343. The Wedding with Yuuhi Kurenai

Raikage Secretary’s Office

Samui stared blankly at the wedding guest list Hanekawa had given her.

The list itself wasn’t the issue—it was the brides.

Why were there two brides?

Yuuhi Kurenai? That didn’t surprise her.

In fact, most people expected Hanekawa to marry Kurenai.

They had grown up together, childhood friends and teammates, their bond deep and unwavering.

But… Tsunade?

Samui unconsciously bit her lip, utterly bewildered.

Tsunade was Hanekawa and Kurenai’s teacher.

How could someone of her status become a bride?

This was way too much for Samui’s sense of normalcy.

But after a moment of reflection, she realized it wasn’t that hard to accept.

Because she knew Hanekawa.

Tsunade’s figure, her beauty—both were top-tier.

Given Hanekawa’s personality, it wasn’t shocking he’d go after her.

Then another thought struck Samui.

If Hanekawa could marry two, he could marry more.

…Including her.

So his earlier promise hadn’t been empty words after all.

Samui took a deep breath, excitement bubbling in her chest.

But she quickly steadied herself, picked up a pen, and began drafting the wedding invitations.

Not long after, the door opened.

"Samui."

Mabui walked in, glancing at the papers. "Wedding invitations? Who’s getting married?"

"Hanekawa."

Samui answered casually.

"The Hokage?"

Mabui—unlike Samui—would never dare address him so informally. "With… Yuuhi Kurenai?"

"Yeah."

Samui paused. "And Tsunade."

"…What?"

Mabui wondered if she’d misheard. "Say that again?"

"See for yourself."

Samui handed her the list. "After you’re done staring, help me write these."

Mabui’s eyes locked onto the two names under "Bride." She froze.

A long silence later, she finally set the list down.

"Our Hokage is really… something."

She chose her words carefully.

The Hokage Building was crawling with ANBU.

The last thing she wanted was for any careless remarks to reach Hanekawa’s ears.

Samui nodded in agreement.

To her, the most impressive part wasn’t the wedding itself—but how Hanekawa had convinced Tsunade to agree to this madness.

She didn’t know Tsunade well, but she knew her reputation.

By all logic, this shouldn’t have been possible.

"There are too many names here. Just the two of us will take forever."

Mabui refocused on the task. "I’ll get Pakura and the others."

"Good idea."

Samui agreed.

Hanekawa hadn’t set a deadline, but sooner was obviously better.

Mabui took the list to the Kazekage Secretary’s Office first.

"Tsunade?"

Pakura stared at the names, momentarily speechless.

The Princess of Konoha was actually getting married?

And to Hanekawa?

This was… scandalous.

"I’ll start on the invitations right away."

Unlike Samui, Pakura wasn’t bold enough to voice her thoughts—she just swallowed her shock and got to work.

Mabui moved on to the Tsuchikage and Mizukage Secretary Offices.

Terumi Mei was out, so she left a note.

The others—Ōnoki and the rest—reacted much like Pakura.

Three Days Later

Thanks to the combined efforts of all five Kage secretariats, the invitations were finished in record time.

"You did well."

Hanekawa flipped through the stack approvingly.

"It wasn’t just me."

Samui replied flatly.

"Mm."

Hanekawa nodded. "Start distributing these tomorrow."

"Understood."

Samui bowed slightly.

"Has Terumi Mei been acting… off lately?"

Hanekawa suddenly asked.

"She seemed upset when she handed me her batch. Like someone had annoyed her."

Samui recalled.

Hanekawa chuckled.

That was to be expected.

But the fact that Terumi Mei had only shown minor irritation meant she’d already accepted his marriage.

Good.

"I’ll deliver this one personally."

Hanekawa picked up Nohara Rin’s invitation.

"Of course."

Samui gathered the rest.

Hanekawa stood, pulled her into his arms, and kissed her.

Though taken by surprise, Samui quickly reciprocated, her lips glistening when they parted.

"Your reward."

Hanekawa grinned at her slightly breathless state.

"Thank you, Lord Hokage."

Samui licked her lips, her usual cool expression creating a delicious contrast.

"I’ll deal with you properly tonight."

Suppressing his urges, Hanekawa vanished in a flicker.

Samui allowed herself a small, satisfied smile.

Ever since learning she’d marry him someday, she’d grown bolder.

Her goal now was to be the perfect wife—and she knew Hanekawa.

He wouldn’t dislike this. If anything, he’d love it.

Konoha Hospital

Hanekawa appeared directly outside Rin’s office and knocked.

"Come in."

"Hanekawa?"

Rin stood immediately. "What brings you here?"

"Mind if I have some?"

He picked up her water glass.

"N-No, go ahead."

Rin’s cheeks pinked slightly.

"Your lipstick’s still on it."

Hanekawa turned the glass playfully. "Right here."

"S-Stop teasing me…"

Rin’s blush deepened.

"I actually came to tell you something important."

He took a sip, then set the glass down, his tone turning serious.

"W-What is it?"

Rin looked up nervously.

"I’m getting married. August 2nd."

