Shindai teased Shikamaru and Temari with a mischievous grin, as if saying, "Look at you two, huh? Up to no good, I bet!"
Shikamaru quickly tried to explain, "No, no, it's not like that! It's not what you think!"
Shindai curiously asked, "So where are you two lovebirds heading now? On a date?"
"Absolutely not! We're just going to an onsen inn…"
"What? An onsen inn?!"
Not only Shindai, but even Pakura and Uchiha Hikaku stared at Shikamaru and Temari in shock.
At first, Shindai had only been teasing Shikamaru. But now they were actually going to an onsen inn together? There was no way they'd believe the two weren't dating—even if their lives depended on it.
Temari's face had flushed like a baboon's bottom. She wanted to protest, but her throat felt blocked—she couldn't utter a single word.
Shindai looked at Shikamaru with disdain. "Man, never thought you'd be like this."
Shikamaru scowled. "What exactly do you mean by that?"
Shindai jabbed a finger into Shikamaru's chest. "Already taking someone to an onsen inn and still acting innocent? You sly dog!"
Shikamaru was stunned. Once he snapped back to his senses, he hurriedly explained, "Aniki Shindai, you've misunderstood completely! I'm picking an onsen inn for Naruto and Sasuke's honeymoon, and since I have no idea how the women's bathhouse works, I asked Temari to scout it out for me…"
Shindai, Pakura, and Uchiha Hikaku's eyes all turned into tiny dots.
Temari's face immediately lost its flush, replaced instead by a very dark expression.
"Oh… I see," Temari said coldly, then unfastened her three-star fan from behind her back.
Shikamaru turned around, puzzled. "Something wrong?"
Shindai, Pakura, and Uchiha Hikaku all stepped far backward, and Shindai also grabbed the curious Shina and Kagura—who were watching eagerly—to keep them from getting caught in the crossfire.
Temari swung her three-star fan with full force, sending Shikamaru flying away.
Then she stormed off angrily.
Shindai helplessly shook his head. "Man… Shikamaru's so-called genius brain? Doesn't look all that impressive after all. Time to bounce~"
...
When everyone learned that Shindai's group had returned to Konoha, they all came looking for them.
The moment Obito saw Shindai, he suddenly appeared right in front of him with a 'whoosh,' giving his shoulder a hard punch. "You guy, how could you vanish for nearly three whole years?"
Wincing in pain, Shindai rubbed his shoulder. That guy had hit hard enough to hurt like hell. He grumbled, "Don't act like I didn't write any letters while I was gone!"
Kushina Uzumaki immediately noticed Shina and Kagura standing beside Shindai. "Wow, such adorable kids! So Shindai, you haven't been slacking off either, huh? What are their names?"
Shindai retorted, "Slacking off? Please! The boy is Shina, and the girl is Kagura."
Kushina Uzumaki held one child in each arm, rubbing her cheek against Shina and Kagura. "Shina~ Kagura~ you two are so adorable! Come give Auntie Kushina a kiss~"
Kushina planted a big kiss on both of Shina and Kagura's cheeks.
Hinata, Sakura, Rin Nohara, Hanare, Kurenai Yuhi… all the girls gathered around Shina and Kagura, teasing and playing with them.
Shina and Kagura shot pleading looks toward Shindai, Pakura, and Hikaku Uchiha, but all three deliberately ignored them. In this situation, there was nothing they could do.
Kakashi smiled as he said, "Never thought going on a trip would result in having both a son and a daughter."
Shindai grinned and teased Kakashi, "Yeah, unlike some people. I already have kids, and even my own students are getting married now, yet you still haven't taken any action. You don't have anything wrong, do you?"
Kakashi's face darkened as he retorted, "Wrong? Don't say such nonsense! We've already been thinking about it!"
Shindai shrugged, "Sure, sure, just don't end up still thinking when Naruto's kid is already born~"
Minato Namikaze shook his head helplessly, "You really haven't changed at all~ Although this feeling is quite nostalgic."
