Naruto: I, who didn't want to be hacked to pieces, saved the ninja world.

Chapter 104 Ritual

12 month 30 day.

As the year draws to a close, the day that everyone in Konoha has been eagerly anticipating is about to arrive.

Konoha Village is already very lively today because preparations for the New Year's festival have been underway for a full month in advance.

Inside the library.

There wasn't a single book in there; the whole world seemed to be covered by a white curtain, with snowflakes falling gently like feathers filling the sky.

In this spotless world, there are three small dots.

Kurama Yakumo and Shirokumo Aoba sat in the snowy landscape, with a carefully crafted snowman in front of them.

Both of them had smiles on their faces.

"Aoba, I heard there's a festival tomorrow night..."

"Hmm." Shirokumo Aoba nodded. "It will be held on Hokage Rock. I heard there will be lots of snacks, games, and fireworks. And preparations have been underway for a month."

"Huh? They started preparing a month ago? I had no idea." Kurama Yakumo was somewhat surprised.

"Are you going?" Bai Yunqingye asked.

Kurama Yakumo's face involuntarily flushed red. "Is Aoba going?"

“I’ve already made plans to go with my friends. If Yakumo is going too, he can come with us.”

Shirakumo Aoba extended an invitation to Kurama Yakumo.

Upon hearing this, Yakumo Kurama's heart trembled, followed by a sense of loss.

Her preparations seemed too late.

"No...no need, Aoba, you can play with your friends. I'm going with my parents tomorrow."

Although she refused, the disappointment in her eyes was hard to hide.

She only wanted to go with Bai Yun Qingye.

But now it seems that Baiyun Qingye had already made plans with his other friends.

She couldn't possibly ask the other person to abandon their friends and go with her; that would be too selfish.

That's true. Aoba is such a good person, he must have a lot of good friends at school.

Maybe a lot of girls will like him.

For some reason, thinking about this made Yakumo Kurama feel a little sour.

Perhaps it's because Baiyun Qingye is her only friend, but she is just one of Baiyun Qingye's many friends, and not even the best one.

Since they had only known each other for a month, they didn't have many memories together or a special relationship. In Aoba's eyes, she was probably not as important as his friends at school.

This feeling of inequality suddenly made her feel inexplicably uneasy.

The more I think about it, the more outrageous it seems.

Just as her thoughts were wandering freely, she suddenly shuddered.

A hand patted her head, and she turned to look, meeting Bai Yunqingye's gentle gaze.

"Yakumo, don't underestimate yourself. Although we've only known each other for a month, you're already a very important and irreplaceable friend to me."

"Really?" Kurama Yakumo asked instinctively.

"Of course! You are special!"

Baiyun Qingye rubbed the other person's head again.

Touching heads can be very addictive, especially when it's several girls' heads, each with a different feel.

In an instant, Yakumo Kurama's previously flustered heart calmed down.

Within the illusion space, the raging wind and snow gradually subsided.

"Would you like to come to the festival with me?" Shirokumo Aoba invited again.

Kurama Yakumo smiled, but still shook his head. "Let's skip it this time. When I enroll next year, Aoba can introduce your friend to me."

"it is good."

-

They parted ways at the entrance of the Kurama clan's territory.

Baiyun Qingye returned home.

The scene before him left him speechless.

At this moment, Tsunade was dressed in a green yukata, looking elegant and graceful. Her originally flowing twin tails were now pinned up at the back of her head by a delicate hairpin.

Feeling somewhat exhausted, I leaned back on the sofa and watched TV.

She appeared somewhat languid, yet exuded an air of dignified elegance. Bai Yun and Qing Ye were momentarily stunned.

a long time.

Tsunade, who was on the sofa, suddenly turned her head to look at him. "What are you doing standing at the door?"

Bai Yun Qingye snapped out of her daze and calmly walked over. "Teacher, why did you change your style today?"

Tsunade's expression turned somewhat helpless. "This is what I'll wear to the festival tomorrow. Shizune insisted on dragging me to buy it. I didn't gamble all day, and I walked around all day. I'm almost dying of discomfort."

"It seems that Shizune-neechan is really looking forward to the festival," Shirokumo Aoba said sincerely.

"Aoba, you're back!"

A surprised and quiet voice came from behind, and Baiyun Qingye looked over.

The other person was also wearing the same style of black yukata as Tsunade, and walked out of the bedroom.

only……

They're the same style, just different colors, but compared to Tsunade, they're completely different styles.

If Tsunade's attire gave him a dignified and elegant impression, then Shizune was like a cute and innocent girl next door.

Soon, Shirokumo Aoba discovered the reason.

This is a story of heartbreak.

"Aoba, how does my sister look in this yukata?"

Shizune spread her arms and spun around in front of the two of them.

"I think it looks great, and it suits Sister Shizune perfectly."

Although the styles are different, they each have their own unique charm.

"That's good. I spent a long time choosing with Lady Tsunade." Shizune's smile became even brighter.

"Oh, right, I bought one for you too, Aoba!"

Shizune ran back to the bedroom, took out a plain-colored bathrobe, and stuffed it into Shirokumo Aoba's arms.

"Give it a try!"

"Okay." Baiyun Qingye took the bathrobe and walked towards the bedroom.

"and many more."

Shizune smiled and asked, "Do you need your older sister to help you get dressed?"

"I'm confident I can help you put on your yukata."

"?"

"Need not."

Baiyun Qingye quickened her pace and locked the bedroom door from the inside.

-

the next day.

The winter sky always darkens quickly, but the brightly lit foliage remains as bright as day.

The villagers on the street were all heading towards the same destination.

Sungai tribe.

"Fireworks, which one do you think is better, this one or this one?"

Hinata frowned on her cute little face as she tried on a yukata over her body with both hands.

Hanabi lay on the bed, her hands cupping her face, looking speechless.

"Sister, you've been picking out clothes all day. Brother Qingye likes you so much, he'll like whatever you wear. There's no need to go to so much trouble."

Hinata's face flushed slightly, and she shook her head. "No, if I'm not serious, Sakura and the others will definitely look better than me."

On this one matter, she cannot be careless; she must present her best self.

Another hour passed, and Hinata was all dressed up from head to toe.

Yet she still looked at herself in the mirror with a worried expression.

"Sister, if you don't hurry up, we'll be late!" Hanabi unleashed her ultimate move.

Wow! How come it's so fast?

Hinata glanced at the time and started to get anxious.

But as she passed by the fireworks, she touched them for a while and said, "Fireworks, please bless your sister."

Hanabi:?

Hinata then ran off from home, heading towards the agreed-upon location.

Hanabi simply stood at the doorway and waved to Hinata.

Although she really wanted to go play with her sister, she was too young and could only go with her parents later.

"I wish I could grow up faster."