Day by day, time passed, and under Minato's arrangements, the wedding proceeded as planned.
News of Minato's upcoming appointment as the Fourth Hokage wasn't much of a secret among the major clans. Many had wanted to cozy up to him, but since they hadn't received invitations, they didn't dare show up uninvited. Only those with close ties to Minato or Kushina had been asked to attend.
Everyone here was either a friend or relative. As for the rest—those irrelevant or opportunistic types—they were simply left out, dashing their hopes of currying favor.
The wedding officiant was Jiraiya. The guy stood up there sobbing and sniffling, much to the dismay of Sarutobi Hiruzen, who had been invited along with him.
It's not even your wedding!
Honestly, your student's getting married—how are you still single?
Tsunade lost her boyfriend, and you didn't even try to comfort her. A wounded heart needs support! Spend enough time with her and things might just work out. You're my student, and you didn't pick up a single one of my techniques. It's embarrassing just thinking about it.
Hiruzen's head started to ache just thinking about it.
All three of his students still weren't married. He was getting really anxious.
Tsunade's boyfriend had died in battle—fine, that was unfortunate.
Orochimaru? He had more interest in snakes than women. Fine, that too could be excused.
Jiraiya... forget it.
Better not even talk about him. At least his two sons were doing well—his eldest was married, and the younger one had found someone he liked. That much brought him some satisfaction.
...
"Well then, the auspicious time has come. Please welcome—the bride and groom!"
Jiraiya could hardly contain his excitement, acting like he was the one getting married.
Music played, flower petals drifted down, and the couple slowly emerged under the guests' watchful eyes and warm blessings.
Bathed in sunlight, Minato's golden hair gleamed. His handsome face radiated happiness. The black formal montsuki haori and hakama made him look even taller and more dignified.
(T/N: Montsuki Haori Hakama is a formal traditional Japanese attire for men, typically worn for ceremonial occasions like weddings, funerals, and important events)
He held Kushina's hand.
She wore a white kimono, her vibrant red hair tucked beneath a ceremonial hood. Her face was adorned with elegant makeup, looking stunning and graceful. Her fair hand clutched Minato's, and her eyes were filled with affection.
Following behind them were Kiyosuke, Kakashi, Kurenai, and Rin. Kiyosuke wasn't entirely sure why a traditional shrine wedding needed groomsmen, but... whatever!
This was the will of the great universe!
The four of them stepped aside once Minato and Kushina reached Jiraiya.
Jiraiya began to read out the marriage blessings. He went on and on, true to his reputation as a future literary master—his words were refined, his language elegant, and the blessings flowed one after another.
"Minato, Kushina—may you live a happy life!"
Jiraiya said.
"Mm. I will, sensei."
"We will definitely be happy, Jiraiya-sensei!"
The two of them clasped hands tightly. At that moment, Rin and Kurenai each held up a sake flask.
One long-handled, one short-handled.
The long-handled flask had a female moth painted on it, the short-handled one a male moth.
Minato picked up the short-handled flask and poured into the long-handled one. Then Kushina took the long-handled flask, representing the female moth, and poured sake into three cups—small, medium, and large.
Rin and Kurenai handed over the smallest cup to the couple.
Kushina took a sip and handed it to Minato. He drank, then passed it back to Kushina to finish.
She then returned the cup to the girls.
They picked up the medium-sized cup and offered it again.
The newlyweds drank again in three turns.
Finally, they received the large cup—and once more, drank it in three sips.
This was the ceremony.
Three times three equals nine, and drinking from nine cups symbolized enduring happiness and growing old together.
...
"Bride and groom, please recite your vows!"
Minato and Kushina stepped forward hand in hand, speaking in unison:
"On this joyful day, we hold our wedding ceremony before the Hokage Rock of Konoha."
"From today onward, we will honor the virtues of the gods, respect and cherish one another, uphold the way of husband and wife, share joy and hardship, create a peaceful life, and strive for the prosperity of our descendants. We vow eternal fidelity, and pray for the gods' protection."
...
"Exchange the rings!"
Kiyosuke and Kakashi stepped forward, each carrying a small gift box. Inside each was a wedding ring.
Minato took the smaller ring, gently lifted Kushina's hand, and carefully slid it onto her ring finger.
Kushina picked up the other ring and placed it on Minato's finger.
At that moment, Kurenai and Rin stepped up with twigs from a young paulownia tree, wrapped in white cotton paper—this was the eighth step in the ceremony.
They offered the sacred to the gods, praying for a happy life ahead.
...
"Ceremony complete!!!!"
Jiraiya yelled with all his might, his face full of heartfelt joy.
The guests all rose to their feet, raised their cups, and toasted the couple, offering blessings for their future together.
...
After all the formalities, Kiyosuke and the others sat back in their seats.
"Weddings are such a hassle," Kiyosuke muttered. "I don't want to get married..."
Kakashi glanced at him and said, "You don't even have a girlfriend. Who knows when you'll get married."
"You're one to talk!" Kakashi of the Sharingan of Konoha wasn't just a name—his solo hand speed had been honed over more than twenty single years.
Rumor had it that Kakashi had been going through tissues a bit too quickly lately...
"Hmph."
...
"I wonder what our weddings will be like in the future?" Kurenai asked wistfully, eyes shining. Like many girls, she dreamed of her Prince Charming descending on a rainbow cloud to whisk her away.
"When you get married, it's bound to be fun," Kiyosuke said with a chuckle.
Yeah... When Asuma and Kurenai tie the knot someday, I'll make sure to give them a hard time.
...
"Ah, don't talk about me." Kurenai shyly covered her face. Asuma, who'd come with Sarutobi Hiruzen, sat down beside them and smiled sheepishly.
Kiyosuke shot him a look of disdain. After all this time, he still hadn't made a move. All he did was grin like a fool!
Kid, your old man is very disappointed in you!
...
At that moment, Jiraiya plopped down beside them, eyes red. He wasn't even the one getting married, damn it!!!
"Hey, this spot's for the younger crowd. Emotionally fragile old men should sit somewhere else."
"I'm not that old yet! Remember this, brat—men remain boys until the day they die!"
Jiraiya puffed out his chest.
"Oh, I've already accepted that I'm a grown-up. So could you, the thirty-something-year-old boy, kindly scoot over? We adults are not particularly fond of emotionally stunted teenagers."
"You brat! It's only because I'm in a good mood today that I won't pick a fight with you. Otherwise, even if you were Orochimaru's student, I'd give you a beating right here!"
"A thirty-something-year-old bachelor..."
"Can we not bring up the fact that I'm unmarried?"
"Jiraiya-san~"
"Asuma, you little punk! Don't think I won't smack you just because you're the Third's son!"
Whack! Whack! Whack!
Asuma sat in his seat, head full of lumps. All he'd done was call him 'san'...
Was his heart really that fragile?
Damn it... I swear I'll never turn out like that kind of adult...