The century wedding hosted by Akatsuki Village was held right on schedule, and the venue was naturally buzzing.
Not only did all the big names of Akatsuki show up, but nobles and tycoons from the Land of Fire and even across the shinobi world were invited.
The daimyō of the Land of Fire gave Uchiha Makoto full respect—not only serving as witness but also moonlighting as emcee to preside over the ceremony himself. After all, the daimyō currently has no direct conflict of interest with Uchiha Makoto. Even if Makoto has crossed the line a few times, the daimyō has always profited handsomely, so on the whole Makoto remains very much in his good graces.
The streets around the venue were packed with villagers watching the festivities. From the bottom of their hearts, they offered Uchiha Makoto their sincerest blessings.
Without the great Lord Kōkage, they wouldn't have the good days they enjoy now.
As the groom, Uchiha Makoto stood on stage receiving everyone's congratulations. At his side, Uzumaki Tsubaki Shizuku wore a radiant smile; this wedding was grander and more luxurious than anything she'd ever imagined as a child playing house—her life was complete.
Down below, Uzumaki Shinji grinned so wide his wrinkled face bloomed like a chrysanthemum. As Konoha's envoy, Uzumaki Mito had also come to attend this "wedding of the century."
Standing in the crowd, she gazed up at Tsubaki Shizuku with envy in her eyes. That happiness on the bride's face was unmistakably real. What girl wouldn't be moved by a ceremony like this?
It was pure ritual and emotional value.
When she married Senju Hashirama, the occasion had been nothing like today—not even half as grand. There were no swarms of dignitaries, much less the daimyō himself. Uchiha Makoto's regard for Tsubaki Shizuku was obvious.
"Hashirama, you foolish idiot!"
People drive themselves mad by comparison.
Mito couldn't help grumbling inwardly. Then she recalled what Uchiha Makoto had told her yesterday, and her resolve hardened. If Hashirama treasured her so little, she needed a new way to live—from now on, she would live for herself.
After a long sequence of elaborate rites, the wedding finally ended.
Guests came forward to toast Uchiha Makoto. He only wet his lips—he wasn't about to get plastered on such a day and be carried home. He still had important "work" to do tonight.
Night fell.
Uzumaki Tsubaki Shizuku moved into Uchiha Makoto's villa, and at last he shed his virgin's cap.
"I'll take off the bridal gown first."
"No… what I want is the bridal gown…"
"It's the ultimate artifact that boosts attack speed!"
Time slipped by quietly.
Mito didn't linger in Akatsuki Village. She returned to Konoha.
After the journey, she didn't head straight back to the Senju compound to rest. Instead, she went directly to the Hokage's office.
As expected.
Sitting in the Hokage's chair was still Senju Tobirama, that "born-evil" Senju old fox. The bona fide First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, was still gallivanting around the world with Uchiha Madara and hadn't returned.
That had become routine.
So Mito wasn't surprised. She didn't even bother asking if Hashirama was back—that was how far her heart had sunk.
"Sister-in-law, when did you get back?"
Tobirama looked up, saw Mito, immediately stood, poured her a cup of tea, and asked.
"Just now," Mito said.
"If you just got back, you should go rest. You can brief me on Akatsuki Village tomorrow—no need to rush."
He'd sent Mito not only to attend the wedding but also to gauge the Uzumaki clan's stance and gather more intel on Akatsuki. But since she was already back, there was no need to hurry; after a long trip, his sister-in-law needed rest.
"It's fine. I'll finish the report, and Tobirama, I have a favor to ask."
She didn't bother with circles—stated her purpose plainly. I, Uzumaki Mito—Tobirama, kneel first, your sister-in-law has something to ask.
"You're too polite," Tobirama said at once. He respected Mito deeply. His oaf of a big brother had been "elbowing outward" ever since Konoha's founding, spending nights away from home and clinging to that "born-evil" Uchiha Madara. Mito never quarreled about it and ran the household without complaint. Were her heart less generous, she'd have torn into Madara long ago and forced Hashirama to kick the "Madara habit."
As a younger brother, Tobirama almost wished Mito were less broad-minded; he wanted his big brother far away from that "born-evil" Uchiha. If she raised the banner, Tobirama would be the first to charge for her.
Mito first delivered the Uzumaki clan's position.
Konoha and the Uzumaki were still "share-one-condom" brothers; the Uzumaki had simply found another "share-one-condom" brother.
Konoha and Akatsuki were allies.
If everyone's allies, then "in-lawing the in-laws" again was only natural—why should only Konoha light fires while the Uzumaki can't light lamps?
"I see," Tobirama nodded.
