Chapter 274 Wedding
Chapter 274 Wedding
Fugaku Uchiha's wedding was different from the usual Uchiha clan marriages, which were closed gatherings that only invited core clan members.
This time, Fugaku defied public opinion and sent invitations to almost all the prominent ninja clans and high-ranking officials in Konoha.
Although several conservative elders glared and protested, believing it to be "lowering their status" and "destroying the sanctity of their bloodline," they had to admit that the Uchiha needed this wedding to demonstrate their integration into Konoha, given the successful reorganization of the police department and the deep ties between the Uchiha and the village's interests.
Nine o'clock in the morning, outside the main hall of the Uchiha mansion.
"Wow, what a grand display! No wonder they're the number one wealthy family."
Jiraiya, dressed in a rare, impeccably tailored suit (though the hem was still a bit wrinkled), swaggered over, carrying a gourd of sake.
He came today with the dual identity of officiant and former team leader, so he was full of confidence.
"Lord Jiraiya, can't you put the sake bottle down? This is a very formal occasion."
Orochimaru, who was standing beside him, was still wearing a pale white kimono. His golden vertical pupils coldly swept over the Uchiha elites who were on high alert and whose chests were embroidered with the Uchiha clan crest.
"Heh... so many Sharingan users gathered together, it's really... a bit uncomfortable." Orochimaru licked his lips. Madara Uchiha's clansmen, I wonder how many of them can awaken the Mangekyou Sharingan.
"Shut up, you two."
Tsunade was wearing a dark green furisode kimono. Although the style was conservative, her stunning figure still attracted attention. She glared at her two old teammates with annoyance.
"Today is Fugaku's joyous occasion. Anyone who dares to cause trouble or act recklessly while drunk here..." Tsunade clenched her fists, her knuckles cracking, "I'll show them what a real wedding or funeral looks like!"
Tsunade's feelings for the three members of Team 5 are complicated. Not to mention Nishikawa Tetsu, Minato and Fugaku have also helped her clean up a lot of messes. Even many of the things she researches in the lab were approved by Fugaku and sponsored by the police department.
The gathering of the three legendary Sannin is an extremely rare sight in Konoha.
When the guests passing by saw these three legendary figures, they all made way for them, their eyes filled with awe.
"Look over there, the Hyuga clan has arrived too."
Whispers arose from the crowd.
The two brothers, Hyuga Hiashi and Hyuga Hizashi, wearing traditional clothing representing the Hyuga clan's emblem, calmly walked into the Uchiha clan's territory.
"Incredible! Aren't the Byakugan and Sharingan, these two major dojutsu families, always at odds?"
"What do you know? I heard that the Hyuga branch family members and the Uchiha clan are cooperating very well in the police department now. Captain Fugaku really has a lot of influence."
Not only the Hyuga clan, but also the heads of the Ino-Shika-Cho clan, the representative of the Inuzuka clan, the head of the Aburame clan... almost half of Konoha's elite gathered here.
Apart from the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and two advisors who did not attend in person to avoid suspicion, Konoha's elite forces were almost entirely mobilized, since the Hokage cannot show excessive favoritism towards any particular clan.
Even Sakumo Hatake, the White Fang of Konoha who usually keeps to himself and rarely appears on such occasions, came in with Kakashi, carrying a congratulatory gift.
"Looks like this kid really did it."
Sakumo smiled as he looked at the lively yet orderly scene before him.
"Kakashi, take a good look." He patted his son on the shoulder and said gently, "This is the village, this is the power of bonds."
Kakashi pulled down his mask, his deadpan eyes scanning the room: "It's noisy. I wonder where Obito is."
……
Meanwhile, inside the main Uchiha residence.
"Take a deep breath, senior, take a deep breath."
Nishikawa Tetsu, dressed in a black and gold-patterned best man suit, was holding a comb and helping Uchiha Fugaku with the final touches on his appearance.
"Don't keep a straight face like a suicide squad member about to go into battle. Today is your wedding day, not a day to kill people! Smile, yes, lift the corners of your mouth up a little more... never mind, you'd better not smile, it looks like you're having a stroke."
