Shibi Aburame was reciting the congratulatory speech.
The congratulatory speech, a prayer offered to the gods, was nothing more than words seeking divine blessings.
As he recited, a sense of surrealness washed over him.
Tsunade was his superior, and now, his son was marrying her. It was…odd, even preposterous. Yet, above all, he felt a sense of blessing.
"Congratulations," Shibi said with a smile, finishing the speech.
"Thank you, Father," Shinho replied, using a formal address instead of the usual "Dad."
"Thank you, Father," Tsunade echoed after a moment's hesitation.
It felt unnatural, but now that she was married into the family, she had to acknowledge it.
"..." A chill ran down Shibi's spine. This was too bizarre! He felt even more awkward than Tsunade.
"Let's move on to the next part," Shibi said hastily, looking at Shizune. He needed time to process the fact that Tsunade was now his daughter-in-law.
"Next is the San-san-kudo," Shizune announced, clapping her hands.
She was acting as the master of ceremonies for the day.
Soon, Konan, dressed in a kimono, appeared before Shinho and Tsunade, carrying a tray of sake cups.
The San-san-kudo was essentially the bride and groom exchanging sake three times.
Shinho reached out and took a cup. Tsunade followed suit. They interlocked arms and drank.
Konan watched them, her gaze lingering on Shinho.
This was her first time attending a wedding, and she never imagined the groom would be a man she held affection for.
"The ceremony is over," Shizune declared after they had drunk three times. "Next are the vows."
Konan snapped back to attention and left with the tray.
The vows were the bride and groom's declarations of commitment.
"Will you marry me?" Shinho asked, extending his hand.
He had planned a more elaborate vow, but Tsunade vetoed it. In that case, he would stick to the simplest, most sincere words.
"I will!" Tsunade replied with a smile, grasping his hand.
Her smile, framed by her white shiromuku wedding kimono, radiated a gentle warmth. Many ninjas who knew Tsunade well wore expressions of shock and disbelief.
This was a scene one would only expect to see under a genjutsu.
Orochimaru shook his head. It was a shame Jiraiya wasn't here.
A thought suddenly struck him; perhaps he could create a child of his own.
"Marriage doesn't seem so bad," Shikamaru said, his hands clasped behind his head.
"Definitely!" Sakura chimed in. "Shinho is our age. He's married, so we should follow suit next." She glanced at Sasuke.
"Marriage, huh?" Choji scratched his head. "Maybe after I find a girlfriend."
In the original story, he married Karui from the Hidden Kumogakure.
They hadn't met yet in this timeline.
"I'll wait for Guy-sensei to get married first!" Lee declared, flashing a bright smile. "That's the springtime of youth passed down!"
"Neji, what about you?" Tenten asked, turning to Hinata Neji.
"It depends on fate," Neji replied calmly.
"I won't marry until I become Hokage!" Naruto declared, brimming with determination.
"I think you should probably set a different goal," Kiba said, unable to resist the urge to advise him.
"What?" Naruto narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "Are you trying to compete with me for being the Hokage?"
"..." Kiba was speechless.
Whether or not you become Hokage isn't up to you, it's up to Shinho.
"The bride and groom will now be exchanging rings!" Shizune's voice interrupted their conversation.
Shinho and Tsunade each produced a ring and placed it on the other's left ring finger.
"Guests, please be seated," Shizune announced after a few moments.
The crowd returned to their seats.
Those familiar with wedding customs knew the final step was approaching: the toast.
"Welcome, everyone," Shinho said, raising his glass.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty!" The guests raised their glasses in return.
"The ceremony is concluded!" Shizune announced after everyone had finished their drinks. "The wedding banquet officially begins!"
The wedding ceremony had lasted about two hours, and it was now almost noon, just in time for lunch.
Shinho and Tsunade sat at the main table. Joining them were the heads of various Departments and decisions, such as Orochimaru, Mikoto Uchiha, and Shibi.
Halfway through the meal, Shinho excused himself from Tsunade and stood up.
"Shinho!" Naruto was the first to notice him, waving enthusiastically.
"How's the food?" Shinho asked, approaching them.
He glanced around; his classmates were divided into two tables. Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, and the new generation of Ino-Shika-Cho were at one table. Hinata, Hanabi, Shino, Kiba, and Neji were at the next.
