After helping Tenten with her new shop, Naruto walked leisurely toward home.
The sun hung warmly over Konohagakure, and the village streets were alive with chatter and smiles. As he passed through the market district, familiar villagers waved and greeted him, their faces full of warmth.
"Congratulations, Naruto!"
"Best wishes for you and Lady Hinata!"
Naruto scratched the back of his head with his usual sheepish grin. "Hehe, thank you!"
His wedding was only a few days away, and the entire village seemed to share in his excitement. Decorations were already being hung across the streets — banners of red and white fluttering gently in the breeze.
While walking, Naruto's keen eyes caught sight of something unusual at the far end of the road. There, near the fountain square, stood Konohamaru, clutching a video camera with the intensity of a director. Beside him, Udon held what looked like a small recording device, while Moegi stood confidently in front of them, holding a microphone.
They were interviewing Shikamaru.
Naruto's blue eyes narrowed curiously. He grinned and decided to sneak closer, suppressing his chakra so completely that even the sharpest sensor wouldn't detect him.
Moegi smiled into the camera and asked, "Excuse me, Shikamaru-senpai, Naruto-nii's wedding is coming up soon! What kind of gift have you prepared for him?"
Shikamaru rubbed the back of his head, letting out a long sigh. "Man… what a drag. I haven't really thought about it yet. It's troublesome."
Konohamaru gasped, his eyes wide. "Eh? Shikamaru-nii! You haven't even decided on a gift for Naruto-nii yet?"
Shikamaru nodded with his usual calm expression. "Yeah. I mean, it's Naruto's big day. I can't just give him something random. I need to think about it properly. Troublesome or not, it has to be meaningful."
Konohamaru nodded sagely, then gestured for Moegi to continue the next question.
"Then, Shikamaru-senpai," Moegi said cheerfully, "can you please give Naruto-nii and Hinata-nee your wedding blessing?"
Hearing that, Shikamaru straightened his back slightly and looked into the camera lens. His lazy eyes softened.
"Naruto, Hinata — I wish you both a happy wedding, a happy life, and… a son soon. Heh. Naruto, when you finally become Hokage, I'll be right there assisting you. That's a promise."
When the words were done, Konohamaru gave an enthusiastic thumbs-up. "Perfect! That's a wrap!" He quickly saved the footage and shut off the camera.
"Wow, Shikamaru-nii, that was perfect!" Moegi said brightly.
"Yeah," Udon added. "That sounded really cool!"
Shikamaru chuckled lightly. "You kids are pretty creative. Making a video for Naruto's wedding? It's a good idea. I should've thought of it myself."
Konohamaru clutched his camera tightly, his expression suddenly serious. "Shikamaru-nii! You're not planning to steal my idea, are you?"
Both Udon and Moegi nodded in unison. "Yeah! We worked hard on this!"
Shikamaru raised his hands in surrender. "Relax, I'm not stealing anything. How many people are you planning to record anyway?"
Konohamaru thought for a moment. "Anyone connected to Naruto-nii! We want it to be a real memory capsule for him."
Shikamaru nodded in approval. "Makes sense. So how many have you done so far?"
"Counting you, Shikamaru-nii," Konohamaru replied proudly, "we've got ten people — all from Naruto's generation!"
Moegi added with a grin, "There's only Sasuke left, then we're done!"
"Yeah," Udon said, adjusting his glasses.
Shikamaru smirked. "So, the whole Konoha Twelve except Naruto himself. Fitting."
Just then, a familiar voice called from behind them.
"Hey, what are you guys doing over here?"
Everyone froze.
Naruto stepped out from behind a corner, hands tucked behind his head, a mischievous grin on his face. His chakra was so well hidden that none of them had even sensed him approaching.
Shikamaru looked up lazily. "Oh… hey, Naruto."
Konohamaru, Moegi, and Udon stiffened like soldiers caught red-handed. In a panic, they huddled together to block the camera from Naruto's view.
