At precisely eight o'clock in the evening, sparks shot from the ship towards the sky, and dazzling yet ephemeral fireworks bloomed in the darkness.
Everyone present was mesmerized, or rather, they were quietly appreciating the fireworks.
Molly stared at the fireworks in the sky, tears involuntarily welling up in her eyes. "The outside world is so beautiful. Father, can you see it? Molly can see it, this is the world in Molly's eyes."
Looking at the fireworks, Li Xing couldn't help but recall the fireworks he had set off with Kanae, Mitsuri, Shinobu, Aoi, and the younger ones at the Butterfly Mansion. Li Xing would always remember the happiness of those times.
"Li Yun, record all of this..." Li Xing mentally instructed Li Yun to capture the blooming fireworks. At the same time, Li Xing couldn't help but shed a tear.
Hong sat behind Li Xing. Illuminated by the fireworks, Hong saw Li Xing's profile. "He's crying? Does a wanted criminal like him have such a side? What kind of person is this man?"
Meanwhile, Karin and Yugito hugged Li Xing, leaning on his shoulders as they admired the fireworks together.
The fireworks festival lasted for a full hour. Molly, at some point, had taken out a camera, wanting to capture the moment.
Li Xing was lost in thought. When the fireworks ended, he finally came to his senses. He casually wiped away his tears and lifted Molly onto his shoulders.
"Alright, it's over, little Molly. Do you want to keep wandering?"
Molly shook her head. "Brother Li Xing, let's go back. Thank you for taking me to see the fireworks today, Brother Li Xing. This is one of the best gifts I've ever received."
"Then let's go back and rest. Karin, Yugito, Miss Hong, let's go!"
...
Late at night, Hong tossed and turned on the tatami, Li Xing's face from the day filling her mind, making sleep impossible.
Hong quietly got up and looked around. Molly was sleeping soundly in the embrace of Karin and Yugito, who had also fallen asleep. Hong tiptoed, dressed, and carefully made her way outside.
Outside, she saw Li Xing on the rooftop, staring at the moon, a cigarette dangling from his lips.
This was Li Xing's first time smoking. For some reason, he inexplicably bought a pack and lit one up. Sensing Hong's arrival, Li Xing didn't turn around.
"Miss Hong, not sleeping so late at night, are you also out to admire the moon?"
Hong leaped lightly and sat beside Li Xing. "Aren't you the same?"
Li Xing took a deep drag of his cigarette and slowly exhaled. "Are you wondering why my appearance today has shattered your perception? Miss Hong, I advise you not to think too much, or you might fall for me."
"Indeed, my perception of you was limited to the wanted posters. Kakashi once said you were a very terrifying ninja, but today it doesn't seem to be the case. I saw you cry, and now I'm seeing your narcissistic side."
"How is it? Even when I cry, I'm still handsome, right? So, Miss Hong, have you fallen for me? I imagine you must have, otherwise, you wouldn't be thinking about me so much that you can't sleep." Li Xing turned his head, leaning his face towards Hong with a narcissistic, wicked smile.
Li Xing's face was very close to Hong's, almost kissing distance. Hong bashfully turned her face away. "I haven't fallen for you yet, I'm just filled with curiosity about you."
"What a shame. You've missed out on a man who is perfect in every aspect, except perhaps for having too many wives." Li Xing didn't tease Hong further. He casually pulled out a bottle of wine and two cups, filling them.
He then handed a cup over. "Would you like some too?"
Hong was about to refuse, but considering the day's activities of shopping, visiting the hot springs, and watching fireworks, a bit of wine wouldn't hurt. She immediately took the cup and took a sip.
"I have no problem drinking, but you, aren't you still underage? Smoking and drinking at such a young age, and you have two wives. You've committed all three forbidden acts for ninjas."
"Rules are for the strong to restrain the weak, and rules are also made by the strong. Besides, my age is much greater than yours, and I'm not a ninja, just a wanderer passing through this world." Li Xing had never considered the rules of the ninja world, just as he had unhesitatingly killed a country's monarch last time. Assassinating a daimyo was a major taboo in the ninja world.
All officially sanctioned ninjas were bound by their countries. Unsanctioned ninjas were criminals. Ninja villages could fight amongst themselves, but killing a daimyo would lead to exclusion from all countries. No one would hire a ninja who might betray their lord.
