"Alright, back to business. Where's that brat Deidara?" Ōnoki asked.
"We'll talk about that after the wedding," Kiyosuke said, waving his hand. "For now, everyone eat and drink well. Third, Fifth—please take care of our guests."
He turned to leave, but Pakura called out, "Asakawa."
"Hm?"
"I wish you both happiness."
"Thank you."
He smiled, then stepped onto the stage and addressed the gathered guests.
"Everyone, I'm truly honored that you could come to my wedding today. It means a great deal to me."
The audience erupted in cheers.
At that moment, Jiraiya clapped his hands and said,
"Alright, alright! Leave the rest to me, the great Sennin! You're the star today. Now, it's time for the bride's entrance!"
Music began to play as flower petals rained down. Confetti burst in the air.
Dressed in a pure white wedding gown, Mei Terumī appeared, arm in arm with her father. Her beauty and radiance drew admiration from everyone—Kiyosuke truly had good taste.
Of course, there were also whispers spreading through the crowd, rumors claiming that Kiyosuke and Mei had already been in love since the Third Great Ninja War, supposedly started by some gossiping Kirigakure shinobi.
Kiyosuke stepped forward, taking Mei's hand from her father.
"Mei is in your care now," her father said.
"I will cherish her," Kiyosuke replied softly, smiling. "She's the greatest treasure of my life."
Mei lowered her head, her cheeks flushed pink as she clasped her husband's hand.
Today was her wedding—the day she had long dreamed of.
The ceremony might not have been extravagant—simple, even—but to her, it would be a memory to last a lifetime.
And besides, Kiyosuke had managed to gather all five Kage together. Who else could boast of such a wedding?
(Well… maybe Naruto and Hinata's wedding in the future could come close.)
With her arm linked in her husband's, Mei walked gracefully toward Jiraiya under the blessings and cheers of the crowd.
Jiraiya acted as the officiant, reciting a slightly "modified" version of the vows.
"Now then, under the watchful eyes of the Sage of Six Paths, these two shall be joined in marriage. Groom—no matter if you live in wealth or poverty, in strength or weakness—do you vow never to abandon her, and to remain loyal to her for all the days of your life?"
"I do," Kiyosuke answered solemnly. This was the woman who would walk beside him forever.
Jiraiya then turned to Mei and asked the same question.
"I do," she replied, her voice steady but soft.
"Alright then! Now, the rings!"
Naruto and Hinata, still an engaged couple themselves, brought over the rings.
Naruto grinned. "Kiyosuke-san congratulations on your marriage! I wish you both a lifetime of happiness!"
"Kiyosuke-sensei, and sensei's wife—congratulations," Hinata said shyly, imagining her own wedding with Naruto someday.
She blushed, her hands fidgeting nervously.
"Thank you. You two will find happiness as well," Kiyosuke said warmly. He took the woman's ring from Hinata and gently slid it onto Mei's finger.
Mei took the man's ring from Naruto and smiled.
"From now on, I'm officially your aunt. Please take care of me," she teased as she placed the ring on Kiyosuke's finger.
From that moment on, she was truly his wife.
"The ceremony is complete! Groom, you may kiss your bride!" Jiraiya shouted excitedly—perhaps even more thrilled than the couple themselves.
Under a storm of applause and cheers, Kiyosuke leaned in and kissed Mei Terumī's lips, holding her close.
Thunderous clapping echoed through the hall as they were officially pronounced husband and wife.
...
After the ceremony came the banquet. The bride and groom went around to toast each table.
When they reached the table of the Five Kage—
The Fourth Raikage and his brother Killer Bee were eating and drinking heartily.
He wasn't here to cause trouble this time—just to celebrate.
Kiyosuke was an opponent he respected deeply.
He hadn't made it to Namikaze Minato's wedding, but since this kid had personally invited him, how could he refuse?
Pakura's expression was complicated, but she still offered her sincere blessings. Mei could tell Pakura harbored feelings for Kiyosuke, yet she accepted the blessing with grace.
Ōnoki, meanwhile, was puffing out his beard and glaring, clearly dissatisfied with Kiyosuke.
Still, the wedding was a joyous one for all.
...
After the celebrations ended, Ōnoki cornered Kiyosuke.
"Alright, hand Deidara back to me!"
"Hand him over? Sure," Kiyosuke said with a grin. "What was his bounty again? I forget. Let's just say… ninety million ryō sounds about right."
"Ninety million?! Are you robbing me?! I couldn't get that much even if I sold myself!" Ōnoki shouted angrily. He floated up, huffing. "You brat! Didn't you say you'd hand Deidara over to Iwagakure once I attended the wedding?"
"I did say I'd hand him over," Kiyosuke said innocently, "but I never said it would be for free."
"You little—! You tricked me into coming just to extort money?!"
"Well, you don't have to pay," Kiyosuke said casually. "Though, I imagine Sunagakure would be very interested in buying him instead—after all, he attacked their village, cost them the One-Tail and Chiyo. They'd probably pay good money to see him executed. So—your choice. Pay up or lose him. What's it going to be?"
"Fine! I'll pay!"
Deidara was his student—better to pay up than let the boy be killed.
Ōnoki pulled out a check.
"This can be exchanged for ninety million ryō. Any bank in the ninja world will accept it."
"Now that's what I call straightforward."
Kiyosuke checked the check's authenticity, then snapped his fingers.
A shadow clone soon arrived, dragging a tightly bound Deidara like a sack of rice.
When Deidara saw Ōnoki, his eyes widened.
"Old man Tsuchikage?! What are you doing here?!"
"You damn brat!" Ōnoki barked, punching him square in the head.
"Ow! That hurts, you old fossil!"
"You little bastard! No respect for your elders!"
He continued smacking and kicking the boy, fuming. He'd just spent a fortune to buy this idiot back, and the brat still had no manners.
"Alright, alright, Tsuchikage-sama," Kiyosuke said with a laugh. "I'll leave that troublemaker in your hands. We don't keep freeloaders in Konoha."
Deidara's usefulness to Konoha had already been squeezed dry. Selling him off was the last bit of profit.
Still grumbling, Ōnoki flew off with Deidara in tow.
Kiyosuke stretched and tucked the check away.
No way he was giving that to Tsunade.
He'd caught Deidara himself and handed over the intel—this bounty was rightfully his.
Perfect for funding the honeymoon.
...
When he got home, Mei Terumī was wearing an apron in the kitchen.
"I'm home," Kiyosuke said softly.
"Welcome back, dear!" Mei turned around, smiling brightly.
They embraced.
"Mmm, smells amazing. What're you cooking?"
"Your favorite dish."
"That's not you, is it?"
"You're awful. Go wash your hands and come eat."
"Got it!"
He obediently went to wash up while Mei turned back to her cooking, humming happily as she prepared their dinner.
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