Dawn on the day of the wedding did not break so much as unfold. The sky over Kumogakure shifted from indigo to a deep, luminous purple, then to a wash of rose and gold that painted the towering peaks in fire. At the very apex of the Storm-Peak, the highest and most sacred point in the Land of Lightning, the air was so clear and thin it felt like breathing crystal. Here, the Sky-Platform floated, a serene island of white stone and gleaming metal against the vastness of the heavens.
Overnight, Kumo's finest barrier masters, in collaboration with Uzumaki seal-weavers, had erected a dome of shimmering, transparent energy over the platform. But this was no ordinary barrier. It was a colossal, intricate projection seal—a canvas for the sky itself. As the sun rose, the barrier displayed not the blue of day, but a perfect, breathtaking simulation of a star-dusted night sky, complete with a swirling nebula and twin moons, one silver, one gold. It was a private, celestial theater for the event of the age.
The guests began their ascent not by foot, but via graceful, silent lifts powered by gravity seals. The procession was a living tapestry of the new world order. The Five Kage arrived together: Raikage A in his formal white robes and cap, Tsunade in a stunning green and gold kimono that showcased the Senju diamond, a sober but proud Ōnoki floating beside her, Mei Terumī in a gorgeous, deep blue dress that seemed woven from ocean waves, and Gaara in simple but elegant Kazekage attire, the gourd on his back polished to a mirror shine. Their respective Daimyos followed, the Lightning Daimyo Enmaru Saito leading with an air of proprietary pride.
Then came the clans and the allies. The Hyūga contingent, led by Hiashi, their white eyes taking in every precise detail. The Nara, Akimichi, and Yamanaka heads. The revived and living legends: Hashirama Senju, beaming with tearful joy; Tobirama, looking stiff and uncomfortable but present; Minato and Kushina Namikaze, holding hands tightly, their presence still causing ripples of awed whispers; Fugaku and Mikoto Uchiha, walking with Sasuke between them, a united front of the restored clan.
Orochimaru arrived, and a hush fell over a section of the crowd. He was in his new, perfect vessel—a form of androgynous beauty with pale skin, lustrous black hair, and calm, golden eyes. He wore simple, elegant robes of black and purple, the only hint of his past a small, tasteful snake motif on his obi. He walked not with arrogance, but with a quiet, observant dignity. He was an honored guest, a testament to redemption and the new era's capacity for transformation. He took a seat beside a fascinated and wary Kabuto, who now worked as his head of research under strict ethical oversight.
The Uzumaki clan filled entire rows, a sea of crimson hair and proud faces—Venelana and Zeoticus at the very front, Sirzechs beside them. The "Storm-Born" Uchiha children were there, wide-eyed and quiet for once, dressed in fine new clothes. The Jinchuriki and their sovereign partners had places of honor: Killer B, Yugito Nii, and the small, avatar forms of Gyūki and Matatabi perched on their shoulders. Fū, the Seven-Tails jinchuriki, sat with the Konoha contingent, chatting animatedly with a blushing Hinata and a grinning Naruto.
And then, there were the summons. Perched on specially constructed arches of Sonic-Wood were avatars of the Eagle and Elephant Clans. Garuda's feathery form, condensed to a mere ten-foot wingspan, radiated ancient wisdom. Airavat's presence was a low, comforting rumble felt in the bones. They were not servants, but sovereign allies witnessing a pact.
As the celestial "night" under the barrier deepened, the soft, harmonic music of Sonic-Wood instruments began—a melody that seemed woven from wind chimes and distant thunder. All eyes turned to the great arched pathway, lined with Unity Blooms that glowed with a soft, internal light.
He appeared first.
Indra Uzumaki-Uchiha walked onto the platform, and a collective, almost silent gasp swept through the assembly. He was a vision of sovereign power made elegant. His traditional Uchiha formal haori was the deepest black, edged with silver lightning patterns that seemed to crackle with contained energy. Beneath it, he wore Kumo's style of fitted, dark grey pants and boots. His hair, with its distinctive silver streak, was swept back, sharpening the severe, handsome lines of his face. But it was his eyes that held everyone. His Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan was not active, but his normal eyes—a deep, intense violet—seemed to hold the same impossible depth, the same quiet authority. He stood before the ceremonial arch, a pillar of calm, waiting.
