"Meow~ meow~ meow~"
Just as a few people were regretting Madara's absence, a little cat darted in from who knows where. It lifted its head, completely unafraid of the noisy crowd, its big eyes turning around as if searching for something.
"Danzo! Hurry, catch it!"
The Konoha F6, all dressed up, excitedly chased after this uninvited guest that had burst into the wedding. Koharu, wearing her red little leather shoes, barked orders at the little Danzo beside her.
"Watch this!"
Shimura Danzo narrowed his eyes, glaring deathly at the cat. His hands slowly formed seals—he looked ready to unleash his specialty jutsu.
"Stop right now, Danzo!"
Hiruzen, who was right behind him, saw his childhood friend about to use ninjutsu in this situation. He panicked, quickly shouting to stop him.
"Wind Release: Vacuum—"
But if Danzo listened to Hiruzen, he wouldn't be Danzo. With a smug curl of his lips, his cheeks puffed up from the compressed wind, swollen like his plump backside, ready to fire.
"Duang~"
Suddenly, a massive hand appeared out of nowhere, hammering down on Danzo's head, brutally cutting off his chakra flow. The forming Vacuum Bullet choked to death before birth.
"Ahh! What the hell?!"
Blindsided, Danzo's eyes went dark as he clutched the swelling bump on his head, letting out a tragic, high-pitched wail.
"Gin-san!"
The other little ones saw who had struck him and instantly froze, standing straight in terror, drenched in cold sweat, not daring to move.
"Little Danzo, been a few days and you think you've gotten stronger, huh?"
Blowing on his smoking fist, Gin smirked playfully.
"Gin-san, we were only trying to catch that suspicious cat! I think it's a spy from another village!"
Danzo, who'd wanted to fight back, shriveled instantly under Gin's sharp look. He pointed at the cat still poking its head around, trying to justify himself.
"A spy? You really start early, huh…"
So even Danzo's habit of false accusations had started young. Gin gave no mercy, smacking down on his swollen bump again.
"Ahhh!!!"
"Kagami, take your little friends to the kids' table. Stop making trouble here. You're already seven or eight, still acting like five-year-olds. You're all giving me a headache."
Having disciplined Danzo, Gin turned to the trembling Kagami with instructions.
"Yes, sir!"
The kids all breathed sighs of relief, nodding furiously before bolting away. Only Kagami paused long enough to scoop up the still-rolling Danzo before dashing off.
"These brats are really full of energy."
Hashirama, who had witnessed the scene, chuckled warmly.
"Indeed. Children like this, with proper education, will become the backbone of Konoha's future."
Tobirama, arms crossed, nodded firmly. Under his careful teaching, these kids had grown like rockets. In just two years, their level had already surpassed most Genin.
"Tch, and who do you think opened the tutoring class?"
Gin raised an eyebrow at the Senju brothers. Those brats had been trained with his tailor-made lessons. If they couldn't rise up with that, they may as well delete and start over.
"It's a pity my energy is limited. If only I could teach more children."
Tobirama shook his head with regret, not denying Gin's contribution.
"Then open a school."
Gin rolled his eyes. If you really want to benefit everyone, just open a school and accept disciples en masse. Some will definitely soar.
"A school…"
Tobirama's eyes widened slightly, then he began considering the feasibility of such an idea.
"Hm? That cat again?"
While Tobirama pondered schools, Hashirama was distracted by the strange cat again. He felt a familiar aura from it.
"Oh? Ohhh~"
Picking up a sweet drink, Gin also glanced toward the cat. After sensing for a moment, realization dawned on him.
"Gin-nii! It's your turn as the witness!"
Dressed in formal wear, Honoka pushed through the crowd, calling out to Gin.
"Coming, coming~"
Gin put down the empty cup, tidied his wrinkled clothes, and strode to the stage.
Seeing him, the nervous Izuna finally breathed out in relief, quickly grabbing his cousin's hand.
"Big cousin, I'm counting on you!"
As Izuna's only elder presentable relative, Gin felt heavy pressure. Glancing at the bustling crowd below, he took a deep breath.
"Leave it to me. After all, I'm all that's left of the family…"
Just then, Gin's sharp senses caught a familiar chakra in the crowd. Looking carefully, he spotted several strangers in exotic clothing among the Konoha guests.
"Big cousin, those are merchants from the Land of Waves. They've had dealings with our clan."
Seeing Gin's frown, Izuna quickly explained.
"Oh, I see…"
Gin nodded, dropping the matter after one glance. Among them, a middle-aged man discreetly nodded back, then looked at Izuna in wedding robes, his eyes full of deep paternal love.
Izuna, forgive me. Father cannot reveal his true face.
Those "merchants" from the Land of Waves were actually Uchiha who had fled overseas. Leading them was none other than Tajima himself, thought to be dead. Risking discovery, he came just to witness his son's happiness.
"The bride arrives!"
At that call, the chatter died. All eyes turned to the door, where Uchiha Mihoko, lightly made-up and dressed in pure white robes, walked slowly in with two women supporting her.
"Wow~ she's so beautiful!"
At the women's table, Itama, dressed in a black-and-white gown, gasped in envy, her wide black eyes sparkling.
"White robes, huh…"
Beside her, Uchiha Hikari, in a white dress, leaned her cheek on her hand, a little dazed by Mihoko's elegance.
