After a friendly conversation between Haruki and Kurama, the noble-hearted Kurama eventually agreed to help him deal with Black Zetsu.
There's no need to mention how admirable his character is.
Kurama was almost moved to tears.
Haruki looked at the meal brought over by Minato and Kushina. The presentation was impressive.
Thanks to his influence, they'd gradually switched to eating all sorts of Sichuan dishes.
"Teacher, take a taste."
Kushina watched him eagerly. After so many years, her cooking skills had finally reached a level worthy of being served on the table.
Haruki picked up his chopsticks and took a bite of Twice-Cooked Pork. The rich aroma filled his mouth.
He couldn't help but nod in approval. "This is restaurant-level quality already."
At those words, Kushina let out a breath of relief and smiled once more.
"Kurama, you try too."
Haruki said, turning toward the gloomy-looking Kurama.
Kurama lifted its head slightly. Thinking for a moment, Kurama realized it had never dined at a formal table—because it couldn't use chopsticks.
The claws of a Tailed Beast were clearly different from human hands.
If it simply grabbed the plate and shoveled everything into its mouth...
It feared that afterward, it might immediately get "sent to the top lane."
Kurama extended one of its paws. A bright red glow shimmered as its paw transformed into a human hand. Mimicking Haruki and others, it used chopsticks to pick up a piece of fatty meat.
It smacked its lips thoughtfully.
The flavor was pretty good—but there wasn't nearly enough, barely even enough to get stuck between its teeth. Swallowing it brought absolutely no satisfaction.
Watching this odd scene unfold, Haruki felt a creeping sense of unease.
A nine-tailed fox growing a human hand?
Seriously unsettling.
He averted his gaze, refusing to watch any longer.
"Come to think of it, where's Tamamo-no-Mae?"
Haruki suddenly remembered Kurama's younger brother—or rather, younger sister—realizing he hadn't seen her in quite a while.
"She should be in New Leaf Village."
Minato answered. "Tamamo-no-Mae likes to travel around; we don't usually restrict her freedom."
"I see."
Haruki wasn't particularly surprised. After all, Tamamo-no-Mae was a real fox.
Next to him, Kurama seethed with envy—pure jealousy simmering within.
How could such a tiny fox live so much better and happier than him?
Was this really a consequence of being powerful?
The three humans and one Tailed Beast quickly finished their meal.
Well, Kurama technically hadn't eaten its fill at all.
But it didn't dare overindulge—it might earn a fist the size of a sandbag from Haruki.
Once Kushina and Minato finished washing the dishes and chopsticks, they began today's main topic.
"You two must have something important to say, right?"
Haruki had been invited over by Minato. Looking at the expressions on their faces, he could already guess somewhat.
"You two are planning to get married?"
As soon as the thought crossed his mind, he voiced it out.
Sure enough,
They both nodded in unison.
"That's great news!"
Haruki felt a certain sense of parental accomplishment.
Kushina and Minato had essentially grown up under his watchful eye.
Plus, both were orphans.
Calling Haruki their "father figure" wouldn't be an exaggeration.
"When will it be?"
"Teacher, we have a request to make."
Minato didn't immediately bring up the wedding date and hesitated before speaking. "We'd like to hold it after your marriage."
Haruki looked at him in surprise.
It was the last thing he expected Minato to say.
"Kushina and I wouldn't have come this far without your guidance. So I hope you and Lady Tsunade will stand as our elders and bless our wedding."
No wonder Minato was so considerate.
Thoughtful.
Haruki didn't hesitate and agreed to their request.
Actually, he and Tsunade were already old married couple.
Whether or not they held a wedding was merely a matter of formality.
Plus, the Metropolis had just been built.
Holding one there actually sounded like a great idea.
When Haruki returned home, he told Tsunade about this.
"I thought you'd forgotten all about it."
Tsunade gazed at him longingly, her eyes betraying a hint of hurt.
Haruki gave an awkward smile, then wrapped his arms around her and nuzzled into her chest with a chuckle. "Better late than never."
Tsunade balled her hand into a fist and playfully punched his head. "If you wait any longer, the kid'll be old enough to buy his own soy sauce."
"Now, now, how exaggerated can you be?"
Haruki took her hand and sat down beside her on the sofa.
Tsunade turned on the TV.
After Tomomi Koki's publicity team took over the television station, following his instructions and modeling it after his past life, they overhauled the TV system.
In the original story, television wasn't particularly significant.
But now it had become essential in every household, just like computers.
The show currently airing was "Konoha Love Story."
Leaning against Tsunade, Haruki looked at the screen and asked, "So when are we planning to hold our wedding?"
"On New Year's Day."
Tsunade pressed her cheek against his hair, feeling a pleasant tingle.
"That still gives us half a month. Plenty of time."
Haruki calculated mentally and figured there was more than enough time for preparations.
Suddenly, he had an idea.
"Our engagement followed Konoha traditions. This time for the wedding, what if we go with customs from my hometown?"
"From your hometown?"
Tsunade became interested. Remembering what Haruki had said about the certain ninja village, she asked, "Is the wedding ceremony different there?"
Since she remembered that wedding ceremonies were usually similar everywhere.
"Different."
Haruki smiled and explained traditional Chinese weddings to her.
In terms of procedure, it was largely the same, differing mainly in clothing and decoration.
"What do you think?"
"That sounds interesting."
Tsunade barely hesitated before replying. "Then let's go with the ceremony you described."
"Great."
A smile appeared on Haruki's face.
He actually missed the traditional weddings of his past life.
After all, he'd never personally experienced one.
Now that he finally had the chance, it would be a shame not to try.
Since it would be a traditional Chinese-style wedding, something completely new to the entire ninja world.
Haruki naturally couldn't find authentic Hanfu attire.
Fortunately, Hanfu was the origin of the kimono, and the two shared certain similarities.
Drawing from memories of his past life, Haruki recreated the Hanfu.
As news spread, the entire Metropolis was filled with a festive atmosphere.
Bright red lanterns were hung throughout streets and alleys.
Alongside upside-down Fuku characters, celebrations were visible everywhere.
If an ordinary person had suggested celebrating a different kind of New Year, no one would have paid any attention.
But when Konoha's great hero expressed a desire for a hometown-style New Year celebration and wedding, no one had any objections.
On the contrary, they found the idea quite intriguing.
"Lord Haruki."
Ichiro Muramasa, in charge of ninja tools, knocked on the door.
"Come in."
Haruki rubbed his wrist. This time, he had invited far more guests than at the previous engagement.
"Is there something you need?"
"Lord, we've completed the task you assigned us."
Ichiro Muramasa wore a joyful expression as he spoke.
"Oh, that thing? You mean it's done already?"
Haruki's eyes lit up with surprise.
He had expected it to take much longer.
"That's right, the car you requested."
"Let's go take a look."
Haruki stood up immediately, unable to contain his eagerness.
Who wouldn't love a luxury car?
At the research institute, he saw a white automobile.
Outwardly, it was almost indistinguishable from the cars he remembered.
Of course, he knew there were significant differences inside.
A powerful chakra engine had replaced the conventional engine.
But regardless, its appearance was undeniably stylish and impressive.
It would be perfect for the wedding and double as a great advertisement.
Ninjas might not have a real need for cars.
But more than ninety percent of Summer Country's population were regular civilians.