Inner Monologue – Various Female Guests:
A Kiri kunoichi: "By the Mizukage's mercy… he's like a statue of a storm god come to life. How can anyone be that… composed?" A young Iwa kunoichi: "They said he was powerful. They didn't say he looked like he carved mountains with his jawline. And that silver streak… is that natural?" An Uzumaki clan girl, sighing: "Cousin Indra is… wow. No wonder Rias-nee is so crazy about him. He's scary, but in a… really good way." Sakura Haruno, mentally: "He's… perfect. Not handsome in a pretty way, but in a 'force of nature' way. No wonder Sasuke-kun looks up to him. He's everything the Uchiha were supposed to be: powerful, controlled, purposeful. And he chose her."
The music shifted, swelling into a grander, sweeter harmony. Every head turned.
And then, she was there.
Rias Uzumaki stood at the head of the pathway, and for a moment, time itself seemed to stutter. The whispers died. The breaths caught.
Her wedding dress was a masterpiece that defied simple description. It was not a single color, but a gradient that flowed from the soft pearl-grey of a mountain mist at her shoulders to the rich, vibrant crimson of Uzumaki bloodline at the hem. The fabric was not silk or satin, but something alive—interwoven strands of Sonic-Wood fiber and Moon-Moth silk, creating a material that shimmered with its own subtle light and seemed to hum with a quiet, joyful frequency. The cut was both regal and functional, allowing for movement, with sleeves that tapered to points over her hands. The bodice was embroidered with infinitesimally small Uzumaki spirals in silver thread, and the train, manageable but elegant, pooled behind her like a sunset captured in cloth.
But the dress was merely the frame for the masterpiece. Her crimson hair, usually wild, was intricately braided and coiled, adorned with tiny, living Unity Blooms and a single, perfect feather from Garuda that held a nebula's worth of colors. Her face, always beautiful, was radiant with a happiness so profound it was almost luminescent. Her green-gold eyes, flecked with that strange crystalline light from her Gourmet World evolution, held the entire assembly for a moment before finding Indra's at the far end. A smile touched her lips, small, private, and utterly devastating.
Inner Monologue – Various Male Guests and Others:
A Suna shinobi: "That's… that's a weapon. She's a weapon dressed as a dream. You can see it in her posture. Absolute control." Darui, thinking: "Troublesomely beautiful. No wonder the boss and her father nearly tore the tower down over who got to walk her." Killer B, internally rhyming: Yo, the bride's a tide of crimson pride, with a storm for a heart and nowhere to hide! A young Uchiha boy, whispering to his sister: "Is she a queen? She looks like the queen from the stories Dad tells." Hinata, eyes wide: "She's so… strong. And beautiful. Not just pretty, but… like a goddess of life and sound. Naruto-kun was right. They're perfect." Naruto, grinning so wide it hurt: "Yeah! That's Rias-nee! She's awesome!" Sasuke, a rare, almost imperceptible softening at the corner of his mouth: "Hn." Sona Uzumaki, analytically: "The dress's harmonic resonance is tuned to complement Indra's baseline chakra frequency. A non-audible declaration of unity. Efficient and aesthetically optimal." Zeoticus Uzumaki, tears openly streaming down his face, thinking: "My little girl. My brilliant, fierce, impossible girl. Look at you." Mikoto Uchiha, clutching Kushina's hand: "She's glorious. Absolutely glorious."
Then, the moment the entire village had secretly been anticipating. From either side of the pathway, Raikage A and Zeoticus Uzumaki stepped forward. They were a study in contrasts: A, a mountain of muscle in formal white, his face set in uncharacteristic solemnity; Zeoticus, elegant and poised in robes of deep crimson and gold, his expression one of immense pride and vulnerability. They each offered an arm. Rias placed a hand on each, and the trio began the slow, stately walk down the aisle.
The sight of the mighty Raikage and the shrewd merchant prince, united in this single purpose, escorting the radiant bride between them, was a powerful symbol that resonated with everyone. It was the union of martial and economic power, of adopted home and birthright, all for the sake of this one woman. Not a single jealous whisper could be heard; the spectacle was too complete, too right.
They reached the arch. A and Zeoticus gently placed Rias's hands into Indra's waiting ones. A gave a gruff, approving nod. Zeoticus leaned in and whispered, "You cherish her," his voice thick. Indra met his eyes and gave a single, definitive nod that was more binding than any oath.
The two men stepped back to their seats. Under the arch of stars, Indra and Rias faced each other, hands joined. The head officiant, an ancient Uzumaki elder who had survived the fall of Uzushio, stepped forward, his voice amplified by a subtle seal.
Elder Kaito: We are gathered under the watch of ancestral skies, within the fortress of our making, to witness and sanctify the union of two sovereign powers. Not of nations, but of souls. Indra Uzumaki-Uchiha. Rias Uzumaki. You come before your world, forged in conflict, tempered in peace. Speak now the vows you have written for one another.
