The festive noise slowly faded in Gojo's ears as he heard his name being called softly.
"Gojo..."
The voice was delicate, gentle like falling petals. Gojo turned his head toward the sound, blinking once. Standing not far from him, framed by the gentle backdrop of the celebration, was Sakura Haruno.
She was dressed in a pale pink sakura-blossom kimono, embroidered with subtle gold thread that shimmered under the lantern lights. Her pink hair, normally left untied, was gathered into an elegant updo, adorned with a simple white flower accessory on the side. Her cheeks were slightly flushed as she stood with her hands clasped together in front of her.
Gojo blinked again, stunned.
Even Karin and Ino, who were standing beside him, fell silent. Ino's confident smirk faltered, and Karin narrowed her eyes instinctively, not out of jealousy—but out of sheer surprise. Sakura had dressed so elegantly, so beautifully, that even the two girls who prided themselves on their own looks felt a tinge of inferiority.
Karin glanced at Ino. "She... looks really cute today," she admitted under her breath.
Ino didn't reply. Her lips were pressed together, eyes still on Sakura. Her mind was racing.
Gojo stared for a few seconds longer.
Little Sakura... is really cute in that kimono...
As he remained rooted, surprised by the sudden shift in the normally loud and assertive Sakura's demeanor, his gaze fell upon two figures following behind her.
Her parents.
They wore simple civilian clothes, fitting for a family of modest means. Her father, Kizashi, with his short hair and bright expression, and her mother, Mebuki, a stern but composed woman, paused when they saw their daughter approaching someone.
Their attention landed on Gojo—and they blinked. A boy, not much older than their daughter, but one who carried himself with a strangely composed aura. He was handsome, unnaturally so for a child, with silver hair and calm, intelligent eyes. Standing beside him were two adorable girls: one with bright blond hair and another with striking crimson locks. Both wore decorative festival outfits that made them stand out even in the busy streets. And just behind them...
Tsunade Senju.
The legendary Sannin.
Kizashi and Mebuki exchanged a hurried glance. Then, almost in perfect synchronization, they stepped forward and bowed slightly.
"Tsunade-sama," Kizashi greeted nervously. "It's an honor."
Mebuki followed. "We didn't expect to meet you here. We hope we're not intruding."
Tsunade gave a casual wave of her hand. "No need to be so stiff. You're Sakura's parents, right?"
Both nodded quickly, standing ramrod straight.
Tsunade glanced at their daughter. Her eyes flickered with a hint of amusement. Sakura, still visibly blushing, hadn't moved an inch since calling out Gojo's name. Tsunade chuckled inwardly.
Another little chick, huh... She really is beautiful, she mused.
Then she called, "Sakura, come here for a moment."
Sakura jolted slightly but obeyed quickly, walking up to Tsunade.
"Let me take a look at something."
Without further explanation, Tsunade placed her hand on Sakura's shoulder and closed her eyes. A faint pulse of chakra passed through her fingers. Her brows lifted slightly.
Exceptional chakra control.
Tsunade opened her eyes and smiled.
This girl... she could inherit my medical techniques without difficulty.
"You're talented," she said. "Very talented."
Sakura's eyes widened. "Huh?"
"You heard me." Tsunade smirked and turned toward Gojo. "Take your friends out for a walk around the festival."
Gojo immediately nodded, though the back of his neck tightened. He understood that smile. He recognized it far too well.
She's going to say something absurd again.
Without hesitation, he grabbed Ino's and Karin's wrists and looked at Sakura.
"Come on, let's go check the goldfish stall."
Sakura blinked, startled, but then followed as Gojo started moving.
Ino and Karin exchanged glances again, still shaken by Sakura's sudden elegant transformation.
The moment they were a safe distance away, Tsunade turned back to Sakura's parents and gestured for them to sit at the nearby table where tea and sweets had been set.
"Come, sit down. Don't be shy."
Kizashi and Mebuki obeyed, carefully taking their seats. Though they were simple civilians who ran a modest business, they could feel the weight of Tsunade's presence. They were careful with every move, every word.
Tsunade watched them for a moment, a small grin on her lips.
"Your daughter has outstanding talent. I tested her chakra just now. She's more than capable of inheriting the medical ninja path."
Kizashi and Mebuki looked at each other in disbelief.
"Our daughter...? Sakura...? Outstanding talent?"
Tsunade continued, "I've decided. After she graduates from the Academy, I'll take her as my student."
That sentence hit them like a jolt.
Their jaws dropped slightly.
Kizashi swallowed hard. "You mean... you're taking our Sakura as your disciple?"
