The end of year 43 of Konoha's calendar.
Today was the last day of the year. It was also the New Year's Eve celebration of the Land of Whirlpools.
Early in the morning, the citizens of the Land of Whirlpools, as usual, brought their whole families, planning to take advantage of the final discount day to stock up on more items at the supermarket.
When people's lives become wealthy, they want to obtain more things. For example, they no longer want to eat tree bark or hardened, sour steamed buns as hard as stone every meal. They no longer want to wear faded, tattered clothes full of large holes that cannot keep out the cold every day. They no longer want to curl up their bodies every night, lying in the cold, slowly waiting for death.
War had brought them too much pain.
So.
On this day, whether civilians or ninjas who came to the Land of Whirlpools would use this discount period to buy a set of new clothes for their families to welcome the new year. They prayed that the Land of Whirlpools would become stronger next year, and their lives would become better.
The New Year period was also the happiest time for the children of the Land of Whirlpools. During this time, they could have new clothes to wear, snacks to eat. Even things their parents usually did not dare to buy casually would be bought as an exception today.
Fruit, candy, milk, honey, potato chips.
Many, many snacks would appear before them today.
Just as their parents said, they were very grateful to the Land of Whirlpools for allowing their entire family to eat their fill, dress warmly, and enjoy a life without war.
So, on this day, no matter how much the children misbehaved, the parents would have happy, smiling faces.
Because they hoped.
That their children could grow up happily every day in every year to come.
After preparing a sumptuous dinner, in the evening they would bring the whole family out for a walk. After all, with no work, staying at home all day with the whole family was not a solution.
And outside.
The flower street, the festival, and the fireworks at the end representing the arrival of the new year.
There was much fun to be had outside tonight. It would be a waste to stay at home.
Everyone's face was filled with happy smiles. Families planned to enjoy the very last day of the year 43. At the same time.
They looked forward to an even better life next year.
.
Kakashi casually held a fried pancake. As he walked on the street, he watched the New Year's Eve in the Land of Whirlpools and muttered, "It's very similar to the festival we encountered when we secretly came to the Land of Whirlpools for investigation last time."
The Land of Fire did have temple fairs and festivals every year, but.
It was impossible for them to be like those in the Land of Whirlpools, where everyone, whether ninja or civilian, could participate.
"Where did Yurin and Shizune go?"
Kakashi casually threw the paper bag from the finished pancake into the trash can. He glanced around, seemingly looking for something tasty or fun to do.
The entire team had a holiday today. Even prisoners like them could come out for a walk. Of course, not everyone had free movement. Only prisoners who were usually serious and responsible in their work, diligent and sincere in their studies had this privilege.
There were about twenty people from each hidden village.
And when going out, the team leader gave each of them some specially made paper from the Land of Whirlpools.
It seemed this paper could be used to buy things within the Land of Whirlpools today.
Originally, Kakashi planned to find Yurin and the others to come out and stroll together. But it seemed they had already gone out.
He heard they were taken away by a bold, imposing woman with blonde hair and a strange diamond shape on her forehead.
So.
Kakashi thought it better not to disturb them. Probably, with Lady Tsunade watching, nothing should happen.
"Cough, a bit thirsty." Kakashi cleared his throat, took out the special paper slips from his person, counted them, and muttered, "Should be enough to buy a bottle of water."
But if he bought water, only a little money would be left. He wondered what he could eat later?
He lifted his head and looked at all this prosperous and peaceful scenery.
His heart was filled with emotion.
When would Konoha.
Become like this?
.
"It is truly prosperous." Orochimaru licked his lips as he looked at the Land of Whirlpools before him and said, "That Daimyo of the Land of Whirlpools is really impressive."
To be able to develop a Land of Whirlpools that was originally on the verge of destruction into a small island nation that the Five Great Ninja Villages now dare not underestimate.
This was not something an ordinary person could achieve.
"Yes." Hiruko smiled, looked at the scene before him, and said with emotion, "Everyone here believes he is the greatest."
"Greater than the God of Shinobi who ended the chaos of the Warring States period."
"Greater than everyone else."
"And I."
Hiruko's lips curled up slightly.
"Think so too."
Back then, I.
Just to gain recognition from others, to tell everyone that I was not inferior to the Sannin, I did those foolish things.
Thinking about it now, it really seems a bit childish.
"Perhaps." Orochimaru narrowed his eyes and said, "Where should we go now?"
Since arriving in the Land of Whirlpools, he had been staying at Hiruko's place. Although his movements were somewhat restricted.
He could still come out for walks under Hiruko's guidance.
Over the past few months, at his request, Hiruko had taken him around various places in the Land of Whirlpools. He even guest lectured once at the academy.
That feeling was different from when he became Nawaki's teacher.
Dozens of pairs of eyes below, filled with a thirst for the unknown, stared intently at him. Especially when the children gasped in amazement at the experiments he performed.
Orochimaru discovered.
That feeling.
Was quite pleasant.
Those pairs of eyes, untainted by any impurity, filled with anticipation and exploration, were perhaps the most beautiful eyes in this shinobi world.
Just like when he was young, his father and mother would hold his hand, point at things he didn't understand but was curious about, and kindly, patiently explain to him, "This is."
But he didn't know when it started, that he stopped liking to recall memories. Yet, here in the Land of Whirlpools.
He.
Had changed again.
Perhaps this was what the old man always called legacy.
Passing hope, knowledge, and the exploration of the world to the next generation.
Allowing the next generation to go further.
But.
Konoha's approach had been wrong for a long time.
It changed when the old man and the others forced children to graduate early and go to the front lines.
It became cold and.
Cruel.
"I'm a bit hungry." Orochimaru gazed calmly at everything before him, the corners of his mouth turning up in a characteristic smile. He said, "I heard there are some special programs tonight. I wonder what they will be."
How curious.
"This." Hiruko stroked his chin, spotted the newly opened hot pot restaurant next to them, and said, "How about we go for hot pot."
"This year's winter is colder than the previous few years. It's the perfect time for hot pot."
He exhaled a breath deeply.
"If only Tsunade and Jiraiya were here too. It's been so many years since all four of us have had a meal together."
He had looked for Tsunade in the morning, but couldn't find her. She had already gone out. As for Jiraiya.
Who knows when he will return.
"Let's go." Orochimaru nodded, smiled, and said, "We can gather next time too."
Then he followed Hiruko towards the hot pot restaurant next to them. But when he saw the sign above.
Orochimaru paused for a moment, then smiled wryly and muttered, "Authentic Four Tails. Hot pot restaurant."
.
Minato didn't know what he should do now. Over the past few months, he had been staying in his room reading books. He felt that he himself had become somewhat different.
Or rather.
He.
Was somewhat lost.
During this time.
He had actually learned to question Konoha, to question the Hokage.
Especially when looking at the smiling faces all around him, this doubt in his heart grew even stronger.
Now.
He perhaps understood why the Daimyo of the Land of Whirlpools had allowed him free movement today. But.
Minato quietly watched everything before him.
These.
Happy smiles would not deceive him.
He clenched his fists tightly.
A desire suddenly arose in his heart, a very strong desire.
He.
Wanted to change Konoha, change the Land of Fire, change the entire shinobi world, to make them like the Land of Whirlpools is now.
Just like when Uzumaki Jun smiled at him, extended his hand, and said, "I hope you can join me in changing the entire shinobi world."
But back then.
He.
Hesitated.
A bitter smile appeared on Minato's face. He shook his head, gazing at everything before him.
"Jiraiya-sensei, is the peace you hoped for like this?"
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