After returning to Konoha, Yuzuru and his group immediately sent people to the Land of Snow to take over the related matters.
Koyuki stayed behind, and before long, she and Hanare became close friends.
Half a month later, encouraged by Hanare, Koyuki quietly entered Yuzuru's room in the middle of the night.
As for Sasuke, Naruto, and Gaara, their experience on this mission had turned them into overnight celebrities at the Ninja Academy.
Every day, people came to them, asking them to recount their mission.
Aside from Gaara, Naruto and Sasuke naturally enjoyed the attention.
Time passed like this, day by day.
Amid celebrations and the crackling of firecrackers, the sixty-fourth year of Konoha finally reached its last day.
On New Year's Eve, Mikoto and Kushina, along with the others, busied themselves cleaning the courtyard until it looked brand new, hanging red lanterns and silk ribbons everywhere.
Once everything was done, Tsunade gathered a group of sisters to play mahjong, quietly waiting for the night to arrive.
Seeing Tsunade, Kushina, Mikoto, Pakura, Konan, Hanare, Kurenai, Nono, Shizune, Rin, and the others dressed in new clothes with exquisite makeup, Yuzuru only glanced once before quickly leaving.
No good… they all smelled too nice.
If he stayed any longer, he might not be able to control himself.
Good things are worth the wait. Everything could wait until tonight.
Yuzuru stepped out of the courtyard and onto the streets of Konoha.
Just like his home, the entire village was decorated with red lanterns and red silk ribbons, creating a festive atmosphere.
Even the people walking along the streets mostly wore red.
Originally, according to the customs of the ninja world, important festivals like this would use white lanterns and decorations.
But Yuzuru didn't like that.
Without him even saying anything, others noticed that his courtyard had always been decorated in red, and they followed suit.
Over time, the customs of the ninja world completely changed.
Red for celebrations, white for mourning.
"Now this feels right."
Yuzuru nodded in satisfaction, feeling much better.
If the streets were still covered in white during the New Year, he would feel incredibly unlucky.
After walking a few steps, Yuzuru suddenly spotted a familiar face.
"Deidara, what are you doing here?"
Deidara chuckled. "Lord Yuzuru, please don't ever release my Reanimation Jutsu, yeah."
"The people of Konoha are all talented, and they speak so nicely. I love it here."
"Look—these are all the firecrackers I've just developed. They're almost sold out."
Yuzuru looked at him in surprise. "I told you to research missiles. Why are you making these things?"
Deidara shrank his neck slightly. "I didn't neglect my main work. These fireworks are something I came up with during my spare time."
"So many people have recognized my art. You should be happy for me, Lord Yuzuru."
"Let me tell you a secret—I've prepared a grand fireworks show for tonight. Just wait and see."
As they spoke, a few customers approached to buy fireworks, and Deidara immediately greeted them with a smile.
Yuzuru sighed with a helpless smile and reminded him, "Don't cause any accidents."
"Got it."
Seeing that Deidara didn't even look up, Yuzuru turned and left.
This guy had really found his art.
"Kakashi, let's have barbecue tonight!"
"Guy, can you go take a shower first? It's New Year's Eve—do you have to be drenched in sweat?"
"Obito, what do you know? This is the romance unique to men. Youth can't slack off for even a moment!"
"Then can you stop doing handstands? I don't want to turn my head and see your little acorn."
"Huh? Shut up!"
"And you too, Kakashi—stop reading that little yellow book!"
"Obito, keep your voice down. This is a guide to life direction, don't talk nonsense!"
"..."
Watching the three of them walk past, Yuzuru didn't greet them.
It was New Year's Eve—let them enjoy their time together.
"Yuzuru-kun, what a coincidence."
A hoarse voice sounded beside him. Yuzuru stopped, slightly surprised.
"Orochimaru, what gave you the interest to come out and stroll the streets?"
"At the end of the year and the beginning of a new one, it's only natural to relax a little. Staying in the lab all day isn't good for keeping my mind sharp."
Orochimaru was dressed casually, his aura as feminine as ever.
Beside him stood Kabuto, wearing a respectful expression.
"Lord Yuzuru, is Nono at home? I'd like to pay her a visit."
"She's at home. Go ahead."
"That's great. Lord Orochimaru gave me a year-end bonus. I can ask Director Nono to buy some things for the children at the orphanage."
While they were talking, Yuzuru casually glanced aside.
In the shadows next to Ichiraku Ramen, Nagato was sitting on the steps, smoking.
Only then did he recall that in the original story, there was a scene where Pain smoked in Konoha.
So…
Nagato really did smoke.
Sensing Yuzuru's gaze, Nagato turned around.
Upon seeing him, he immediately stood up. "Lord Yuzuru, want one?"
Yuzuru shook his head. "I don't smoke."
Nagato immediately threw the cigarette to the ground and crushed it.
Seeing this, Yuzuru burst into laughter. "Nagato, smoking is harmful to your health—but today is an exception."
"It's New Year's Eve. Being happy is what matters most."
After chatting for a while, Yuzuru left on his own.
With his status, others would inevitably feel restrained around him.
In his previous life, he hated small talk with superiors the most.
Naturally, he wouldn't become someone he disliked.
He climbed to the Hokage Rock and looked down at the village alone for a while, feeling a sense of emotion rise in his heart.
After spending decades in the ninja world and personally shaping it into what he wanted, the sense of accomplishment filled him with joy.
Looking back on these years, he had worked diligently and cautiously, finally achieving some results.
But the Ōtsutsuki clan still hung over him like a sword, forcing him to keep moving forward without pause.
"Forget it. I won't think about those troubling things today."
Yuzuru shrugged, suddenly wondering what day it was on Blue Star.
If it was also the Spring Festival, it must be just as lively as here.
Thinking this, he muttered softly, "No matter who you are… Happy New Year to everyone…"