Chapter 61: Konoha's New Year
"Happy New Year!"
"…?"
"Eh? Why do you two look so gloomy? It's New Year's!"
Standing in the courtyard she and Minato had bought together, Kushina, wearing a gorgeous red dress, looked at the two men—one grown, one barely a boy—with clear dissatisfaction.
"How can you look so depressed when it's already New Year's? You've both survived another year, no disasters, no war—shouldn't that be something to celebrate?"
"Please… spare me, Kushina…"
With dark circles under his eyes, Minato sat weakly on the doorstep, his expression hazy.
"Unlike the Sealing Team, who moved out long ago, our Space-Time Team can't do anything above ground. We've been testing the logic for reversing space-time using the multiplication detonating tags, and the equations still don't balance. We've been awake for nearly four days straight…"
"…zzz…"
Leaning against the doorframe, Kakashi was already fast asleep, snoring softly.
As one of the core members involved in the development of the Blut Arterie and Blut Vene, Kakashi, despite being only a child, had taken it upon himself to serve as a key contributor.
In the early days of the Ninjutsu Research Institute, it was common to see the white-haired prodigy darting from department to department, exchanging notes and coordinating with senior researchers. Now that the research field had grown beyond what a single institute could manage, Kakashi remained buried in underground labs—restless, overworked, and sleepless.
It wasn't until the latest generation of Blut Arterie was finally completed that the boy staggered out of the laboratory, dazed and half-conscious. Minato had taken him home, thinking the child could at least rest through the holiday—but instead, Kakashi had been dragged into the living room by Kushina for "celebration."
Now, he simply leaned against the wall like a lifeless puppet, head drooping. Minato's own complexion was pale, his golden hair dimmed under exhaustion.
Kushina sighed, crossing her arms. She might have been fiery, but she wasn't heartless. Watching the two zombies before her, she smiled mischievously and reached into her sleeve.
"Alright, you two look dead on your feet. Eat this and put this on."
"…What's this?"
"The Body Sealing Talisman and an Energy Pill. They're something Tsunade-senpai developed with the Biological Research Institute. Supposedly, they can restore a person's stamina and energy instantly."
Before either of them could react, Kushina slapped the talisman papers onto their foreheads and popped the pills into their mouths.
Minato blinked. "Wait, Kushina—"
"Swallow!" she ordered.
A faint glow rippled across the seals. In the next instant, both men froze. Energy surged through their bodies like wildfire.
Minato gasped. "Ohhh! This feeling is—"
"…Like being force-fed nutrients when you're half-dead from exhaustion," Kakashi muttered, rubbing his forehead. "Your body refuses to sleep, but your mind still wants to."
(Please let me sleep…)
Kakashi opened his eyes halfway, looking at Kushina's triumphant grin.
Sometimes, he really wondered why his life had turned out like this. He was a six-year-old genius, yet instead of playing with other kids, he spent his days surrounded by adults talking about experimental seals and chakra equations.
If I weren't so talented, he thought bitterly, maybe I could've lived a simpler, happier life.
But he'd already accepted his fate. If he wanted to clear his father's name, then this was his path—to prove his worth, even from another direction.
Though his current achievements far surpassed those of ordinary shinobi, Kakashi still felt they weren't enough.
"This must be one of Tsunade's latest drugs," he muttered, pulling at his haori. His deadpan gaze met Kushina's bright grin. "If I remember right, during the joint project, she proposed new methods for muscle activation and lactic acid breakdown. Is this the result?"
"Yep! You're sharp as ever, Kakashi."
Kushina's smile widened as she suddenly pulled out a clipboard from her sleeve.
""By the way, once it kicks in, could you jot down how it feels? Tsunade wants detailed feedback for the next batch. Don't worry, no physical side effects—just a bit of mental fatigue."
"Is there no problem with your body anymore?" Minato asked with concern.
