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Chapter 276: Cheers
With a beaming smile, Konan pulled Alex over and had him sit right beside her.
"No matter how long we live, we will always be together," she declared softly. She didn't have a very clear concept of what a future lifespan of that magnitude meant. Hundreds of millions of years? Eternal life? She didn't care either way. Only when she was with Alex did time hold any real meaning; otherwise, it was all just an empty void.
Right in front of everyone gathered in the pavilion, Konan leaned in and gently planted a kiss on Alex's cheek.
Seeing this intimate display, Honoka, Samui, and Hinata weren't the least bit surprised. Instead, they felt genuinely happy for them. They had known for a long time just how close the two lords were. Their bond had only grown more inseparable since Lord Alex had taken on a human form.
Sitting on Hinata's lap, Hanabi lowered her head shyly, not daring to stare directly at them. Yet, she kept stealing glances out of the corner of her eye in an incredibly adorable manner.
Meanwhile, Ino, Mei Terumi, and Mabui—who were currently serving in their roles as maids—showed faint surprise in their eyes. They hadn't expected two beings with power rivaling gods to engage in such a public display of affection.
As for Kaguya Otsutsuki, she stood in the center of the pavilion, staring blankly at the couple. She knew their relationship was intimate, and there was nothing wrong with what they were doing. However, after the "lesson" she had received from Alex that afternoon, this man had carved out a new place in her heart. Watching them now, a strange and somewhat absurd emotion welled up inside her. It was hard to describe, but regardless, it just made her feel distinctly uncomfortable.
She quickly squashed the feeling. Coming from the strictly hierarchical Otsutsuki clan, she naturally accepted that the strong were entitled to possess everything. The weak simply needed to obey.
Suddenly, she felt a soft hand gently grasp her right one. Turning her head, she met a pair of eyes that shared the exact same pure white color as her own—the Byakugan.
"Come sit here," Hinata said with a warm smile, looking at the woman who could be considered her clan's ancient ancestor. With a gentle tug, she guided Kaguya to sit beside her.
"Hinata…" Kaguya murmured, but her voice trailed off after saying the girl's name.
Alex had introduced everyone present to her earlier. But aside from calling out her name, Kaguya was at a loss for words. After all, she had been sealed within the moon for over a millennium. Reintegrating into the shinobi world and interacting with people a thousand years removed from her era required a difficult period of adaptation.
"I believe you'll grow to love living here very soon," Hinata said. Her voice was soft, sweet, and brimming with kindness, which significantly eased Kaguya's sense of profound bewilderment.
Soon, Hinata was chatting quietly with Kaguya, with Hanabi chiming in occasionally, eliciting bursts of melodic laughter from the trio.
Hinata… you've really grown so much, Ino thought, her expression a mix of complexity and sheer envy as she watched her peer.
As a childhood friend, Ino had been keeping a close eye on Hinata ever since they arrived here. The changes in the Hyuga heiress were staggering. Faced with Kaguya—a cold, expressionless goddess with an incomprehensible background—Hinata had acted with extraordinary grace and empathy. Recognizing Kaguya's awkward isolation, Hinata had taken the initiative to draw her in and help her adapt to her new life.
From the very first time they reunited after Hinata had been taken away, Ino noticed that her friend had completely shed her anxious, stuttering demeanor. When Ino had gone to the Hyuga estate to beg for help, Hinata's Byakugan seemed to have already seen through her request before she even spoke, and she had agreed with a serene smile. Ino had thought she was just acting wiser back then, but now it was clear—Hinata had truly matured on a fundamental level. It was as if she had finally found her own ninja way, experiencing massive growth in both mind and character.
Images of Sakura and Tenten flashed through Ino's mind, and a sudden surge of determination filled her heart. While her own growth couldn't compare to Hinata's just yet, she had already taken a crucial step forward compared to the others back in the village. When she eventually saw Sakura and Tenten again, they would probably look at her with the same shock and envy that she was currently feeling toward Hinata.
Hehehe…
"Hey, what are you grinning like an idiot for?" Mei Terumi asked, elbowing Ino in exasperation as she noticed the girl lost in a euphoric daydream. "Control your expressions. You're a maid right now; don't embarrass us in front of the masters."
"Ah… right, yes!" Ino quickly snapped out of it, hastily wiping the silly grin off her face.
Swish— Swish— Spatial fluctuations suddenly rippled through the air. Two figures instantly materialized in the center of the pavilion—Ryuzetsu and Shion!
The moment she appeared, Ryuzetsu dropped to one knee, falling back into her old habits from the Hidden Grass Anbu. "Lord Alex, Lady Konan. All the villagers of Sunagakure have been safely relocated to the clearing below."
Shion, on the other hand, didn't bother with a formal report. She cheerfully patted her chest and proudly announced, "Lord Alex, Lady Konan! I brought everyone from Iwagakure too. Didn't miss a single person!"
The clear moonlight spilled into the pavilion, illuminating Shion's pale golden blonde hair. It contrasted beautifully with the flowing silver-white locks of Ryuzetsu, who had stood up beside her. Ryuzetsu had long abandoned her old habit of keeping her hair wrapped in cloth. Now, with her silky hair draped over her shoulders and her petite stature, she looked exactly like an exquisite porcelain doll.
They hadn't really noticed it before, but during their time running errands in the outside world, they realized just how dreadfully boring the other villages were. Nothing outside could spark even a sliver of their interest. Only here in the Sky Fortress—or more accurately, only by Lord Alex and Lady Konan's side—could they feel truly at peace. It was the only place where life felt beautiful.
"Dinner is served~!"
Kameda's uniquely endearing sing-song voice drifted over from a distance, rapidly drawing closer. Since receiving a boost in power, his serving speed had become faster and incredibly steady.
Before his voice even faded, the short, plump man appeared just outside the pavilion. He was balancing a massive round table laden with a dazzling array of delicacies. A mouthwatering aroma immediately wafted through the air.
Even Kaguya, who usually remained aloof and indifferent to everything, stopped her conversation with Hinata. She turned her head, her curiosity piqued by the feast. She subconsciously licked her red lips, her expression clearly showing she wanted a taste.
Seeing this, Alex let out a hearty laugh. "Alright, set it down."
Kameda efficiently placed the heavy table onto the stone pedestal without making a single sound. Not a single drop of soup spilled from the bowls.
Alex picked up a cup filled with fresh juice and looked around at everyone gathered at the table. He smiled warmly. "The war is over, and the shinobi world will never see conflict again. To our beautiful new world, and to our happy future… Cheers!"
Konan, Hinata, Kaguya, Shion, and everyone else raised their glasses together. With bright smiles on their faces, they shouted in unison:
"Cheers!"
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