recovery unless treated.
Across the rows of lantern lights, Jiraiya and Orochimaru, this pair of close buddies, were standing on a rooftop, watching Haseo's situation.
Jiraiya was chewing something while muttering, "Haseo once said, 'All lovers will eventually become married couples, while lonely singles can only see it happen for themselves.'"
"Haseo also said, 'The scent of being single stays the same, but the stink of love smells different on everyone.'"
"Haseo..."
"Did I really say so much?"
Jiraiya was about to say more, but Haseo's voice suddenly sounded behind him, startling him into spitting out most of what he'd been chewing all over Orochimaru.
Just now Haseo had been over there, but now he was here.
"You also said, 'Holy crap! Did you just use your [Flash]?'"
The midnight bell rang, and the New Year marking Konoha's 20th year arrived on a winter day that didn't feel the least bit cold.
(Volume Two, End of Volume)
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