Enough digression, back to the present. Hong couldn't help but laugh. "Kid, you're Tsunade-sama's disciple, and you're about the same age as my students. Yet you claim to be older than me. Are you implying that I haven't fallen for you because of your age? Using such an excuse."
"However... if you can tell me why you cried today, I might give you a hug to comfort you."
Li Xing turned his head and looked at Hong with a strange expression. This woman seemed even more narcissistic than he was! Was she already assuming he was trying to woo her when she said that? This was the truth, but it was understandable that Hong wouldn't believe it, as ordinary people couldn't fathom reincarnation happening before their eyes.
"It's nothing, I just saw the fireworks and missed my family. You don't need to comfort me. I'm just traveling in this world, living a dream, and finding a way to revive them."
Here, Li Xing's revival didn't mean bringing the dead back to life as mortals. Ordinary people would still die. Nor was it about assimilating them into Rakshasa bodies, but about helping them ascend to godhood, becoming immortal and ageless, a concept entirely different from ghosts.
"Is there really a technique in this world that can revive people? Even if there is, it should only be something the legendary Sage of Six Paths could do. Li Xing, I hope you don't get lost in the past. You have family now, don't you? Your two wives, and Molly."
Hong had only heard about Li Xing from Shizune and thought he was just mourning his deceased parents. Little did she know, those were lies Li Xing had concocted earlier, though the departure of his parents was real.
"Alright, it's getting late. It's time to rest. Goodnight, Miss Hong." Li Xing didn't want to talk too much about the past; in any case, most people wouldn't believe it. For now, he just needed to focus on being happy.
As Li Xing stood up to return to his room, Hong suddenly stood up and gently hugged him. "I'm sorry, I was too talkative tonight. I hope you won't dwell on unrealistic things anymore. Live happily, think of Molly. She wants you to be happy more than anyone."
"Miss Hong, how can you tell I'm unhappy? On the contrary, I feel very happy now that a beautiful woman is hugging me. If possible, I hope hugs can be our greeting ritual." Li Xing didn't hesitate to reciprocate Hong's hug, burying his face in her chest, adopting a posture akin to Momo-no-suke.
Hong sensed that Li Xing's intentions were a bit off and quickly pushed him away. "Kid, I'm far too old for you, and you can't be unfair to your two wives."
"Tch, saying that after hugging me? Purely hindsight! No fun. Goodnight." Li Xing couldn't be bothered to tease her anymore. He lit a cigarette and jumped off the rooftop.
Hong suddenly appeared before Li Xing, blocking his path. She reached out and took the cigarette from his mouth, confiscating his entire pack as well. "Stop smoking, it's bad for your health. You should also drink less."
"Honestly, my mother didn't even manage me that much. Go back to sleep." Li Xing wasn't particularly fond of smoking anyway; it didn't matter if he didn't. It was just that smoking felt quite comfortable. As for health, would the Heavenly Dao care about such things?
However, after returning to his room, Li Xing's mood improved considerably, and he soon fell into a deep sleep.
...
A few days later, Li Xing received orders from Zetsu to go to an Akatsuki stronghold in the eastern Fire Country. Obito wanted to see him.
"Brother Li Xing, aren't you coming back to Konoha with me? I have a mission from Lady Tsunade to find you. She misses you a lot and wants me to bring you back for a 'discussion'." Molly said to Li Xing with reluctance.
Li Xing's scalp tingled. "Are you sure she said that?"
"Yes, Lady Tsunade said exactly that."
"I won't be returning to Konoha with you for now. You should go back soon. The Fire Country has been unstable recently. Miss Hong, please protect Molly. Goodbye!"
After confirming Tsunade's words, Li Xing was even less inclined to return. Molly didn't understand the meaning of "discussion," but Li Xing did; it meant she wanted to beat him up.
After bidding farewell to the two, Li Xing, accompanied by Karin and Yugito, headed for the Akatsuki stronghold in the eastern Fire Country. It seemed Obito was done playing games.
(Thanks to Zha Tian Bang - Wo Long's flower for the reward. "Zha Tian will conquer, not a blade of grass will remain." The reward system didn't give me points, so take this 'Ten Thousand Points of Pretentious Fist'.)