Hanekawa hesitated before speaking.

Rin stiffened as if struck by lightning, her mind blank.

It took her several seconds to process.

One thing was certain—she wasn’t the bride.

If she were, he wouldn’t have that look on his face.

"C-Congratulations, Hanekawa."

She forced a smile. "Is it… Kurenai?"

"It is."

He pulled out an invitation. "This is yours."

"I’ll definitely be there."

Rin accepted it, opened it—and froze.

Why is Tsunade’s name here too?!

Her head snapped up, confusion written all over her face.

"But there’s one more thing I need to ask you."

Hanekawa took her hand, his gaze intense.

"…Will you marry me?"

"……Huh?!"

Rin’s heart lurched. Her head spun.

She couldn’t think straight anymore.


"We'll get married when the time is right."

Hanekawa added softly.

"Mhm."

Nohara Rin responded instinctively before blushing furiously upon realizing what she'd just agreed to.

Hanekawa chuckled and ruffled her hair.

Sure, his behavior might seem scandalous by modern standards—but abandoning any of them would be the real injustice.

Besides, this was a world where strength ruled supreme.

As the undisputed strongest in the shinobi world—and its emperor—why shouldn't he indulge? Wouldn't wasting this second chance at life be the true failure?

Thankfully, apart from Tsunade (who required actual persuasion), Terumi Mei and Rin had been surprisingly receptive.

Perhaps it helped that the shinobi world had long normalized nobility taking multiple spouses…

Time passed swiftly.

Once Samui and the other secretaries began distributing invitations, news of Hanekawa's impending marriage spread like wildfire.

The emperor reaching marriageable age was expected.

The brides, however? That sparked debates.

Tsunade and Hanekawa's relationship defied convention.

Yet while tongues wagged, no one dared confront him directly.

In fact, many villagers and shinobi found it perfectly logical—if feudal lords could keep concubines, why not the emperor?

Only one man struggled to accept it: Jiraiya.

Upon hearing the news, he'd rushed to Tsunade—only to be met with unwavering resolve.

A broken-hearted Jiraiya could only walk away.

August 2nd – Dawn

The day arrived: Hanekawa and Tsunade's shared birthday, now also their wedding day.

Well, partially.

The morning belonged to Yuuhi Kurenai.

Hanekawa had meticulously planned two separate ceremonies:

Kurenai's wedding would be held at the Imperial Palace.

Tsunade's would take place at the Senju Clan compound.

Splitting venues ensured neither bride had to "share" decorations—a trivial expense for an emperor.

7:30 AM

Summer sunlight poured through the windows, but chakra regulation (courtesy of Yin Seals) kept the room comfortably cool.

"G-Good morning."

Kaguya Ōtsutsuki knelt on the bed, her pale cheeks faintly flushed.

Hanekawa yawned, unfazed by the weight of Samui's bare form draped across him.

"Morning."

Samui sat up, blocking his view—only to redirect his attention to other exposed curves.

"Time?" Hanekawa asked, admiring the view as Kaguya busied herself with… compensatory activities.

"7:30." Samui checked the clock. "Ceremony begins at 10."

The late start accounted for guest travel and final preparations.

"You have one hour." Hanekawa declared, smacking Kaguya's rear for emphasis.

Samui watched enviously—until Hanekawa added:

"You too."

Fairness was policy.

"I… can't." Samui bit her lip. "I'm officiating. I need my strength."

"Then your reward comes tomorrow." Hanekawa buried his face in her chest as she stroked his hair with maternal tenderness.

8:30 AM

Kaguya exhaled, a rare smile gracing her lips as she cradled her abdomen.

Her divine senses confirmed it: new life grew within.

She wasn't alone—Tsunade and Kurenai also carried his children.

With weddings imminent (or already held, in Kaguya's case), precautions had been abandoned.

Timing ensured none would show during the ceremonies.

__

Preparations

Samui dressed Hanekawa in formal black montsuki hakama, her own nude form a stark contrast to her serene expression—a fallen goddess tending her mortal.

Kaguya mirrored the scene, both women later donning traditional kimono as guests.
__



Hanekawa found Kurenai in shiromuku (white wedding kimono), her radiant smile a world apart from Kaguya's ethereal coldness.

Tsunade—awaiting her afternoon ceremony—observed in a subdued kimono.

9:45 AM – Guest Arrivals

Samui, Mabui, and Pakura greeted waves of attendees at the palace gates.

"Never thought Hanekawa would marry before me." Asuma Sarutobi mused.

"Why not?" Kakashi countered.

"He’s always been popular." Rin offered softly.

Asuma grinned. "But Lady Tsunade though—"

"Don’t."

Itachi Uchiha cut in. "Unless you want to explain that question to her yourself."

"G-Good point!" Asuma paled. "So! What gifts did you all bring?"

Nearby, Naruto vibrated with excitement.

"Adults only, loser." Sasuke scoffed.

"You’re twelve too!"

"Twelve and a half."

"W-Well I’m older than Hinata!"

"Eh?!" A confused Hinata blinked.