Two newlywed couples

After announcing that Kagami Uchiha would become his disciple, Tobirama revealed the rest of his choices one by one. Hiruzen Sarutobi went without saying; his reputation had long since spread throughout the village. The selection of Shimura Danzō, his rival since childhood, also came as no surprise.

Although Torifu Akimichi did not come from a top-ranking Ninja Clan, his calm disposition and outstanding abilities had earned everyone's recognition. The other three, however, were somewhat unexpected.

Kazemori Masaki came from only a small clan, but he had begun making a name for himself at the Konoha Academy. During the meeting, Hashirama had personally decided that he and Kagami Uchiha would hold their weddings on the same day, earning him some recognition throughout Konoha Ninja Village as well. Considering his performance at the Academy, people could accept his selection, but the other two were a completely different matter.

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu came from ordinary backgrounds, without even a clearly established shinobi lineage. During the campaign to unify the Land of Fire toward the end of the Warring States period, both their families had perished in the fighting. Like Kazemori Masaki, they were orphans Hashirama had happened to rescue.

Although neither had ever received a shinobi's education, witnessing Hashirama's heroic feats as he pacified the country had inspired them to become shinobi, and they had asked to be allowed to do so. After their introductory training, their talents gradually emerged and caught Tobirama's attention. He permitted them to enter the Konoha Academy as members of shinobi clans—though, of course, their clan legacies fell short even of the Kazemori Clan's, leaving them little different from civilians.

Despite lacking inherited clan traditions, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu possessed exceptional talent as shinobi and keen minds. Their grades were not among the very best, but Tobirama saw both their potential and the significance of what they represented. That was why he had chosen them as his disciples.

When they learned that Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu had both been selected, some heirs of Ninja Clans who considered themselves superior were deeply unhappy, but there was nothing they could do.

Despite the resentment and jealousy of others, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu were thrilled. Being allowed to study at the Academy had already been a blessing from Tobirama; they had never dared hope to become his personal disciples. Now that he had taken them under his wing, they were filled with gratitude and silently swore that they would never disappoint Lord Hashirama or Lord Tobirama.

With all his disciples chosen, Tobirama did not rush to begin their training. He had to prepare for Kagami Uchiha's and Kazemori Masaki's weddings alongside his elder brother, Hashirama. For now, those were the village's highest priority.

After receiving Hashirama's assurances, Kagami's faction within the Uchiha Clan successfully overcame the opposing factions. His position as heir was not overturned, and a few days later, he formally succeeded as head of the Uchiha Clan. As the leader of one of Konoha's foremost clans, his wedding could hardly be a modest affair. Hashirama also intended to use the occasion to demonstrate the close ties between the two clans, so the wedding attracted considerable attention.

Because Kazemori Masaki would be holding his wedding at the same time as Kagami Uchiha, his own wedding also drew the attention of the entire village, even if it seemed he was basking in Kagami's reflected glory. Masaki did not quite know what to say about that.

After Kagami Uchiha proposed the arrangement, Hashirama nearly suggested that he and Kazemori Masaki hold their weddings together at the same venue. However, customs were not yet so liberal, and the Uchiha Clan would very likely refuse. The thought merely crossed Hashirama's mind before he abandoned it.

Still, Hashirama did not neglect Kazemori Masaki's wedding. Satomi was a close blood relative of his, and he felt he ought to take on the responsibilities of her father, so he approached the preparations with great care. Unfortunately, as Hokage, he had to attend the Uchiha Clan's wedding in person, leaving Tobirama to preside over this one.

During this time, Kazemori Masaki spent most of his days bustling about with Satomi to prepare for the wedding. Perhaps because it was drawing so near, even Masaki, whose temperament had grown increasingly calm, could not help feeling a little nervous. Soon, he would have a family and bear the responsibility for it.

He did not know whether he could protect that family. The shadow of the First Shinobi World War constantly hung over his heart, and now that he was about to marry, it loomed larger than ever.

But Kazemori Masaki could not let those feelings show. Seeing Satomi's joy and her hopes for their future life, he could not face her with a pessimistic expression. He buried those feelings deep within his heart, made himself forget them for the time being, and devoted himself wholeheartedly to the wedding.

Soon, the wedding day arrived. Kagami Uchiha's wedding was a grand affair, attended by Ninja Clans both large and small, much like an enormous banquet.

By comparison, Kazemori Masaki's wedding was rather modest. Fortunately, out of respect for Kagami Uchiha and Tobirama, the other shinobi clans also sent a few representatives, though their standing was naturally lower than that of those attending the Uchiha Clan's wedding. Masaki was quite satisfied with this. Given the Kazemori Clan's status, even these guests would not ordinarily have come. He truly owed Kagami Uchiha his thanks.

Besides Tobirama, who would preside over the ceremony, one other member of the Senju Clan attended: its Genjutsu expert, Senju Toka. Satomi had learned her shinobi skills from her, and Toka regarded Satomi as her own daughter. Naturally, she had come to look after her.

"Kazemori, you'd better take good care of Satomi. I practically raised that girl myself. Whatever disagreements you have, don't lay a hand on her. If I find out you've been treating her badly, you'd better watch out, because I'll come knocking," Senju Toka told Kazemori Masaki before the wedding began. She knew what his temper had once been like—impulsive and quick to anger. Although he seemed very calm now, she still felt she had to warn him.

"Of course, Lady Toka," Kazemori Masaki replied respectfully.

"Good." Senju Toka was pleased with his attitude and hoped that the young man truly could bring Satomi happiness.

Once all the guests had arrived, the wedding officially began. Following the ancient rites, Kazemori Masaki and Satomi meticulously completed every step of the ceremony. In the solemn atmosphere, they vowed before the gods to spend the rest of their lives together.

After the wedding officially ended, Kazemori Masaki held Satomi's hand and gazed at her bashful face. She had always been naturally beautiful, but now her beauty far surpassed anything he had seen before, stirring waves of emotion in his heart. From this day onward, Satomi would no longer bear the Senju surname. She would be Satomi Kazemori, his wife.

"Satomi..." Kazemori Masaki called softly.

"Hmm?" Satomi looked up at Kazemori Masaki. His gaze seemed filled with a certain power, and she could not help lowering her head. "What is it?"

"I'll make you happy. I promise," Kazemori Masaki said solemnly. After this wedding, he was determined to survive the First Shinobi World War and keep this family from falling apart.

"You've already said that several times. You don't have to keep saying it." Despite her words, Satomi looked visibly delighted.

Kazemori Masaki smiled tenderly and returned home with Satomi. He was very happy in the newlywed days that followed. If not for what lay ahead, he would have wished to live like this forever.

A few days later, Kagami Uchiha came to visit with his new wife. She was also a member of the Uchiha Clan, a gentle woman with lovely black hair who seemed well suited to the mild-mannered Kagami. Satomi and Kagami's wife both knew of their husbands' plans to unite their families through marriage. After talking, they each formed a very good impression of the other and agreed to visit often.

However happy their newlywed days were, Kazemori Masaki and Kagami Uchiha were shinobi and could not continue living that way forever. Once those days had passed, they would begin their training under Tobirama.

(End of chapter)