Torifu sent out five clones to place five Firework Cannons in the center of Konoha's main street. But after thinking about it, he felt five wouldn't be enough to create a good display. He then opened the system store and spent twenty thousand Peace Points to purchase twenty more cannons. He had more clones set up these cannons on the smaller streets near the center street, placing them compactly and ensuring the intervals weren't too far apart. This way, when the fireworks exploded high in the air, the display wouldn't look sparse or monotonous.
Naori stood on the cliff, watching Torifu's busy silhouette within the village.
"That guy, I wonder what he's doing."
Using her Sharingan, Naori could clearly see Torifu's clones tinkering with several cylindrical objects. She realized these were likely the same thermos-like objects she had seen at home that afternoon. But what exactly could these things do? Naori was thoroughly confused.
She wasn't the only one; passing villagers also gathered around Torifu, observing what the Hokage-sama was up to. However, perhaps afraid of disturbing Torifu, no one stepped forward to ask. They simply chatted amongst themselves.
"Hey, what do you think the Hokage-sama is doing?"
"I don't know. It looks like a thermos. Is it for holding water?"
The villagers discussed it noisily, but Torifu paid them no mind.
Several clones worked together to secure the Firework Cannons, then injected Chakra into the barrels. There were no actual firework shells in the tubes; the fireworks were entirely released by the injected Chakra. This was somewhat magical, like sorcery. Yet, compared to the items in the system store, the Firework Cannons weren't even that novel. Torifu naturally didn't fuss over the details.
Once everything was prepared, Torifu dispersed the surrounding crowd.
"Everyone, if you want to know what this is, you only have to wait a little while longer."
"However, you should stand back a bit. You'll be able to see it more clearly, and you won't get hurt."
The biggest advantage of the Konoha villagers was their obedience. Although they didn't understand, if the Hokage-sama said so, they would definitely comply. In an instant, the villagers surrounding the cannons began to move back.
As soon as Torifu started setting up the cannons, many people had already gone home to gather their friends. As a result, Konoha was surprisingly lively tonight, despite it being late.
Minato and Kushina also arrived on the main street. The food stall vendors hadn't closed up yet, and they were thrilled that the Hokage had brought them another wave of business, enthusiastically calling out to customers.
The Kage staying in the apartments also noticed the commotion outside and came out to see what was happening. But by this time, Torifu had already left. They only saw a crowd of villagers gathered in a large circle on the street, seemingly waiting for something.
The Tsuchikage randomly asked a villager, but he was told they didn't know what was happening and were just there to join the excitement. This left the Tsuchikage bewildered. The other Kage were equally confused.
"Mifune, do you happen to know what's going on here?"
This was Ichiryu's first time in Konoha Village, and he was completely unaware of the situation. He thought Mifune might know something, but Mifune himself was also clueless.
"Master, this is only my second visit. Perhaps we've stumbled upon some Konoha Village festival? Seeing how happy the villagers look, it must be an important one."
"Haha, Mifune-sama has guessed incorrectly."
Ōnoki and the other Kage gathered around. Mifune and Ichiryu greeted them.
"Does Tsuchikage-sama perhaps know what they are doing?"
Ōnoki shook his head. "I don't know. Even the Konoha Village villagers are clueless. Things suddenly got lively. The Hokage-sama merely set up some contraptions and said they would be operational soon. Why don't we wait and see together?"
An invitation from the Tsuchikage himself naturally demanded respect, and the master and disciple were planning to wait there anyway. And so, the Kage, Ichiryu, and Mifune waited, chatting amongst themselves, for the fireworks to be launched.
On the cliff, Naori saw that Torifu's busy silhouette had stopped and assumed he was about to join her. The next second, Torifu instantly appeared right beside her, giving her quite a start.
"You, why do you appear so suddenly? You gave me a fright." Naori said, feigning a complaint.
Torifu heard this and stroked Naori's hair. "I'm all set. When do you want to watch the show?"
Naori was momentarily stunned. Torifu was letting her choose?
"Now, then. I want to see what this thing is that you made such a mystery of."
Torifu and Naori stood atop the Hokage Rock. With one arm wrapped around Naori's waist, Torifu snapped the fingers of his free hand.
Boom! The twenty Firework Cannons in Konoha Village fired simultaneously.
The sudden sound startled all the villagers. They hadn't expected this thing to make such a loud noise! Naori was clearly startled too; she flinched when the cannon fired.
"Look, at the flowers blooming in the sky."
As the words fell, Naori looked in the direction of Torifu's finger and saw bright points of light exploding high above Konoha! They transformed into colorful showers of light, dazzling like a sky full of brilliant stars. One firework after another blossomed high above Konoha, each with a different shape. In fact, even Torifu couldn't predict the shapes of the fireworks; everything was random.
"Look! It's so beautiful!"
The brilliance of the fireworks made all the Konoha villagers look up, completely unable to take their eyes away. This was the first time they had ever witnessed anything so magnificent and vibrant. They had never existed before.
"It's not a weapon, after all—it's a flower!"
The center street of Konoha became an ocean of fireworks. They bloomed in the pitch-black night sky, robbing the distant stars of their color.
Naori was completely mesmerized. She had no idea where Torifu had gotten such things. They were simply too beautiful.
"Do... do they have a name?"
"Fireworks."
Naori's eyes were completely filled with the splendor of the fireworks, but Torifu's eyes held only Naori.
"Thank you, Torifu. This is the most beautiful flower I've ever seen, even though it only blooms for a moment."
Torifu smiled faintly. "Perhaps the beauty of a fleeting moment is even more precious."
Every firework that bloomed and faded was a unique beauty that no other firework could ever imitate. Naori was overjoyed. Any slight disappointment she had felt that morning because Torifu wasn't home had completely vanished.