Uchiha Raizen had been exceptionally busy lately.
Between organizing his grand wedding with Princess Tsukihime and working daily at the women's hot spring inn, his schedule was packed. As for why he hadn't brought the eighteen girls from the Grass Village back to the compound yet, he was prioritizing the safety of the children already at home.
While he held the means to control their life and death through the seals, such techniques always carried risks. Until he was certain of their absolute loyalty, Raizen would not bring outsiders into the heart of the Uchiha district.
The marriage between the Uchiha and the Daimyo's household was a monumental event. Raizen seized the opportunity for a massive publicity campaign, hosting a lavish banquet and inviting every influential clan and figurehead in the Land of Fire to showcase the Uchiha's prestige.
From this day forward, his status would be equivalent to that of "Imperial Kin" in the ninja world.
The wedding preparations went smoothly. One month later, the ceremony was held.
The Uchiha district was transformed for the feast. Every major player from the various clans of the Land of Fire attended. Even Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane made an appearance. They had no choice; even if they despised the Uchiha, they had to pay respects to Princess Tsukihime. They could not afford to insult the Daimyo.
"Dealing with the Uchiha is going to be ten times harder now," Koharu remarked, narrowing her eyes as she watched Raizen standing on the podium.
"Who could have predicted the Daimyo would actually marry into the Uchiha? Tsukihime is his most beloved daughter. We'll just have to play along for now," Homura replied, his voice sounding resigned to his fate.
"Raizen is different from other Uchiha. Perhaps we can find a way to coexist," Koharu added.
She was clearly looking for a way to back down gracefully. Raizen was now a key figure in the Daimyo's circle; opposing him meant offending the sovereign of the nation. To offend the Daimyo was to betray the Land of Fire, and by extension, to betray Konoha. Unless she planned to take her clan and flee the village, she had to accept the new reality. As a politician, she understood how to weigh interests; for the right price, even an enemy could become an ally.
Homura lowered his voice. "Your clan hasn't openly clashed with him, but my son had that incident. I need to find a way to mend fences and restore the relationship between the Mitokado and the Uchiha."
"Didn't you already pay the compensation?" Koharu asked.
"Ten thousand Ryo is pocket change to Raizen. It wasn't enough to show true sincerity."
Koharu thought for a moment. "Have your son apologize in person. Or... send him back to the detention center for another stint to show you're serious."
Homura frowned. "I'll have to think about that."
During the ceremony, Raizen once again gave Hiruzen Sarutobi the floor to speak. This time, however, Hiruzen was tactful. He skipped the long-winded lectures on the Will of Fire and instead filled his speech with compliments for the Daimyo and Princess Tsukihime.
Raizen watched with a hidden smirk. Seeing Homura and Koharu present, he felt a surge of satisfaction. It seemed the status of the Daimyo's son-in-law had forced even these arrogant elders to bow their heads.
Just wait. Once I'm fully developed, I'll settle our debts.
For now, I'll play the diplomat.
Raizen knew that while his new title protected him, if he were to tear off the mask now, his raw strength was not yet enough to crush these old foxes. However, the dual protection of the Uchiha name and the Royal marriage would make his future endeavors much easier. At the very least, official matters would be far more convenient to navigate.
"He actually did it," Kakashi Hatake sighed from his seat, watching the bride and groom. Having stayed at the compound, he had heard Raizen and Tsukihime bickering every day and thought the wedding would fall through. To his surprise, they had actually made it to the altar.
"Raizen truly is impressive! I need to work harder too!" Might Guy's eyes sparkled, his white teeth flashing as he gave Raizen a distant thumbs-up.
"The Consultants actually came... the winds are changing," Hiashi Hyuga noted, his brow furrowed as he watched the elders. He understood their history with the Uchiha all too well. "It seems our Hyuga clan must also cultivate a good relationship with the Uchiha."
"Hinata, I heard you and Sasuke are classmates?" Hiashi asked the young girl sitting beside him.
Seven-year-old Hinata, with a soft pink blush on her cheeks, looked adorable. "Yes, Father," she replied, her eyes transfixed on the beautiful bride, somewhat distracted.
"In school, make an effort to talk to Sasuke more, understood?" Hiashi instructed. He had placed Hinata in the Academy primarily to build connections with other clans to prepare her for the headship.
"I understand, Father," Hinata nodded, though her gaze remained on Tsukihime; she was deeply captivated by the beauty of the wedding dress.
Watching Hinata stare at the dress, Hiashi's brow twitched. She was his heir; if she were to marry out...
At a nearby table, Ino Yamanaka's eyes were shining as she watched the couple. "Sasuke's uncle actually married a Princess! That's incredible!"
"A pervert like him? What's so incredible about that?" Shikamaru Nara muttered under his breath.
"Shikamaru, watch your tongue. Raizen is now married to the Princess; you can't just disparage him," Shikaku Nara warned, knocking his son on the head.
"Indeed. Raizen's status is different now. We must be careful with our words so as not to give others leverage," Akimichi Choza added, taking a large bite of grilled meat.
"Raizen Uchiha is something else. He sought out all those women and ended up with the Princess anyway," Inoichi Yamanaka remarked with genuine admiration.
"Raizen is a role model for our generation! His spirit is worth studying!" Shikaku laughed.
"Dad, if Mom heard you say that, you'd be dead," Shikamaru reminded him dryly.
"Hahaha..." Shikaku gave an awkward laugh. "I'm just joking, Shikamaru! Don't you dare say anything to your mother!"
"Tch. How troublesome." Shikamaru shot his father a look of pure disdain.
Shikaku ignored his son's look and turned serious. "You kids need to get along with Sasuke and build a strong relationship. With a guy like Raizen who doesn't play by the rules, the Uchiha will return to—and likely surpass—their former glory in just a few years."
"The old Uchiha lacked people who used their heads. Now they have Raizen. It's a blessing in disguise for them."