Konoha’s Five-Element Ninja

Chapter 68: New Year's Celebration

After discussing official matters, the conversation shifted to planning the New Year's celebrations. The year Konoha 42 had become history, and Konoha 43 had stumbled into existence. No one knew what waves or tribulations the new year would bring, but at its beginning, everyone genuinely felt joy and prayed for happiness and good fortune.

"Hayama, what are you thinking about?" Uchiha Seiji waved his hand in front of the absent-minded Hayama.

Hayama smiled apologetically. "Sorry, I got distracted. What were we talking about?"

Uchiha Fugaku, half-reclining on the tatami, was in a rare state of relaxation. He chuckled, "How about we have a drink and a soak tonight?"

"I'm fine with that, but are you sure this is okay, Fugaku? Your wife just got pregnant. You should spend more time with her."

Unlike Hayama and Seiji, who were both bachelors with no family obligations, Fugaku's wife had recently become pregnant and needed care. Going out drinking and bathing seemed inappropriate.

Fugaku's eyes widened as he sat up straight. "It's fine. As the head of the family, socializing is inevitable. It's settled!"

After a pause, as if remembering something, he added, "By the way, Hayama, when you come tonight, wear your mission gear and bring your ninja tools."

Hayama couldn't hold back his laughter. "The head of the family?"

"Ahem, I make the big decisions; she handles the small ones," Fugaku said seriously.

"So… there are no big decisions at home?"

Hayama exchanged a glance with Seiji, and the two of them immediately launched into an impromptu comedy routine, poking fun at Fugaku's apparent fear of his wife.

Of course, Hayama understood that Fugaku wasn't actually afraid—he respected his wife. After all, she was pregnant, and he was about to go out drinking. Even if it was just for show, a little effort could at least provide some comfort.

Once they finalized their plans, Hayama took his leave and went to the Uchiha hospital to visit his mother. He didn't leave until dusk, returning home to change into his mission gear before heading to Fugaku's residence.

After getting married, Fugaku had moved out of his father's estate to a slightly smaller but more refined house nearby. While the scale was smaller, the courtyard was meticulously arranged, appearing even more elegant than before.

In the courtyard, the mistress of the house—Uchiha Mikoto—was feeding fish when she noticed the fully armed Hayama with his stern expression. Her heart skipped a beat.

"A mission?" she asked hesitantly.

Hayama nodded coldly and replied, "A sudden assignment. Is Lord Fugaku home?"

Mikoto's face showed a trace of disappointment but quickly brightened as she responded, "Wait a moment, I'll call him."

Before long, Hayama, who had been watching the fish swim gracefully, heard Fugaku's discontented voice.

"What mission? I'm not going. I want to stay at home with you..."

"Alright, alright, since it's a mission, I have no choice. I'll make it up to you tomorrow."

"But today is New Year's Day. That's different." Fugaku pretended to be reluctant.

"I'm a shinobi too. Missions come first. Go on."

"Sigh... fine. Make sure you eat well tonight. Don't go hungry."

What followed was an overly affectionate exchange, making Hayama's teeth ache. He had to resist the urge to expose Fugaku's little act on the spot.

When the three of them stepped onto the lively streets in full mission gear, they looked completely out of place. The villagers were dressed in their most elegant and festive attire for the New Year celebrations, yet the three of them were clad in green flak jackets...

"Brother, I'm not doing this again next time," Uchiha Seiji complained helplessly.

Fugaku chuckled. "You're still young. Once you get married, you'll understand just how precious a single free night is for a married man."

Hayama, having lived for over forty years across both his past and present lives, unfortunately disgraced the reputation of transmigrators—he had remained single his entire life, never even holding a girl's hand seriously. Naturally, he couldn't comprehend Fugaku's words.

In Hayama's view, wasn't marriage supposed to be blissful and inseparable? Unless one's body couldn't handle it anymore, why would anyone crave solitude?

With this thought, Hayama, rarely in a playful mood, suggested, "How about we go for some grilled skewers? I know a place that does great grilled kidneys."

Fugaku's eyes briefly lit up before he quickly masked his reaction. "Now that you mention it, it's been a while since I've had skewers. I could go for some."

Hayama smirked slightly, and Fugaku, who had been watching him closely, suddenly felt a little uneasy. However, Hayama said nothing more, and the three of them continued walking through the festive streets.

The New Year's celebration was a grand event not only in Konoha but throughout the entire shinobi world. On this day, people would set aside their duties and fully enjoy the festivities. The highlight of the night would be a dazzling fireworks display, pushing the celebratory atmosphere to its peak.

In truth, if not for Fugaku's enthusiastic invitation, Hayama would have spent the day simply eating, sleeping, and training. The festive atmosphere only made him feel more isolated and detached rather than bringing him any joy.

Hayama was, after all, someone from another world. The customs and traditions of the Naruto universe were vastly different from what he was familiar with. To him, a New Year's celebration should involve watching a gala show with family, making dumplings together, and enjoying steaming dishes of succulent meat. The table should be adorned with festive candies, and the atmosphere should be warm and lively.

Not wandering aimlessly through the streets just to watch fireworks at night.

It was pointless. He would rather spend the time training and improving himself. Besides, the matter of Sakumo Hatake weighed heavily on his mind, dampening any festive spirit he might have had.

As Hayama absentmindedly followed Fugaku, a playful child suddenly darted out from the crowd and bumped into him.

His eyes sharpened as he discreetly tucked his left hand into his sleeve while using his right hand to gently ruffle the child's hair. After a few pats, he let the seemingly dissatisfied child go, watching as they ran off into the bustling crowd.

"What's wrong?" Fugaku noticed Hayama's concealed left hand and asked.

Hayama shook his head. "Nothing. Let's go."

The three of them arrived at a well-decorated yakitori shop. After casually ordering a pile of skewers and sake, Hayama stood up. "I'm going to the restroom."

"I'll come too," Fugaku immediately followed.

Their unusual behavior made Seiji wary. Without showing any reaction, he nodded and then, in sync, all three of them vanished from the private room.

In a secluded alley, Seiji activated his Sharingan and perched on a wall, carefully scanning the surroundings. Meanwhile, Hayama and Fugaku crouched in the shadows, cautiously unfolding the small note the child had slipped to Hayama.

There were no words on the paper—only a sketch of a clock. At first glance, it looked like a typical child's drawing.

They exchanged puzzled glances. Could it be a coincidence?

"No... The time on this clock is precise down to the minute. That can't be random."

After a thorough examination, Hayama noticed something unusual—the clock, despite its rough drawing, had an absurdly accurate representation of time.

Narrowing his eyes, he rubbed the note with his fingers, releasing a faint trace of lightning chakra. The moment the chakra made contact, the paper visibly wrinkled. Hayama's eyes lit up as he channeled more chakra into it.

As the paper curled up completely, it suddenly ignited, turning into ashes.

Left behind in the ashes was a clear clan emblem.

Hayama and Fugaku exchanged looks, both seeing the same shock reflected in each other's eyes.

The emblem was unmistakably the Hatake clan's insignia. This note had come from Sakumo Hatake.

"What time was on the clock?"

"12:25," Hayama replied with certainty.

Fugaku's expression turned odd. "Interesting… Lord White Fang actually wants to meet you."

Hayama understood the deeper implications of those words and fell into deep thought.

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