"Yeah," Kushina replied confidently. "I'm not sure what theoretical breakthroughs Tsunade-senpai made, but the tools and techniques for studying the human body are changing every day. It's fine in the short term, but if you take it too often, your body might stiffen a little. You'll just need to rest before moving again."
Minato frowned. "This... is an experimental drug, isn't it?"
"It's okay, it's okay! I got the improved version—it'll be officially distributed in Konoha next month."
Kushina smiled proudly, crossing her arms as she looked at the two weary men in front of her. "Well? No more excuses this time! It's New Year's—don't just sit around collecting dust! You've been shut inside that lab for half a year; you're practically fossils!"
"…," both men muttered.
The two exhausted yet rejuvenated figures exchanged looks, sharing a silent understanding that could only be described as mutual despair.
Kakashi muttered, "That's your wife. You should be the one to stop her. Be a man."
Minato replied flatly, "How am I supposed to stop her? You're the prodigy here—why don't you try begging her instead?"
"I can't bring myself to do that," Kakashi said without hesitation.
I can't afford to lose to this man, both thought silently.
"…," Minato sighed.
"…," Kakashi echoed.
After silently acknowledging their mutual defeat, the two resigned men changed into their casual clothes and followed Kushina out toward the streets of Konoha.
---
The establishment of the Ninjutsu Research Institute had changed Konoha's atmosphere dramatically.
In the beginning, the institute operated as a small, isolated community. Researchers lived and ate together, bonding through shared hardship. They came to understand one another deeply, united by their desire to advance Konoha's strength.
But as ninjutsu development accelerated and resources were poured in, that small-scale model became unsustainable. Many experiments required extensive field testing, and isolation stifled progress.
After multiple discussions between the Third Hokage and Aizen, the original institute was divided into dozens of specialized research facilities across the village. Some contained only a few shinobi, while others housed nearly a hundred, even employing ordinary civilians to assist with measurement and data collection.
Under this system, families that had once been divided began reconciling. The benefits of research were visible and shared among them all.
For example, after the Inuzuka Clan applied a portion of Aizen's chakra theory related to sensory nodes in the scalp, they created a hair-growth reagent.
The result? The entire ninja world went wild.
That single patent made the Inuzuka one of Konoha's wealthiest clans overnight. Other families soon followed, adapting chakra theory to everyday life and discovering immense profits in doing so.
Once people realized ninjutsu could improve daily living, innovation exploded.
Konoha flourished—streets buzzed with new ideas, gadgets, and industries born from chakra research. Even the television networks began to broadcast village-wide events, spreading technology faster than anyone imagined.
By the Lunar New Year, Konoha felt alive—streets glowing with lanterns, music, and laughter. Despite the distant shadow of war, this momentary peace felt pure, almost sacred.
Shops glittered with light; inns overflowed with guests. Crowds gathered for the New Year's bells, filling Konoha's heart with joy and warmth.
In that sea of lights, Kushina, radiant in a brilliant red kimono, turned to face Minato, her smile brighter than any flame.
"Let's celebrate the New Year together, Minato! Then we can visit the shrine for Hatsumode!"
Minato froze, caught off guard by her sheer brilliance. For a brief instant, it felt as if time itself had stopped.
"…," he blinked, dazed.
Kushina tilted her head, concern flickering in her eyes. "Minato? What's wrong? You look pale—are you feeling unwell?"
"No, nothing…" Minato murmured, face flushed.
He looked at her, eyes soft. "It's just... you, Kushina. You're so radiant. You really do look like the sun."
Kushina laughed, brushing her hair back. "What are you talking about? In my eyes, you're the sun."
"Kushina…"
"Minato…"
From the corner of the street, a dry, unimpressed voice broke the mood.
Did you forget I'm still here?
Watching the two exchange embarrassingly romantic looks, Kakashi stood silently, expression blank.
What a nauseating couple… and to think they're my mentors.
He sighed. Maybe if he slipped away now, he could avoid the inevitable public display of affection that was sure to follow. But then again, Konoha had changed so much in recent months that he'd probably get lost if he went off alone.
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