The ceremony was over. Qianyu and Kushina Uzumaki were now husband and wife, bound in the eyes of everyone present.
Now came the part where they toasted each table.
First, naturally, was Hiruzen Sarutobi, the elder statesman here.
Qianyu and Kushina walked over with their cups, stopping before Hiruzen and his wife, Biwako Sarutobi.
Qianyu smiled. "Lord Third, Lady Biwako. Thank you both for making time to attend our wedding."
Hiruzen smiled warmly. "Of course we'd come. This is your wedding. You're one of Konoha's great assets, Qianyu. And in a way, we've watched you two grow up."
Qianyu chuckled, raised his cup in a toast, and drank. "Then please, enjoy yourselves. We should go greet the other guests."
They moved on to Danzō Shimura's table.
Danzō wore a smile that looked like it had been carved into his face with a rusty kunai.
He'd assumed Qianyu wouldn't invite Minato Namikaze. But Minato was here.
A man as paranoid as Danzō couldn't help but read into that.
Qianyu was crucial now. Not just his strength, or his reputation. More importantly, he played a key role in Danzō's plans regarding the Uchiha clan.
If Qianyu switched sides, Danzō would lose all initiative. He'd been counting on using Qianyu to reap significant benefits from the Uchiha situation.
The Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal was on Qianyu, sure. But that seal had no real hold over the man himself.
If Qianyu truly defected… Danzō had no leverage.
Seeing Danzō's expression—like he'd just swallowed something foul—Qianyu's lips curved slightly. He raised his cup. "Lord Danzō. I'll visit you at the Root headquarters tomorrow. There are some matters I'd like to discuss. Will you be available?"
Danzō's eyes snapped up, meeting Qianyu's. Qianyu's gaze flickered, just for an instant, toward Minato's direction.
Danzō understood immediately. The strained smile vanished.
So. Qianyu hadn't switched allegiance to Hiruzen or Minato. He was still on Danzō's side.
This 'discussion' tomorrow was likely Qianyu's way of explaining today's invitation.
Honestly, even without an explanation, Danzō was convinced now. Qianyu had just signaled his stance clearly enough.
Danzō raised his own cup, clinking it against Qianyu's and Kushina's. "My congratulations on your union. As for the visit… no rush. You've just been married. Take a few days off. Spend time with your new wife."
Qianyu kept his smile. "I appreciate your consideration, Lord Danzō. But I'd still like to come tomorrow. There are… strategic points I wish to discuss."
Danzō nodded. "Very well. I'll await you at Root."
Next, they approached Minato and Miyuki Uzumaki's table.
Miyuki beamed. "Congratulations, you two. Finally tied the knot."
Kushina grinned back. "Yeah! You're next, Miyuki!"
Miyuki's cheeks flushed. "Don't say that, Kushina!"
Minato lifted his cup toward Qianyu. "Congratulations, Qianyu."
"Thanks."
Their cups touched.
Then they moved to Orochimaru's table, where Kakashi sat beside his sensei, steadily working through the banquet food.
"Orochimaru-sensei, Kakashi. Thank you for everything today. We couldn't have done it without you."
Orochimaru took a sip of wine. "It was no trouble. As someone who watched you grow, seeing this day brings me genuine satisfaction."
Kakashi swallowed his mouthful. "Yeah, just greeting a few people. Not many guests anyway. Wasn't tired at all."
After toasting them, Qianyu and Kushina finally reached the table of Kushina's three close friends.
The three friends looked even more nervous than the newlyweds.
They were just regular chūnin. Everyone here—except maybe Kakashi—were figures they usually only saw at official functions. It was equal parts thrilling and terrifying.
After the wedding, once the guests had departed, Qianyu and Kushina carried the mountain of gifts back to their home.
The moment the door closed, Kushina's formal posture collapsed. She flopped onto the sofa with a groan. "We shouldn't be this tired. But I feel like I just finished an S-rank mission."
Qianyu changed out of his formal clothes. He blinked at her, a playful glint in his eye. "You'll be more tired later~"
Being an 'old married couple' already in spirit, Kushina caught his meaning instantly. Her face flushed bright red. But she met his gaze, voice deliberately tough. "Who'll be more tired remains to be seen!"
…
The next day.
They slept until the sun was high in the sky.
Kushina, exhausted from the night's… activities, refused to leave the bed.
Qianyu pinched her soft cheek and got up first. Dressing, he asked, "What do you want for lunch, Kushina? I'll make it."
Her voice was a little hoarse. "Sukiyaki."
"Got it. I'll go buy the ingredients. I'll call you when it's ready."
"Mmm~"
After leaving the house, Qianyu headed for the market.
A smile hadn't left his face since he woke up.
After all these years knowing Kushina… they'd finally reached this point.
His immediate goal had been achieved, too. Kushina had not become the jinchūriki. Everything was moving in a good direction.
Now… it was time to pursue his own goals.
The future ninja world was fraught with danger.
His goal was simple: carve out his own place in this dangerous world.
Maybe it was the battle-hungry Uchiha blood in his veins, but he also wanted to test himself against the truly powerful beings out there.
After buying the sukiyaki ingredients, Qianyu took out his ring on the walk home. He channeled chakra into it, sending a message to Yahiko.
Bring the new members to Tanzaku Quarters in the Land of Fire.
According to the feedback from the ring he'd given Yahiko, two new members had already joined the Owl Organization.
Back home, he prepared the sukiyaki. After he and Kushina finished lunch, Qianyu set out for the Root headquarters.
He needed to reassure Danzō, of course. But he also wanted to know Danzō's next move regarding the Uchiha.
Danzō, the hawk. He'd undoubtedly want Qianyu to keep pressuring the Uchiha clan relentlessly.
But Hiruzen, the dove, would think differently. That previous aggressive stance was a wartime measure—to prevent the Uchiha from accumulating too much merit and becoming uncontrollable post-war.
Now, with peace? Hiruzen would never allow such continued, blatant targeting of the clan.
Qianyu wasn't suited for 'non-aggressive' plans. Besides, a more suitable candidate had appeared now: Uchiha Shisui.
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