Naruto asked curiously, "Big Brother Shindai, now that you've come back this time, will you leave again afterward?"
"Honestly, I don't know. This time I came back specially to attend your and Sasuke's wedding ceremony. You know, I have no say at home..."
Shindai cautiously glanced at Pakura and Hikaku who were chatting with Kushina Uzumaki, then whispered, "Just suppose, if in the future Pakura and Hikaku still want to travel again, please help me speak up a bit. I really miss lounging around the house these days..."
Sasuke snorted contemptuously, "After all these years, you're still the same spineless guy."
Shindai twitched his lips slightly, suddenly got an idea, pulled out a small bottle, and spoke loudly, "Hey, Sasuke, this is a special wedding gift for you. I got it in the Land of Medicine. Just one of these pills can give you a burst of energy and boost your endurance. What do you think? Is this gift perfectly suited to your taste?"
Sasuke's face instantly turned pitch red, roaring at Shindai, "Shut up! I don't want such medicine!"
Yet there was one person whose eyes lit up upon seeing the bottle in Shindai's hand.
Asuma walked over to Shindai and said smilingly, "Ah, Shindai, meeting you again truly makes me very happy..."
Then Asuma quietly asked Shindai, "Is this medicine actually effective?"
Shindai looked at Asuma with an ambiguous expression. Asuma blushed slightly and defended himself, "I'm just asking casually~"
Shindai threw the bottle to Asuma and said, "I was just kidding. But this pill is even stronger than the Military Rations Pill. It should be useful. It's worth a try."
"Ha, then I'll reluctantly help you test this medicine~"
After receiving the pill bottle, Asuma acted like a thief and quickly stuffed it into his pocket.
Kabuto approached Asuma and asked, "Um, Asuma-sama, may I also have one? The pharmaceutical level of the Land of Medicine is quite advanced; I'd like to take one for analysis."
Asuma stiffened—uh-oh, caught red-handed. He forced a laugh and said, "Ha, sure thing."
Days passed by.
Finally arrived the day of Naruto and Hinata's wedding, as well as Sasuke and Sakura's wedding.
The ceremony was held within a cherry blossom forest.
Shindai, Pakura, and Hikaku Uchiha dressed formally for the occasion. Shina and Kagura perched playfully on either side of Shindai's shoulders, curiously looking around.
"Ah, Orochimaru-sama, Jiraiya-sama, Tsunade-sama—you've finally returned!"
Shindai noticed the trio had already entered.
Jiraiya happily puffed on his pipe, "Of course, how could we miss Naruto's wedding? We've finally made it today; almost missed it."
Orochimaru ruined the mood, "If it weren't for certain people delaying us for 'research' purposes, we would've arrived much earlier."
Tsunade glared furiously at Jiraiya, "If this ever happens again—and if you even think about dragging the old man along—you can stay in the hospital!"
Biwako Sarutobi also looked displeased toward Hiruzen.
Both Jiraiya and Hiruzen were so embarrassed from Orochimaru and Tsunade's remarks that they couldn't even lift their heads.
The wedding was about to begin.
Inside the waiting room, Naruto stood together with Hinata, and Sasuke with Sakura, gazing out toward Konoha.
"It's almost time. We should head out now."
Minato Namikaze, Kushina Uzumaki, Hiashi Hyuga, Hanabi Hyuga, Itachi, Fugaku Uchiha, Kizashi Haruno, and Mebuki Haruno appeared at the doorway of the waiting room.
Naruto took Hinata's hand, and Sasuke reached for Sakura's. Together, they walked toward the ceremony site.
"Wishing you endless joy and blessings in your new life together!"
(Happy New Year and congratulations on your marriage!)
——End of story~
Thank you all for supporting me throughout this journey—your loyalty and encouragement have meant the world to me.
On behalf of the author, I warmly wish you all happiness, success, and many joyful moments in the coming year!
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