Chapter 335: Cloud Festival
"Isn't that guy already married?!"
Fugaku Uchiha obviously saw Dana too, smiled awkwardly, and came over to greet him.
"Dana-sama, this is my wife, Mikoto Uchiha."
Dana was enlightened. "So it's Madam Uchiha. No wonder. But it seems she didn't come to the Cloud with us before."
Fugaku said awkwardly, "Accompanying Dana-sama to the Cloud was official business; naturally, it wasn't appropriate to cause you trouble. But the establishment of the Cloud-Thunder Federation is a once-in-a-century event in the ninja world. I didn't want Mikoto to miss it, so I asked her to travel here via the normal route..."
Mikoto bowed to Dana.
Dana thought Fugaku was truly rigid. Traveling from Konoha to the Cloud took several days even for a ninja.
Actually, flying her over wouldn't have been much trouble.
"No need to be so troublesome next time. You are an Elder of Konoha..."
As they spoke, another figure ran over from the distance.
"Mikoto! Over here! Over here!"
Dana turned to look. Good lord, so many couples today.
The newcomer was an excited Kushina and Minato Namikaze.
Since Mikoto came to the Cloud, she naturally would seek out Kushina. She had contacted her best friend through Minato long ago, and the two agreed to hang out today.
Minato scratched his face awkwardly upon meeting acquaintances during his date.
Dana's eyes drooped. This guy had been in the Cloud for days, basically hanging out at Kushina's place. Being able to come out for the festival together today showed his progress was fast!
Although Dana himself was in a similar situation, it didn't stop him from mocking Minato.
"Oh my, a certain new Hokage is truly busy with a myriad of state affairs. Must have been exhausted these past few days."
Dana certainly had the right to tease. If he hadn't given Minato the green light, how could he have contacted Kushina, a former Konoha asset, so easily?
Minato, knowing he owed Dana, could only laugh awkwardly.
Then Kushina dragged Mikoto away. Then Kushina saw her acquaintance Kayo.
Then Kayo introduced Kushina to Dana's mother.
Then the hospitable Satomi said since it was a rare encounter, why not go together?
Finally, Yotsuki Dana, Minato Namikaze, and Fugaku Uchiha looked at each other helplessly from behind.
Those who understand, understand. From now on, my fate is up to heaven, not me...
The three tool-men could only follow behind. Where the ladies went, they went.
When shopping, men were nothing but props...
On the other side of the Cloud Village, a blue-haired girl stared blankly at a candied apple at a stall.
The red-haired boy beside her saw her hesitation and asked, "Want to buy it?"
The blue-haired girl was silent for a moment, then said, "Just eating one shouldn't make me fat. I'll train hard later."
With that, a paper bill flew toward the owner as if it had wings. As a business owner in a ninja village, he had seen all kinds of strange abilities and wasn't too surprised.
Konan happily held up the apple, licking it.
"Yahiko is really... He said his dad came to the Cloud Village and ran off, leaving just the two of us..."
Nagato, Konan, and Yahiko met on the Western Front. The three hit it off immediately and agreed to visit the festival together today. But Yahiko deserted at the last minute, leaving only the two of them.
Against the backdrop of the lively festival, an indescribable atmosphere filled the air.
Nagato twirled his hair, feeling that the three-person trip turning into a two-person trip was a bit strange.
Seeing a stage being set up ahead, Konan instinctively grabbed Nagato's hand, wanting to run over.
Then she realized what she did, and their hands separated as if electrocuted.
"Sorry... Nagato-kun... I..."
"No... um... I grabbed back subconsciously too..."
Suddenly, a raucous voice came from the temporary stage in the distance.
"MY NINDO! I'LL SING IT FOR YOU! YO!"
"NINJA KILLER! SCARE YOU LIKE A DOG!"
"SHORT SWORD IN LEFT HAND, SWORD IN RIGHT! SEVEN SWORDS ON MY BODY!"
"YO! YO! YO!"
Loud, rhythm-less noise washed over them. The sound waves were so strong the two had to lean back tactically.
The romantic atmosphere from moments ago vanished instantly.
Nagato and Konan stood dazed for a moment.
Konan: ".......Let's go somewhere else. It's too dangerous here; we might catch stupidity."
Nagato: ".....I agree."