"Mother, what does it feel like to wear white robes?"
Govern, in light purple, elbowed her mother Yomi, asking curiously.
"Uuu, Mama-chan hasn't worn them. I hope my little Govern will make up for Mama-chan's regret~"
"Mihoko~"
"Izuna-sama~"
Izuna, stunned by Mihoko's beauty, called out passionately, and Mihoko, her face scarlet, shyly responded.
"You're family now. Calling 'sama' is too distant. Call him Darling~"
Gin, seeing Mihoko's shyness, jumped in to adjust her address, trying to ease her nervousness.
"Big cousin! Not here, there are so many people!"
Izuna panicked before Mihoko could reply. Calling "Darling" in public? That was for under the blankets!
"Alright, alright, call each other whatever you want in private."
With a chuckle, Gin turned back to the crowd, delivering his carefully prepared speech.
"Dear guests, ladies and gentlemen:
Today, my younger cousin Izuna and Mihoko join in marriage. It's my great honor to serve as their witness. On behalf of the couple, I welcome and thank you all. From meeting to falling in love, today they finally step into marriage's hall…"
Gin's voice, though lazy in tone, carried sincerity that moved hearts. Even Tobirama, who'd always disliked Izuna, found himself setting aside his old grudge and feeling genuine blessing.
"…Let us all bear witness. In the days ahead, may you cherish and protect each other, growing old together, with happiness and harmony! Finally, raise your cups, let us congratulate Izuna and Mihoko on their romance, and wish health and joy to all present. Thank you!"
"Clap clap clap~"
With Gin raising his drink, thunderous applause filled the hall. Itama, especially, clapped until her little hands turned red.
"Didn't think this curly-haired guy actually had something in his belly."
Even Tobirama nodded approvingly, wondering if he might have Gin as his own wedding witness someday.
Just then, his eyes drifted to Itama, clapping with excitement, and he sighed softly. After all, their clans might one day join in marriage.
"Send them to the bridal chamber!"
Following the rituals, Izuna took Mihoko's hand and led her inside.
"Phew, finally done!"
Relieved, Gin was about to relax when the cat darted past his feet into the inner rooms.
"Catch that cat!"
Guards moved, but Gin stopped them.
"Wait, it's just a cat. Don't overreact."
He knew that cat had another purpose.
"Yes, Gin-sama!"
As guests began leaving, the disguised Tajima departed early. The Senju brothers came to bid farewell, along with other clans.
Soon, the wedding chamber—Mihoko shy on the bed, Izuna frantically recalling "tutorials" in his head—was interrupted by the cat.
"Darling~"
"!!!"
Mihoko's soft call, coached by Gin, nearly made Izuna's heart explode. Just as he braced himself for his first time, a "Meow~" in the dark froze him completely.
"What?! When did that cat get in here?"
Anger and killing intent flared as Izuna glared, but the cat didn't care.
"Izuna…"
The cat… spoke.
"You! Who are you?!"
Izuna's Sharingan flared, protecting Mihoko.
"I'm just a little messenger cat, meow~"
Completely unfazed by Sharingan, the cat shrugged.
"Messenger?"
"Yes, my master sent me. Congratulations on your wedding, meow~"
"Your master is…?"
Izuna's heart raced.
"My master's name is Uchiha Madara, meow!"
Hearing that name, Izuna froze, tears streaming down his face.
"Big brother… he hasn't forgotten me!"
Sobbing, he cried like a child.
"Humans really cry too much, meow~"
The cat tilted its head. Even Madara had cried when giving him this task.
"When will big brother return?"
"I don't know, meow. I'm just a messenger."
"Did he say anything else?"
"…He said since you're married now, you need to quit relying on Uncle, or it'll affect your married life, meow~"
"What! You spy from another village, daring to sneak into Uchiha grounds!"
"Meow?!"
The cat panicked as Izuna turned serious.
"Izuna-samaaa!"
Behind him, Mihoko's chilling aura sent shivers down his spine.
"Mihoko, let me explain!"
"The message is done, I'm leaving, meow~"
"Don't gooo!!!"
Izuna's wedding night was destined to be unforgettable.
…
On the border of the Land of Earth, Madara opened his eyes, gazing at barren cliffs, his heart bitter.
Today was Izuna's wedding day, and he hadn't been there. The thought made his chest ache.
He needed to vent.
"Iwagakure… hope you can handle it."
With Sharingan blazing, he leapt toward Iwa.
…
Meanwhile, late at night, Gin slipped into a hidden room, greeted by Tajima and then—by none other than Mito, who pounced with golden chains.
Three days later, in the Hokage's office, Hashirama stared at documents.
"The Land of Waves and the Land of Whirlpools want to set up offices here in Konoha?"
"Yes. They've already cleared it with Fire Country's Daimyo," Tobirama confirmed.
"They even want to send… exchange students? What's that?"
"They mean long-term cooperation—economic and military."
"What? They're even willing to share sealing techniques?!"
Hashirama's eyes went wide with excitement.
"What?!" Tobirama was stunned. Sealing arts were the Uzumaki clan's foundation.
"Well, they said only gradually, step by step."
"…Good. But still, we must stay cautious."
"They also want to donate a school."
"Approved! Now! Immediately!"
(End of Chapter)
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