There was no prompting, no traditional script. Indra's gaze never left Rias's. His voice, when it came, was not the cold, analytical tone of the lab, nor the commanding boom of the battlefield. It was clear, steady, and carried to every corner of the platform, imbued with a terrifying sincerity.
Indra: Rias. From the moment you challenged my calculations, you introduced a variable my systems could not—and cannot—categorize. You are not a problem to be solved. You are the solution to a question I did not know how to ask. You match my strength not as an echo, but as a harmony. You meet my intellect not as a student, but as a collaborator. In the silence of my inner world, yours is the only voice that does not feel like an intrusion, but a completion.
He paused, the words hanging in the starry air.
Indra: You are my equal in every conceivable metric: in battle, in creation, in strategy, in will. You are the sanctuary I build for, and the storm I would face any horizon to protect. I do not promise you peace, for our path is one of perpetual building. I do not promise you ease, for our purpose demands vigilance. I vow to build worlds with you. To stand beside you as your partner in all things. To share the weight of sovereignty, and the joy of a quiet dawn. My logic, my power, my endless potential—I dedicate it all to you. Not as a master to a servant, nor a protector to a ward. But as one sovereign to another. My partner. My equal. My Rias.
A profound silence followed. There were tears on many faces—Kushina's, Mikoto's, Delia's, even Tsunade's. The raw, unfiltered devotion in his words, couched in the unique language of their shared existence, was more moving than any flowery poetry.
Rias's eyes glistened, but her smile was steady, full of love and understanding. She squeezed his hands.
Rias: Indra. When I first saw you, you were a puzzle. A boy with the eyes of ancient tragedy and the mind of a future he was determined to claw from the void. You saw potential where others saw only a refugee girl with a famous name. You saw a partner where others saw a tool. You built a future for us all when others clung to the ashes of the past.
Her voice was music, clear and strong, carrying the subtle harmonics of her Sonic-Wood affinity.
Rias: You showed me that strength is not just for breaking, but for building. That power is not just for taking, but for giving. You gave me a family, a home, a purpose that was my own to shape. You never asked me to be less, only to be more. You are the anchor in my storm, and the wind beneath my wings. My unwavering law, and my greatest adventure.
She took a breath, her gaze unwavering.
Rias: I do not vow to follow you, for our path is one we chart together. I do not vow to obey you, for our strength lies in our dialogue. I vow to stand beside you as your equal. To challenge you when you need challenging, to support you when you need support. To create beauty where you create structure. To sing the songs for the worlds we build. My heart, my spirit, my song—I entrust them all to you. As your partner. Your equal. Your Indra.
It was a perfect mirror, a perfect answer. The symmetry of their promises—of building, of equality, of shared sovereignty—left no doubt in anyone's mind about the nature of this union.
Elder Kaito: The rings.
Samui, acting as the holder of the rings, stepped forward with a velvet cushion. Upon it rested two bands that glimmered with an inner fire. Indra took the slightly smaller one. It was forged from Storm-Steel, a dark, almost black alloy unique to Kumo that conducted chakra perfectly, and inlaid with a continuous band of Eternal Diamond—the impossibly hard, glowing crystal from the Gourmet World that contained a miniature galaxy of light.
Indra: (As he slid it onto Rias's finger) With this ring, I bind my destiny to yours. My storms to your song.
Rias took the larger band. It was made primarily of the Eternal Diamond, cool and radiant to the touch, but set within it was a circuit of Storm-Steel, like a captured bolt of lightning.
Rias: (Sliding it onto his finger) With this ring, I bind my song to your destiny. My harmony to your storms.
The Elder smiled, a rare, genuine expression on his aged face.
Elder Kaito: By the authority vested in me by the legacy of Uzushio, the laws of Lightning, and the witnessed will of all present, I now pronounce you bound for eternity. You may seal your vow.
They needed no further invitation. Indra and Rias moved as one. It was not a hesitant kiss, nor a theatrical one. It was a meeting of equals—firm, confident, and filled with a promise that resonated deeper than any seal. The moment their lips met, the great barrier above them reacted.
The projected night sky erupted. The twin moons spiraled together. The nebula condensed, then exploded in a silent, breathtaking supernova of gold and crimson light. From the heart of the explosion, the light spiraled down, not as fire, but as two intertwined, luminous strands—a double helix. As it reached the apex of the barrier, the strands resolved into perfect, gigantic symbols: the Uzumaki spiral and the Uchiha fan, rotating slowly around each other before merging into a single, new, composite emblem that blazed for a glorious moment before dissolving into a gentle shower of shimmering, harmless light that fell over the entire platform like blessed rain.
