Naruto: Starting as the Third Hokage with Tears in His Eyes

Chapter 290 Fireworks in the Night Sky

"Mikoto."

"Um?"

"Do you... like it this way?" Fugaku asked.

Mikoto looked in the direction he was looking, and seeing the harmonious and lively scene in the shop, she nodded gently.

"I really like it. It feels like... we're not just Uchiha anymore, but Uchiha who live in the village and can make delicious dumplings."

Her words gently touched Fugaku's heartstrings.

Just then.

call out--!

A sharp whistling sound ripped through the night sky, followed by a giant golden chrysanthemum bursting open directly above Konoha Village!

"Wow! The fireworks have started!"

"So beautiful!"

A gasp rippled through the crowd, and everyone stopped in their tracks, gazing up at the night sky.

Customers and clansmen from the shop also flocked outside.

"Let's go out and see too," Mikoto said with some anticipation.

Fugaku looked at the street, which had suddenly become crowded, then at Mikoto beside him, and shook his head.

"It's too noisy here. Come with me."

He put down his teacup, took Mikoto's hand, and led her through the busy kitchen to the stairs leading upstairs.

The rooftop terrace of the dessert shop is a perfect spot to watch fireworks; there's no noise downstairs, only the refreshing evening breeze.

They had just stood still when the second firework went off.

call out--

A sharp whistling sound ripped through the night sky, then exploded with a deafening roar at the highest point.

A giant golden peony bloomed brilliantly against the night sky of Konoha, its fragmented golden light cascading down like a waterfall, enveloping the entire village in a warm and glorious halo.

On the rooftop of the Uchiha Confectionery Shop, Mikoto clasped her hands together in front of her and tilted her head slightly back.

"How beautiful, Mr. Fugaku."

Her voice was soft, carrying a dreamlike sigh.

The crimson light reflected on her cheeks, making it seem as if two tiny fireworks were blooming in her beautiful eyes.

"I never thought of that..."

The girl spoke softly, as if talking to herself, "Our Uchiha flames can create... such a beautiful and gentle sight."

This sentence, like a pebble thrown into the calm lake of Fujigaku's heart, stirred up ripples.

He recalled a long time ago when his father taught him Fire Release techniques, sternly telling him that the flames of the Uchiha were sharp claws that tore apart enemies, raging fire that burned everything, and a symbol of power and majesty.

He also recalled the battlefield of the naval battle in the Land of Whirlpools.

When the Hokage gave the order, hundreds of Uchiha ninjas simultaneously formed hand seals, unleashing a massive barrage of fire dragons, fireballs, and fireballs that formed an unstoppable wall of destruction that engulfed the enemy fleet.

At that moment, what welled up in his heart was not the pleasure of destruction, but an unprecedented sense of belonging and pride.

Their flames are no longer a solitary dance, but the hottest and sharpest blade on the great sword that protects Konoha.

They are part of Konoha.

Today, this power has transformed into the dazzling fireworks that light up the night sky, bringing peace, joy, and brilliance to the village they protect.

"This is the path that the Third Hokage pointed out for us, the Uchiha."

Fugaku's voice was deep and firm as he gazed at the fireworks that were constantly blooming in the sky, a masterpiece created by his clansmen.

"Let's use our strength to protect, build, and beautify this village. Let's use the recognition and smiles of all the villagers to forge a new glory for the Uchiha clan."

Mikoto turned her head and looked at him quietly.

Under the changing light and shadow, Fugaku's profile appeared exceptionally serious.

He was no longer the boy who merely pursued personal strength; he had begun to exude the composure and responsibility befitting a leader.

"Fugaku..."

He turned around and met Mikoto's eyes.

"The future security forces will no longer be a force that villagers fear."

He spoke each word carefully, as if making a vow.

"It will become the cornerstone of village order, a guarantee that every villager can walk safely in the dead of night. I want everyone to feel at ease, not wary, when they see the round fan on our uniforms."

A giant willow-shaped firework hung down with thousands of rays of light in the sky, illuminating the entire rooftop as bright as day.

Under this dazzling light, Fugaku solemnly reached out and grasped Mikoto's hand.

Her hands were warm and soft.

Mikoto's body trembled slightly, but she did not break free.