He waved to them, signaling them to wait; he'd be with them shortly.
"Delicious!" Choji said with a satisfied expression.
"If Choji says it's delicious, it must be," Shinho said with a chuckle.
"Shinho," Shikamaru said, producing an elaborate gift box. "This is for you. I hope you like it."
"Of course I will," Shinho replied, accepting the gift. "When are you getting married?"
"Huh?" Shikamaru stammered, taken aback. "We'll talk about that later… later."
"Here!" Naruto said, handing him a gift with a slightly pained expression. "It's a lifetime coupon for Ichiraku Ramen."
"A lifetime coupon?" Shinho examined it. "This is quite a sacrifice from you."
The coupon meant that whenever Shinho ate at Ichiraku Ramen, the cost would be charged to Naruto. However, Shinho had a thousand-year lifespan. Whether Ichiraku Ramen would even be around for a thousand years was another question.
"It's nothing!" Naruto declared, puffing out his chest. "I can afford this much!"
"Alright then," Shinho chuckled. It seemed like a loss for Naruto, but he rarely ate Ichiraku Ramen, so it wouldn't actually cost Naruto much.
Everyone had given their gifts except Ino. Shinho looked at her and received a somewhat resentful glare in return.
"Don't you dare dislike it!" Ino grabbed his wrist and placed a gift box in his hand.
"You gave it to me with sincerity, of course, I'd like it," Shinho said looking at her jealous expression, finding it rather cute.
It was a pity others were present; otherwise… he would have properly soothed her anger.
"It better!" Ino released his hand, pouting.
"What's wrong with Ino...?" Naruto began, a puzzled look on his face.
Before he could finish, Shikamaru clamped a hand over his mouth.
"I'll talk to you later," Shinho said meaningfully.
Ino paused, about to ask a question, but he had already moved to the next table.
"Brother-in-law!" Hanabi, who had been waiting eagerly, immediately approached him.
Hinata was more reserved, simply watching him with a gentle gaze.
"Is the food not to your liking? Why are you around?" Shinho asked, stroking her head.
"N-Nothing," Hanabi replied, lowering her head slightly, a touch of guilt in her voice. "It's very good."
"Where's your gift?" Shinho asked, pinching her cheek lightly.
"Here," Hanabi said, presenting a gift box.
"I thought you hadn't prepared anything," Shinho said with a smile.
"How could I forget my brother-in-law's wedding?" Hanabi retorted, lifting her head slightly with a small huff. "Besides, you're my teacher too."
"Go back and sit down," Shinho said, withdrawing his hand. Hanabi noticed his gaze shift to Hinata and, without another word, returned to her seat.
"Shinho," Neji said, offering a gift box. Shino, Kiba, and the others followed suit, presenting their gifts.
"Thank you," Shinho said, accepting them all.
"Shinho-kun," Hinata suddenly grasped his hand, pressing something into it.
"Another gift?" Shinho looked down.
It was an omamori charm, inscribed with the words "peace and happiness."
"It's… not really a gift," Hinata murmured, shaking her head.
She had obtained it from a shrine visit earlier, intending it for him but hadn't found the right opportunity.
Giving it now, she could consider it a wedding gift. Although she had already given him one… Thinking of the new training regime, Hinata's face flushed crimson.
Shinho witnessed the entire spectrum of emotions flit across her face.
What was she thinking about? The new training, perhaps? Right now?
He had to admit, he was quite keen to try it again. Hinata, though inexperienced, was very obedient.
"I won't disturb you any longer. Continue enjoying your meal," Shinho said, ruffling her hair.
Besides these two tables of friends, he had to make the rounds with the other guests as well. After all, as both Emperor and Hokage, he couldn't afford to neglect anyone.
The wedding finally concluded at dusk, with guests offering their farewells and departing.
After lunch, there had been tea and conversation, which had taken considerable time. Now, it was finally time for the bride and groom to have some time alone.
"Lady Tsunade," Shizune said, pointing to a female ninja nearby, "I'll go to Rika's house tonight to discuss tomorrow's surgery."
Miyata Rika was the vice-captain of the medical team, a good friend of hers, and also Shinho's first teacher.
There was indeed a surgery scheduled, but with her skills, she wouldn't need to discuss it beforehand.
