Chapter 350: Chapter 351: The hokage robe
Chapter 351: The hokage robe
Soon, two servings of Takoyaki were ready.
The owner carefully packed the Takoyaki and sprinkled a double portion of bonito flakes on one of them.
As the bonito flakes touched the heat of the Takoyaki, they immediately began to curl and dance joyfully, releasing an even richer savory aroma.
"Hokage-sama, Young Miss Hyuga, your Takoyaki is ready. Please enjoy!"
The owner respectfully handed over the two servings of Takoyaki.
Naruto took the one with double bonito flakes and handed it to Hanabi, who had been waiting expectantly. "Here, yours. Be careful, it’s hot. Blow on it before you eat."
Only then did he take his own portion.
"Thank you, boss."
Naruto nodded his thanks to the owner.
"You—you’re welcome! It’s an honor to have Hokage-sama visit! I hope you and Young Miss Hyuga have a wonderful time!"
The owner rubbed his hands excitedly, a wide grin spreading across his face.
Those people saying Hokage-sama holds grudges must be slandering him; Hokage-sama is actually quite kind.
But why are his eyes always squinted? Is it from overwork?
Hokage-sama truly is great!
Working so hard for the Village.
Holding hands with Hanabi, who was carefully carrying her box of Takoyaki, Naruto left the stall and continued strolling along the bustling street.
Hanabi couldn’t wait; she puffed out her small mouth, carefully blew on the top-most Takoyaki ball, and then took a big bite.
"Mmm... so hot! But it’s delicious!"
She huffed from the heat, but her eyes curved into happy crescents. Especially when she tasted the rich savoriness of the double bonito flakes, she shook her little head in satisfaction.
Watching Hanabi’s cute eating habits, Naruto took a bite of the Takoyaki in his own hand.
The outside was slightly charred and crispy, the inside soft and piping hot, the octopus pieces were springy and chewy, and the sauce was perfectly sweet and savory... It was indeed a familiar delicacy.
Naruto really enjoyed this rare break.
Hidden Leaf Village was very prosperous now. Although it was said the good news would be announced on the day of the Summer Festival, someone had already spread it in advance. Now, the whole of Hidden Leaf Village knew this "inside information."
The warm lights reflected on Hanabi’s pure little face and on Naruto’s profile, which had shed its battlefield bloodlust and looked exceptionally peaceful.
This rare moment of tranquility seemed to temporarily disperse the clouds of war and the Pure Land.
As they walked, Hanabi seemed to remember something important.
She swallowed the last bite of Takoyaki, carefully threw the empty paper box into a roadside trash can, and then wiped her mouth and hands with a clean handkerchief.
After doing this, she looked up and gently tugged on the sleeve of Naruto’s yukata, her expression becoming exceptionally serious and solemn.
"Big Brother Naruto," she called out softly.
"Hmm? What is it, Hanabi?"
Naruto stopped, looked down at the little girl who had suddenly become so serious, a gentle question in his eyes.
Hanabi took a deep breath as if gathering her courage. Her pure Byakugan stared straight into Naruto’s blue eyes, and she said in a clear, firm voice:
"Let us sew your hokage robe for you!"
"Oh?"
Naruto was slightly taken aback, clearly not expecting Hanabi to make such a request.
He blinked, and then a look of contemplation and slight surprise appeared on his face.
Sew his hokage robe?
He knew that as the war continued and Hidden Leaf Village’s territory rapidly expanded, he, as the Sixth Hokage, was receiving more and more attention.
Not having a hokage robe really was an issue.
Not to mention him, even Jiraiya didn’t have his own hokage robe yet.
Currently, Naruto had to wait in line until Jiraiya’s robe was finished before it would be his turn.
After all, the change of Hokage for these two terms had been too frequent.
The production of these robes had always been the responsibility of a highly skilled old seamstress in Hidden Leaf Village.
But that old lady was advanced in years and had limited energy; plus, her pursuit of perfection meant progress was indeed quite slow.
Naruto looked at Hanabi’s serious little face, which practically screamed "Leave it to us!", and understood.
This probably wasn’t just Hanabi’s idea; Hinata and Ino were likely involved as well.
They wanted to express their support for him in this way.
"Aren’t you all very busy too?"
Naruto didn’t agree immediately, but instead asked gently,
"Hinata has to go to the hospital, Ino has to manage the flower shop and intelligence work, Karin will soon be going to the Sealing Squad, and you have school.
Sewing a hokage robe isn’t an easy task; it requires a lot of time and patience."
He paused and added:
"And I remember there’s an old lady in the Village specifically responsible for this, and her craftsmanship is excellent. Although progress is a bit slow, there’s no rush."
Naruto didn’t want them to be overworked because of his matters.
Especially now, with the war not yet completely over, everyone had their own responsibilities and pressures.
However, Hanabi shook her head vigorously, the persistence on her little face not wavering in the slightest:
"We’re not afraid of hard work!"
Though her voice was youthful, it carried an unquestionable determination.
"And... that old lady’s progress is really too slow! Big Sister and the others said that at that rate, it might not be finished until next year!"
Hanabi took a small step forward, looking up at Naruto with sparkling eyes, her tone becoming somewhat urgent and pleading:
"If we do it together and divide the work, it will definitely be much faster. Big Sister is good at delicate needlework, Big Sister Ino has great aesthetic taste and can design the patterns, and Big Sister Karin and Big Sister Sakura have been practicing lately..."
Little Hanabi counted everyone’s "specialties" and tasks on her fingers. Clearly, they had already discussed this privately and even planned the division of labor.
This sentiment caused a warm current to surge in Naruto’s heart.
But, Sakura...
Right, Hikari mentioned that Karin looked for Sakura, which means...
Whose side is little Hanabi on anyway?
Looking at Hanabi’s expectant and undeniable gaze, he seemed to see Hinata’s gentle yet persistent look, Ino’s bright and confident smile, Karin’s serious expression as she pushed up her glasses, and Hikari’s silent figure...
These girls he cherished were using their own way to do something for him, wanting to sew their blessings and concerns into that robe that symbolized him, stitch by stitch.
Naruto was silent for a long while.
Finally, he nodded slowly, a gentle and solemn smile appearing on his face.
"Alright."
He said softly.
"Since you’re all so determined... then I’ll leave it to you."
He leaned down so his eyes were level with Hanabi’s, gazing at her with a gentle yet powerful look, as if seeing through her to the girls behind her who cared for him:
"However, I have to make one thing clear."
The corners of Naruto’s mouth curled into a confident and warm arc.
"No matter what it looks like when you’re finished sewing it."
He paused, his tone becoming incredibly firm and full of expectation, as if he could already see that glorious future:
"After the war is completely over..."
"I will wear it and stand before everyone in the world..."
Naruto’s voice wasn’t loud, yet it carried a power that transcended time, echoing in Hanabi’s ears and in his own heart:
"To announce to the entire Ninja World the true arrival of peace!"
Hearing Naruto’s solemn promise, Hanabi’s little face turned red with excitement and joy, and stars seemed to twinkle in her pure Byakugan.
She nodded vigorously!
"Mhm! We’ll definitely make the best, coolest hokage robe for Big Brother Naruto to wear!"
Loving Book So Far? Check Out 30+ Advanced Chapters At PA Treon
patreon.com/FictionOP