The crowd erupted. Cheers, applause, the ringing of bells, the joyful roars of the Elephant Clan avatars, and the triumphant cry of the Eagles filled the celestial dome. Under the cascade of light, Indra and Rias broke the kiss, foreheads resting together, sharing a private, quiet smile amidst the roaring celebration.
They were married.
________________________________________
The reception was held in a grand, open-sided pavilion constructed lower on the mountain, offering stunning views of the village below and the now-clear, real sky above. The atmosphere was one of jubilant relief and celebration. But the true spectacle, after the ceremony itself, was yet to come.
At the center of the pavilion stood the wedding cake. It was not a cake. It was a sculpture. A tiered masterpiece that rose nearly ten feet tall, glittering as if carved from a glacier and a diamond mine simultaneously. Its surface was a mosaic of edible gemstones in shades of blue, silver, and crimson. Frosting like whipped cloud swirled around its base. At its peak, a tiny, perfect replica of the Raijin-1 vehicle, crafted from dark chocolate and gold leaf, sat parked next to two miniature figures—Indra and Rias, made of a marzipan that seemed to glow.
But it was the presence of the cake that was astounding. It radiated a gentle, cool energy. A faint, sweet aroma that made the mouth water from fifty feet away. And it seemed to hum, a barely audible harmonic that resonated pleasantly in the chest.
As the guests gathered around, speechless, Indra stepped forward, Rias at his side.
Indra: The confection is not merely symbolic. It is sustenance. Each component is sourced from the Gourmet World, a dimension where the fundamental force is appetite and evolution.
He spoke clinically, as if presenting a research paper, but the content was pure fantasy.
Indra: The foundation is baked from flour milled from Gravity Wheat, grown in 300x standard gravity, providing dense, long-lasting energy. The icing is Cloud-Cream, harvested from the breath of Sky Deer, stabilized with Arctic Honey from bees that pollinate glaciers. The structural support columns are Crystalized Sugar from the Singing Caves, possessing perfect tensile strength and a residual harmonic frequency.
He gestured to the glittering gems.
Indra: The decorative gems are Edible Diamonds formed under pressure in the stomachs of Gemstone Turtles—pure carbon in a digestible, nutrient-rich matrix. The red accents are Blood-Rubies, solidified sap from the Heartwood Blossom trees, high in iron and life-force. The blue layers are infused with Frost-Berry compote, which lowers core body temperature and heightens sensory perception for twelve hours. The silver dust is Starlight Lichen, a fungus that grows on meteorites and aids in chakra cohesion.
He paused, looking at Rias, who gave an encouraging nod.
Indra: I made a brief dimensional transit yesterday to acquire the final, freshest ingredients. The vehicle replica is made from Dark Continent Cacao, beans that are fermented in volcanic ash. The figures are sculpted from Memory Marzipan, made from nuts that record the emotional state of the consumer during growth; these were grown in a chamber saturated with frequencies of contentment.
The explanation left the entire assembly in stunned silence. This wasn't a cake; it was a cross-dimensional culinary raid, a biochemical marvel.
Raikage A: (Breaking the silence with a booming laugh) YOU WENT TO ANOTHER WORLD FOR CAKE INGREDIENTS?! That's my boy! Now CUT IT! I want to taste a diamond!
The spell broke. Laughter and excited chatter erupted. Expert Kumo chefs, supervised by an awestruck Komatsu (who had been invited as the IGO's representative), carefully began disassembling the monumental dessert, serving small, exquisite slices to every guest.
The experience of eating it was transcendent. The Gravity Wheat cake was impossibly rich and satisfying, a single bite feeling like a meal. The Cloud-Cream melted on the tongue with a flavor of high-altitude air and sweetness. The edible diamonds crunched pleasantly, releasing bursts of minerals that made one's teeth feel stronger. The Frost-Berry compote created a refreshing, cooling sensation that spread through the body, sharpening the mind and senses. It was, as Indra promised, true sustenance, a celebration of life and complexity in every forkful.
But the cake was just the prelude. The main feast was laid out on long tables that seemed to go on forever. Each dish was a work of art, and beside each, a small, elegant plaque described its origins.
