Konoha Year 46, Summer. The wedding of Minato and Kushina took place as scheduled.
Pink petals drifted through the air like pink snowflakes, crafting a dreamlike, romantic atmosphere.
Around the flower-encircled platform, where laughter filled the air, everyone wore bright smiles.
"Huh, so much time has passed without me realizing it."
Kaze was dressed in a solemn black kimono. He was supposed to be backstage rehearsing, yet here he was, sneaking out to lie on the soft grass, lost in thought.
The direction those petals came from... that was his youth.
It felt like only yesterday when he first entered the Ninja Academy, meeting Minato and Kushina, striving hard to survive in this world.
In the blink of an eye, Minato and Kushina were about to get married, while he himself had become the strongest being in the ninja world.
[Immortality Dreaming!]
Along this path, with the System's help, he had achieved some success by mere luck.
But he'd also made many mistakes, taken many detours, lacked independent judgment, often drifting along with the tide.
Still...
"I'm just an ordinary guy after all. No use being too hard on myself," Kaze chuckled lightly.
"Kaze!"
Suddenly, an urgent voice interrupted Kaze's thoughts.
Dressed in formal attire, Minato descended from above, grabbing him off the ground and scolding him without mercy.
"The bridesmaids and groomsmen are about to go onstage soon! You guy, why are you hiding here daydreaming?!"
"A-Apolog—"
"Good!"
Kaze: "???"
I haven't even finished my sentence yet—good for what?!
...
In a small forest behind the wedding platform.
A silver-haired boy in Anbu gear remained hidden in the shadows, keeping a sharp watch in all directions.
Most guests at today's wedding were high-ranking officials from Konoha, so security needed to be tight.
Suddenly, rustling sounds emerged from within the woods.
"Who's there?"
The silver-haired teen turned around, one hand already resting on the Tantō strapped across his back.
"It's me, Kakashi."
Another dark-haired boy, also in Anbu gear, rushed quickly from the forest, panting heavily as he arrived.
"Sorry sorry, accidentally late again."
Kakashi removed his hand from his blade, muttering in irritation with a low voice.
"You idiot! How many times have I told you—never say your teammate's name out loud during an Anbu mission!"
"You're late twice a week, sometimes even twice a day! Seriously, I don't understand why Master allowed someone like you into the Anbu at all!"
Scratching the back of his head awkwardly, the silver-haired boy replied timidly.
"Don't say it like that, Kakashi. Obito will become Hokage one day… me!"
"Become this, yeah right!"
Kakashi smacked Obito on the head. "Hurry up and take position on the other side for patrol!"
Obito: "...Fine."
Scolded again by Kakashi, Obito felt a bit down.
But at the thought of Rin-chan promising to have dinner with him after work, his mood lifted immediately.
...
Back on the wedding platform, the emcee called out energetically.
"Next, let's give a warm round of applause to welcome the handsome groom and his best man!"
Kaze sauntered up to the platform alongside Minato in his usual indifferent manner before standing around lazily on the stage.
The crowd instantly erupted into thunderous applause.
One was the Hokage's godson; the other, the Hokage's very own son. Who wouldn't show them respect?
After a painfully dull ceremony that almost put Kaze to sleep, the wedding finally moved on to the next phase.
"...And now, let's give a big round of applause for the stunning bride and her lovely bridesmaids!"
At the emcee's words, Kaze immediately perked up and turned his wide eyes toward the side entrance.
He checked out girls daily, not out of ulterior motives—just for some good vibes.
The bride and bridesmaids were dressed in exquisite white gowns. Their low-cut collars and cuffs were adorned with golden embroidery. Combined with their graceful figures, they looked absolutely stunning.
Of course, in the presence of Kushina and Vivi—these two pearls—everyone else paled in comparison.
Kushina and Vivi each possessed a different kind of beauty.
If Kushina was like the warm sunlight at noon—bright and charming,
Then Vivi was like a cool spring nestled deep within the mountains—refreshingly refined, aloof and untainted by worldly affairs. Enough to stir a man's curiosity.
"Today is definitely another mood-enhancing day~"
The ceremony progressed quickly.
Everyone wanted to start feasting already—even the emcee felt the same.
With a sweep of his hand, he loudly asked Minato and Kushina,
"Now then, do you both promise to walk through life together, come rain or shine, and stay by each other's side forever?"
Minato and Kushina exchanged smiles and answered in unison: "I do!"
"Woohoo!"
In an instant, the crowd devolved into primitive cheers, which quickly spread like wildfire.
"Woohoo!"
"Woohoo!"
"Congratulations, Minato and Kushina."
Looking at Minato and Kushina tightly embracing each other, Kaze sincerely smiled.
Now, the entire story had been rewritten.
His good friend could marry, have children—not just one—but many, and then calmly watch them grow up. He would live out the rest of his days peacefully and happily.
That was truly wonderful.
...
After completing his duties as best man, Kaze changed clothes and went downstairs to join the feast.
He plopped down right next to Tanzō. Finding it cramped, he grumbled openly.
"Dad, do you even have eyes? You didn't save me any space?"
Tanzō was furious. He swung a slap toward Kaze, who easily dodged it.
Pfft, seriously? Did he really think he could touch him with that speed? Like this is a game or something?
"Disobedient brat... Disobedient brat!"
"Disobedient dad! Disobedient dad! Nya-nya-nya!"
The Shimura clansmen sitting at the same table trembled nervously, turning their heads away one after another, pretending they saw nothing and heard nothing.
Awoof awoof awoof.
After wolfing down a couple of bites, Kaze pointed toward Minato—who was now effortlessly mingling and socializing with everyone—and said,
"Dad, maybe just hand over the Fifth Hokage title to Minato already."
Tanzō glanced sideways at his son, let out a scoff with obvious displeasure,
"You little brat... Weren't you always after my Hokage seat before? Now why the sudden change of heart?"
Kaze tilted his head up at a forty-five-degree angle, sighed, and said,
"Ahh, I don't know why, but after becoming the strongest in the ninja world, all of a sudden, I've lost all interest in these worldly pursuits."
A vein pulsed on Tanzō's temple. He slammed the table and coldly shot back,
"Hmph, I won't even consider retirement before I turn seventy. There's no need for you, this disobedient brat, to worry about it."
Well, damn it all.
Kaze clasped his hands together in mock admiration toward Tanzō. "Dad, you're still bursting with vigor and strength even in your old age!"
"Get out >:(!"
"Whoa, you're getting worked up already!"
As the flying chopsticks and bowls came hurtling toward him, Kaze used the Body Flicker Technique to escape and joined the group of pretty girls at another table.
His own rebellious father really had no sense of timing.
He had finally torn himself away from the girls to have a chat with this old geezer, yet the old man didn't even show any appreciation.
Tch.
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