Chapter 628 - 34

Chapter 34: Engagement? Are You Kidding Me?The priest announced loudly that the wedding ceremony had officially begun.The sounds of ritual music slowly rose, and the clan heads and elders of Konoha's various clans took their seats one after another.The newlyweds walked slowly into the center of the courtyard to receive the blessings of the entire audience. Applause and congratulations rose and fell, and the glory of Konoha was displayed to its fullest at this moment.The ceremony proceeded in an orderly manner—taking oaths, offering prayers, and making toasts. The entire set of etiquette was solemn yet festive.The Ninjas present exchanged pleasantries, their words filled with expectations for Konoha's future and compliments for each other's clans.No one mentioned the heart-palpitating past of Root's destruction, as if all the gloom had been completely swept away by this grand wedding.Naruto stood in the witness's seat in the identity of Naruto, his posture upright and his demeanor steady.By now, he had already become an existence that the entire village dared not look down upon, thanks to his strength and achievements.Every Ninja who met his gaze would take the initiative to nod in greeting, their eyes full of awe and recognition.Naruto, inside the consciousness space, watched all of this with a heart full of warmth. For the first time, he truly felt how warm it was to be respected and valued by others.Halfway through the ceremony, the guests from all sides stepped forward in turn to offer their congratulations. The Uchiha Clan, the SarutobiClan, the Ino–Shika–Chō trio...They exchanged greetings with the host family one after another, and the scene was polite and thorough.As the most influential clan at this wedding, the Hyuga Clan became the focus of everyone's attention.The Hyuga elders spoke appropriately and behaved with dignity, fully displaying the air of a prestigious family.As the wedding process neared its end, the head of the Hyuga Clan, Hiashi Hyuga, personally stepped toward Naruto.The gaze of the entire audience converged instantly.Hiashi Hyuga's steps were steady, and his face was majestic yet gentle. When he reached Naruto, he first bowed slightly in greeting, showing extreme respect."Uzumaki Naruto, you are now an indispensable young pillar of Konoha."As pleasantries and words of praise were slowly spoken, Hiashi Hyuga's tone was sincere. There was not the slightest contempt from a great clan toward an orphan; instead, it was full of recognition.Naruto returned the greeting indifferently, unsure of Hiashi Hyuga's intentions.Hiashi Hyuga glanced to the side and gave a light wave. Hinata, not far away, walked timidly to her father's side.Her small face was slightly red, and her head was lowered, but she couldn't help but secretly look up at Naruto.Hiashi Hyuga looked at the pair of young teenagers before him, a flash of satisfaction in his eyes. Then he spoke in a deep voice, not loud, but clearly reaching the ears of everyone present:"Naruto, you are upright, outstanding in strength, and your character far exceeds those of your peers. You will surely achieve great things in the future.""My Hyuga Clan is willing to arrange a childhood betrothal between my eldest daughter, HinataHyuga, and you.""When you grow up in the future, the two of you shall marry, forming a bond between our families, so that the Uzumaki and Hyuga Clans may be forever united in heart and protect Konohatogether."As soon as he finished speaking...The entire venue fell silent for a moment, followed by an explosion of uncontrollable gasps and discussions.The Hyuga Clan, the oldest prestigious family in Konoha, actually took the initiative to propose to the current Naruto and even wanted to set a childhood betrothal!This scene completely overturned everyone's past perceptions.Naruto, in the consciousness space, froze completely, his mind went blank, and his face turned red from his ears to his neck. He was utterly stunned.Hinata also froze, her small hands tightly clutching her father's sleeve, her head buried so low it almost touched her chest.Her entire face was as hot as fire, but those clear eyes were filled with joy that couldn't be hidden."Huh?"Naruto was also dazed on the spot. Wait, is this right?The plot development is a bit too far off the rails, isn't it?It took Naruto only two and a half seconds to accept reality.He laughed loudly in his consciousness."It's done!"The Crown Princess was directly packed up and betrothed by her father coming to the door. This wave is solid!Just as Hiashi Hyuga's voice fell, the crowd was still clamoring and marvelling, not yet fully calmed down.Just when everyone thought this was already the grandest engagement of the day, a slight commotion came from the edge of the crowd.Uchiha Fugaku was seen walking out solemnly, wearing a crisp set of clan clothes.Unlike the Hyuga Clan head's majestic yet approachable air, he radiated a cold but steady aura, his gaze locking directly onto Naruto in the center of the field.He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone present, then looked at Naruto again, his voice steady and powerful:"I, Uchiha Fugaku, also wish to propose a marriage to you today for my second daughter, Yuki Uchiha."As soon as these words were spoken, the whole place went into an uproar.One was the Hyuga Clan, the strongest prestigious family in Konoha; the other was the Uchiha Clan, the most rebellious yet gifted prestigious family in Konoha.Two great prestigious families actually held out an olive branch to the same person at this wedding at the same time!Naruto, in the consciousness space, completely exploded. His small hands were clenched into fists, his face was so red it was about to drip blood, and his mouth opened and closed, completely unsure of how to react.Naruto also felt his head buzzing. On one side was the gentle eldest daughter of the Hyuga family, and on the other was the outstanding second daughter of the Uchiha family. Two great clans were competing for the marriage at the same time...This plot was more explosive than anything he had ever seen!Standing by her father's side, Hinata's already flushed cheeks were now burning even more intensely. She subconsciously looked toward Naruto.But she ran into Fugaku's determined gaze. Her small hands couldn't help but tighten on her skirt, and a flash of imperceptible fear crossed her eyes, yet she stubbornly refused to look away.Naruto was secretly delighted. This plot's satisfaction level was directly maxed out!On the surface, he remained steady, nodding slightly to Fugaku to signal him to continue.Fugaku looked at everyone's reaction with satisfaction and continued:"Yuki is also a child with outstanding talent and a resilient character. She is the pride of my Uchiha Clan."Naruto looked at Fugaku, a playful smile curling at the corner of his mouth.He didn't agree immediately, but turned to look at Naruto in the consciousness space and asked with feigned seriousness:"Naruto, how do we choose?""Choose Hinata!" Naruto said without the slightest hesitation.Naruto chuckled inwardly, then changed the subject, just about to speak and decline...A cold and proud Uchiha girl quickly walked out of the crowd; it was none other than Yuki Uchiha.Her face was cold as she walked straight to Fugaku's side, lowering her voice but with obvious anger:"Father! How could you take it upon yourself to propose for me? I have never had such an intention!"Uchiha Fugaku's brow furrowed slightly, and just as he was about to speak, Yuki Uchiha looked up at the whole audience again, her tone carrying a bit of embarrassment and stubbornness:"I don't have much interaction with Uzumaki Naruto, and besides, I am several years older than him. It's simply not appropriate! I will never agree to this!""Little brother Naruto, you should just be with little sister Hinata."After she finished speaking, she gave Fugaku a fierce glare, full of anger at her father's unauthorized arrangement of her marriage.The scene was subtle for a moment. Seeing this, Naruto stepped forward, his gaze tenderly fixed on Hinata, and spoke loudly:"Clan Head Hyuga, Miss Hinata, I am fond of Hinata and am willing to enter into an engagement with her, and I will not fail her in this life."Hinata's face instantly flushed with shame, her eyes full of joyful tears.Hiashi Hyuga's smile was gratified, and the audience erupted in thunderous applause.Inside the consciousness space, Naruto's small face was also bright red."Do you want to take another trip through this world?""Yes!"