In half a year, Chizhao's taijutsu had made a qualitative leap, and her speed at chopping wood was as swift as the wind, astonishing everyone.
The foundation of the wooden house was mostly complete; the upcoming frame construction would be a brand new start.
She looked at the scattered wooden stumps before her, a hint of emotion welling up in her heart.
She sighed softly, "Alas, why is my path of cultivation so different from others'?
In the blink of an eye, another half a year had passed, and Chizhao had turned seven.
On New Year's Eve, the streets were adorned with lanterns and decorations, bustling with activity.
Crowds of people weaved through the streets and alleys, each face beaming with happy smiles.
The air was filled with the aroma of delicious food: the sweet scent of dango, the savory smell of fried chicken, and the fresh aroma of freshly made ramen, all intertwining to tantalize people's taste buds.
"Grandma, hurry, the fireworks display is about to begin!"
Chizhao excitedly called out to Keiko behind her, her small face flushed red under the streetlights, full of childlike innocence and anticipation.
Keiko's gentle gaze followed the lively Chizhao ahead, and she waved, "Run slower, don't fall!"
Suddenly, a familiar smiling face came into view.
"Happy New Year! Chizhao!"
Seeing Naruto before her, Chizhao also happily responded.
"Happy New Year, Naruto! I thought you'd be late."
"I promised you we'd watch the fireworks together, how could I be late?"
Just then, Keiko finally walked over and gently greeted Naruto, "Naruto, you're here too, Happy New Year."
"Happy New Year, Grandma Huizi, thank you for always taking care of me."
Naruto bowed politely and gratefully to Keiko, a faint smile on his obedient little face.
Keiko nodded and took out two red envelopes from her bag, handing them to the children before her.
"Here, these are my red envelopes for you. I hope you grow up healthy and happy, and that every day is filled with laughter."
The two little ones excitedly accepted the red envelopes, their eyes sparkling with joy, and they shouted in unison:
"Thank you, Grandma!"
"Then I'll go reserve a good spot by the river to watch the fireworks. You two go buy something delicious."
Keiko patted their heads, her eyes full of doting affection.
"I know, we'll be back in a bit! Naruto, let's go!"
"Yosh! Delicious food, here I come!"
Along the way, the various stalls and games on the street caught Chizhao's eye, making her a bit overwhelmed for a moment.
"This smells so good! Chizhao, did you smell it?"
Naruto, having caught a tempting scent, looked around and suddenly saw a small stall in the distance surrounded by people.
"It seems to be over there! Let's go take a look!"
"Huh? Eh?"
Before Chizhao could react, Naruto grabbed her small hand and excitedly ran over.
Reaching the front of the crowd, Chizhao's keen eyes spotted a familiar figure, so she pulled Naruto and walked up, happily greeting him:
"Yo! Shikamaru! Happy New Year!"
Shikamaru, recognizing who it was, smiled slightly and replied, "It's you two, Happy New Year."
Naruto looked around, a bit puzzled, "Why are you here alone? Where's Choji?"
Speaking of Choji, Shikamaru pointed his thumb, a bit of a headache, to the place where the crowd gathered behind him.
The three small bodies squeezed through the crowd and found Choji sitting at a table inside, competing in something with two other slightly older, chubby people.
"What are they doing?" Chizhao asked curiously, looking at Shikamaru, who stood with his arms crossed, looking uninterested.
"As you can see, the owner of this barbecue stall is holding an eating contest."
"The one who eats the most gets a free meal... That Choji, he can't move once he hears about things like this."
"I see, isn't this a tailor-made competition for him!"
"Choji! Go! Go!"
Naruto shouted to cheer Choji on.
Hearing the sound, Choji lifted his head, saw the three familiar faces, grinned brightly, and made a victory sign.
The competition began, and despite Choji's small stature, he showed no hesitation when it came to eating barbecue.
The speed at which plate after plate disappeared, plate after plate, stunned the onlookers.
"This child eats too much!"
"Hahahahaha, it seems the stall owner has met his match."
By the end of the competition, the two people next to Choji were so full they couldn't even drink water, slumped over the table, unable to straighten their backs.
Choji's only change was his bulging belly. Looking at him, he seemed like he could still eat more. He wiped his mouth, a look of wanting more on his face:
"What's wrong? Is it over already? I'm not full yet..."
The stall owner was shocked, "What?! All the meat is gone, and you're still not full? I lost..."
The uncle, looking on the verge of tears, knelt on the ground, like a tragic protagonist under a spotlight.
He regretted holding the eating contest; he had worked all night for nothing.
Watching Choji walk off the stage, holding his belly with a satisfied look, Naruto immediately went up to him, praising him unreservedly:
"That's amazing, Choji, I didn't know you were so good at eating barbecue."
Choji also proudly lifted his head, becoming quite boastful.
"Of course, I love eating meat the most... Oh, right..." He suddenly remembered something and turned to look at the three, his tone a bit urgent.
"You guys wait for me here for a bit, I'll be right back."
With that, Choji, with his short legs, ran towards the barbecue stall, leaving the other three looking at each other.
Choji ran to the barbecue stall, where the crowd had dispersed, and raised his chubby little head, his face fleshy, his tone sincere:
"Boss, you said the first-place winner gets a free meal. Can I also get three more portions of barbecue to share with my friends? Because your barbecue is really delicious!"
The uncle, who was about to close up shop, paused. Looking at the bright-eyed boy, his previously frustrated mood lifted because of the compliment.
To have someone appreciate his cooking, even if it was a child, brought a sense of accomplishment.
"Anyway, you've eaten almost all of it. Take what's left for your friends."
The stall owner quickly prepared four portions of barbecue, put them in a bag, and bent down to hand them to Choji.
"Also, I made one for you too. If I get the chance, I'll open a barbecue restaurant in the Village, and you must come and try it!"
Choji took the bag and nodded happily, "Thank you, uncle, I'll definitely come, Happy New Year!"
The stall owner watched Choji's departing figure, a slight smile on his lips.
"You guys have been waiting a long time!"
"Why did you take so long?" Chizhao asked curiously.
"Of course, it was to pack delicious barbecue for you!" Holding up the bag in his hand, Choji's smile was exceptionally bright.
Chizhao sniffed the aroma quietly wafting from the bag and couldn't help but swallow.
"Choji, you're really thoughtful. Watching you eat so deliciously, I've wanted to try it for a long time."
Naruto, happy, bounced in place, "Awesome! We have barbecue to eat!"
The two each took their barbecue and eagerly tasted it, their faces beaming with satisfaction.
"Mmm, mmm, so good!"
Shikamaru looked at the two, who were devouring their food without care for appearances, and smiled helplessly.
"Shikamaru, this one is for you. Eat it while it's hot, it's really delicious." Choji smiled as he handed the barbecue to Shikamaru.
His gaze fell on the barbecue, and Shikamaru hesitated slightly, then, under the urging eyes of the other two, finally took the barbecue.
"What a pain, I've already had dinner..." Shikamaru grumbled.
"Just try it, this is a delicious treat Choji specially won for us~"
After saying that, Chizhao put another mouthful of barbecue into her mouth.
"Yes, yes, I will savor it with gratitude."
After finishing their barbecue, the four walked and played their way to the best fireworks viewing spot.