Teuchi dragged Ayame back home by the ear and issued a strict decree: absolutely no staying overnight at Musashi's house before the wedding.
The two lovebirds, having just tasted the forbidden fruit, were forced to separate reluctantly.
With nowhere to vent his boundless energy, Musashi threw himself into his training with even greater intensity.
As for the wedding preparations, Teuchi and Ayame handled everything, including the banquet arrangements and the guest list.
"Yes, yes, yes! Ayame is getting married! Mr. Takeda! You absolutely have to come!"
"Right, right! The groom is Musashi. Yes, he's a ninja! Boss Ito, remember to come!"
"Mr. Kato, we've hired a top chef from the Land of Fire for the reception, you simply must come and taste the food!"
Teuchi, his face beaming with joy, handed out wedding invitations to familiar shop owners and neighbors.
The recipients offered their sincere congratulations.
However, once Teuchi left, the gossip inevitably started buzzing.
"Teuchi's daughter is getting married? Why so sudden?"
"Musashi Ryomiya... isn't that the little boy who used to work part-time at the shop?"
"I heard he's a ninja now!"
"For real? A ninja marrying a ramen girl? He isn't some cannon fodder Genin, is he?"
"I've seen him. He wears really tacky clothes. Doesn't look like much of a big shot."
"Don't talk nonsense! I heard he's a Jonin!"
"A Jonin!!? No way, right?"
"Teuchi's son-in-law is a Jonin? Why him? My daughter is way prettier than Ayame!"
"I heard they were raised together since childhood."
"Well, you can't compete with that kind of bond."
"Sigh~"
Teuchi remained blissfully unaware of the neighborhood chatter.
But it was obvious that Musashi's decisive agreement to marry Ayame had made him incredibly happy.
He walked with a spring in his step, and his eyes—usually just two thick lines—were squinted into two joyful dashed lines from smiling so much.
---
While some were rejoicing, others were grieving.
In Musashi's house, two little tykes were very worried.
"Sigh!~~~~" x2.
Two long, heavy sighs echoed in the room.
Karin Uzumaki and Aoi Uchiha looked at each other.
"What are you sighing for!" x2.
"..."
Aoi Uchiha: "I... I'm sighing for my sister."
She glanced sideways at Karin. "Don't look at me. What about you? Why are you sighing?"
Karin: "...I'm sighing for your sister too."
The two exchanged a look, then guiltily turned their heads away.
After a long while, Karin spoke up first.
"Why is Big Brother in such a rush?"
"He just reached the legal age for marriage. Isn't this too fast?!"
Aoi nodded in full agreement. "Exactly! Why couldn't he wait a bit? Marriage isn't something you should rush into~"
"Senior Kakashi and the others aren't even married yet. What's the hurry?"
"Sigh~"
The two fell silent again.
Born too late to join the race.
Hearing the wedding bells while stuck at the kids' table.
It breaks the heart...
---
Gentle breezes, blue skies, green grass, and the scent of fruits in the air.
On a beautifully sunny day, Musashi and Ayame's wedding officially began.
On the elder's side, there was only Teuchi.
In the original story, Naruto could at least find Iruka to stand in for his parents. Musashi didn't even have anyone to choose from.
in terms of emotional closeness, Might Guy was the closest to him, but the age difference wasn't quite right for a father figure role.
Moreover, if Guy stood next to Teuchi, the visual style of the wedding would become incredibly weird. Musashi felt Ayame wouldn't agree to that either.
Thinking it over left and right, he couldn't find a suitable candidate.
If he had his way, the most suitable person in Musashi's heart would be Kushina Uzumaki.
Unfortunately, if he used the Reanimation Jutsu to bring her back for the wedding, the entire Hidden Leaf would probably explode in panic. He could only painfully give up on that perfect idea.
"Boss!"
Naruto shouted energetically, running up to Musashi with sweat pouring down his face. He held out a meticulously wrapped gift box.
"This is the gift I prepared for you and Big Sister Ayame. Boss, you look totally cool today!"
"Big Bro Musashi, here is my gift." Sasuke Uchiha stood by his side and also presented a box.
"Senior Musashi, this is from me." Sakura Haruno followed behind the two boys, her gift tied with a pink bow. "I wish you and your wife a sweet marriage."
"Thank you." Musashi accepted them with a smile. "Go on in and take your seats."
"Boss, I heard you hired a top chef from the Land of Fire. There's gonna be a huge feast, right?" Naruto looked around excitedly.
Musashi laughed. "Naruto, you'd better sit still and behave yourself. If you start jumping around like a monkey, the only 'feast' you'll be eating tonight is a knuckle sandwich."
"Oh~" Naruto immediately quieted down and obediently led Sasuke and Sakura to find their seats.
Kakashi also handed over his gift. "Musashi, happy nuptials."
"Thanks. Senior Kakashi, didn't Big Brother Guy come with you?"
Kakashi replied, "He's behind me. He should be here any second."
Almost as soon as the words left his mouth, Might Guy's voice rang out from not far away.
"For Musashi's wedding, of course I have to arrive early! If it weren't for Tenten taking so much time to prepare the gift... Kakashi, I wouldn't let you beat me here!"
Kakashi sighed helplessly. "There was no damn contest to begin with!"