Behind them, the noisy voice continued intermittently.
"I WALKED SOUTH! BROKE THROUGH THE NORTH! KISSED A MOUTH IN THE LAND OF DEMONS! YO YO YO!"
Although the day-long festival was lively, human energy was limited. By evening, many people couldn't walk anymore and found restaurants or inns to rest.
Inside "Rain Inari," Hizashi Hyuga sat upright, waiting for his meal.
The name of this shop was interesting, attracting Hizashi as he passed by.
While observing the unique decoration, a boy lifted the curtain and walked in.
"Auntie Uzumaki! Auntie Kohaku! We're here to eat again!"
Yusuke Akahoshi walked in with two lovely young beauties, causing many diners to snap their chopsticks.
That was the power of jealousy...
Hizashi turned to look. He didn't expect to meet an acquaintance in the Cloud. This boy had been specially assigned to the Hyuga clan by the Inspector during the clan's reform. His Red Eye, the natural counter to the Byakugan, left a deep impression on Hizashi.
Unexpectedly, he was a ruthless man dating two beauties at once!
Hizashi felt a surge of deep respect!
"Eh? You're the one from the Byakugan family! What a coincidence!"
Hizashi was much older than Yusuke, but they could still be considered the same generation.
Hizashi smiled. "Very coincidental. Do you come here often?"
"Yes, this shop is opened by my senior and classmate's families. The food is great!"
At this moment, the twins Ganseki and Akane beside him started whispering.
"Byakugan family... he means that one, right?"
"The one known as the nemesis of the Red Eye."
Then Konan's mother brought the freshly prepared lavish meal to Hizashi.
"Rain Country Deluxe Special! Please enjoy! Yusuke, Ganseki, Akane! Find a seat yourselves!"
Behind the counter, Kayo's mother added, "Exactly! We're very busy today! Don't complain if there are no seats later!"
"Yes!" x3
Ganseki and Akane sat on either side of Yusuke. Many diners snapped their freshly replaced chopsticks again...
Raikage Building.
Having finally finished all preparations for the ceremony, the Third Raikage and Yotsuki Arashi stood by the window, watching the lively scene in the village.
Almost simultaneously, both crackled with electricity, waking themselves up.
It was a family secret technique of the Third Raikage's lineage.
The Third Raikage sighed.
"Even though there are still over ten hours left, it feels imminent."
Arashi said, "Since it's an all-night festival, it's technically the same day."
The Third Raikage laughed. "I really envy that brat Dana. He doesn't have to work, just wait to participate. He was dragged by Satomi to go shopping early in the morning."
Arashi flashed his white teeth. "That might not necessarily be relaxing. I'd rather work overtime in the office."
"By the way, Arashi, why did I hear the Princess of the Land of Rice Fields has been looking for you in the village? Did you tell your subordinates not to reveal your whereabouts?"
Arashi said awkwardly, "There's been a lot going on lately, hasn't there, Old Man... Hahaha!"
The Third Raikage pursed his lips. "Do you really want to die alone? I wonder who you take after in this regard..."
Outside Kumogakure, on an unmanned peak.
Several kilometers away, Kumogakure stood tall in the night, its lights illuminating a patch of the sky.
Although the sound couldn't travel this far, one could still see the vitality and fireworks of the human world within the village.
Night had fallen, but the once-in-a-century Cloud Festival only became livelier.
A figure stood on the mountain peak, gazing at the brightly lit city in the distance.
"It's just false prosperity. The cycle of pain and hatred in the ninja world will always repeat. A few years of peace occasionally mislead people into thinking there is hope for this world... actually, it's all an illusion. Only the Infinite Tsukuyomi... is the truly perfect world..."
Just like Konoha back then, which once made Madara Uchiha think there was hope for this world...
In the cold wind that his Edo Tensei body couldn't feel, although Madara stared at the city in the distance, his Rinnegan reflected no firelight.
Black Zetsu and Yotsuki Teru (Kaguya) stood behind him.
Black Zetsu said,
"Madara-sama... we are very close to the Cloud. We shouldn't stay long."
However, Madara Uchiha didn't move.
"Although it is false prosperity, I am also curious about what that Yotsuki Dana has created. I want to go take a look..."
Black Zetsu froze for a long time, unable to react.