Naruto: Passerby and Returnee

Chapter 228 Opening

The opening ceremony of the Spring Festival was simple, with only a song and dance troupe invited. They first played two popular dance tunes, then abruptly shifted the style, from delicate and melodious tunes to bold and powerful major keys. The dancers on stage tossed aside their fans, then removed their pale masks, and with a turn, discarded their heavy, formal costumes, revealing flowing skirts. The dancers' smiles were bright and beautiful, their figures graceful and agile, like a flock of butterflies about to take flight.

The two completely different dances instantly ignited the atmosphere, eliciting continuous cheers. Tourists who had been eyeing the rides behind them were suddenly drawn to the performance, and even at the end, some were shouting for an encore. However, this wish would not be fulfilled for the time being, as the dancers gracefully floated off the stage, and the park gates officially opened.

Perhaps due to effective promotion, there were far more visitors than expected. Fortunately, the capacity issue was considered when selling tickets, and the number of tickets per day was fixed. Each person can only buy one ticket within three days. This is why, despite its small size, the Land of Waves has such strict identification requirements. Tickets can be purchased up to two days in advance, which minimizes the pressure on the ticket office.

Even so, Naruto still had to keep an eye on the amusement park, which was most prone to problems. Safety facilities were in place, and first aid and security personnel were available, but queuing was still required for ticketing, ticket checks, rides, and border crossings. People can't be judged by one standard; good manners are a rare commodity, and these places were most likely to cause conflict, so a sufficiently strong force was needed to maintain stability.

There are seven staff members on duty today, with three assigned to the park alone. Naruto divided the area according to everyone's abilities. He himself is in the ticket booth, where the pressure is the greatest, and he also sends out a few clones to wander around when he has nothing to do. Neji is in the area near the sea, where his Byakugan can detect situations in time and prevent anyone from recklessly running into the deep-sea area. Sakura is in the area near the shore. The hospital is a great place to train people. Conflicts between doctors and patients are much easier to handle than conflicts between tourists and management. At least she doesn't have to worry that one punch might kill the other person.

Of course, violent law enforcement is not encouraged. If there are other possibilities, it is still advisable to persuade the other party with words.

Once I actually started working, the idea that this trip was just a side trip vanished instantly. Maintaining order was even more tiring than fighting. Because, when you fight, you only need to focus on taking down your opponent, but order cannot be maintained by force alone. There are just too many people who try to mess with people's mentality.

In just one morning, Neji had apprehended a considerable number of thieves and vandals, as well as a few reckless individuals attempting to climb over the fence. Sakura had talked herself hoarse, but in the end, she managed to throw a truly unreasonable idiot into the detention center—of course, he was carried in lying down. Naruto's face was practically frozen from smiling, but when his expression softened, he uncontrollably released a sliver of his aura, instantly dispelling the arrogance of the person opposite him, who was now willing to queue properly again.

So, some people just deserve it!

The second shift in the afternoon consisted of Kiba and Kaze, while Naruto continued working without changing shifts.

Around lunchtime, tickets for both days were already sold out, and the number of people entering the park had decreased significantly. Most staff members worked half-day shifts, and those who came to relieve them had already eaten beforehand. Naruto, who wasn't on duty, didn't even have time to rest, because persuading people who hadn't bought tickets to leave was a huge undertaking. The staff's biggest fear was those who wouldn't listen to reason; you'd spend ages explaining things, only to have them turn around and ask the same question again—it was enough to make your blood pressure skyrocket.

Naruto encountered such a person right at mealtime.

The man seemed polite at first, but as soon as he learned the tickets were sold out, his attitude changed drastically. He threatened to see the country's leader or raze the country to the ground. This amused and angered Naruto. He patiently explained the ticketing rules, but the man wouldn't listen, insisting that he was a VIP and shouldn't have to compete with ordinary people for tickets—that one ticket should be reserved for him!

Naruto barely suppressed the urge to throw the person across the sea. There were indeed special individuals who could get insider tickets, but these people either worked for the amusement park and wouldn't necessarily be here for this kind of fun, or they had invested in the park, like the nobles from the Land of Fire. They were quite shrewd in their investments; the rapid development of the town along the road to the Land of Waves was undoubtedly at their behest. Special guests in the Land of Waves were on a register, and this person wasn't qualified for the list, yet he seemed quite self-important, which was really tempting.

"Guest, the Land of Waves does not recognize noble status; there is only a distinction between commoners and soldiers. This is stated in the entry notice. If you wish to visit, please abide by the laws of the Land of Waves."

"What kind of petty law is this? It's just a piece of waste paper. I am the law! Give me the ticket right now! And send a copy to all my entourage!"

Just as Naruto was about to politely ask them to leave, a man in white suddenly cut through the crowd and walked towards him as if no one else was there.

"I've brought you food." Sasuke didn't even bother to glance at anyone else, and walked straight to Naruto, stuffing a small package embroidered with blue waves into his arms. "You've worked hard, but you still need to eat. You can't go hungry."

Even Naruto was a little confused, let alone the troublemaker. Had Sasuke just smiled? That tone...it felt like he was thirty years old again.

"And who are you? Can't you see I'm talking to him? I haven't even eaten yet, why should he get to eat!"

The man, his brow furrowed in shock, snapped out of his daze and immediately exploded, about to leap across the distance to snatch the damned cloth bag. But Sasuke turned back at that moment. The man met a crimson eye, but his shock vanished in an instant. His entire demeanor changed abruptly; he bowed his head, apologized, and then turned and walked away, leaving his followers utterly bewildered. If someone had looked closely, they would have noticed that while his movements were fluid, his eyes were lifeless—he was clearly under a genjutsu.

"That's not a good way to put it."

"Shut up and eat your food."

Naruto shut up. This is the familiar feeling. Sasuke was definitely acting just now.

"Thank you for coming all this way to bring me food! Have you eaten yet? Xiaoying just got off work and is eating nearby."

Sasuke's lips curled down, and he said coldly, "I told you, just eat your food quietly."

"Oh......"

Honestly, why are you suddenly angry again? It can't be because he mentioned Sakura, right? Did it start around this time? I never noticed before!