Chapter 384: Temple Fair
As summer atmosphere gradually intensified, Konoha Village held lively temple fair festivals every few days.
Naruto contemplated—spending every day with his fiancée, their daily interactions either high-intensity training ground jutsu and taijutsu clashing, fighting, or occasionally handling sudden missions...
For two people in their prime youth, this inevitably seemed too "hardcore" and lacking romance.
Therefore, starting last summer, Naruto decided that whenever Konoha held temple fairs, especially evenings with fireworks displays, he'd proactively invite Satsuki to go together—counting as relaxed, pleasant time for the two alone amid busy training and responsibilities.
After handling matters at hand, another week passed. Naruto selected a calendar date marked "Festival - Fireworks Night," extending an invitation to Satsuki.
---
Festival night, lanterns first illuminated.
The entrance torii was warmly reflected by lantern light, voices bustling, air interweaving with enticing fragrance of takoyaki, candy apples, fried noodles and various snacks.
Both sides' densely packed small stalls vigorously hawking—goldfish scooping, shooting games, mask stalls crowded with excited children and paired young people.
Naruto arrived early at the agreed entrance to wait. He'd changed into deep blue simple yukata, fabric quality good, setting off his upright form. Golden short hair proved especially eye-catching under lamplight.
Though several years had passed since identity disclosure, public enthusiasm gradually trending toward rational, normalized admiration, standing here still drew considerable gazes and quiet discussion.
"Look! It's Hero-niisan!" A child held by parents excitedly pointed at Naruto shouting.
Hearing this, Naruto turned his head, showing the child and family a smile, lightly nodding.
"Naruto-sama! You're also visiting the temple fair? Want to play together with us?" Several young groups appearing like chunin or genin discovered Naruto, enthusiastically surrounding to invite.
"Thank you for your kind intentions, but no need." Naruto politely waved his hand. "I already made plans with someone."
"Eh? Don't be so formal, Naruto-sama! More people makes it livelier! Look at our group..." One particularly lively female ninja still wanted to continue persuading.
"Hey, don't cause trouble for him!" Her companion hurriedly pulled him back, quietly reminding, "You forgot Naruto-sama already has 'that person'? Definitely came together with Satsuki-sama!"
"...Tch, fine then. That... next time there's opportunity let's play together, Naruto-sama! Wish you a fun evening!"
"Mm, you too." Naruto watched them leave.
Such conversations now weren't uncommon, but compared to initial near-fanatic blockades, already much better. Naruto finally could relatively normally live in the village, not needing to constantly guard against suddenly surging crowds.
---
"Naruto, sorry for keeping you waiting."
A familiar voice—cold yet carrying gentleness—came from beside him. Naruto turned, seeing Uchiha Satsuki wearing elegant black yukata, running over with small quick steps.
"No, I also just arrived a moment ago." Naruto naturally responded, gaze falling on Satsuki. "This outfit... suits you very well."
He spoke sincerely. Every previous outing, Satsuki always arrived early waiting. Therefore Naruto always deliberately left early, hoping to arrive before her once. Today finally "seized the initiative"—this was the first time.
Satsuki obviously also carefully prepared for tonight. Her head of black long hair was loosely gathered behind her head by one simply styled yet elegant hairpin. Several stray strands naturally hung beside her cheeks, outlining delicate facial contours.
Several years had shed the last traces of girlish immaturity, blooming increasingly gracefully. Her exquisite features revealed the Uchiha Clan's characteristic cold beauty.
The yukata's fitted tailoring vaguely outlined her already excellently developed figure curves. Overall bearing calm and gentle, carrying several traces of her mother Uchiha Mikoto's youthful charm.
Naruto looking at such Satsuki, pride surged in his heart.
Growing environment indeed could profoundly change a person. Growing under family companionship and care, not experiencing hatred and pain, mentally and physically healthy, clearly goal-oriented Satsuki bloomed radiance completely different from that dark timeline.
Of course, Naruto also clearly understood this "gentleness" revealed only to him and extremely few close people differed from Mikoto's warmth and kindness maintained toward most people. Satsuki's tenderness and patience were "privileges" with clear directionality.
"Then, let's go. I just seemed to see a tomato candy stall over there." Naruto naturally held Satsuki's hand, pointing toward one temple fair direction.
"Mm." Satsuki nodded, raising eyes toward him, tone carrying intimacy and dependence unique to him that could now be very fluently expressed. "You're treating."
Through these years' interactions, Satsuki shed some awkwardness and reserve, able to very naturally reveal this almost coquettish intimate attitude before outsiders.
Though all temple fair snacks' flavors combined probably couldn't compare to any home-cooked dish Naruto personally prepared, occasionally immersing in this atmosphere filled with marketplace vitality, tasting simple yet lively food, was pleasant enjoyment.
