"Is there some hardship that prevents the engagement ceremony from being held? If that's the case, everything can be kept simple," Chiyo was very understanding.
"There's no hardship, the engagement ceremony will be held tomorrow. I'll announce the news to the whole village in a moment," Tsunade completely had the look of someone who enjoys watching a commotion.
Aoba gritted his teeth, "Since it's like this, why not have Elder Danzo and Granny Chiyo hold an engagement ceremony together too?"
If that happened, it would definitely be a huge source of amusement, enough to thoroughly attract the attention of Tenten and the others.
"..."
———
"Sigh~", Standing at the entrance of the Hokage Building, Aoba couldn't help but let out a sigh.
Temari obediently stood by his side.
The two of them had been kicked out by Tsunade. When she needed them, she tied them by her side; when she didn't, she kicked them away.
'Just like a scum-my woman.'
"Does being alone with me make you so downcast?", Temari said with grievance.
Aoba couldn't help but roll his eyes, "Stop pretending. Don't you know why I'm sighing?"
Temari blinked, "You didn't even look and already say I'm pretending?"
"Ha!", Aoba only chuckled lightly, not replying.
What she was pretending, were all tricks he had long stopped pretending about.
"Since sensei let us move around freely, I'll take you for a stroll around Konoha," Aoba also quickly adjusted his mood. Since Tsunade insisted, then just go with the flow.
He casually held Temari's hand and led her toward the village's commercial district.
Temari clearly froze for a moment, looked at their hands, and her cheeks flushed slightly.
It was her first time being led by a boy hand-in-hand on the street.
But she hesitated a bit, "This… is it really okay?"
She touched the Sand Village forehead protector hanging on her neck. The Sand just recently attacked Konoha.
"I'm a ninja from the Sand. Won't this affect you?"
Aoba smiled easily, "We're getting engaged tomorrow, the whole village will know. What's there to care about?"
Temari: "Seems like that's true too…"
Aoba walked on the street holding Temari's hand, occasionally introducing the surroundings.
"Do you often hold different women's hands and walk around in front of everyone?", Temari suddenly asked, because Aoba was too practiced at it.
"Aren't you asking something you already know?", Aoba had never concealed his feelings with Tenten and the others.
Temari seemed slightly displeased. She had already begun playing the role of a future wife.
Aoba also noticed her mood and pulled her hand to continue walking.
"Come on, I'll take you to my favorite, and also Konoha's best,.ramen shop."
After strolling for a while, it was almost time for lunch.
Temari pursed her lips and said nothing, letting Aoba pull her along.
"Aoba? You haven't come for ramen in a long time," Just as they stepped into Ichiraku Ramen, Ayame noticed them.
"This is?", Ayame looked at Temari, who was holding Aoba's hand, and couldn't help but smile, "Did you hook some girl again? So pretty."
"Hello," Before Aoba could introduce, Temari already politely opened her mouth, "I'm a ninja from Sunagakure, Temari."
"Sunagakure?", Only now did Ayame notice the Sand forehead protector hanging on Temari's neck, and her expression became a bit surprised.
'Wasn't it said that Sunagakure just attacked Konoha?'
'How come Aoba has such a close relationship with a Sand ninja?'
"Ayame-neesan, give us two bowls of your signature ramen," Aoba pulled Temari to sit down.
Ayame's train of thought was interrupted and she simply gave up on thinking about it.
Even Aoba didn't care, why should she worry?
"Okay, it'll be ready soon," Ayame said with a smile.
After the two sat down, they couldn't find any fitting topic to talk about for the moment.
Aoba helped pour water, and Temari stared blankly at the bustling street outside.
There was a gap even among the Great Nations.
Not every major ninja village was like Konoha.
Even Sunagakure, also one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages, had villagers who struggled to survive every day. Looking at the people here, it was like two different worlds.
"Konoha is really nice."
Aoba smiled, "In a few years, Sunagakure will also have this kind of life."
"Is that really possible?", Temari's expression was a bit dazed.
"Of course."
Aoba: "Every ninja village has different situations and development directions. Sunagakure just hasn't found its own path yet."
"Is that so?"
"Trust me," Aoba smiled and said, "Since you'll be my wife in the future, of course I'll do my best to help you all."
Temari couldn't help but be affected by the warm smile on Aoba's face.
Her recognition of this bond that was forcefully tied together through marriage also became stronger.
"Mm," She proactively held Aoba's hand.
———
"Mmm~ Delicious!"
The ramen quickly arrived.
After one bite, Temari's eyes lit up.
"Good, right?", Aoba saw that Temari liked it and also smiled.
"Mm."
Temari nodded, then suddenly thought of something, "Do you also often bring girls here?"
"...", Aoba froze for a moment. Looking at the sly smile on Temari's face, he realized this girl wasn't that honest either.
He didn't answer and simply picked up a piece of char siu pork from his bowl and stuffed it directly into Temari's mouth.
Blocked her mouth.
Temari's cheeks flushed again, 'Even though Aoba haven't eaten yet, when he eats later…'
'Won't that be an indirect kiss?'
Temari didn't speak, just buried her head and started eating ramen seriously.
But the two hadn't eaten for long when a figure in a trench coat walked in through the entrance.
"Eh? Aoba?", Before Aoba could turn around, he felt someone hug his neck from behind, two soft large spheres pressing against his back.
Feeling the size behind him, and the familiar sweet scent of dango—
"Anko-neesan, what are you doing?"
"Hm? How did you know it was me without even turning around?", Anko released her arms and sat beside Aoba. While eating dango, she asked curiously.
"Because the smell of dango already gave you away," Aoba explained.
Upon hearing this, Anko looked at the dango in her hand and couldn't help but pout before taking a bite.
She seemed a little unhappy.
"Anko-neesan, are you out playing alone?", Aoba asked again.
"Kurenai went to train Yakumo and Hinata, so no one's accompanying me."
Anko propped her face with her left hand, watching Aoba eat noodles. The corners of her mouth curled slightly, "Aoba, do you want to come play with onee-san today?"
"Onee-san can play some adult games with you, you know."
"Sorry, today he has to accompany me!"
"Hm?", Anko's gaze shifted slightly, and only then did she notice on the other side of Aoba, a somewhat forceful Sand girl.
"It's you?"
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