Chapter 204: The Vow
Mizuki didn't mind the financial loss, and Tsubaki wasn't the petty type either. For a day like this, where Mizuki had taken the lead on most major decisions, Tsubaki hadn't objected much. Compared to others, their wedding was already fairly modest. After all, Konohagakure was huge—many people had lived their whole lives there without knowing everyone else. Most had seen each other in passing but weren't familiar. Especially among the ninja, a profession built on secrecy—even after nearly a millennium of dominance in the shinobi world—they still clung to old traditions. So the turnout today was actually quite decent.
"I'm not talking about the money, Mizuki," Tsubaki said seriously. "We're still ninja. Side businesses are fine, but isn't this kind of high-profile exposure dangerous?"
"Huh?" Mizuki was caught off guard. "Why are you suddenly concerned about that?"
Her concern made sense. In a village like Konoha, managing influence and power was a delicate balance. The Nara clan practically monopolized the medicinal herb business. The Inuzuka owned large tracts of land to raise their ninja hounds. Even the declining Kurama clan still held valuable territory near the village.
Before the shinobi world order eventually collapsed under overwhelming power, having numbers and influence still mattered. Ninja traditionally avoided interfering in civil life and production, but supporting them cost a fortune. So open and hidden battles for resources were inevitable—from large-scale inter-village conflicts down to internal rank promotions. It was all part of the same system.
If Mizuki's hidden value were fully exposed, just the two of them wouldn't be enough to guard it. Their modestly profitable flower business alone could already be considered considerable wealth. But to ninja, that was just "soft power." It brought money, but didn't directly contribute to what truly mattered—combat power. And that, of course, was tightly controlled by the major clans and the village itself.
That's why Mizuki hadn't worried too much. Konoha, at least publicly, followed the rules of "lawful good." As long as he didn't go against the system, he'd still be protected. And besides, Mizuki wasn't all that concerned about the political structure when he knew the world order would crumble in less than three years. Still, since Tsubaki brought it up, he offered her some reassurance.
"There's no need to worry. I'm a jōnin now. And Lady Tsunade has been the Fifth Hokage for some time—things won't spiral out of control again so easily."
Not to mention, he had the implicit backing of the Hyuga clan. As long as he stayed low-key, there'd be no trouble. But depending on others' goodwill was still a bit shaky.
'So... should I build a faction and rally allies? Doesn't seem like a good idea,' Mizuki thought.
He wasn't a "chosen one" directly descended from the Hokage line. Starting his own clique would likely invite suppression. Even the mighty Uchiha clan had failed playing that game. Mizuki's jōnin status wasn't nearly enough to break the mold.
"And besides," he added, "Tsubaki, isn't today supposed to be a day where we don't worry about these things?"
It was good to be frugal and sensible—but timing mattered too. Was she about to tally up how many gifts they'd received next? That didn't sound like her usual self. Was she... shy?
"Then what should I worry about?" Tsubaki asked quietly. She stood and walked over to Mizuki's side. "You must be exhausted."
"Yeah." Mizuki chuckled. He'd attended plenty of weddings before, but being the main character this time was definitely different. He had stressed over every detail, fearing regrets. That self-imposed pressure had worn him down. And if he felt this way, Tsubaki likely did too—even if neither of them were the type to wear emotions on their sleeve. Still, their happiness was genuine.
"Mizuki," Tsubaki whispered, wrapping her arms around his waist and looking up at him. Her delicate face glowed softly in the dim light.
"What is it?" Mizuki wrapped his arms around her shoulders in return.
"I wasn't just talking about today," she said with concern. "You don't have to push yourself so hard anymore."
Tsubaki, more than anyone, understood Mizuki's transformation. There wasn't any immediate crisis now. His body, though still fragile, was stable for the short term. There was enough time to wait for progress in his treatment.
Mizuki smiled gently. "Do you remember when I passed the chūnin exams and became a teacher at the academy?"
Tsubaki nodded. They'd recently reminisced about it.
"You told me to 'do my best' back then."
He gently stroked her hair.
"You were the one who encouraged me to keep going… and now, you're the one telling me I don't have to push myself. But you've always been the same person."
Tsubaki leaned her face into his chest, mumbling, "You always remember the little things so well."
"How could I forget? I've kept them all in my heart."
No matter the words, the feeling behind them never changed. Back then, Mizuki needed motivation. Now, what he needed was calm—to ease the mental strain. And the woman in his arms was the one who understood him best.
"I get it now," Tsubaki said, looking up at him with a determined gaze. "Since we can't run from it, let's face it together."
"Yeah."
Once a person's life becomes shared with another, everything changes. Mizuki had been prepared for this. When someone's presence becomes constant, their importance can fade into the background, like air—essential, invisible, and impossible to live without.
And now, this woman—this unknown girl in a world Mizuki hadn't been born into—said she would face everything by his side. If she knew the true nature of the "gods" they'd seen earlier today, Mizuki wondered how she'd react.
"Feeling better?" he asked with a grin.
Tsubaki nodded. "Mizuki… we'll be together for decades from now on."
"Of course. Even the gods approved our wedding—there's no backing out now."
Mizuki laughed, but behind that smile, his conviction hardened.
'The ones who can't back out… aren't just Tsubaki and me—even the gods are bound to this vow. Not just for three years… but for decades.'
---
Read up to 20 chapter ahead of time on patreon.com/Legendryweeb
{please give this novel 5 Star review and power stone}
*Thank you*