Mebuki looked like her soul had left her body for a moment.
Tsunade nodded. "If you're okay with it."
There was a pause. Then both parents stood up halfway from their seats in sync and bowed deeply.
"Thank you, Tsunade-sama! We don't know what to say!"
"It's an honor for our family!"
Their eyes glistened with emotion. For ordinary civilians, this was beyond a blessing—it was a miracle. A future under the guidance of a legendary Sannin meant a life beyond the ordinary, perhaps even a legacy.
Nearby, Ino's parents, who had been seated and chatting, overheard the commotion and came over.
"Congratulations," said Ino's father. "That's incredible news."
"Sakura's really lucky," added Ino's mother with a warm smile.
Before long, the parents were laughing, talking, and sharing snacks. It felt light-hearted and genuine.
Even Tsunade leaned back in her seat, exhaling a breath and sipping her tea.
Hah... I'm getting better at matchmaking, she mused with a small laugh.
Standing behind her, Shizune blinked.
Wait... what?
Her mouth twitched. Tsunade never declared a disciple before graduation. She always made the decision but kept it private until the right moment.
But this?
In front of the parents?
Shizune's thoughts began to spin.
Don't tell me... she's trying to set up Gojo with another one?
A bizarre image flashed through her mind: Tsunade lining up young girls like a recruiter.
Shizune shivered and shook her head.
Poor Gojo...
Meanwhile, Gojo, trying to escape any further ridiculous developments, strolled through the festival grounds with Ino, Karin, and Sakura. They moved from one shop to another, stopping to look at toys, sample sweets, and enjoy the festive music.
They all smiled, laughing without care.
Gojo tried his hand at the goldfish scoop game. Again. And again. And again.
And lost. Every single time.
Frustrated, he grumbled and tossed aside the wet paper scooper.
"This game is rigged," he muttered.
Karin and Ino tried to cheer him up, teasing him lightly. Sakura walked up beside him.
"Here, you're holding it wrong," she said quietly, showing him the proper angle and how to read the movement of the goldfish.
Gojo tried once more.
This time, he succeeded.
He caught a golden goldfish and lifted it with a grin.
"Finally!"
All three girls clapped.
It was a small moment, but it felt like a big victory.
Gojo smiled, but his expression briefly turned cold.
Someone's watching me.
He scanned the crowd subtly.
Could it be the Third Hokage again? Or Danzo?
That old dog? That one-eyed bastard?
He decided to ignore it. Whoever it was, they weren't a threat at the moment. He returned his attention to the girls.
Unbeknownst to him, someone was indeed spying.
While the crowds bustled, lanterns swayed overhead, and music danced through the air, the festival wore its colors with pride. Laughter echoed from children playing, adults browsing shops, and friends chatting while eating steaming snacks fresh off the grill.
Amid it all, a certain group of boys sat near one of the festival stalls, their table piled high with food.
Shikamaru Nara leaned back lazily on the bench, his gaze turned toward the night sky. Choji Akimichi was stuffing his cheeks with skewered meat and dango, his face glowing with satisfaction. Beside them sat Kiba Inuzuka, a toothy grin plastered across his face as he chomped down on grilled fish on a stick.
Choji groaned in delight. "This is so good. Festivals are the best."
Kiba nodded. "Yeah, but... where is everyone else? Shouldn't they have shown up by now?"
Shikamaru shrugged. "They'll come. They probably got caught up at one of the stalls. Just eat. We'll go watch the fireworks after."
Kiba frowned but relented, gnawing on another bite as his white pup, Akamaru, barked softly from his jacket.
Meanwhile, somewhere deeper in the heart of the crowd, Naruto Uzumaki was running with energy surging through his small frame. His golden-yellow and white kimono flowed around him, making him stand out in the sea of people. It was a new outfit—bright, flashy, and completely different from his usual orange jumpsuit.
Naruto beamed.
He didn't know who sent it. It arrived earlier that morning, neatly wrapped with a tag that read: For a shining new year.
No name. No clue.
But it was beautiful. A bold combination of yellow and white, stitched with soft waves of cloud-like embroidery. He'd never owned anything so nice.
"I'm gonna show that stinky Sasuke! Hah! Even I get gifts now!" he laughed, racing through the crowd.
The music of the festival mixed with the scent of grilled food and sweet syrup. People wore colorful robes and strolled under lanterns that cast golden halos over their heads.
Naruto's eyes scanned every group of children, every familiar face.
"Shikamaru! Choji! Kiba! They said we'd all watch the fireworks together... I gotta find them before it starts!"
