Naruto: Aizen's Shadow in Konoha

In the evening, Aizen donned a black long coat embroidered with a subtle blue vine pattern. He strolled through the bustling streets of Konoha alongside Namikaze Minato and Uchiha Fugaku.

"Please give me an order of takoyaki, thank you!" Minato said politely to a snack vendor.

"Right away!" The stall owner, a warm-hearted middle-aged man, responded enthusiastically.

"I have to ask, Minato. You've been buying fried noodles, grilled squid, apple candy, and now takoyaki. Can you even finish all that?" Uchiha Fugaku asked, his face twitching as he eyed the growing pile of snacks Minato was holding.

"Ah, these aren't for me," Minato replied with a slightly embarrassed chuckle. "They're all for Kushina. She... well, let's just say she has a good appetite!"

Both Aizen and Fugaku exchanged knowing looks, faint exasperation lining their expressions. The excessive sweetness from Minato's words seemed to coat the air around them.

"Here you go, sir—your takoyaki! Thank you for your patronage," the vendor said cheerfully, breaking the momentary silence.

Minato paid happily, his face lighting up as he gazed at the takoyaki. A warm smile spread across his face, lost in thoughts of Kushina.

Aizen: "..."

Fugaku: "..."

"Oh, by the way, Kushina prepared a feast tonight," Minato added cheerfully. "She asked me to invite you both over for dinner."

Aizen and Fugaku's faces twitched even more noticeably. Usually, Minato didn't even try to hide his affection for Kushina, and now he was flaunting it directly in front of them.

Minato, you're really laying it on thick, aren't you? they both silently groaned.

But despite their inner protests, they respected Minato's hospitality. Following his lead, they soon arrived at his new home.

Since being promoted to a higher position within Konoha, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, had generously awarded Minato and Aizen with spacious homes in the prosperous eastern residential district of the village.

While Aizen was indifferent about his new accommodations, for someone like Minato, who was building a family, the house was perfect. The day Minato moved in, he and Kushina began their new life together.

"Kushina! Aizen and Fugaku are here!" Minato called loudly as he opened the door.

Moments later, Uzumaki Kushina emerged from the kitchen, greeting them with a radiant smile. "Welcome to our new home!" she said warmly.

Dressed in a light blue yukata embroidered with pink butterflies, her vibrant red hair cascading over her shoulders, Kushina looked stunning, clearly having put in extra effort for the evening.

"Thank you for having us," Aizen and Fugaku said politely as they stepped inside.

The two men settled into the living room, while Kushina continued her preparations in the kitchen. Soon, dish after exquisite dish was brought to the table.

"There's nothing too fancy here," Kushina said with modesty, smiling at Aizen and Fugaku. "I hope it's enough to welcome you properly."

Aizen glanced at the array of food and smiled. "If this is considered simple hospitality, then I'm not sure I can imagine what a grand reception looks like!"

Fugaku, already helping himself to a piece of chicken with his chopsticks, nodded in agreement. "Exactly. This is more than enough! Besides, Kushina, you don't need to be formal with us. We've known each other since the academy—there's no need for ceremony!"

Looking at Fugaku, whose chopsticks moved across the table like a blur, Aizen was momentarily speechless. The man's lack of restraint was both amusing and bewildering.

However, Minato and Kushina didn't seem to mind. In fact, they appeared quite delighted, eagerly introducing each dish to both Fugaku and Aizen.

Seeing their enthusiasm, Aizen could only smile and join in.

Needless to say, Kushina's culinary skills were impressive. Even Aizen, accustomed to dining at the finest establishments, found himself enjoying the meal.

After dinner, with the leftover dishes neatly cleared away by Minato and Kushina, the group made their way to East Street Plaza to watch the evening's fireworks display.

The four of them found a well-placed gazebo, allowing for a perfect view of the night sky. They settled in, chatting leisurely while waiting for the show to begin.

At around ten o'clock, the first firework streaked into the night sky, its fiery trail lighting up the darkness.

With a loud bang, it erupted into a stunning display of colors, casting vivid reflections over the plaza. Cheers erupted from the crowd below.

The night had only just begun. Fireworks continued to bloom in rapid succession, painting the sky with radiant bursts. Some resembled meteors streaking across the heavens, while others blossomed like marigolds, and still more cascaded downward like petals scattered by a gentle hand.

"How beautiful," Kushina murmured, her face illuminated by the flickering lights above. Her wide-eyed wonder added an extra spark to her already vibrant presence.

Minato, standing beside her, wore a gentle smile. Seeing her happy seemed to fill him with quiet contentment.

Fugaku, meanwhile, watched the display with a faint sense of detachment. While his lips curled into a small smile of appreciation, his dark eyes carried a trace of melancholy that no one could decipher.

As for Aizen, his gaze alternated between the fireworks above and the companions beside him. A rare, introspective expression crossed his face as he reflected on their shared history.

Without realizing it, over a decade had passed since he first met Minato and Fugaku.

Fugaku? Aizen thought dismissively. He hardly matters.

But Minato? That was different. As much as Aizen might hesitate to admit it, Minato's unwavering kindness and brotherly demeanor had forged a connection, a bond he couldn't entirely ignore.

Yet even as this thought crossed his mind, Aizen sighed inwardly. He knew well that the path he had chosen—the pursuit of the ultimate mysteries of life—set him apart from those around him. Friendships, camaraderie, even fleeting moments like this—they were all distractions from his greater purpose.

Minato... even though we are destined to walk different paths... he mused silently. One day, we may stand as enemies.

But for now, he allowed himself to indulge in the moment. Underneath the sky illuminated by fireworks, amidst laughter and fleeting joy, he chose to forget the inevitability of the future, if only for a little while.

As the vibrant display reflected in Aizen's glasses, obscuring his eyes from view, the joyous New Year's celebration gradually wound to a close.

With the arrival of this new year, history moved forward once more.

And so began the forty-third year of Konoha.