Chapter 33: The WeddingAs soon as Naruto stepped into the Uchiha clan grounds, he was momentarily stunned by the brand-new sight before him.The dense bamboo shadows that once exuded coldness and detachment were now hung with vermilion lanterns and pure white paper flowers.Konoha's unique warm breeze swept through the alleys, bringing with it a faint scent of cherry blossoms.The usual grim atmosphere was gone, replaced by laughter and joy; the faces of the Uchiha clansmen beamed with a long-awaited sense of relaxation and kindness.Uchiha Itachi stood at the foot of the shrine's steps. He had shed his cold outer robes today, wearing a well-tailored deep blue kimono with a white belt symbolizing celebration tied around his waist.He still looked as gentle as jade, but the frost in the depths of his eyes had long since melted, replaced by an irrepressible look of anticipation.Seeing Naruto approach, the corners of his mouth curled up slightly, revealing a rare, truly relaxed smile."Naruto, you're here."Uchiha Itachi's voice was a few degrees softer than usual."Congratulations, congratulations!" Naruto laughed and patted his shoulder, his gaze casually sweeping the surroundings.Just as he finished speaking, he pulled out a bulging, giant sack from nowhere and stuffed it directly into Uchiha Itachi's hands.Uchiha Itachi was slightly taken aback, not even having time to react.Naruto waved his hand and laughed nonchalantly:"I only brought one sack for now; I really couldn't carry any more. There are ten more bags piled up outside.""It's a total of one million Ryo. Don't be polite, just take it!"Currently, the five shops Naruto opened were doing booming business, bringing him nearly five hundred thousand Ryo in profit every day.Uchiha Itachi's eyes showed astonishment, but knowing Naruto's current financial strength, he didn't stand on ceremony."Where's Sister Izumi? Today is her big day; why haven't I seen her? Is she hiding?"Uchiha Itachi chuckled at the words and glanced toward the inner part of the shrine: "She's over there, very nervous."Just then, a series of light and cheerful footsteps approached.Uchiha Izumi was dressed in a magnificent pure white kimono, her long hair meticulously styled into a bridal bun and adorned with a red hairpin.Her cheeks were tinged with a faint blush, and her eyes were as bright as if filled with starlight, looking over here with a mix of shyness and impatience.The moment their eyes met, Uchiha Izumi's heart skipped a beat.She stepped forward quickly and tightly grasped Uchiha Itachi's hand, her fingertips carrying a slightly trembling warmth."Itachi, I...""I'm here." Uchiha Itachi gripped her hand back firmly.Watching this scene, Naruto actually understood the feeling Xue had mentioned before for a moment..."This 'dog food' really doesn't taste good."He turned to look at Sandaime Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was standing on the edge of the crowd with a gaze full of gratification.All the major noble clans of Konoha were present, with the Hyuga Clan being the most prominent; the scene was bustling with people and an extraordinary festive atmosphere.It was as if the good news of Root's destruction some time ago had never happened on this land.The ceremony was simple yet solemn! The priest's voice echoed through the courtyard, every word of the blessing auspicious and filled with well-wishes for the newlyweds.In his capacity as a witness, Naruto personally handed Two Cups of Sake to the couple.He remained calm, but his gaze quietly fell upon Naruto within his consciousness space.Right now, Naruto was sitting upright, his eyes filled with an unprecedented seriousness, devoid of his usual boisterous manner."How is it? In the whole Village now, who else dares not to respect you?" Naruto chuckled in his mind."I've already paved the way for you. Just keep moving forward. When you truly come out, I'll still be there with you."Naruto was stunned for a moment, the bit of stubbornness in his heart quietly softening. But in the next instant, his gaze suddenly shifted.Since the two currently shared one body, Narutoinstantly understood who he was looking at.Following his line of sight, Sakura Haruno was standing not far away."Like her?" Naruto asked directly in the consciousness space.Naruto's ears burned, and his cheeks instantly turned red.Naruto chuckled with a hint of pride: "Since I could use this body to make everyone look up to you, aren't I amazing?"Naruto paused, then nodded vigorously: "Yeah! You're very amazing!"Naruto's tone suddenly shifted, carrying an unquestionable certainty: "Then just listen to your big brother."He raised his hand and pointed to the other side."It's not that I doubt your taste, but my judgment is much more accurate than yours. This one is your destiny."Naruto looked blankly in the direction he pointed, his gaze landing on Hyuga Hinata.Coincidentally, Hinata's gaze also happened to look over.The moment their eyes met, the girl's face flushed deep red, and she hurriedly lowered her head.Naruto almost burst out laughing in his mind.Holy crap! The Crown Princess is so young, yet she's already set her heart on Naruto!Naruto was so startled by the sudden eye contact that he jerked his gaze back, his heart pounding in his chest.Even his figure in the consciousness space clenched his fists uneasily, the blush on his cheeks even more intense than when he saw Sakura just now."How's my judgment?" Naruto raised an eyebrow in his mind, his tone teasing.Naruto opened his mouth to say something in rebuttal, but Hinata's gentle and shy eyes from just now involuntarily surfaced in his mind. The words died in his throat, and he could only mumble a response.The blessings in the courtyard continued. The head of the Hyuga Clan sat high in the main seat, his gaze warmly scanning the scene.When his gaze fell on Naruto, he even nodded slightly, his eyes full of approval.Today's Naruto was no longer the demon fox's child ostracized by the whole Village; his great merit in destroying the Kidnapping Ring, his deeds in founding a ninja Village, and his business ventures...all made it impossible for anyone to find fault with him.Naruto quietly moved the body a few steps closer to Hinata.Hinata immediately became even more nervous, her small hands tightly clutching the hem of her clothes, her head buried lower, and her long eyelashes trembling incessantly.Yet she couldn't help but peek up to take another look at the boy before her."See that?" Naruto chuckled in his mind. "The girl keeps staring at you; she's so shy but can't bear to look away."Naruto felt his head spinning. Aside from Naruto...no one had ever looked at him with such gentle and focused eyes, let alone a gentle and cute young lady from the Hyuga family.He wanted to look away, but he was hooked by that gaze and couldn't move his eyes.Just then, the priest's blessing concluded, and the wedding ceremony officially began. Guests stepped forward one after another to congratulate the newlyweds, and the atmosphere in the courtyard grew even more lively.Naruto patted the flustered Naruto in the consciousness space:"Don't be a wimp. With me here, I'll help you marry her into the family later.""In today's Konoha, no one dares to look down on you anymore. The respect, warmth, and companionship you want—I'll help you get it all."Naruto looked up, his eyes no longer filled with the old low self-esteem and stubbornness, replaced by an unprecedented determination. He nodded heavily, his voice carrying a hint of a sob:"Yeah! I'll listen to you!"Naruto was satisfied, a smile playing on his lips. Looking again at Hinata, who was blushing and peeking over, he thought to himself:"I'm definitely shipping this couple!"