Minato Namikaze, watching Fugaku's expression, which was ten times stiffer than usual, couldn't help but cover his mouth and chuckle, though his own hands, which were adjusting his tie, were slightly sweaty.
"Fugaku-senpai, it's almost time. Is the wedding procession ready?" Minato asked.
Fugaku took a deep breath and draped the black haori that symbolized his status as clan leader over his shoulders. The heavy fabric pressed down on his shoulders, which ironically brought him a sense of calm.
"Ready."
Fugaku stood up, his eyes blazing. Though nervous, he exuded a strong sense of determination to embark on a new life.
"Let's go pick up Mikoto."
……
Traditional Uchiha weddings are elaborate and solemn.
There was no cannon salute as Nishikawa Tetsu had envisioned, nor any exaggerated scenes.
Only the melodious sound of the zither and the solemn drum music echoed in the courtyard.
Fugaku walked at the front, with Nishikawa Toru and Minato flanking him on either side.
The appearance of the three instantly attracted the attention of all the guests.
"Is this the Leaf Village's Shura?"
"Is that the yellow flash next to him, and that Vice Minister of Finance who completely misled the capital's name?"
"This lineup...it's amazing!"
"Yes, although the quantity is small, the quality is high!"
"It's such a treat to see the two groomsmen standing together, they're so handsome!" This was the exclamation of some infatuated fans in the audience.
Under the watchful eyes of countless people, Fugaku walked steadily to the door of the inner hall.
The door slowly opened.
Uchiha Mikoto, dressed in a pure white kimono and wearing a white horned headdress, slowly walked out, supported by her bridesmaids Kushina and Mizuki. Although Kushina's red hair was very eye-catching, she was unusually quiet and dignified today.
At that moment, Fugaku almost stopped breathing.
The usually gentle and graceful Mikoto, now bathed in the white kimono, looked as beautiful as a figure from a painting.
She lowered her head slightly, her cheeks flushed slightly, and looked at Fugaku with tender affection through the edge of the croquet wall.
"Mikoto..."
Fugaku's voice was a little hoarse. He reached out his slightly trembling hand and took Mikoto's soft, boneless little hand in his.
"Let's go to the auditorium."
Watching this scene from behind, Nishikawa Tetsu quietly nudged Minato's arm and whispered, "See that? A tough guy with a soft heart. Minato-sensei, when are you going to let Kushina and me see that too... Ouch!"
Before he could finish speaking, Minato swiftly stepped on Nishikawa's foot.
"Shut up, today is Fugaku-senpai's day." Minato was smiling, but his ears were red because he saw Kushina in front of him secretly winking at him.
Amidst solemn drum music, the newlyweds slowly entered the hall.
Jiraiya stood in the officiant's seat, his usual frivolity gone, his expression unusually serious. He looked at the two young people before him, who had weathered the storms of war and finally come together, cleared his throat, and unrolled the scroll in his hand.
"Today, witnessed by our friends and family, Fugaku Uchiha and Mikoto Uchiha are united in marriage."
Jiraiya's voice was loud and clear, echoing throughout the entire auditorium.
"May you, in the days to come, support each other like the falling leaves of a tree, ever-renewing and enduring; may your bond be stronger than anything else!"
"The ceremony is complete!"
As the final announcement was made, thunderous applause erupted both inside and outside the auditorium.
Those ninja clan leaders who had previously harbored resentment towards the Uchiha clan all stood up and offered their sincere blessings.
Fugaku, holding Mikoto's hand, turned around to face the crowd.
His gaze swept across the crowd, landing on smiling Nishikawa Toru and Minato, on Jiraiya with tears in his eyes, on Hatake Sakumo clapping in the corner, and on his companions dressed in various colors, who might never have set foot on Uchiha territory in their entire lives.
The weight of half a Konoha leaf is now pressing down on his wedding.
But this weight doesn't suffocate you; instead, it gives you an unprecedented sense of security and strength.
RNP