It matched his expectations: the Uzumaki wanted both sides—having their cake and eating it too. Given they didn't know Konoha and Akatsuki were only allies on paper, it was understandable. And with his sister-in-law as the link, he could close one eye. If the Uzumaki lacked righteousness, the Senju couldn't lack virtue.
"And Akatsuki? What are they like?" he asked, more concerned about that paper ally with real teeth than about the profit-seeking Uzumaki.
"Akatsuki? Booming economy, very wealthy, population surging daily. Their shinobi academy enrolled three thousand students in one go. And Uchiha Makoto is remarkably capable—brilliant, farsighted. His prestige there is sky-high; at a single command, countless shinobi would gladly die for him. Truly a rising wave outpacing the one before."
Mito relayed what she'd seen.
At first it sounded normal—Akatsuki rich, an academy taking in three thousand at once. That number was striking.
But Tobirama knew the "inside story."
Couldn't Makoto splash money because he'd swallowed fifty billion ryō originally earmarked for Konoha—half its budget? If Tobirama had an extra fifty billion, Konoha wouldn't lose to Akatsuki in this area. He was confident.
Then he noticed something off.
Sister-in-law!
Why was she blowing rainbow praise at that "born-evil" Uchiha brat?
"Brilliant and farsighted?"
Was that how one described the Uchiha?
And "a rising wave outpacing the one before."
Which wave is which?
Are my village-management methods worse than that brat's? Or has he surpassed my big brother?
Displeasure sprouted in Tobirama's chest. How could his sister-in-law laud that "born-evil" Uchiha in front of him?
Even so, out of respect he didn't interrupt—only felt he shouldn't have sent her to Akatsuki in the first place.
"That's about it. Anything you want to ask?" Mito finished.
"I understand Akatsuki's situation, but wasn't your evaluation of Uchiha Makoto a bit much? I admit that brat has some tricks, but he isn't as exaggerated as you say…"
"Exaggerated?" Mito said. "I don't think so. Uchiha Makoto really is a young man with thought, insight, and vision."
Tobirama fell silent. He didn't know what kind of spell that "born-evil" Uchiha had cast on his sister-in-law. She wasn't under genjutsu—so why such praise?
"What was the favor, then?" He switched topics at light speed. He couldn't keep sparring over Makoto; he feared more shocking lines that would make him faint with anger.
"Oh—Tobirama, take a look at these."
Mito pulled the latest issue of New Ninja from her bag and handed it to him.
"New Ninja?"
"You read New Ninja too?"
"Mm… now and then."
A bad feeling crept over Tobirama. He deflected and flipped to the newest essays.
A glance from start to finish, and he felt Uchiha Makoto had lost the plot. What was this nonsense?
Women's independence, women's awakening… bride price as an attitude… emotional value… all sorts of odd terms filled the pages. Such crowd-stirring lines would easily dupe Konoha's kunoichi!
"Tobirama, how are they?" Mito asked, eyes full of expectation. She believed he wasn't a fossil trapped in old rules—surely he'd support her.
"Mm… they're okay… just a bit contrary to common practice," Tobirama managed. He wanted to say it was drivel, but seeing her hope, he strangled the thought and softened his words.
"Then it's right to go against common practice!" Mito said. "I came back to do something big. The notion that kunoichi are inferior is a backward, Warring States idea that belongs in the trash. In our era, outstanding, powerful, progressive kunoichi must throw off household shackles and devote their energy to their careers, dedicating their lives to contributions that can't be erased from the village. Women's independence, women's awakening…"
She spoke in a rush, treating Makoto's pep talk as scripture. Tobirama was rocked. As an old-school shinobi of the Warring States, he couldn't fully process such advanced ideas at once; he felt as if the folds of his cerebral cortex were being smoothed flat.
"Sister-in-law… who taught you all this… Don't tell me it was Uchiha Makoto… that 'born-evil' Uchiha brat?"
"How can you address Uchiha Makoto like that?" Mito shot back. "Strictly speaking, you're merely the Hokage's adjutant. At your level, you're not qualified to call him by name. You should address him as Lord Kōkage."
"???"
"Sister-in-law, you…?"
Tobirama's eyes went wide. He never expected such words from Mito's mouth. If his brother had said them it might be understandable—no, that didn't sound right either.
For a moment, his mind stalled. He decisively jumped topics—he couldn't argue about Makoto any longer; he feared his sister-in-law would drop another bomb and make him pass out.
"Sister-in-law, speak plainly. What do you want me to do?"
"I need a budget."
"????"
Tobirama's head started throbbing again. He thought of his idiot brother's "legendary" spending.
Sister-in-law—are you joining him too?