Soon, the long line of carriages approached the Uchiha clan compound. Word had already spread through the district, and upon hearing that the Uzumaki procession was heading directly toward their grounds, Mikoto's father personally came out to welcome them. The atmosphere around the compound grew noticeably more formal, as if the entire area straightened its posture in anticipation.
The carriages slowed to a stop before the gates. From the most distinguished carriage, Shanks stepped down. He wore a traditional kimono layered with a haori and hakama pants, complemented by a few elegant accessories. His sword rested at his right side, completing the dignified appearance expected of a clan head and Kage. A faint breeze brushed past him as he landed on the ground, ruffling the hem of his haori.
Mikoto's father offered a respectful bow, which Shanks returned with equal politeness. One by one, the Uzumaki siblings descended from their own carriages, their footsteps light on the stone path. They were dressed in formal wedding attire—men in black kimonos that gave them a sharp, unified look, and women in vibrant, beautifully patterned kimonos that contrasted strikingly against the darker tones of the men's clothing. Members of Mikoto's family who were attending the wedding wore similarly coordinated attire, reflecting their readiness for the ceremony.
Shanks was soon guided to a separate residence prepared for him—customarily not the same house where Mikoto was staying. Meanwhile, the girls—Erza, Mereoleona, and Makima—after politely confirming with Mikoto's father, were escorted to Mikoto's side of the compound.
As the hours passed, invited guests began to arrive. Many prominent clans had sent their representatives: the Nara, Yamanaka, Akimichi, and even the Hyuga. Despite recent tensions and the less-than-friendly relations between Konoha and the Uzumaki, clan politics operated differently. The major clans understood the value of maintaining cordial relations, especially with someone like Shanks Uzumaki. Better to show respect than create unnecessary hostility, was a sentiment old as the village itself.
Thus, their presence was expected. They came to give Shanks face and maintain a positive standing in his regard.
Shanks, in turn, greeted each guest with proper courtesy and composure. There was no trace of the bluntness—or the sharp edge—he had shown during his previous visit to Konoha. Today, he conducted himself with the dignified calm befitting a groom, a clan head, and a man about to forge an alliance with Uchiha through marriage.
Finally, the Hokage also arrived to offer his blessings. Just weeks ago, he and Shanks had stood on opposite sides as enemies, yet now he stepped forward with a polite smile. But this was politics—old grudges often bowed before public decorum. No matter the tension, when someone of Shanks's position invited you to a ceremony, a marriage, or any formal event, you had to give them face. And that was exactly what the Hokage was doing. Not to mention Uchiha Clan also invited him.
Soon, the time for the marriage ceremony arrived.
Shanks and Mikoto sat opposite each other, the soft fragrance of incense drifting through the room. According to the rituals, they bowed before their elders and exchanged three cups of sake in quiet, solemn harmony. With that, the ceremony was complete. From this day forward, Shanks and Mikoto were officially husband and wife.
Because the Uzumaki clan and Konoha did not share friendly relations—in fact, their relationship bordered on hostile—the newly married couple could not remain in Konoha for the night. So when evening settled over the village, Shanks and Mikoto boarded the carriage prepared for their departure.
Mikoto's mother and father both cried openly. Their daughter, whom they had raised with such care, was now leaving them for a long time. Mikoto herself was filled with tears, her hands trembling slightly as she tried to compose herself. Her father stepped forward, eyes red, and looked straight at Shanks.
"She is a very good child of mine," he said, voice thick with emotion. "She generally won't cause any trouble to you… and even if she does, then forgive her."
Shanks met his father-in-law's gaze with steady sincerity. "You don't have to worry," he replied. "I will take care of her, and she will never have to suffer any kind of grievance in the Land of Uzumaki. I promise you that."
Hearing this, Mikoto's father exhaled slowly, some of the tension leaving his shoulders. With that reassurance, he stepped back.
Moments later, the Uzumaki clan's carriages began to move, wheels turning softly over the stone path as the procession pulled away from the Uchiha clan compound. Under the dimming light of evening, they passed through the gates of Konoha and disappeared beyond the village, carrying Shanks and Mikoto toward their new home.
…
One day had passed since Shanks departed from Konoha with Mikoto after their marriage. The journey had been quiet and steady, the rhythmic clatter of wheels and the soft breathing of the summoning beasts creating a calm, almost peaceful atmosphere. But that peace shattered in an instant.
Inside one of the carriages, Erza—seated beside Makima and Mereoleona—suddenly froze. A strange pull washed over her, like a tug on her very chakra. Makima and Mereoleona jolted at the exact same moment, eyes widening. All three of them recognized the sensation instantly.
Guy and Todoroki were summoning them.
Erza's brows furrowed. "What could have happened to force Guy and Todoroki to summon us so urgently back to the Uzumaki village?"
Makima and Mereoleona exchanged tense looks, similarly troubled. Before the thought could settle, Makima signalled her summoning beast to halt. The carriage came to a slow stop, and soon after, the entire procession behind them followed suit. Wheels ground softly against the dirt road as each carriage came to a standstill.
Erza pushed open the door and stepped down, feeling the uneasy energy in the air. Other Uzumaki siblings were already stepping out of their own carriages—Antares, Yoko, Benimaru, and the others—each wearing the same expression of concern.
Shanks, still inside his central carriage, sensed the unexpected halt and lifted the curtain. His gaze sharpened. Erza turned toward the group and asked quickly, "Did you all also feel the summoning call from Guy and Todoroki?"
Every one of them nodded, confirming the same urgent pull.
Without wasting time, Erza moved toward Shanks's carriage. He opened the door and stepped down, his expression firm but composed.
"What happened? Why did everyone stop?" he asked.
Erza bowed her head slightly. "Onii-san, we received a summoning from Guy and Todoroki. They're calling all of us Uzumaki siblings back. There must be an issue—something serious, or else they would never summon us this urgently."
Shanks listened carefully, then nodded. "If that's the case, then it's definitely a major issue—one they can't handle alone. So yes, all of you should return immediately." His tone hardened slightly. "They haven't summoned me yet, which means they believe my presence isn't required for now. But if you arrive and feel—even for a moment—that you need me, summon me immediately. We cannot afford to lose our village again."
The words carried weight. Heavy weight.
Erza and the others nodded solemnly. "Yes, Onii-san. We will remember."
Without further delay, each of them focused their chakra, responding to the summoning call they had felt continuously tugging at them. A swirl of energy enveloped them, and one after another, the eight Uzumaki siblings vanished from the road, reverse-summoned back to their village.
Mere seconds after they disappeared, silence fell over the road. Mikoto, still seated in the carriage, had overheard everything. Her voice trembled slightly as she asked, "Is this going to be a big issue?"
Shanks re-entered the carriage, settling beside her with a calm expression that didn't quite hide the tension beneath. "Most probably, yes," he said quietly. "Or else they wouldn't call for their brothers and sisters. Guy and Todoroki are strong enough to handle minor issues. If they're calling for help… then something significant is happening."
Outside, the remaining carriages shifted uneasily, and Frosty let out a low rumble—as if sensing the change in the air. The journey ahead had suddenly taken on a much darker tone.
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