novelraw Chapter 396 Fireworks Festival
Chapter 396 Fireworks Festival
Upon seeing the Hokage arrive in person, Teda quickly wiped his hands and prepared to step forward to pay his respects.
"Lord Hokage!...I'll make it for you and your wife right away!"
"Typed by hand, no need to be so polite."
Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled and waved his hand. "Today I'm not the Hokage, just an ordinary villager. Let's just line up."
As he spoke, he actually took Asma's hand and stood at the end of the line.
This gesture brought genuine smiles to the faces of the surrounding villagers.
When it was Hiruzen's turn, Teji insisted on refusing to accept payment.
"Lord Hokage, this bowl of noodles represents our entire village's gratitude to you. How can we possibly accept your money!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi took out some money from his wallet and gently placed it on the table.
"Let's keep things separate. This is out of respect for your craftsmanship. Your skill is worth the price."
His gentle yet firm words left Teji speechless, and he could only solemnly bow his head and present the Hokage with three bowls of carefully prepared ramen.
Hiruzen Sarutobi and his family sat down in the empty seats next to him, while Asuma couldn't wait to start fighting with the char siu in his bowl.
Hiruzen picked up his chopsticks and took a sip of soup.
That warm and complex flavor instantly enveloped his taste buds and warmed his heart.
He could clearly taste everything contained within it.
A small bowl of ramen embodies the hard work and wisdom of almost all the core families of Konoha.
This is the true Will of Fire.
It is not an empty slogan, not cold words carved in stone, nor a heavy shackle that requires sacrifice to prove.
It exists in this steaming bowl of ramen, in the satisfied smiles of every villager, and in the harmony where everyone works together, trusts each other, and achieves together for a common goal.
Looking at his wife bickering with their son over a soft-boiled egg, at the young people sharing food in the distance, and at the entire village immersed in the peace and prosperity he had personally protected, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt a surge of immense satisfaction.
The crowd in front of Ichiraku Ramen gradually dispersed, but the aroma of tonkotsu broth still lingered in the air.
At that moment, the night sky was suddenly illuminated, drawing everyone's attention upwards.
The first firework exploded in the night sky, revealing the enormous Senju clan emblem composed of countless intricate fire-style techniques.
The fiery red pattern shone brightly against the deep blue night sky. Then, a firework rose up beside it, the Uchiha clan crest of a fan, which unfurled in the air, equally dazzling.
The two family crests slowly approached each other under everyone's gaze, as if a historical image was being replayed.
Instead of repelling each other, they intertwined subtly, eventually transforming into the emblem of Konoha. The golden leaves and spiral patterns froze in the night sky, radiating a soft glow.
In the village, many old ninjas who had lived through the old era had trembling hands and red eyes.
Some ninjas who had participated in World War I and World War II stared blankly at the sky, as if they could see the blood and fire of the past through the light and shadow, and the figures of Hashirama and Madara standing side by side.
Their throats choked with emotion, unable to utter a single word. They simply gazed silently at the symbol of merging, feeling an indescribable sense of relief and profound emotion.
"Konoha!"
Someone shouted, and immediately, a deafening roar of cheers erupted throughout the entire village.
"This is a gift from the Uchiha clan! It marks the beginning of our village!"
Fugaku Uchiha held Mikoto Uchiha's hand, his voice filled with barely suppressed pride.
Mikoto didn't say anything, but simply held his hand tightly, her cheeks slightly flushed.
She turned her head and saw Fugaku's profile, illuminated by the fireworks, looking both resolute and gentle.
The second act of fireworks followed immediately.
With the burst of several powerful dragon fire spells, the flames swirled in the air like giant dragons.
They did not wreak havoc, but rather precisely outlined the contours of the Hokage Rocks from the first to the third Hokage.
The heroism of Hashirama, the sharpness of Tobirama, and the composure of Hiruzen are all vividly portrayed through the light and shadow of flames.
"It's the Hokage!" Asuma shouted excitedly, pointing at the night sky.
"Naruto!"
Kakashi's gaze followed the silhouette of his father outlined by the flames. For the first time, he felt that his father was so close to those legendary Hokage.
A power was surging within his small body at this moment—a determination to protect something.
"The First Hokage! The Second Hokage! And our teacher!"
Jiraiya gazed at the scene in the sky, waving his arms excitedly. He looked at Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato beside him and found that the three children were also watching intently. Yahiko's eyes sparkled with longing, and a slight expression of being touched appeared on Nagato's face.
The magnificent sight brought the cheers of all the villagers to a thunderous climax.
They are proud of the village's history and proud of the Hokage who protect them.
The fireworks display continued.
Scenes created by fireworks continued to unfold in the night sky.
The Wood Release forest created by Hashirama Senju, the First Hokage, instantly rose into the sky, its green light and shadow lifelike, as if carrying the breath of life.
Next up was the Flying Thunder God Technique of the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju. Streaks of blue flashes of fire streaked across the sky at a dazzling speed, as if they could travel through time and space.
Then, the heroic figures of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and his summoning beast, Enma, fighting side by side appeared in the night sky. The giant Enma wielded the golden cudgel and fought alongside the young Hiruzen Sarutobi, creating a shocking and powerful scene.
This is the Uchiha clan paying tribute to the village's history with their proudest achievement.
They elevated the power of their family from mere fighting and protection into an artistic expression, a profound love for their village.
"This is amazing! Is this Konoha's fireworks festival?!" Yahiko excitedly grabbed Jiraiya's sleeve.
"This is Konoha!"
Konan's voice also carried a hint of excitement. She gently patted Nagato's arm, and Nagato snapped out of his daze and nodded heavily.
As Tsunade looked at the familiar yet blurry figures in the sky, she recalled Grandpa Hashirama's hearty laughter, Uncle Tobirama's stern face, and Teacher Sarutobi's gentle teachings.
A warm feeling welled up in her heart, and her admiration for Hiruzen Sarutobi deepened.
In the Hokage Building, at the window of his office on the top floor, Hiruzen Sarutobi held his son Asuma's hand, with Biwako standing beside him.
Admiring the historical panorama created by fireworks outside the window, I turned back to look at my son's flushed face, which was red with excitement.
"Look, Asma, this is the story of the village."
He spoke softly, his voice filled with complex emotions that only he himself could understand.
Asma just smiled, pointed to the sky, and mumbled some childlike shouts.