"It's time..."
"Hmm, it's time..."
Fugaku Uchiha and Mikoto Uchiha stood side by side in the shadows of the side corridor of the main hall, their gazes slowly sweeping across the shrine courtyard and the adjacent banquet area.
In the courtyard, all the guests had arrived. The carefully arranged seats were full, and the flow of people gently surged among the ancient buildings of the shrine and the lush cherry blossom trees. Whispers, laughter, and the clinking of wine glasses intertwined to create a festive background soundscape.
The air was filled with the fragrance of flowers, wine, and the warm aroma of food. Sunlight filtered through the cherry blossoms, falling on people's elegant clothes and smiling faces.
Asuma Sarutobi carefully supported Kurenai Yuhi, whose belly was already noticeably protruding and whose face was flushed with happiness. The two walked slowly under the red carpet, their eyes lingering on the decorative details and overall atmosphere of the place.
Asuma whispered something in Red's ear, and Red nodded with a smile, her fingers gently stroking her abdomen—they were silently studying each other, imagining and planning for their own ceremony soon.
Wearing a rare sharp suit and looking exceptionally energetic, the owner of Ichiraku Ramen Shop, Teuchi, was chatting and exchanging pleasantries with acquaintances with his daughter, Ayame, and others.
Kiba Akamaru, who was so engrossed in the sight of Zacian that he could barely move, his tail wagging like a windmill and whimpering excitedly.
Choji Akimichi's gaze was completely drawn to the multi-tiered wedding cake, a work of art, in the center of the banquet area.
The cake, which was more than ten stories high, had a base of pure white cream and was decorated with exquisite Uzumaki and the Uchiha Clan crest out of icing. It was adorned with edible cherry blossoms and star-shaped sugar pieces. Choji's eyes lit up as he planned his dinner strategy.
Shikamaru Nara, meanwhile, was talking with Temari, the sister of the Fifth Kazekage and the representative from Sand Village who had come from afar, in a relatively secluded corner.
Temari was dressed in a formal outfit that combined the style of Sunagakure with the elegance of the Land of Fire, making her look capable and heroic. Shikamaru seemed to be leaning lazily against a pillar, but his eyes were focused, and his conversation with Temari clearly went beyond ordinary politeness.
On the other side, Kankuro's face showed undisguised worry. His gaze was fixed on Gaara beside him.
Gaara was dressed in a dark tuxedo of the highest rank in Sunagakure, his expression calm to the point of indifference. However, Kankuro noticed that his younger brother's hand, hanging at his side and hidden under the wide sleeves, was trembling slightly with his fingertips.
Gaara's breathing was also slightly more rapid and shallow than usual. Kankuro felt anxious but didn't know how to comfort him.
In the arena, Iruka Umino, also dressed in a well-fitting suit and looking exceptionally neat and tidy, was having a final conversation with Hatake Kakashi, trying to ease his inner tension.
Kakashi was still dressed in his classic half-face-covering outfit, but the one eye that was visible was smiling, making him look relaxed and happy.
"Alright, it's time to go, brother. Let's go see Naruto."
A gentle, smiling voice came from behind him. Iruka tensed up and immediately turned around, only to see Minato Namikaze standing nearby.
Minato's handsome face appeared particularly gentle in the sunlight, and his smile was sincere and unpretentious.
"Yes, that's right!" Iruka responded almost reflexively, then hurriedly waved his hand, his face slightly flushed, "And... and... Fourth Hokage... you really don't have to call me that..."
The term "brother" made him feel both warm and apprehensive.
"That won't do," Minato said with a smile and a shake of his head. "It's already agreed that since you're here today as another father figure to Naruto, we're family of the same generation. That's the proper way to address each other. Rather, please stop calling me ' Fourth Hokage ' and just call me Minato."
As he spoke, Minato turned his head, his gaze passing over Iruka's shoulder to look at Kakashi standing to the side. His smile deepened, and he nodded slightly.
"... teacher."
Kakashi called out softly, quickly raising his hand and subtly rubbing his slightly sore eyes with his fingertips. He tried his best to suppress the sadness and even stronger gratitude that welled up in this occasion that should have been one of celebration.
Even though some time has passed, every time he sees Minato-sensei standing vividly and smiling in front of him, the immense shock and joy of regaining what he had lost still easily breaks his defenses. He takes a deep breath and returns Minato's smile as relaxed as possible, indicating that he is alright.
Soon, Kushina Uzumaki, Minato Namikaze, Fugaku Uchiha, Mikoto Uchiha, and Iruka Umino, who was naturally surrounded by them and trying to straighten his back, began to walk towards the room at the back of the shrine, which was specially prepared for newlyweds for final preparations and waiting before the ceremony.
Walking down the quiet, carpeted corridor, Iruka's heart pounded wildly in his chest. He frantically recited in his mind the speech he had prepared as the "matchmaker" to deliver at the ceremony later.
He had memorized those sentences so thoroughly that he could practically recite them in his dreams.
However, under this immense tension and solemnity, the clear words suddenly slipped away from the cracks in his taut memory, leaving his mind blank.
He unconsciously reached into the inside pocket of his suit jacket, his fingertips trembling slightly with panic—he remembered that he had kept a small note with the key words of his speech there, just in case.
Minato Namikaze, walking beside him, noticed Iruka's panic. He slowed his pace, reached out, and patted Iruka's stiff shoulder.
"It's alright, Iruka-sensei. Relax. Whatever you say later, even if it's just a simple blessing, Naruto will be very, very happy."
Feeling the warmth and support from his shoulder, and hearing Minato's resolute words, Iruka's tense nerves relaxed somewhat. He stopped his groping, looked up, and met Minato's understanding and encouraging blue eyes.
Finally, the initial panic on his face was replaced by a deeper emotion. He smiled somewhat sheepishly.
"Hmm... I understand," he said softly, straightening his back and catching up with the others.