He dashed between the legs of confused adults, slipping past vendors and excited festival-goers. His sandals scraped lightly against the cobbled street as he hurried along.
Elsewhere, near one of the quiet paths away from the food stalls, Gojo walked slowly with Sakura, Karin, and Ino.
Their hands held paper bags filled with festival snacks. They had eaten taiyaki, mochi, sweet dumplings, and even tried the ring toss game, which none of them won.
The night had cooled, and the noise had softened into the distant echo of drums and chatter.
Gojo paused for a second.
He narrowed his eyes.
There it is again...
The same presence. Faint. Subtle. Someone was still watching him. The sense had returned even after he ignored it earlier.
He turned his head slightly.
But saw nothing.
The presence vanished.
Am I being followed this whole time? Could it be that old dog Hiruzen again? Or Danzo's rats?
He clenched his fist briefly but relaxed.
"Gojo?" Sakura asked, standing a step behind him. "Is something wrong?"
He shook his head quickly. "Nothing. Just thought I saw someone."
Sakura blinked but didn't ask further.
Unbeknownst to him, the one who had been watching earlier had already vanished from her hiding spot. Shizuka Uchiha.
She was now walking through a quieter path on the edge of the festival grounds.
Her expression was complicated.
She had been hiding, observing everything—how Sakura's parents had met Tsunade, how Sakura stood beside Gojo in that elegant kimono.
She felt a prick of annoyance.
If I had known, I would've brought my parents too...
The opportunity had slipped past her fingers.
The task in her system had been simple: approach Gojo, pretend to meet him by chance, watch the fireworks together, and then hug him tightly.
She had planned it all.
But before she could take a step forward, someone disturbed her trance.
"Hey. What are you doing?"
Sasuke.
Her little brother.
Shizuka clenched her jaw. "You again?"
Sasuke looked at her, puzzled. "You were just standing there, staring into space. What were you thinking about?"
Her cheeks twitched. She could never tell him what she was imagining.
She stared at him.
A silent threat.
Sasuke felt a sudden chill in the summer air.
Something about his sister's eyes... they were dangerous.
He gulped. "Uh... fireworks. Wanna go watch them together?"
Shizuka sighed, pushing her thoughts aside. She couldn't risk getting distracted again.
She nodded. "Fine."
As they walked off, Shizuka kept glancing in the direction she last saw Gojo. She clenched her fists lightly.
I'll get another chance.
Back at the main square, Shikamaru, Choji, and Kiba had finished eating. Choji rubbed his stomach happily. "Full... so full..."
Kiba stood up. "Come on, we gotta find the others. Fireworks start soon."
Shikamaru let out a long sigh but got up. "Troublesome... but yeah, let's go."
As they walked through the crowd, lanterns lit their path, and the fireworks staff began to set up. A sense of anticipation filled the air. Families gathered, friends held hands, and children shouted with glee.
The stalls were still lively, but everyone was slowly making their way to the central square.
Meanwhile, Naruto finally spotted a familiar face—Kiba's.
"OI! Kiba! Shikamaru! Choji! I'm here!"
He ran toward them, waving both hands wildly.
Shikamaru turned his head lazily. "Finally."
Naruto slid to a stop in front of them, his chest heaving.
Kiba looked at him and blinked. "Whoa. New clothes?"
Naruto grinned wide. "Heh! Someone gave it to me. Cool, right?"
Choji nodded. "Looks good on you."
Shikamaru gave a tiny nod of approval. "Yeah. Not bad."
Naruto stood taller, pride bursting from his chest.
"Let's go watch the fireworks together!" he said, excited.
The group turned toward the square. The first spark of light shot into the sky, bursting in a cascade of red and gold.
Crowds gasped and clapped. Children cheered. The sky bloomed again and again with color.
Somewhere in that crowd, Gojo watched silently.
Karin was beside him, looking up with a smile. Ino and Sakura stood to his left, both watching the night sky as it exploded in color.
He let out a breath.
So peaceful. But still... I need to stay careful. Too many eyes are watching.
He turned slightly.
Was it his imagination—or had he just seen a pair of red eyes vanish into the shadows?
Gojo's gaze sharpened.
The celebration continued.
---
End of Chapter
---
Want to read advanced chapter?
Give me your stone to this novel to reach the milestone that will give you bonus chapter per day!!!
10-20 Power Stones = 1 Bonus Chapter / Day
20-30 Power Stones = 2 Bonus Chapters / Day
30-40 Power Stones = 3 Bonus Chapters / Day
Please support me?
See ya!