Naruto tilted his head, grinning wider. "Konohamaru, Udon, Moegi… what are you three doing? You're acting really suspicious. What's that you're hiding behind your backs, huh?"
The trio flailed their arms nervously. "N-No! There's nothing, Naruto-nii! Nothing at all!"
Konohamaru smiled awkwardly. "We, uh, have something urgent to do! So, see you later!"
Without giving Naruto a chance to peek, all three of them shuffled backward, turned, and dashed off down the street, disappearing around the corner like frightened squirrels.
Naruto burst out laughing. "Those guys are really something else."
Shikamaru walked up beside him, hands in his pockets. "You already knew what they were doing, didn't you?"
Naruto grinned. "Yeah, of course."
Shikamaru sighed. "Then why even ask? You're just playing with them."
Naruto shrugged. "Maybe. But just because I know doesn't mean Hinata does. Let them keep at it. It'll be a great surprise."
Shikamaru pointed at him, smirking. "You're one troublesome groom, you know that?"
Naruto laughed, throwing an arm around Shikamaru's shoulder as they began walking together through the bustling street.
"Hey, Shikamaru, I wanted to ask you something."
Shikamaru glanced at him. "Yeah?"
Naruto smiled slyly. "I went to Sunagakure recently and met Temari. She mentioned she sent you a letter. What did it say?"
At once, Shikamaru's calm composure cracked. His face turned slightly red, and he brushed Naruto's arm off his shoulder. "Geez, Naruto! Can you not bring that up? It's embarrassing. And no, I didn't spread any rumors that I missed her or wanted her to visit Konoha!"
Naruto raised his eyebrows, pretending innocence. "Oh really? Then touch your heart and tell me, Shikamaru — am I wrong?"
Shikamaru was caught off guard. He sighed, massaging his temples. "Even if you're right, you don't just say it out loud. Some things should happen naturally. You're like a gust of wind that blows away all the subtlety!"
Naruto laughed loudly. "So, you're saying you do like her!"
Shikamaru groaned. "You're impossible."
Naruto chuckled and said knowingly, "You just think falling in love is troublesome, huh? You want it to happen naturally."
Shikamaru looked off into the distance, the corners of his mouth twitching. "Exactly. I don't like forcing things. But thanks to you, now it's all out in the open. What a drag."
Naruto clapped his shoulder again. "C'mon, Shikamaru! You've faced wars, Akatsuki, and world crises. Don't tell me you're scared of a girl!"
Shikamaru gave him a flat look. "You don't get it. Women are terrifying. I watch my dad get yelled at by my mom every day. Just watching them makes me tired."
Naruto laughed again. "Don't worry. You and Temari are a perfect match. You're both sharp, strong-willed, and secretly care more than you admit. You'll be fine."
Shikamaru raised an eyebrow. "You already know we'll end up together, don't you? That's why you're meddling like this."
Naruto gave a sly smile. "You could say that. You and Temari, Sai and Ino, Sasuke and Sakura, me and Hinata — these bonds are fated. So why fight destiny?"
Hearing that, Shikamaru relaxed a little. For someone who lived his life like a game of shogi, knowing how the pieces would move ahead of time brought comfort.
"Alright then," he said with a small smile. "If that's fate, I guess I know how to reply to Temari's letter."
Naruto leaned closer, grinning. "Oh? What did she write exactly?"
Shikamaru shoved him away, his face red again. "Can you stop being such a gossip, Naruto?"
And with that, he walked off, hands in his pockets, muttering about how troublesome everything was.
Naruto stood there, laughing softly as the wind rustled through the trees. "Heh, same old Shikamaru."
He turned toward home, his heart light. The village was peaceful, his friends were happy, and his wedding was just around the corner.
For once, Naruto felt like everything — destiny, friendship, and love — had finally come together just right.
Dear Readers
For 60 Advance Chapters Join My Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/NF25
-------
Please Support My Patreon 🥺