At midnight, brilliant fireworks lit up the night sky one after another, announcing the official arrival of the new year.
Even though it was already midnight, the entire Konoha village remained brightly illuminated.
Crowds of people walked along the streets, enjoying this annual grand celebration.
Inside a two-story residential house, Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki gently covered their granddaughter with a blanket as she slept on the sofa.
Beside them, Boruto took a hearty bite of his burger while watching the New Year's special program and asked, "Grandpa, Grandma, you should carry Sarada to her room to sleep. I can wait for Dad here by myself."
Hearing this, Minato chuckled, "We're not tired either. But Boruto, you're still growing, so staying up late isn't good for you."
Boruto waved it off casually, "Grandpa, I'm not a little kid anymore. Besides, I only stay up this one night each year. It won't hurt anything."
"Besides, that guy—Father—is always out all night. Who knows where he's fooling around."
Upon hearing Boruto's words, a gentle-looking girl beside him softly scolded him, "Boruto, you shouldn't speak ill of your father behind his back."
Kushina laughed and said, "Boruto, your father always goes out with his friends to celebrate New Year's Eve. He's definitely not fooling around."
"You'll understand when you grow older."
Boruto gave a light snort, "I don't ever want to grow up. Life is already happy enough living every day with Grandpa, Grandma, Mom, Dad, and my little sister."
After hearing Boruto's words, Kushina and Minato lovingly patted his head.
This child really was nothing like Naruto at his age—he was just so lovable.
"Oh right," Boruto suddenly asked, "Grandpa, Grandma, since you two are adults, surely you have some close friends too?"
Kushina and Minato exchanged smiles, then replied, "If we were to talk about close friends, your grandma and I do have someone indeed."
"If it weren't for that friend, the harsh ninja world wouldn't have become such a beautiful place today."
"And back then, if it hadn't been for that dear friend, your grandma might have passed away during childbirth..."
Boruto's eyes immediately widened in curiosity as he asked eagerly, "Grandpa, who's this friend you're talking about? Can you tell me the story about what happened back then?"
Minato smiled slightly and whispered, "Alright then. Tonight, Grandpa will tell you the story of that dear friend."
———
Inside a barbecue restaurant, within a private room accommodating over ten people,
Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha sat side by side, both downing the alcohol in their cups.
"Hey, Sasuke," Naruto grinned, "It's unusual for someone like you, who's completely smitten with your daughter, to actually come out for New Year's Eve. Don't you worry she'll be upset?"
"The one at home is Sasuke's Shadow Clone. Sarada still can't tell the difference yet, but you… I'm sure Boruto must've criticized you a lot?"
Naruto Uzumaki laughed. "Dares he!"
Then his expression turned serious. "We're heading to the cosmic depths together in a few days to explore new planets. Spend these days with Sarada."
"Don't need you telling me what to do. Just focus on your own stuff."
Listening to their conversation, Inuzuka Kiba said with envy, "Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke… your lives are so colorful. Not like mine—I stay in the clan compound all day hanging out with dogs. It's so boring."
Naruto Uzumaki laughed. "Come on, Clan Leader, don't talk like that. Instead of envying us, why don't you hurry up and find yourself a wife? You aren't getting any younger either. Do you really want to spend your whole life alone?"
Kiba frowned unhappily. "You sound exactly like my sister again..."
"No meat left! Waitress, bring some more!"
Seeing Kiba order dozens of plates of barbecue again, Neji Hyuga couldn't help teasing him. "Kiba, eating this much—Choji must be pretty upset by now."
"Upset?"
"He owns barbecue chain stores across the entire ninja world and plans to expand to other planets. What's a few more plates to him?"
"Choji, am I right?"
The chubby Choji Akimichi smiled foolishly and nodded. "Exactly. Everyone, eat as much as you want. Tonight's bill is on me."
"Akamaru, you eat more too."
"Woof!"
Watching everyone laughing and joking, Shikamaru couldn't help frowning and asked, "Hey guys… Don't we feel like we've forgotten someone?"
Everyone froze at once, expressions turning thoughtful.
"Shikamaru, are you talking about Rock Lee?"
"We did invite him. He said he's celebrating New Year's Eve with Guy-sensei tonight."
Shikamaru shook his head. "No, I just feel like there's still something missing…"
"Besides us and those who went to other villages already, maybe only the girls from our schoolmates haven't come yet?"
"You, the Hokage's advisor, have you been overusing your brain too much?"
Hearing everyone tease him, Shikamaru shook his head, clearing his thoughts.
Whatever, today is supposed to be a rare rest day. No point thinking about troubling matters anymore.
Shikamaru stood up and raised his sake cup, uncharacteristically spirited for once.
"Here's to a better tomorrow for each of us. Cheers!"
"Cheers!!!"
Wearing a pair of sunglasses and a hood, Shino Aburame sat alone on the rooftop drinking.
"Is the rest of you spending New Year's Eve just as lonely too?"
"The world of adults really is rather dull..."
————
Uchiha District.
Shisui Uchiha and Itachi Uchiha were sitting in the courtyard drinking tea.
"Itachi, are you truly unwilling to take over as clan leader? Even if you don't wish to be clan leader, the position of captain of the police squad would suit you well."
After hearing Shisui's words, Itachi replied calmly, "I am the son of a transgressor. My life exists to atone for my father's sins. How could I ever accept such a vital role?"
"Being able to protect Sasuke each day and fulfill my duties as penance for my father's actions—that is all I have ever wished for."
Sighing softly, Shisui said no more.
He also knew about Itachi's personality, so he decided not to push further.
"Oh, by the way, Brother Shisui, what do you plan to do after stepping down as clan leader?"
"I'll wander around the country—just to clear my head. I haven't left the village in ages."
"Is that right? I never thought your favorite thing was traveling..."
"Who told you my favorite thing was traveling?"
"Eh? When someone finally has time to themselves, wouldn't they usually do what they love most?"
Seeing the confused look on Itachi's face, Shisui burst into laughter.
"Itachi, my favorite thing is actually loitering near Mirai-senpai's house, and then sneaking in for a meal when the aroma of food floats out."
A faint smile crossed Itachi's face—an expression rarely seen from him. "Indeed, Mirai-senpai's cooking truly is amazing. No wonder you miss those meals, Brother Shisui."
Shisui shook his head slightly. "Actually, what I miss most is the time we spent following Mirai-senpai, striving together for the future of the Uchiha Clan."
"You were still young back then. You probably didn't realize how intense the conflict between the village and the Uchiha Clan was."
"If it weren't for Mirai-senpai, our Uchiha Clan might have already been annihilated."
Nodding, Itachi said, "Mirai-senpai truly is outstanding."
Patting Itachi's shoulder, Shisui spoke solemnly, "Therefore, you don't need to live forever under Fugaku's shadow. Don't burden yourself with such heavy responsibilities. Learn to face life with a smile in the future. That is the only hope I have for you, little brother."
"If the sky falls, there's your big brother to hold it up. And if even your big brother can't handle it, there's still Mirai-senpai!"
"Come on, give me a smile."
"Hmm… Mmm… mmm…"
"No good! Be wilder! Show the spirit of the Uchiha Clan! Think about how Mirai-senpai laughs!"
"Ha… Ha ha… Hahahaha! HAHAAHAHAHA!!"
"That's the one!"
With that, Shisui gazed up at the fireworks lighting up the night sky and sighed softly.
Life is getting better and better, but I really miss having a meal at Mirai's place again...
Sigh… Mirai has so many wives at home, he probably won't need me coming over with a pail to help clean up anymore…
Damn it all! I was here first!
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