manynovel Chapter 374 The most handsome man was his father, draped in a cloak.
Chapter 374 The most handsome man was his father, draped in a cloak.
A low, warm laugh escaped from Shuo Mao's lips.
The laughter was slightly hoarse, a sound of exhaustion unique to those who stay up all night, yet it was softened by the scene before him.
He casually took off his thick, military-green cloak and, without saying a word, wrapped it around the rickety snowball.
The cloak was custom-made for the farm's management. The fabric was made of windproof and waterproof coarse cotton, while the lining was made of fine fleece, carrying a scent that could never be washed away, a mixture of earthy fragrance and grassy aroma.
It was large enough to completely envelop the simple snowman, barely revealing the carrot nose that Kakashi had painstakingly stuck on.
That thick green, amidst a vast expanse of pure white sky, abruptly creates a corner of warm refuge.
"Now we have it."
Shuo Mao's voice was very soft, as if afraid of disturbing the falling snowflakes, yet it carried a certainty that would make even a rock nod in agreement.
Asuma's eyes lit up instantly, shining like two obsidian stones immersed in water.
He clapped his chubby little hands vigorously, his face full of dramatic, exaggerated amazement, trying his best to create atmosphere for his friend:
"Wow—! Perfect! Kakashi!"
"It exploded!"
"(ˉ▽ˉ；)..."
Kakashi didn't say anything; he was somewhat speechless.
Then, tilting his head back, his little head almost folded behind him, he stared blankly at the snowman, still crooked and distorted, draped in his father's cloak.
Then, he slowly turned his head to the side, his gaze shifting from the snowman to his father, who was only wearing a thin undershirt.
Fine snowflakes landed on his broad shoulders, melting silently and leaving a small, dark, damp stain.
That damp stain seemed to seep into Kakashi's heart as well.
He reached out his small, gloved hand, somewhat clumsily but with unwavering determination, and grasped his father's large hand, which was stiff from the cold.
"Oh, Tosang..."
"Um?"
"...He's very handsome."
Kakashi's voice was soft, but unusually serious, as if he were about to draw a sacred and solemn conclusion.
A warm current surged from the depths of his soul, instantly washing over Shuomao's limbs and bones.
It soothed my fatigue with ease.
Just then, a loud, boisterous voice, like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, abruptly shattered the peaceful tranquility.
"Yahiko! Konan! Nagato! All of you, gather before me!"
Jiraiya, wearing his signature thick yukata with exaggerated demon face patterns and wooden clogs, strode confidently from the direction of the school building, followed closely by three small figures.
He spotted the heartwarming scene in the snow at a glance, paused for a moment, then, as if he had found the perfect teaching material, he flamboyantly flicked his white hair behind his ear and struck what he considered a bold and unrestrained pose.
"Ahem! See that, kids!"
He pointed at the Shuomao family with great enthusiasm, like a general surveying the land, and began giving a live lesson to his three disciples behind him.
"This! This is the true meaning of protection! The bonds of family are the strongest foundation for peace! They are the inextinguishable light that supports a ninja as they walk through the darkness!"
He became more and more excited as he spoke, as if he had suddenly realized some incredible ultimate truth.
"And this bond is like the broth in a top-quality tonkotsu ramen, simmered for three days and three nights! Rich! Delicious! It needs to be carefully simmered with love and time! Come, write it all down for your teacher, this is the key point!"
Yahiko's face lit up with admiration, as if he had received a divine decree. He quickly pulled out his notebook and muttered to himself, "Ramen... Bonds... Broth... Exam Points..."
Konan quietly took out a light blue piece of colored paper from her pocket. With a few quick movements, a heartwarming little paper figure of Sakumo holding Kakashi in one arm and draping a cloak over a snowman appeared vividly at her fingertips.
Only Nagato.
He neither moved nor spoke.
Just watching quietly, the heavy green cloak symbolizing protection on the snowman was clearly reflected in those deep, calm black eyes.
It seemed to be thinking, understanding, and imprinting the scene before it into its own world.
On the steps not far away, Hiruzen Sarutobi habitually rubbed his hands together to warm his cold fingertips.
The black Hokage cloak billowed slightly in the cold wind.
He looked at the father and son, then at Asuma, whose face was red from the cold but who was very excited. The irritation he felt from approving the huge budget for the Winter Festival completely disappeared.
Worth it.
"Tap, tap..."
Hiruzen walked down the steps, the snow under his feet crunching and making a sound that was both irritating and strangely pleasant.
He walked up to Asma, reached out and flicked the snow off his son's collar, then gently pinched the fleshy, cool nape of his neck.
"Let's go. If we stay any longer, Mother will come out looking for us."
Hiruzen Sarutobi paused briefly, then said to Sakumo, "Remember to have Miko tailor your clothes neatly later. If you want them to look even more impressive, go to Hiashi of the Hyuga clan and have him embroider the Hatake clan crest on the back with fine craftsmanship. That'll make you look grand."
After making the joke, he took Asuma's hand and turned to wave at Sakumo.
"Dad, I want a cape too."
Asuma was being dragged along by Hiruzen, his short legs moving incredibly fast, but he kept talking nonstop.
"you?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced down at him. "Wipe the snot hanging from your nose first. The son of the Hokage, with two glistening snot dripping from under your cloak, are you planning to use them as wind chimes for the enemy during a charge?"
Hiruzen, with a blank expression, muttered to himself as he pulled Asuma along, slowly crossing the street near the school gate that was already covered with a thin layer of fresh snow.
After settling Asuma in, Hiruzen declined the hot tea offered by Biwako, put his cloak back on, and left the house.
The Hokage's office was warm and cozy.
This is thanks to the circulating heating system developed by Orochimaru, which converts the contained water-attribute energy into heat energy through a special technique, and then transports it to every important building through pipes.
Although the monthly energy costs caused Hiruzen Sarutobi a pang of heartache when approving the budget, at this moment, he had to admit that the money was well spent.
He took off his black cloak, hung it on a hanger, and sat back down behind the desk piled high with scrolls.
The world outside the window is a fairytale-like world covered in silver, while inside is a dull and burdensome reality.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze fell on the most exquisitely bound and heaviest scroll on the corner of the table.
The cover features a bold, vigorous calligraphy that reads: "Final Proposal for the First Konoha Culture and Technology Expo."
The winter festival will open alongside the expo.
This will be the grandest celebration in Konoha's history.
It was to show everyone—including villagers, allies, and enemies still lurking in the shadows—a completely new Konoha.
A Konoha that no longer relies solely on force, but thrives on people's livelihood, technology, and culture.
The infrastructure boom of Danzo and the agricultural revolution of Shomo will have their most direct collision and display at this expo.
The thought of those two almost coming to blows in the Hokage's office over the best booth gave Hiruzen Sarutobi a headache.
"well……"
With a soft sigh, Hiruzen Sarutobi rubbed his temples.
No matter how chaotic the process may be, as long as the result is good, it's all worth it.