On December 23rd, the first snowfall of Konoha's 49th year finally arrived.
At first, the snowflakes were somewhat shy, only willing to fall while accompanied by light drizzle.
Soon afterward, she noticed there was no one around for miles, and began dancing freely through the air.
Sparkling and crystal clear, the flurry swirled across the sky. Soon, large flakes like goose feathers buried Konoha in a white blanket until the entire village turned into a world of pure white.
The snow continued swirling down, landing upon the Nanaha River, dressing its banks in silver and giving new coats to the rocks and grassy piles along the shore, allowing the lively river to peacefully drift into sleep.
Quickly, the Nanaha River transformed into her preferred snowy landscape. Yet amidst this silver world wrapped in white, one black-robed figure ruined the all-white scene.
Upon a giant boulder beside the riverside, someone sat cross-legged in meditation.
A gentle stream of heat radiated from his body, turning the falling snowflakes into vapor before they could even get close.
Surrounded by white mist, he looked like an immortal feasting on air and clouds.
It felt like an eternity before the cloaked figure finally opened his eyes.
His irises appeared crimson red, as if burning with raging fire within.
The fire in his crimson eyes flickered out moments later, and at last, the swirling snow touched down on his form.
While the snow-covered world sparkled around him, Aozora turned his focus inward.
He started by scanning his Dantian. The traces of deep blue-colored chakra within his original orange chakra had now completely vanished, and the tiny amount that remained had now slowly expanded into a vast lake of energy.
Next, he examined the meridians throughout his body—soft and smooth without a single blister.
"The residual Yū Fire within my chakra has been completely removed, and my body can fully endure the operation of Yakton now. Next, I should consider the second stage of the Lightning-Fire Golden Body training—inward and outward burning, refining the body repeatedly to achieve an Iron Body."
Thinking about the faint golden words "Lightning-Fire Golden Body" within the Heavenly Book, Aozora realized he needed to find ways to accumulate Gongde again.
After standing up and stretching a bit, Aozora walked toward the riverbank.
Standing before the mighty river, Aozora recalled a poem by the Great Ancestor:
"Land of the north, where a thousand miles lie locked in ice, and ten thousand leagues wear robes of snow."
"..."
"Gone are the heroes of old! The true champions belong to this age!"
Facing the great river, Aozora murmured, "Kaguya, the Six Paths Sage, Hashirama, Madara—your era has passed! The future—belongs to me!"
Since leaving the Ninja Academy, Aozora had continuously improved his strength through self-effort, then forced Danzo's defection from the village, altering the original storyline.
As the Ninja World shifted its future direction, rather than feeling worried, he instead grew more passionate!
This Ninja World was no longer just anime or animation from his previous life—it had become the world where he participated and wrote history himself!
Filled with emotion, Aozora approached the riverside, facing the freezing lake surface and forming hand seals.
At that moment, Aozora understood why Hashirama Senju often clasped his hands together while performing ninjutsu—perhaps it was to avoid looking awkward with idle hands.
Randomly forming a seal while maintaining a cool posture, Aozora started circulating his orange chakra inside according to the scroll's instructions.
[Fire Release - Great Fire Annihilation Technique!]
An overwhelming surge of chakra couldn't be contained any longer, instantly bursting forth from Aozora's mouth.
The orange chakra spread into sea-like flames against the wind, instantly engulfing the Nanaha River in front of Aozora!
Pshhh—pshhh—pshhh—
The orange fire landed on the water's surface but didn't extinguish. Instead, it kept burning.
The thin ice melted away immediately, the water level visibly dropping as vapor rapidly evaporated, creating a mist that blanketed the area.
This major disturbance triggered the alertness of the nearby Police Force. Not long after, a squad of ninjas wearing police uniforms rushed over.
The leading squad leader glanced at the still-burning orange flames floating on the water. Swallowing hard, he asked, "That commotion just now was caused by you?"
Aozora nodded and replied, "I was training in Ninjutsu."
Training in Ninjutsu, huh?
Looking at the Uchiha clan's fan embroidered behind Aozora's back, the police squad leader sensibly said, "Then please keep training, noble sir! We won't disturb you any further!"
