Marrying Two at Once

"Naori, I've arrived."

In front of a two-story house filled with the signs of life, with several flowerbeds in the front yard where butterflies fluttered, Uchiha Takeyasu gently knocked on the door.

His keen hearing allowed him to discern a series of footsteps from inside the house, starting hurried and then slowing until they disappeared.

(Naori is right at the entrance.)

Suppressing the urge to use [Amenotokotachi], Uchiha Takeyasu waited quietly.

Three to four seconds later, the door opened, and the soft morning light fell upon Uchiha Naori, entering Uchiha Takeyasu's eyes.

Today, the purple-haired girl wasn't wearing her usual plain black robes. Instead, she wore a dignified and elegant white kimono adorned with red plum blossoms.

Her face, like a lotus emerging from clear water, wore light makeup, making her appear softer and more alluring than usual.

"Come in."

Uchiha Naori moved aside. After Uchiha Takeyasu entered, she brought out a pair of new men's slippers. While tucking away a stray strand of hair, she crouched down and placed the slippers by Uchiha Takeyasu's feet.

Looking down, Uchiha Takeyasu could see the girl's gentle profile and her snow-white neck.

(Like a newlywed wife.)

A warm feeling enveloped Uchiha Takeyasu's heart. He then followed Uchiha Naori inside, and the two sat facing each other, kneeling beside a small round table.

Uchiha Naori's hands, hidden beneath the table, were clasped together. Even her feet, pressed by her thighs, were tense, forming a beautiful curve beneath the white socks.

(Is Young Lord wearing this outfit for me, or for Minamoto Kaori?)

Uchiha Naori had known about the activity in the front hall for some time.

Seeing Uchiha Takeyasu not go to the front hall but come directly to her home, the girl, who had meticulously dressed with her mother's help, was naturally overjoyed.

But she couldn't help but feel anxious – what if Young Lord had only come to tell her that he wanted to marry Minamoto Kaori, and not her?

(So nervous!)

Burying all her emotions deep within her heart, the purple-haired girl tried her best to maintain a normal demeanor and waited quietly for Uchiha Takeyasu to speak.

(Judging by the Clan Head's attitude yesterday, Naori's chances of accepting me are quite high, so there's no need to hesitate anymore!)

Uchiha Takeyasu, also prepared, didn't fidget. He looked directly into Uchiha Naori's eyes. "Naori, I like you. Will you be my wife?"

His slightly rushed words reached her ears. Uchiha Naori had imagined this scenario countless times the previous night and had rehearsed many possible answers, but her brain nerves only allowed her to utter one word.

"Yes."

As the word left her lips, Uchiha Naori felt a sense of relief wash over her, as if a heavy stone had been lifted from her heart. Her entire being instantly became radiant, her dark eyes sparkling with bright spirit.

The girl's swift and decisive agreement left Uchiha Takeyasu, who had prepared a host of promises, momentarily speechless. But he quickly recovered.

Uchiha Takeyasu straightened his posture, placed his hands on his knees, bent his body, and suppressed the excitement in his voice. "Naori, please take care of me from now on."

"An-kun, please take care of me for the rest of my life too."

The woman secretly watching from upstairs saw this scene and, covering her mouth with joy, cautiously returned to her room. She looked at her husband and nodded heavily.

(Naori, be happy!)

Their daughter, whom they had raised for over a decade, would now be living in someone else's home. Naori's parents felt both relief that their grown daughter was at an age for marriage and a pang of sadness that their precious cabbage was about to be plucked by a pig...

No, she was about to be taken by the noble Young Lord and Hokage-sama.

The two of them couldn't help but offer their blessings.

"Naori, do you want to accompany me to the front hall?"

"Is it about Princess Kaori?"

"Yes."

"Then let's go. Who told me to fall for you?"

Uchiha Takeyasu, who stood up first, extended his hand to help Uchiha Naori up. The girl looked up at Uchiha Takeyasu. Even though she had anticipated this situation, a feeling of dislike still arose within her.

(However, the only one who can stand by An-kun's side is me.)

(If I were to unfortunately die in battle one day, with Minamoto Kaori around, An-kun wouldn't be alone.)

Ninja were a profession accustomed to life and death; killing and being killed were in a constant cycle. Even Hashirama Senju and Senju Tobirama could meet their demise, so Uchiha Naori didn't believe she would be an exception.

All she wished for was for the person she loved to continue living happily.

(But sharing this with someone else still feels a bit unpleasant.)

Collecting her thoughts and tidying her attire, Uchiha Naori shot Uchiha Takeyasu a reproachful glance and turned to walk out the door.

"Naori, wait for me."

Uchiha Takeyasu quickly followed, taking the girl's hand, which was dangling by her hip. Along the way, under the gaze of the clan members, they headed towards the front hall.

(It seems Young Lord is quite efficient.)

The two entered the hall intimately. The Uchiha Three Elders wore smiles, while Minamoto Kazuhiko's expression shifted slightly before he masked it.

Minamoto Kaori held Tachibana tightly in her embrace. Her eyes, hidden beneath her veil, showed little emotion, as if she were indifferent to everything.

Only Tachibana knew that the girl's grip had tightened slightly, and her small body was trembling a little.

"Apologies for keeping you all waiting."

"Hokage-sama is too kind."

Minamoto Kazuhiko smiled and said, "I had a very pleasant conversation with the three elders earlier, and we've already settled matters regarding the betrothal gifts and dowry."

"I'll state it once more to see if anything needs to be added."

"There's no need. The Clan Head and the two elders' wishes are my wishes."

Uchiha Takeyasu, seated in the main seat, waved his hand, his words showing complete trust in the Uchiha Three Elders. Then, his tone shifted, astonishing everyone present.

"The only issue now is that the wedding ceremony needs a slight adjustment; I will be marrying two wives simultaneously."

"Marrying two at the same time?"

Even Minamoto Kazuhiko, who was accustomed to his father taking concubines at the Daimyo's mansion, was stunned. People usually took wives one by one. Was it going too far to set such a precedent by marrying two at once?

And one of them was a noble princess of the Land of Fire. Wasn't this disrespectful to the Daimyo of the Land of Fire?

Is the Hokage that amazing?

Being sensible, Minamoto Kazuhiko kept all these thoughts to himself, only showing a troubled expression on his face.

The Uchiha Three Elders also exchanged glances but remained silent in tacit agreement.

For bloodline clans, more children meant more blessings. Seeing some of their ninja still unmarried made the three of them feel quite bothered.

"I'll leave the wedding ceremony to the Clan Head and the two elders. You can decide the date."

"Prince Kazuhiko, if you have any suggestions, please feel free to voice them. We will be in-laws from now on, so we must maintain close contact. I am looking forward to Prince Kazuhiko becoming the Daimyo of the Land of Fire."

Minamoto Kazuhiko's eyes lit up, and his troubled expression instantly turned into a cordial smile. "Please rest assured, Hokage-sama. I do have some experience regarding wedding ceremonies."

"That would be for the best."

Uchiha Takeyasu smiled amiably. "Before the wedding, Princess Kaori will stay with the Uchiha clan. This way, I, Naori, and Kaori can also cultivate our relationship.

"I hope that in the days to come, the three of us can walk side by side."

"Meow~"

"Of course, and our adorable Tachibana too."