"Huh? Teacher, Hanabi—look! It's Sakura!"
Hinata suddenly exclaimed, pointing ahead.
The two followed her gaze and saw Haruno Sakura walking toward them, head down, lost in thought.
It was like her soul had taken a lunch break and never came back.
How to put it…?
She looked like a resentful wife who'd just caught her husband cheating but couldn't do anything about it… or like a helpless simp abandoned by her master and left to wander the streets.
"Sakura-chan? Sakura-chan?"
Hinata called out several times but got no reaction.
Realizing she was completely out of it, Hinata gave her shoulder a pat. That finally brought Sakura back to reality.
"Hinata? Hanabi? And… Lord Guts?!"
Sakura almost stumbled in shock.
Hinata and Hanabi exchanged puzzled looks.
Her face was pale...zombie-level pale.
"Sakura, what's wrong? Are you sick?" Hinata asked with concern.
"No, it's okay. It's okay."
Sakura forced a laugh and brushed past the three of them without explaining.
"What's up with her?" Hanabi asked, curiosity piqued.
"What does it matter? Let's go," Guts said casually, crossing his hands behind his head as he walked on.
Hanabi and Hinata glanced at each other before following.
Originally, Uchiha Sasuke's crimes should have landed him in prison for life—if not the death penalty.
But… having connections helps. Being close to the Fifth Hokage's son, Uzumaki Naruto, helped even more.
Even though Sasuke himself didn't seem all that keen on clinging to that particular "thigh," the result was the same.
In the end, Fifth Hokage Namikaze Minato gave him a sentence of no more than five years.
Only a handful of people knew just how deep Naruto's friendship with this orphaned Uchiha ran.
8:00 AM — Guts's House
As always, Kurenai was in the kitchen preparing breakfast.
Hanabi sat at the table, happily sipping her beloved banana milk and chatting with the girls.
"Wow, Have you heard about Naruto? That guy visits Sasuke almost every day. Every. Single. Day. I mean, I knew they were friends, but this? Maybe it's… that kind of thing. But honestly, it's kinda touching—true love."
Ponk!
Still in thin pajamas, Guts walked over and smacked Hanabi lightly on the head.
"What nonsense are you spewing? Rotten girl!"
"Ow! What? It's true! A lot of people are saying it, rumors are everywhere!"
Pffft!
Tsunade, mid-bite, couldn't hold it in—spraying breakfast across the table.
"Ahem!"
Konan silently handed her a glass of water.
After a few sips, Tsunade finally caught her breath.
"Hanabi, you idiot, can you not talk about stuff like that while I'm eating?!" she grumbled.
"Makes my stomach churn!"
Kurenai, still wearing her apron, walked over with poached eggs and salad, smiling.
"Speaking of which, Guts… aren't you going to say anything?"
"Huh? Say what?" Guts blinked.
Kurenai's smile turned slightly wicked as she leaned in, voice dripping with charm and a not-so-hidden threat.
"W-e-d-d-i-n-g."
Instantly, every woman at the table turned to stare at him.
Even Hinata and Konan gave him that look.
But the most intense gaze? Terumi Mei.
She really wanted that ring.
"Hahaha… let's talk about that later."
The laugh died in his throat as the cold stares bored into him. Sweat trickled down his temple.
And just like that, Guts became the public enemy of the entire household, even Konan, who should've been neutral, joined the cold war against him.
Finally, even the man who stood at the peak of the ninja world couldn't withstand the sheer pressure.
The date was set... one year later.
When the announcement went out, the entire ninja world erupted.
Every major village and country scrambled to prepare gifts—extravagant, one-of-a-kind treasures...anything that might catch the attention of the strongest man alive on his wedding day.
The Wedding Day
The sun bathed the village in warm, golden light. The air buzzed with excitement, whispers, and the occasional squeal from shinobi fangirls who had somehow snuck past security.
Guts stood at the center of the ceremonial hall, dressed in a sharp black formal kimono with subtle gold embroidery.
For once, he wasn't smirking... just standing there, exuding quiet dominance that made half the audience hold their breath.
Then the brides appeared.
Tsunade, Terumi Mei, Anko, and Kurenai walked forward in stunning white wedding dresses, each one tailored perfectly to their figure, each radiating her own unique charm.
Tsunade's gown was regal and commanding, her golden hair cascading over her shoulders like sunlight on silk.