Hors d'oeuvres:
o Sky-Deer Canapés: Thin crackers topped with a pâté made from Sky Deer moss, that tasted of ozone and freedom. "Grazed from floating islands, this moss imparts a sense of weightlessness."
o Volcanic Rock Oysters: Oysters that grew on active underwater vents, served on a warm, savory geode crystal that seasoned them. "Their shells filter mineral-rich, superheated water, creating a briny, fiery burst."
o Sonic Caviar: Tiny, pearl-like eggs from fish that lived in the Singing Canyons, popping with a audible, musical snap that released a chord of flavor. "Each pop resonates at a different frequency, stimulating different taste receptors."
Soup:
o Heracles' Tear Consommé: A clear, golden broth that was the distilled essence of a single, crystallized tear from the Mammoth King. "One tear, aged for a century, contains the condensed memory of a continent's patience. Promotes cellular fortitude and emotional resilience."
Main Courses:
o Roasted Thunderfang Sabertooth Lion: A haunch of meat from the very creature Indra and Rias hunted on their first day in the Gourmet World. It was marinated in Lightning-Blossom nectar and seared with actual, controlled bolts of lightning. "Capture Level 120. Muscle fibers store electrical energy, providing a stimulating, energizing effect. Consuming it accelerates neural synaptic response."
o Glacial Leviathan Sashimi: Paper-thin slices of iridescent fish from the deepest, coldest seas of the Gourmet World, arranged on a plate of ice that never melted. "Its flesh contains natural anti-freeze proteins. Enhances cryogenic resistance and mental clarity."
o Harmony Bird Supreme: A bird that could sing two notes simultaneously, roasted with herbs that grew in the chord of its song. The meat, when eaten, seemed to harmonize one's own chakra for a short time. "Consumption temporarily synchronizes the consumer's physical and spiritual energy wavelengths."
Side Dishes:
o Gemstone Rice: Rice grains that looked like tiny, polished opals, cooked in broth made from filtered hot spring water. "Each grain absorbs and slowly releases geothermal nutrients."
o Whisper-Fern Salad: Ferns that only grew in absolute silence, dressed with a vinaigrette made from fermented soundwaves. "Promotes a state of inner quiet and enhances auditory perception."
o Magnetic Tuber Mash: Root vegetables that naturally aligned to magnetic fields, creating a creamy, savory puree that seemed to subtly ground the eater. "Instills a sense of balance and directional certainty."
Dessert (Aside from the cake):
o Temporal Berry Tartlets: Berries that existed in a state of quantum flavor uncertainty until bitten, collapsing into a taste unique to each consumer—often a beloved memory from their past. "Interacts with the hippocampus to retrieve and 'taste' a positive memory."
o Portal Vintage Wine: The same wine served at Indra's proposal, poured from decanters that seemed to hold miniature swirling galaxies. "Fermented from grapes grown in a pocket dimension with accelerated time. One sip contains the complexity of a decade's aging."
The reactions were a symphony of delight and shock. People moaned in pleasure, laughed in disbelief, and stared at their plates with wonder. Naruto, true to form, tried to eat everything at once and had to be stopped by a laughing Kushina and a mildly horrified Minato. Tsunade declared the wine the best thing she'd ever tasted and demanded the vintage data. Ōnoki, after trying the Magnetic Tuber Mash, grudgingly admitted it was "more useful than a rock."
As the incredible feast progressed, the atmosphere grew warmer, more relaxed. The barriers of village and nation dissolved further in the face of shared, sublime experience. Shinobi who had faced each other as enemies months ago clinked glasses. Daimyos discussed trade deals over plates of Gemstone Rice.
In a quiet corner, Sakura sat with her slice of Memory Marzipan. She took a bite. The flavor that washed over her was not of Sasuke, or of unrequited love. It was the taste of the first surgery she performed perfectly on her own—a rush of pride, of competence, of her own strength. She smiled, a real, peaceful smile. The jealousy was gone, replaced by a quiet determination. She would find her own flavor.
Near the edge of the pavilion, Sasuke stood with Sona. They each held a glass of Portal Vintage. They weren't speaking, just observing the crowd. Sona made a small, precise gesture with her free hand, pointing minutely at the complex seal-work that powered the floating serving trays. Sasuke's Rinnegan flickered for a nanosecond as he analyzed it, then he gave her that same, single acknowledging nod. It was enough.
Under the real stars, amidst the music and laughter, Indra and Rias moved through their guests, accepting congratulations. They were a planet around which this new solar system of alliances and friendships now orbited. Hand in hand, rings gleaming, they were no longer just the architect and the goddess. They were the foundation and the melody of the world they had built, and were now vowing to build together, forever. The wedding was over. The forever had just begun.
End of Chapter – 127.