"Exactly—getting married!"
Watching Namikaze Minato scratch his head and grin sheepishly, Uchiha Chen's eyes lit up. He suddenly found himself interested.
According to the original story, Namikaze Minato was due to become the Fourth Hokage before long, and Uzumaki Naruto would be born next year. That meant Minato and Uzumaki Kushina's wedding should be happening around this time.
"Yeah, Minato. You and Kushina have been together for so many years. It's about time you considered getting married."
Jiraiya, who was sitting nearby, also perked up at the word "married" and looked at Namikaze Minato with keen interest.
"Getting married..."
Namikaze Minato's face turned red. He gave an awkward smile and scratched his head, looking hesitant.
"Hm? Minato, what do you mean by that? Don't tell me you don't want to take responsibility and get married?"
Seeing Namikaze Minato hesitate, Tsunade furrowed her brows and questioned him.
Tsunade's grandmother was Uzumaki Mito, the first Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, while Uzumaki Kushina belonged to the Uzumaki Clan and was also the second Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
Although Tsunade and Uzumaki Kushina were quite far apart in age, that didn't stop them from becoming good friends.
That was why Tsunade reacted so strongly when she saw Namikaze Minato hesitate.
"Minato, although your teacher once taught you not to hang yourself from a single tree..."
"But if you don't want to take responsibility for Kushina, that's no way for a man to behave!"
Jiraiya folded his arms, his expression growing serious as he studied Namikaze Minato and spoke slowly.
Even Hatake Kakashi and Might Guy gave Namikaze Minato odd looks.
Could Minato-sensei really be that kind of person?
Feeling everyone's eyes on him, Namikaze Minato quickly waved his hands and explained,
"No, no, you've all got it wrong. Of course I want to marry Kushina."
"I just haven't figured out how to propose to her yet."
"So that's what it is. We really did misjudge you."
Everyone understood.
"Hey, Tsunade, you're the only kunoichi here. What kind of proposal do you think would work best? You can give Minato some advice."
Jiraiya suddenly turned to Tsunade, grinning in a way that looked downright smug.
Tsunade wasted no time in bringing her fist down on Jiraiya's head.
Only after seeing the lump rise on his head did Tsunade feel a little better. She raised an eyebrow.
"Jiraiya, you're so experienced, and women like you so much. Why don't you give Minato some advice?"
"Heh heh, well, well!"
Jiraiya waved a hand, pretending to be modest.
But there was no hiding the smug look on his face. His grin stretched almost from ear to ear...
That was right! Jiraiya-sensei was the man who had published Make-Out Paradise!
When it came to winning a woman's heart, Jiraiya-sensei was surely the expert!
Thinking this, Namikaze Minato looked at Jiraiya expectantly, his gaze fervent.
"Jiraiya-sensei...!"
"A proposal? That's easy! I, Jiraiya, could do that in my sleep!"
Jiraiya grew more and more pleased with himself, as if proposing really were a simple matter.
"Please, Jiraiya-sensei, enlighten me!"
Namikaze Minato watched Jiraiya nervously and swallowed.
Namikaze Minato wasn't the only one feeling tense. Hatake Kakashi and Might Guy also strained to listen, while pretending not to care.
Even Tsunade was...
It wasn't that they wanted to propose to anyone or have someone propose to them. They were simply curious.
Uchiha Chen was probably the only person in the room who didn't care. After all, in his previous life, he had watched far too many movies and TV dramas about all kinds of proposals.
Any proposal from those shows would be absolutely mind-blowing in this world.
So while Jiraiya and Namikaze Minato were discussing the matter heatedly, Uchiha Chen turned his attention to Might Guy.
As it happened, Might Guy looked over at the same time.
Looking at Might Guy's still-youthful face, Uchiha Chen could almost hear a familiar tune ringing in his ears...
"Be-be-be-be-be..."
This young man would one day be known as Emperor Guy, the man who almost kicked the story to its finale.
"Uchiha Chen, the hero of Konoha! It's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Might Guy!"
While Uchiha Chen was momentarily distracted, Might Guy had already struck his signature pose. He gave a thumbs-up, bared two rows of brilliant white teeth, and introduced himself.
"Not at all, not at all. I'm just an ordinary Konoha Ninja."
"If you want to talk about true heroes of Konoha, I think your father, Might Duy, and all the shinobi who sacrificed their lives are the real heroes!"
Uchiha Chen hurriedly waved his hands, then looked at Might Guy and spoke earnestly.
He really didn't want the title of Konoha's hero. It drew too much attention and went completely against his desire to keep a low profile.
"Uchiha Chen, do you really think my father was a hero?"
Might Guy's somewhat dim eyes immediately brightened. He asked anxiously.
Might Duy's death had left Might Guy deeply saddened, even if he hadn't shown it.
But now someone had called his father a hero to his face. How could he not be moved by that recognition?
"Of course!"
"Uchiha Chen!"
Might Guy's eyes brimmed with tears of excitement. If they hadn't been surrounded by so many people, he would have rushed up and given Uchiha Chen a passionate hug!
After a while, Might Guy looked at Uchiha Chen with a serious expression.
"I've decided! From now on, you'll be my second eternal rival, after Kakashi!"
Uchiha Chen: ...
Wow. You're repaying kindness with hostility. Who could possibly withstand that kick of yours?
"Ahem, well... Guy, there's no need for us to be eternal rivals. I think we'd be better off as good brothers..."
"But..."
Might Guy hesitated. Deep down, he really did want to compete with Uchiha Chen.
After Kakashi, Uchiha Chen was the second person he wanted to surpass.
"Come on, there's no 'but' about it. We're going to be good brothers from now on. I can spar with you whenever you want!"
As Uchiha Chen spoke, he beckoned. Might Guy obligingly leaned in to listen.
"I can even help you beat Kakashi~"
Hearing that, Might Guy straightened up at once, gave Uchiha Chen a meaningful look, and nodded.
Uchiha Chen nodded back.
As long as you don't save that kick for me, we can be brothers from different parents!
Meanwhile, Hatake Kakashi suddenly shivered for no apparent reason...