The day the news spread, even the air in Konoha changed.
From the Hokage Building to Ichiraku Ramen, from the Ninja Academy to the Uchiha Clan Compound, everyone was talking about the same thing.
Lord Genya was getting married-to nine women at once.
Several middle-aged women stood in front of a tea stall with cups in hand, their mouths never closing.
"Nine! Nine! I had enough trouble finding one husband, and here he is marrying nine women at once!"
"Who is he, and who are you?"
"Fair point... But don't those nine girls fight?"
"What are you worrying for? Lord Genya can handle it."
Inside Ichiraku Ramen, Teuchi kneaded dough while marveling to his customers that the next time Genya came, he might bring nine wives with him.
The owner of the Ninja Tool Shop wiped down a shelf and called it talent, while a customer beside him rolled his eyes and called it shamelessness.
The owner told him to go ahead and be that shameless himself, then.
The customer shut up.
The Uchiha Clan Compound was festooned with lanterns and decorations, even livelier than when the Sixth had taken office.
The clan members had put up a red ceremonial arch at the entrance to the Uchiha Grounds on their own initiative, and lanterns stretched all the way from the grounds to the village gates.
Elder Yashiro leaned on his cane as he directed the youngsters hanging colored silk, while Tekka held the ladder beside him and said, "Take it easy."
Elder Yashiro spoke without even turning his head.
"Take it easy? I've been waiting years for this day."
Inside the Hokage Building, Shisui looked at the stack of documents awaiting approval on his desk and sighed softly.
It wasn't because there was too much work, but because he had