Free Web NovelChapter 276: This Wine! This Spring! I Shall Drink Together With All Of You!
Among the observing Konoha ninjas, a wave of uncontrollable quiet gasps immediately spread out, their eyes filled with astonishment, but the emotion came quickly and faded just as fast, soon replaced by a calm sense of respect. freewёbnoνel.com
There was nothing to say.
Shinichi Higashino completely deserved those five words.
Or rather, only those five words were worthy of Shinichi Higashino.
The third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, smiled in satisfaction and silently nodded.
Danzo Shimura merely snorted coldly.
Orochimaru’s golden snake-like pupils narrowed slightly, and the smile at the corners of his mouth deepened.
Champion of the entire army?
Good, good, good!
’This Daimyo really knows how to handle things. I absolutely love him!’
Shinichi was practically overjoyed internally, but outwardly, he appropriately revealed hesitation and spoke uncertainly: "Elder Sosho, this victory was achieved through the united efforts and brave fighting of all Konoha’s ninjas together. I alone truly do not dare claim such an honor. This..."
Sosho said nothing, merely looking toward the third Hokage.
Hiruzen Sarutobi pondered briefly before slowly speaking: "Shinichi, as captain of the Shinichi Battalion, you led from the front during this war. Your wisdom and courage were both outstanding, and your contributions are obvious to all."
"His Highness bestowing these words upon you is not only praise for you personally, but also recognition for all the equally brave and fearless members under your command. Though all Konoha ninjas are courageous, your performance can serve as a model for everyone to emulate and study. Accept it. This is an honor you deserve. I also hope you will use it to encourage yourself further and continue leading your comrades to create an even more glorious future for Konoha and the Land of Fire."
"This..." Shinichi still appeared hesitant.
At that moment, Danzo, who was silent, suddenly coldly spoke: "If it’s given to you, then take it. Why so much nonsense?"
Only then did Shinichi respectfully bow toward Elder Sosho and solemnly receive the personally handwritten imperial calligraphy reading champion of the entire army with both hands.
"In that case... Many thanks to His Highness the Daimyo for this generous favor! I shall accept it on behalf of all members and all Konoha comrades."
Sosho smiled and nodded. Then he lifted the exquisite imperial wine bottle and handed it toward Shinichi.
"This is the imperial wine personally bestowed by his highness, likewise granted in recognition of Captain Shinichi’s unparalleled merits in this campaign."
This time, Shinichi did not hesitate as before, nor did he refuse on the grounds of being underage. He directly extended both hands and steadily accepted the wine bottle.
After taking it, a thoughtful expression appeared on his face. Then he solemnly asked: "Elder, since this wine has already been bestowed upon me, may I personally decide how it is to be used?"
Elder Sosho was briefly stunned, but a smile soon returned to his face as he nodded.
"Of course. Since the imperial wine has already been bestowed upon Captain Shinichi, then naturally it may be handled according to your wishes."
He had originally thought the young boy’s so-called arrangement would either involve presenting it to the third Hokage as a sign of respect, or saving it for honoring a teacher or elder in the future, or perhaps using it in some ceremony.
Yet unexpectedly, the youth merely nodded and made a move that left everyone present utterly stunned.
"Good!"
Shinichi responded with a sound of acknowledgment, then, under the confused and curious gazes of everyone present, he carried that imperial sake, turned around, and slowly walked toward the nearby clear spring with its bubbling flow. Without the slightest hesitation, he pulled out the bottle stopper and poured all the sake inside into that clear spring water!
The gentle smile on Elder Sosho’s face instantly froze.
One of the officials from the Land of Fire beside him even subconsciously opened his mouth to reprimand him, but before the words could leave his lips, an icy and fierce killing intent instantly locked onto him.
The reprimand that was almost about to burst out from this Land of Fire official’s mouth was forcibly stuck in his throat. He had no doubt that if he dared utter even half a word, this Darkness of the Shinobi would disregard all consequences and kill him on the spot in the next moment.
At this moment, Shinichi had already turned around, facing the densely packed Konoha ninjas behind him, who also wore expressions of shock and confusion.
He raised the now-empty imperial sake bottle high in his hand, his clear voice echoing across the sunlit hillside: "Comrades! This battle was won, the powerful enemy repelled, Konoha’s prestige spread far and wide, and the dignity of the Land of Fire was established! This achievement absolutely does not belong to me, Shinichi Higashino, alone!" fгeewebnovёl.com
His gaze swept across face after face, some young, some weathered, some scarred, yet all equally filled with determination.
"It was every Konoha ninja who participated in this battle, every companion who fought through bloodshed without fearing sacrifice. It was everyone’s courage, wisdom, and blood that forged the foundation of this victory!"
"This victory wine should be shared with all comrades who shed blood, sweat, and sacrifice for this victory!"
"Today, I shall pour this wine into this spring! Using the waters of this spring, we honor this victory! Using the name of this spring, we engrave today’s achievements!"
"This wine! This spring! I shall drink together with all of you!"
Silence.
The scene first fell into a brief silence, so quiet it was nearly suffocating.
The next second!
"Good!!!"
"Drink together! Drink together with the captain!"
A thunderous roar erupted from the formation of Shinichi Battalion, like sparks thrown into boiling oil!
"Drink together with Captain Shinichi!"
"To victory! To Konoha!"
First, it was the members of the Shinichi Battalion; then the entire crowd exploded into excitement, as if ignited!
’This! What kind of behavior is this?!’
At the side, the officials of the Land of Fire stared dumbfounded, their expressions stiff, their hearts filled with mixed emotions.
As for what exactly they were thinking, that could be left aside for now.
That night, at the Daimyo mansion of the Land of Fire.
After hearing about what had happened outside Narumi Town that day, especially when he heard that Shinichi Higashino had publicly poured the wine into the spring and shared it with the entire army, the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, seated behind his desk, was first slightly stunned, then...
"Hahahahahahaha!"
A burst of hearty, delighted laughter shattered the study’s silence.
"Good! That Shinichi Higashino is truly interesting! Far too interesting!"
He clapped and laughed, without the slightest trace of displeasure.
A moment later, a sharp glint flashed through the Daimyo’s eyes, as though he had thought of an excellent idea.
Since this young hero of Konoha was so skilled at handling matters and understood how to maximize the value of the bestowed favor, then he, the Daimyo, might as well push things a little further and make this play louder and more far-reaching.
Not only could it further show goodwill and win over this future powerhouse with limitless potential, but it could also display the Land of Fire’s generosity and favor toward meritorious subjects, while leaving behind a fine tale of ruler and subject in harmony, sharing grace together.
"Someone!"
A subordinate immediately entered and bowed to receive orders.
The Daimyo pondered briefly, the smile on his lips deepening as he slowly spoke: "Transmit my order. Starting today, Narumi Town shall be renamed..."
He paused for a moment, as if savoring the new name.