The two thus walked side by side through bustling crowds, hands quickly holding various snacks—fragrant grilled squid skewers, steaming fried noodles, candy apples and tomato candy, chocolate bananas...
"Look, here's takoyaki." Naruto stopped before one stall emitting steam, transmitting enticing sizzling sounds. "Satsuki-chan, want to eat?"
Satsuki looked at the unfinished tomato candy in her hand, then at other bags Naruto carried, hesitating slightly. "Already... bought quite a lot. However... we can buy one portion, two people eat together."
Thus, the two also picked up one small box of hot takoyaki, using two small bamboo picks sharing one by one.
Stomachs filled, the temple fair's "second half" turned toward various game stalls. Throwing beanbags knocking down stacked cans, using fragile paper nets scooping lively goldfish from pools... these were temple fair classic projects.
These games if wanting to "cheat" proved ridiculously easy—throwing balloons? Talk to my shuriken throwing technique.
Scooping goldfish? Just attach chakra to paper nets for reinforcement, easily catching slippery fish. Though stalls hung "chakra use prohibited" signs, this was more reminders for ordinary shinobi. For powerhouses like Naruto and Satsuki, truly wanting to cheat, stall owners fundamentally couldn't detect.
But to genuinely enjoy these ordinary games' simple pleasures, the two reached one agreement—from leaving home to play until returning home, absolutely no using any jutsu or chakra techniques.
Like most ordinary visitors, regretting each miss, small cheers for occasional success, immersing in this rare relaxation.
---
Browsing to one toy-selling stall, here gathered a group of extremely excited children, heatedly discussing, competing to purchase newly released "Geki Nintai Collection Cards."
"Oh! It's Naruto-sama!" The sharp-eyed stall owner uncle immediately recognized Naruto, enthusiastically greeting. "Look, the new edition cards just released today! Want to try a pack? My treat!"
"No need, thank you. I already... received them in advance." As spokesperson, latest series sample cards long ago were mailed to Naruto.
"Oh my! Look at my memory!" The stall owner slapped his forehead, suddenly understanding. "You're the spokesperson—definitely already received samples! Sorry sorry. However, if you like anything else on the stall, just take it, my treat!"
Naruto didn't respond, gaze sweeping stall goods, expression becoming somewhat strange. The stall hung full of various masks and dolls. Besides common toad, slug, snake summoning beast designs, surprisingly... also had masks bearing his own chibi smiling face.
Looking at that familiar yet somewhat distorted cartoonized self, Naruto felt subtle yet carrying inexplicable "horror."
"Ah! It's real! Exactly like printed on cards!" Children selecting cards also discovered Naruto, immediately excited, crowding together whispering, pushing each other who'd approach greeting.
Finally, one boy appearing slightly bolder, mustering courage, holding a small card, face flushed walking before Naruto, voice trembling from nervousness.
"Um, um... Naruto-niisan... may I ask... can you, can you... sign this?"
Naruto looked down. The boy handed over precisely the latest series' quite rare card—[Star-Eyed Uzumaki Naruto].
The card surface showed him with right eye presenting [Star Eye] state. Developers hadn't revealed specific ocular technique intel, merely vaguely describing as "Uzumaki Naruto's unique mysterious ocular technique."
"Of course." Naruto very naturally accepted the card and pen the boy offered, smoothly signing his name in the card's blank space. These years, responding to fans' autograph requests, he'd become quite skilled.
"Oh, oh my... thank you! Th-thank you so much! Sorry... I'm too excited..."
The boy received the signed card, hands slightly trembling, face redder, eyes sparkling with worshipful light.
His companions behind wore envious expressions, quietly discussing.
"Damn... that Hiro guy, such good luck..."
"So nice, if I also had that card, I could also ask for autograph..."
"Um... you're the most amazing! You're the best shinobi!"
Naruto returned the pen, gaze gently watching the children before him. "Is that so? I'm very happy you view me this way."
He slowly bent down, letting his sight level with theirs. "Thank you. Precisely because of friends like you who always trust me, I always want to strive doing my best."
Just then, already finished shopping at the nearby toy stall—main acquisitions including one newly released, finely crafted Naruto chibi doll, plus one poster bearing Naruto's handsome profile—Uchiha Satsuki turned to see a completely flushed boy gazing with star-filled eyes toward the smiling bent-down Naruto.
"Alright, Naruto."
Satsuki stepped forward, very naturally extending her hand to hold Naruto's arm. "Time to go. The fireworks display is about to start. I already reserved the best viewing location in advance. We need to head over."
Then, under the children's surprised yet somewhat reluctant gazes, Satsuki pulled Naruto, turning to merge into the crowd.
Naruto didn't resist, only turning back toward the children smiling and waving, saying "goodbye," then letting Satsuki lead him toward the direction away from noisy stalls where they could look up at the night sky.
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