"Mikoto."

Fugaku Uchiha could clearly feel his heart racing, but he didn't look away.

"I will lead the security forces to achieve this goal. I will... protect this village, and protect everything that the Hokage has brought us."

His hand tightened slightly.

"So... I will protect you too."

The clamor of fireworks seemed to fade away at that moment, and the whole world was left with only each other's breath and heartbeat.

In Mikoto's heart, it was as if a firework had exploded, leaving her mind blank.

She could feel her cheeks burning, so she could only lower her head and respond softly.

"Um..."

Looking at her shy expression, Fugaku Uchiha felt an unprecedented sense of satisfaction and responsibility fill his chest.

He wants to protect all of this.

The peaceful night sky, the laughter and chatter coming from downstairs, and the girl who captivated his heart.

The glow of the fireworks was reflected in his dark pupils, and suddenly, in that deep black, a scarlet, eerie, and beautiful vortex slowly emerged and began to spin silently.

A faint yet pure chakra fluctuation flashed by, centered on him.

Mikoto seemed to sense something, and looked up in surprise, meeting his eyes, which had become anything but ordinary.

Fugaku, however, seemed oblivious to the changes in his Sharingan. He simply gazed at Mikoto and whispered his promise again in a voice only the two of them could hear.

I will become stronger.

The moment the words left his mouth, Mikoto clearly felt an indescribable, powerful will rising from his body.

Even in the darkness of night, Konoha Village was still illuminated by dazzling fireworks.

One booming sound after another exploded in the deep night sky, like giant blooming flowers, instantly illuminating people's faces.

On the Naruto Avenue, crowds continued to flow, with laughter and exclamations rising and falling.

The four children stood on the somewhat empty roadside, all looking up at each rising ray of light, their eyes following every beam of light, their faces filled with indescribable amazement and joy.

Yahiko waved his fist, his youthful yet energetic face filled with excitement.

"Wuhu—"

"cool!"

He jumped up and down, as if he had inexhaustible energy.

"I want to become that strong in the future."

The boy spoke loudly, his voice filled with anticipation.

"Use your own strength to protect this beauty."

Konan stood beside Yahiko, her expression much calmer than his, but her eyes were brighter than anyone else's, reflecting the vibrant colors of the night sky.

The paper flowers that were originally folded casually in my hand seemed to have been imbued with a bit of life by the fireworks.

She simply nodded slightly; what Yahiko had said was the purest longing deep in his heart.

Not far away, Kushina Uzumaki was also looking up, her red twin tails swaying gently as she looked up at the golden peonies blooming in the night sky, her heart filled with a feeling of excitement.

She felt the unprecedented liveliness and peace, which was completely different from the Whirlpool Country where she used to live.

There is only endless laughter and joy here.

Kushina cheered, then put her hands on her hips, her tone full of confidence.

"These fireworks are absolutely beautiful!"

"Someday, I'll become an even stronger ninja than the Hokage!"

Her voice was loud and clear, carrying the characteristic energy of a red-haired girl.

"I want to make Konoha's fireworks even brighter and more beautiful than they are now!"

She reached out her hand, as if trying to grasp that fleeting brilliance in the night sky.

Nagato stood quietly beside Kushina, his small body almost half-hidden, his black eyes reflecting the dazzling lights of the fireworks.

He didn't have Kushina's outward excitement, nor Yahiko's clear declaration, but he could truly feel the warmth emanating from Kushina, and he could also feel his deep longing for this beauty.

The chakra within his body seemed to be infected by the splendor of the night sky, becoming lighter and more cheerful.

He tightened his grip on the toad doll he was holding, and for the first time, he realized what home truly felt like.

On the other side of the street, in front of a bustling target shooting stall, Akimichi Choza was pulling Nara Shikaku and Yamanaka Inoichi along, ready to show off their skills.

Dingza was much larger than his peers, and he held a wooden shuriken with great ambition.

"Shikaku, Inoichi, watch closely!"

His voice was loud and clear, carrying an innate sense of pride and magnanimity.

"You have to aim like this, with momentum, and hit the bullseye every time!"

Ding Zuo suddenly threw his shuriken, but it only grazed the edge of the target, causing a burst of good-natured laughter.