Staring at the growing mountain of dowries, Kiyosuke could only sigh.
What kind of absurd wealth did the Terumi family have?!
He didn't refuse—he didn't have the right to refuse—but turned toward Obito.
Obito said, "With so many people, it'll be difficult to transport everyone at once. Everyone, hold hands. Otherwise, I won't be able to use my space–time ninjutsu to bring you all back."
The journey from Konoha to the Land of Water would normally take ages. Even at a ninja's speed, it would be nightfall before they arrived. But with space–time ninjutsu, everything became much simpler.
Following Kiyosuke's instructions, everyone joined hands, and Obito transported them together, reappearing a short distance from Konoha's main gate.
After the transfer, the whole escort party felt dizzy and disoriented. They stood still for a moment to regain their bearings. Terumi's father, mother, and the guests she had invited were all swaying unsteadily.
"I was wondering why this kid was moving so fast... turns out he used space–time ninjutsu!" Terumi's father coughed and finally recovered his composure.
"This way is much better," Terumi's mother said with a soft smile.
"Everyone—let's move!"
Kiyosuke laughed heartily. Kakashi and the other three lifted the bridal palanquin and began marching toward Konoha.
The wedding procession followed behind.
Konoha's main gate was already wide open. A crowd of villagers lined the path, cheering and congratulating the newlyweds.
"Thank you! Thank you, everyone!"
Kiyosuke smiled and waved as they passed. Many people offered their blessings along the way, and he received them all with genuine warmth.
When they reached the ceremonial hall, he opened the palanquin door, held Terumi Mei's hand, and helped her step out.
"Alright, wife—time to get married."
"I've been ready all along," Mei replied with a radiant smile, holding his hand tightly.
Her father came over and said, "Let's go. It's time to prepare."
"Haku."
"Yes."
Haku appeared in a flash, his androgynous face immediately drawing attention from the Kirigakure delegation, who recognized the telltale traits of the Yuki clan.
"Yuki clan?" one of them asked.
"That's right," Haku replied without hesitation. "I'm Haku of the Yuki clan. When I was a child, Kiyosuke-sama found me and took me in."
"Picked him up along the way," Kiyosuke coughed lightly and said, "The kid was barely alive back then. I had no choice but to bring him back to Konoha."
Given the situation in Kirigakure at the time, Haku would never have survived there. No one would have protected him.
Those from Kirigakure understood and simply nodded without comment.
"Now then, please allow me to escort Mizukage-sama to the preparation room. Her family members, please come along as well. Kiyosuke-sama, everyone's waiting—you should hurry."
"Got it. I'll leave it to you, Haku."
"It's no trouble. After all, today is the most important day of your life," Haku said with a gentle, beautiful smile—so beautiful it could bend anyone's heart.
With Haku leading the way, Terumi Mei and her family departed, while Kiyosuke went to greet the guests at the venue.
The officiant for the ceremony was none other than Jiraiya. There was no way he wouldn't lend a hand for Kiyosuke's wedding.
Kiyosuke had invited quite a crowd this time—the heads of the major clans he was close with in Konoha were all present.
The Uchiha, Hyūga, Sarutobi, and Aburame families, all the ones he had ties with, had come. His peers—Yamashiro Aoba, Namikaze Raidō, and his junior Anko—were also there.
As for other villages, invitations had gone out to all four of the other Great Ninja Villages, and representatives had come from each.
The entire Kirigakure delegation had accompanied Mei. From Kumogakure came the Fourth Raikage and his brother Killer Bee. From Sunagakure came Pakura, Gaara, and their party. From Iwagakure came the old man Ōnoki and his granddaughter, Kurotsuchi.
Ōnoki hadn't planned to attend at first, but Kiyosuke's invitation had specifically mentioned that Deidara was in his custody—and if Ōnoki came, there might be room to discuss returning him. That was enough to get the old man moving.
The wedding was held in one of Konoha's most scenic parks. The view was stunning, the setting perfect.
The Kage each had their own table. Hiruzen Sarutobi and Ōnoki, the two elderly veterans, sat not far from one another.
"You old man," Ōnoki said, "you don't look so good. About to kick the bucket?"
Hiruzen didn't get angry. Since his retirement, he'd been living peacefully, detached from village affairs. With a smile, he replied, "Maybe so. But I'll probably outlive you, old friend."
"Hah! I'm still young!" Ōnoki protested, slamming the table—only to wince as pain shot through his back.
"My back..."
"Told you, you're getting old," Hiruzen said, shaking his head and puffing on his pipe. "There's no shame in retirement. Wouldn't it be nice to enjoy your twilight years in peace?"
"Heh, how could I relax when that brat from your village has gathered all five Kage together? How do I know he's not planning to wipe us all out at once? Not a bad tactic, really," Ōnoki said with a crooked grin. The old man was as stubborn and sharp-tongued as ever.
Pakura said calmly, "Tsuchikage-sama, Asakawa would never do that. He has no interest in ruling the world. If he did, he could've destroyed the Five Great Ninja Villages long ago."
She wasn't exaggerating. Shinobi were the apex of this world's power, but if someone like Kiyosuke decided to erase them all at once, there would be no one left to oppose him.
If he ignored chakra depletion and unleashed a barrage of Ultra Bombs, he could easily wipe an entire village off the map.
No one dared refute that. Even Ōnoki had no response.
Instead, he snorted and said, "You call him 'Asakawa' so casually. Don't tell me you've got feelings for that brat?"
Pakura didn't deny it. She simply smiled and admitted,
"I did. But I lost. Otherwise, I'd be the one marrying him today—or maybe our kid would already be old enough to run around by now."
She had known Kiyosuke earlier than Mei, but acted too late. Just a little too late.
Otherwise... things might have been different.
"Oh ho, now that's a juicy bit of gossip," Ōnoki raised an eyebrow, already plotting how to stir up trouble.
"Enough, Ōnoki," Tsunade said sharply. "You old gossip, can't you behave yourself for once?"
"I'm old. Not much left that interests me," he chuckled slyly. For all his age, the old man was still slippery as ever. Only Hiruzen could truly match him.
"Looks like you're all enjoying yourselves,"
Kiyosuke walked over, full of energy. In his formal attire, he was strikingly handsome, smiling as he approached.
Pakura's gaze softened, complicated emotions flickering in her eyes as she sighed faintly.
"I still can't tell what you're thinking, bringing us all together like this."
"Of course it's because I thought it'd be fun to seat you all together. Isn't that right, Tsuchikage-sama?"
"Heh. I'll admit—it is entertaining."