Swish!
Right after speaking, the entire squad turned around and left at once.
Despite the arrival of the Police Force members, Aozora continued cultivating his Fire Release techniques beside the Nanaha River.
Ever since his fire chakra transformed, his Fire Release techniques had become overwhelmingly powerful. Training elsewhere caused excessive destruction—small rivers usually dried up instantly. Only the Nanaha River could withstand Aozora's Fire Release.
[Fire Release - Great Flame Annihilation!]
Pshhh—pshhh—pshhh—
[Fire Release - Flame Song of Inferno!]
Pshhh—pshhh—pshhh—
[Fire Release - Great Fireball Technique!]
Pshhh—pshhh—pshhh—
[Fire Release - Ashes Hiding Technique!]
Pshhh—pshhh—pshhh—
Every time Aozora used a jutsu, the fog thickened slightly. Before long, clouds gathered in the sky, turning into rain.
Observing the weather phenomenon created by Aozora, the police squad leader—who hadn't gone far—remarked, "I always thought calling powerful ninja gods or demons was an exaggeration before. But now I realize, there truly is no better way to describe the might of such warriors than with the words 'god' or 'demon!'"
The others silently exchanged glances before nodding in agreement.
After a while, Aozora waved a hand to fan away the steam rising from his breath.
These were all B-ranked techniques. After practicing each two or three times, his internal chakra neared depletion, and his throat also started feeling strained.
Spotting a bunch of belly-up fish drifting on the river's surface, Aozora's eyes sparkled with delight. "Big brother, today's a feast day for you!"
Saying so, Aozora retrieved some wire from his Ninja Tool Pouch. He tied the wire to the end of the Flying Dagger Capable of Slaying Immortals, then controlled the flying dagger to skewer the large fish in the river.
After impaling several plump fish, out of principle not to waste anything, Aozora also skewered other good-looking fat fish.
He sealed the finest catch into a scroll and hoisted the rest over his shoulder as he headed back to the Uchiha Compound.
On his way, he met other clansmen, whether familiar or not, and gave each one a fish.
Since joining the Police Force, Aozora had increasingly interacted with the clan members. He'd grown to appreciate the Uchiha more, gradually warming up to their blunt, no-nonsense personalities.
Some accepted his gift, some refused, but either way, everyone cheerfully thanked Aozora for his generosity.
When meeting clan members returning freshly from hunting who accepted his fish, they reciprocated by giving him rabbits or pheasants in return.
Back at home, Aozora noticed the hunting trophies others had sent him. He realized they wouldn't need to have a full fish banquet tonight.
These ingredients were more than enough for him to cook up a feast worthy of a banquet!
Aozora was already itching to get started.
He wanted to prepare an amazing meal and fully showcase his culinary skills!
Though the brothers were known to be bottomless pits, this time Aozora wanted to show off his cooking talents to everyone.
After thinking it over, he decided to extend invitations for the first time and planned to host a dinner at his house.
["Shadow Clone Jutsu!"]
[Poof! Poof! Poof! Poof!] …
Once the smoke cleared, five clones stepped out.
Aozora assigned each one a specific household to invite before they set off.
Nightfall arrived, and rich aromas began spreading through Aozora's home.
Itachi and Sasuke arrived first — one little boy piggybacking another.
Fugaku got an invite too. But when he heard that Aozora had gathered so many peers, he gave it some thought and politely turned it down. He knew if he attended, nobody else would truly relax and enjoy themselves.
Next came the Genya and Kagenbi brothers, chatting casually as they walked. After finishing training with the Flying Tigers, Genya still seemed energetic, while Kagenbi looked rather worn out.
Shuichi and Shin'ya showed up together. Shuichi, the older brother, marched right in front, while Shin'ya, the younger brother, trailed behind carrying the gift like his personal assistant.
All the way there, Inabi and Tetsuka kept squabbling — ever since Tetsuka became deputy captain, Inabi had been slowly losing his grip.
Lastly, Kyudai arrived alone, dressed neatly.
He was Kyudai — the only child in a long line of heirs, born without any brothers.
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