Terumi Mei's was a flowing masterpiece of lace and satin, every movement teasing elegance and allure.
Anko's dress had a playful edge, complete with daring slits that showed off her confidence.
Kurenai's, soft and graceful, shimmered in the light, her gentle smile making the crowd melt.
Konan stood slightly apart, wearing her usual composed expression, but her eyes flickered subtly as she looked at them all...something unspoken crossing her mind.
Off to the side, Hinata and Hanabi watched with thinly-veiled envy.
"Maybe we should just sneak in," Hanabi whispered under her breath.
Bonk!
Hinata smacked her lightly on the head.
Hanabi pouted, rubbing the spot. "What? Doesn't matter. I'll wait a few years, this bastard Sensei isn't escaping from marrying me too!"
Hinata's cheeks flushed bright red, but she didn't say a word.
Guts glanced over at the commotion in the corner and sighed. He had a bad feeling about the future.
The brides stood in front of Guts, the crowd buzzing with excitement.
And then...
"YOOOOOOOSHAAAAA!!!"
The doors slammed open with such force they nearly came off the hinges.
Might Guy burst in, wearing an aggressively flashy green tuxedo that somehow looked even louder than his usual jumpsuit. Tears streamed down his face like twin waterfalls.
"My youthful sworn brother Guts! At last, you have embraced the greatest challenge of all, the Eternal Duel of Love and Responsibility!"
He rushed forward, grabbing Guts by the shoulders and shaking him with the strength of a man who could punch boulders into dust.
"You have conquered mountains! You have split the sea with the power of youth! But THIS… THIS is the pinnacle! Marrying multiple goddesses at once... you are truly the manliest man to ever walk the Ninja World!"
The crowd roared with laughter. Even Terumi Mei cracked a smile. Tsunade just shook her head, muttering something about idiots in tuxedos.
Off to the side, Kakashi stood with one hand in his pocket, eye twitching as he scanned the crowd.
The whispers, the gawking, the open-mouthed villagers...it was enough to make him sigh in pure exasperation.
Still… as the noise faded into the background, his mind wandered.
He saw a sunlit academy courtyard. The first day of joining. A boy with unruly hair, hands behind his head, grinning like he owned the place.
The countless missions. The fights. The victories. The near-deaths. The long nights in firelit camps where plans turned into stories and stories into memories.
And here they were now... still standing.
Behind the mask, Kakashi smiled faintly.
Some things, he thought, were worth sticking around for.
Might Guy was still gripping Guts's shoulders, tears dripping onto the groom's brand-new kimono.
"Brother! When I saw you the first time, I knew this man is destined to burn with the flames of youth! And now you're proving me right, standing before the world with not one, but FOUR radiant brides!"
Guts gave him a deadpan look. "You gonna let go of me before my arms pop out of their sockets, or should we just make you the fifth bride while we're at it?"
The crowd erupted in laughter. Guy froze, eyes wide, then suddenly struck a "cool guy" pose with his thumb up. "If it is for youth, I will accept!"
"...I was joking," Guts muttered with a helpless smile, prying Guy's hands off before the man started crying again.
---
Off to the side, Kushina stood with her arms crossed, a warm smile tugging at her lips.
Minato had one hand resting lightly on her shoulder, his own smile softer but no less genuine.
For them, this wasn't just a wedding, it was a moment layered with gratitude.
Kushina thought of the times Guts hard stood between her family and danger without hesitation. Minato remembered every battle, every moment Guts had carried the weight no one else could.
They owed him more than they could ever repay. And now, seeing him surrounded by people who clearly cared for him… it just felt right.
"Looks like he finally made his own home," Minato murmured.
Kushina's smile widened. "Took him long enough, dattebane."
They both laughed quietly, simply happy for him.
As the laughter from Guts and Guy's exchange faded, Shisui Uchiha stood in the crowd, sharp in a dark-blue formal haori.
Hands in his pockets, eyes fixed on the ceremony, he watched in silence.
It wasn't often he saw his sensei without a battle stance or that lazy, laid-back slouch but here Guts was, in a formal kimono, surrounded by beautiful brides, with the whole world watching.
A faint smile tugged at Shisui's lips. So this is what it takes to make the strongest man in the ninja world look nervous…
His mind drifted back to the days of Guts's "training."
A shiver instantly ran down his spine.
…Yeah. Best not to think about that.
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