It was the end of the year, and the chill of winter was dispelled by the warmth of the holidays.
After several days of heavy snow, Konoha Village seemed to be draped in a new, pristine silver coat. Thick, untrodden white snow accumulated on eaves, treetops, and training grounds, sparkling with tiny glimmers under the sunlight.
In charming contrast to this clean, silvery white were rows upon rows of bright red lanterns that had been hung early throughout the Village.
They adorned the streets like plump, warm rubies.
When night fell, the lanterns lit up in unison, and a soft red glow flowed forth, intertwining with the pristine white snow to create a breathtaking scene of "silver snow accompanying red lanterns," filled with classical Eastern charm and serenity.
The entire Konoha Village was immersed in a busy and joyful New Year's atmosphere.
The enticing aroma of New Year's dinner preparations wafted through the air, and children in new clothes chased and played in the snow, setting off small fireworks, their clear laughter echoing through the streets.
Even the Ninja had temporarily set aside their heavy tasks, their faces relaxed with smiles.
Even the faces of past Hokage on the Hokage Rock seemed much softer, illuminated by the white snow and the warm glow of the Village below.
With the New Year approaching, the Village was filled with a festive atmosphere, and Naruto, for once, wanted to experience this liveliness.
He specifically tidied himself up in his small house, making sure he was neat and clean.
However, there was one distinctive mark he could not get rid of no matter what.
Those were the six whisker-like marks on his face.
They were birthmarks that couldn't be removed by ordinary means. Naruto had tried to shave off these six whiskers before, but they simply wouldn't come off.
If they couldn't be shaved off, then so be it. Naruto couldn't possibly shave off his own skin just because he couldn't get rid of these six whiskers, could he?
He practiced Chakra, not the Great Thousand Records.
In the past, these whiskers had brought him countless strange looks and whispers.
To blend into the crowd as inconspicuously as possible during these festive days and avoid trouble, Naruto came up with a plan.
He secretly bought some concealer and foundation, and, facing the mirror, carefully and little by little covered the six whisker-like patterns.
The face in the mirror became "clean" and indistinguishable from an ordinary child's.
Going out like this should mean less trouble, right?
He thought silently.
After all, in Konoha Village, having such obvious six "whiskers" on his face at such a young age was too distinctive a feature, almost directly pointing to him as the "Demon Fox."
He didn't want this indelible mark to ruin his rare good mood.
Sure enough, no one paid him any mind along the way.
Naruto gently pushed open the wooden door of the flower shop, which had a small "Open" sign hanging on it.
The wind chimes on the door jingled with a crisp, pleasant sound.
Approaching the New Year, the shop was actually much quieter.
Today, the counter was manned not by the usual Yamanaka Rino, but by her husband, Inoichi Yamanaka.
Taking advantage of his rare vacation, he specifically came here to mind the shop for his wife, so Rino could rest at home with peace of mind.
And by the dazzling flower stands, their daughter, Ino Yamanaka, was also there.
She wasn't forced by her parents to help, but simply because she loved these beautiful flowers. She was enthusiastically holding a small watering can, carefully watering pots of flowers, a pure smile radiating from her rosy little face.
"Welcome."
Inoichi Yamanaka heard the familiar sound of the wind chimes and smiled as he looked towards the door.
However, as his gaze fell upon the visitor, before the last syllable of his welcome faded, he froze as if struck by a paralysis jutsu.
The boy standing at the door had sun-like, medium-length golden hair and clear, lake-blue eyes.
More importantly, Naruto had carefully concealed his iconic whisker marks with makeup today, allowing his face to be clearly and completely revealed.
This appearance, this hair color, these eye colors... combined, it was a spitting image of a young Minato Namikaze!
As a Ninja of the same generation as Minato Namikaze, Inoichi Yamanaka had naturally seen the Fourth Hokage in his youth.
At this moment, looking at the sunny-faced child at the door, Inoichi's thoughts momentarily blurred, and time seemed to flow backward. He felt as if he saw that gentle, brilliant genius boy again.
He's so similar!
A mixed emotion of shock, nostalgia, and bitterness suddenly gripped his heart.
But this hallucination lasted only an instant before cold reality pulled his thoughts back.
That exceptionally talented Fourth Hokage, who had saved the Village, had already sacrificed himself to protect Konoha.
The Fourth Hokage is gone... This silent sigh weighed heavily on his heart, causing an imperceptible complexity and pity to enter his gaze towards Naruto.
"Welcome, customer. What kind of flowers would you like?"
Inoichi Yamanaka quickly composed his expression, putting on a gentle smile again, but the complex emotion deep in his eyes had not completely dissipated.
It seems the rumor I saw in forums in my previous life, about 'Konoha having many old-timers with poor eyesight,' is true!
Naruto silently grumbled in his heart.
He observed very carefully; Inoichi Yamanaka's momentary Stunned (daze) and the fleeting reminiscence and sadness in his eyes were clearly caught by him.
He immediately understood that the other party must have seen the shadow of his father, Minato Namikaze, in him.
"I don't really know much about flowers."
Naruto stepped forward, his tone carrying the appropriate shyness and sincerity of a child.
"However, my teacher, who has always patiently guided me, has a birthday tomorrow. Boss, can you help me recommend and prepare a suitable bouquet?"
"Of course."
Inoichi Yamanaka replied quickly, his tone a little softer than before.
He looked at the polite child in front of him and couldn't help but sigh again in his heart.
What a good child!
He's practically a miniature Minato.
While Inoichi pondered flower recommendations, Naruto also curiously surveyed the flower shop.
The interior was exquisitely and elegantly arranged, with various flowers vying for beauty, and a wide variety of types.
Aside from the most common ones, Naruto basically couldn't recognize any, but the fragrant aroma filling the air and the orderly display silently spoke of the owner's dedication and love for the place.
His gaze inadvertently swept past the flower stand, and he happened to meet the eyes of Ino Yamanaka, who was carefully watering a pot of light purple flowers.
Ino had clearly also noticed the somewhat familiar blond boy.
She looked up, her large eyes filled with astonishment and curiosity, seemingly surprised to encounter a peer here, and such a... handsome boy at that.
Strange, are there really such handsome boys among my peers?
Regarding blond hair, she remembered a Uzumaki Naruto, whom her mother had told her not to initiate conversation with or join others in scolding.
Seeing Ino Yamanaka's stunned expression, Naruto gave Ino a friendly, gentle smile.
"Judging by your appearance, Ino-chan, is this your family's shop?"
"Eh?"