Snow City had undergone earth-shaking changes.
Within the Umbrella base, streets that were once buried beneath snow and ice now basked in warm sunlight. Trees lined the roads, green grass stretched across open spaces, and the air carried the scent of life rather than cold.
Vendors crowded the streets, their stalls lively and colorful. Pedestrians moved about with relaxed expressions, well-fed and energetic. From time to time, vehicles passed by, a clear sign that technology was steadily reshaping the nation.
From one particular barbecue restaurant, bursts of laughter echoed out into the street.
"Naruto, time really flies," Inuzuka Kiba said with a sigh of emotion. "Who would've thought you'd end up ruling half the ninja world?"
Ino, Shikamaru, and the others nodded in agreement.
The Konoha Twelve had reunited.
They sat gathered around a large barbecue grill, sizzling meat filling the air with an irresistible aroma. Chōji was already devouring food at an alarming pace, completely focused on eating, oblivious to the conversation around him.
Naruto looked at the scene with quiet emotion.
Shikamaru, Kiba, and the others had changed. Not just in appearance, but in presence. Most of them were heirs to powerful clans, and under Naruto's influence and the pressure of the times, their strength had steadily climbed to the level of elite jōnin.
Even Tenten had begun focusing on mechanical development. What she truly possessed beneath the surface was something no one could fully grasp yet.
Sakura and Ino had both become Lady Tsunade's disciples. Their strength—especially Sakura's—was no longer comparable to the past.
Hinata sat beside Naruto, her hands folded neatly as she stole shy glances at him.
Neji sat next to Tenten. Recently, the two had grown noticeably closer. Lee, Yakumo, and the others were also present, the atmosphere warm and relaxed.
"Naruto," Ino suddenly asked, "haven't Sasuke and the others arrived yet?"
"Hm?" Naruto paused, setting down his fork. "Sakura's still performing surgery on Sasuke. She said it's almost finished, so they should be here soon."
Uchiha Itachi's condition had improved, but research into his body had yielded little progress. Orochimaru had returned to Sky City to continue his experiments—this time focusing on gravity-related studies.
Itachi's Mangekyō Sharingan had already been transplanted into Sasuke.
Unable to tolerate the widening gap between himself and Naruto, Sasuke had insisted on the transplant as soon as possible. In exchange, Itachi received a pair of ordinary two-tomoe Sharingan.
Three-tomoe Sharingan were rare. Naruto's remaining stock—taken from Danzō—was already limited.
And considering Itachi's status as a former criminal, there was no reason to waste superior eyes on him. As long as his body remained stable, it was enough.
The two-tomoe Sharingan transplant also served another purpose—to see whether Itachi could once again evolve his eyes through his own efforts.
"Sakura's been working really hard lately," Ino said softly. "It's a pity Lady Tsunade's strength-focused techniques don't suit me."
Though she and Sakura were both Tsunade's disciples, Ino specialized only in medical ninjutsu. Tsunade's monstrous physical power was something only Sakura could inherit.
"Ino," Naruto said calmly, "your clan's secret techniques are no weaker than anyone else's. You just need to explore them properly."
His words made Ino's heart tremble. She looked at his face, momentarily dazed.
"I'll try," she said with a gentle smile. "But don't refuse if I ask for your help."
No one noticed anything unusual—except Shikamaru, who sat opposite her. His eyes narrowed slightly in thought.
"Naruto's right," Kiba laughed loudly. "We can't get complacent. I've already got some ideas for improving our clan techniques!"
Smiles spread around the table.
Under the growing pressure of the ninja world, everyone had been forced to move forward.
"Everyone!" Neji suddenly stood up and stepped onto the small central platform. "I have an announcement."
Naruto had reserved the entire restaurant for the gathering. The owner had offered it for free, but Naruto insisted on paying for the full day.
All eyes turned toward Neji—then to Tenten, whose hand he was holding.
Understanding dawned immediately.
Neji was no longer the bird bound by the Caged Bird Seal.
He stood tall and confident, filled with youthful vigor—and as the head of the Hyūga Clan under Umbrella, he carried himself with natural authority.
"I plan to propose to Tenten in six months," Neji announced. "I hope all of you will bear witness."
Tenten's face flushed instantly, her eyes filled with embarrassment and happiness.
They were all sixteen now. In the ninja world, that was already considered adulthood.
Marriage was hardly an issue.
Neji and Tenten were seventeen—there was even less reason to hesitate.
"Oh? Such a joyous event, and you didn't wait for me?"
A familiar voice sounded from the entrance.
Everyone turned to see Sasuke and Sakura standing there. Sasuke's eyes were sharper and more expressive than before, while Sakura wore a bright, relieved smile.
"Hahaha! Sit down, Sasuke," Naruto said, standing up eagerly. "How did it go?"
He pulled Sasuke to his side. Hinata sat quietly on Naruto's other side.
Naruto raised his glass.
"It hasn't been easy for us to reach this point," he said seriously. "Especially for Neji. Since he and Tenten have made this decision, let's all give them our blessings."
Hinata glanced at Naruto, her face heating up as she wondered—quietly—what their own future wedding might be like.
Hinata's heart was filled with anticipation.
Neji smiled at Naruto's words. It was Naruto who had given him hope—who had helped him break free from the Caged Bird Seal and completely change his fate. From the bottom of his heart, Neji felt nothing but gratitude toward him.
Sasuke, watching the scene unfold, couldn't help but feel a stir of emotion as well. His lifelong revenge had finally been fulfilled. He understood the meaning behind Naruto's words and quietly raised his thumb toward him.
Naruto noticed and understood immediately.
This meant Sasuke had successfully awakened the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan.
However, this was neither the time nor the place to discuss such matters.
"On such a joyous occasion, how can we not have some alcohol?" Lee suddenly shouted enthusiastically.
No one knew where he pulled it from, but in the next moment, he was already holding a box of drinks. He popped open a bottle and chugged it down without hesitation.
Naruto and Sasuke froze.
Then their expressions shifted to shock.
When was the last time Lee had drunk alcohol?
It seemed to be the time he had single-handedly destroyed an entire training ground.
Before either of them could stop him, it was already too late. Lee's body began to sway unsteadily.
"Lee's alcohol tolerance is really terrible, huh?" Inuzuka Kiba laughed loudly, casually throwing an arm around Lee's shoulder. "He's already drunk!"
Naruto and Sasuke exchanged a look. A strange smile appeared on both their faces.
Naruto instinctively slapped his forehead.
"Konoha Whirlwind!!!"
Boom!
Inuzuka Kiba was sent flying with a single kick, crashing straight through the restaurant. Tables and utensils were scattered everywhere in an instant.
"Hic… Neji, why are there… two of you?" Lee swayed back and forth, his vision blurring. In his eyes, Might Guy's figure overlapped with Neji's. "Guy-sensei! Let's have a youthful competition!"
"Konoha Great Whirlwind!!!"
Boom!
This time, Chōji completely snapped.
His barbecue—his precious barbecue—had been kicked away.
Enraged, Chōji immediately joined forces with Kiba and attacked Lee.
"Ka—Kakashi-sensei, do you also want to compete in youth?" Lee staggered again, took another gulp of alcohol, and suddenly shifted into an erratic Drunken Fist stance.
"Hahahahaha!!!"
The gathering ultimately ended amidst chaos and roaring laughter.
Later, Naruto compensated the restaurant owner at ten times the cost of the damage. The owner was so delighted that he nearly bowed in gratitude.
...
(End of Chapter)
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