This was more about having an excuse not to go home. It wouldn't be appropriate for her to stay on their wedding night.
"Shizune…" Tsunade frowned slightly, about to say something, but seeing Shizune's determined expression, she simply nodded.
"Then I'll be going," Shizune paused, then added with a playful smile, "Lady Tsunade, do your best! I want to be an aunt soon."
"What nonsense are you talking about?" Tsunade retorted, but a smile played on her lips.
Shinho gave Shizune a discreet thumbs-up.
Well done! He'd compensate her well tomorrow, and ensure she became a mother soon herself. Shizune, understanding his gesture, felt a shiver run down her spine and quickly turned to leave.
"Lord Hokage," Samui stepped forward. She glanced at Tsunade; up close, she had to admit, Tsunade was truly stunning, a beauty that rivaled anyone.
"I'll leave the rest up to you," Shinho said, then turned and headed towards the inner palace with Tsunade.
Once inside, a peaceful quiet descended.
"It's finally over. A wedding is more tiring than I imagined," Tsunade said, stretching.
Despite wearing the pristine white shiromuku, the movement of her figure, shaped like ripe peaches, was undeniably alluring.
"Tonight will be even more tiring," Shinho said with a chuckle.
"Be more serious, will you!" Tsunade froze for a moment, then glared at him.
"Am I not serious enough?" Shinho blinked innocently. "We're doing this for the future of our children."
"Shameless brat!" Tsunade was defeated by his audacity and burst out laughing.
"How can you say that about your husband?" Shinho asked with mock seriousness.
"Oh really?" Tsunade narrowed her eyes playfully. "Then you can sleep on the couch tonight."
Tradition in the shinobi world dictated that wives be virtuous and mothers be loving.
Having married Shinho, she should indeed be obedient.
But her personality wouldn't allow it.
"My fault," Shinho said, stepping forward and wrapping his arms around her waist.
Even through the kimono, he could feel the curves of her body; the sensation was as exquisite as always.
"You're quick to apologize," Tsunade said, resting her head against his chest. She hadn't been truly angry in the first place.
"Let's go take a bath," Shinho said, scooping her up into his arms. Her full hips quivered slightly with the movement.
"You'll wash me," Tsunade said, her arms around his neck.
"No problem," Shinho replied with a smile. "I must obey my teacher's orders."
"Why are you still calling me 'teacher'?" Tsunade asked, wriggling slightly.
According to tradition, there were many rules after marriage, including how to address each other.
Regardless, he shouldn't be calling her 'teacher' anymore.
Tsunade even had to change her surname to Aburame.
"What I want is a teacher to comfort me," Shinho said, carrying her into the bathroom.
"...?" Tsunade stared blankly for a few seconds, then blurted out, "You really are a pervert!"
"How am I a pervert?" Shinho asked, setting her down and turning on the hot water.
"You tell me," Tsunade said, shedding her shiromuku and stepping into the steamy spray.
Water droplets clung to her fair skin, a sight of unparalleled sensuality.
"You are my teacher, after all," Shinho stepped in front of her, reaching out to apply bath soap to her skin.
The softness beneath his fingertips was almost inexplicably alluring.
"Wait a minute," Tsunade suddenly asked, a thought striking her. "Did you have ulterior motives when you became my student?"
"Of course not," Shinho denied.
"Really?" Tsunade pressed, drawing out the word with a skeptical tone.
But the next second, a soft gasp escaped her lips. Looking down, she saw Shinho's hands at work.
Tsunade lifted her leg and delivered a swift kick. Shinho sucked in a sharp breath.
That flash of golden hair filled him with something he'd never get tired of.
"Just take a bath!" Tsunade said, glancing down.
"Yes, ma'am," Shinho released his hold on her sensitive areas, letting his hands slide down to her smooth waist and abdomen. "I wonder when we'll have any news?"
"Soon," Tsunade said, watching as he caressed her belly. "I'll know once I'm pregnant."
As a skilled medical ninja, she was intimately familiar with her own body. She didn't need any tools to detect pregnancy.
However, it usually took about a week before she could sense any changes.
"Looks like we have to work hard," Shinho said with a grin, his hand moving to her thigh.
"Later," Tsunade said, tapping his forehead lightly. "Let's bathe first."
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