The next day, the sun had just begun to rise.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Naruto frowned, still lying on Nine-Tails' back, his body sluggish to respond. Then he sensed the door to his room being opened, and a strong hand nudged him.
"Hey, hey, Naruto! Didn't we agree to meet at this time? Why are you still sleeping?"
Shikamaru stepped forward, grabbed Naruto, and patted his face.
Next to Kiba, Akamaru barked twice at Naruto, as if trying to wake him up!
In the mental landscape, Nine-Tails shook Naruto roughly. "Hey, Naruto! Wake up! Your partner is waiting for you!"
Naruto finally opened his eyes, jolting awake. His consciousness returned fully from Nine-Tails' back.
Sasuke, who stood nearby with both his Mangekyō Sharingan and Rinnegan active, immediately recognized that Naruto had just been resting on Nine-Tails.
Kurama, sensing Sasuke's gaze, snorted coldly and lay back down, unimpressed.
Sasuke smirked slightly. The tsundere nature of Nine-Tails perfectly mirrored his own personality—how fitting.
Naruto blinked and noticed Shikamaru frowning. "Shikamaru?!"
Shikamaru sighed. "You still haven't changed your habit of sleeping in. Seriously, get up and wash up!"
With that, Shikamaru hauled Naruto toward the bathroom. Naruto rubbed his eyes and glanced at the others: Shikamaru, Sasuke, Chōji, Shino, Ya, and Neji—all six dressed neatly in suits.
Naruto grinned. "Wow… you guys look really sharp!"
His gaze lingered on Sasuke. With that deadly gaze of his and the suit, Sasuke looked extraordinarily handsome—unmistakably imposing.
Naruto stepped into the bathroom and began to wash.
Outside, Minato and Kushina had also changed. Kushina wore a crimson ensemble, and Minato donned his formal attire. Obito and Rin arrived to see if any assistance was needed.
Kakashi, meanwhile, was busy coordinating with the other four Kage, the Daimyo, and other high-ranking officials.
Downstairs, the wedding team began arriving to prepare for the bride's welcoming ceremony.
In Konoha, the wedding procession started from the groom's house, proceeded to Hinata's residence to pick up the bride, then they performed the tea ceremony for their parents before heading to the wedding venue to hold the ceremony.
After washing, the makeup artist Naruto had hired arrived to assist with grooming and touch-ups. Naruto changed into his groom's outfit, and a bouquet was pinned to his chest. The groomsmen were already ready, completing their ensemble.
After a light breakfast, Naruto and the others went downstairs. Someone handed him a bouquet. Naruto waved and said, "Let's go!"
A carriage drawn by two white horses waited below. Naruto climbed in, and Shikamaru shouted, "Let's move!"
The group set off toward the Hyuga residence.
At Hinata's house, she and her bridesmaids sat in front of the mirror as a professional makeup artist carefully applied finishing touches. Unlike Naruto, Hinata had risen early. Female preparations took time, so the makeup artist had begun work the previous night, with the Hyuga household staff overseeing.
Sakura, Ino, Tenten, and Hanabi remained close to Hinata, as they were all familiar with one another. Temari and Karui, visiting from other villages, had yet to form a close bond, so they conversed cautiously.
Temari asked, "Your boyfriend is Chōji?"
Karui crossed her arms. "Yes. I heard your partner is Shikamaru, right?"
Temari nodded.
Karui continued, "Chōji told me that he and Shikamaru were close back in the academy, and that he's also friendly with Naruto. Apparently, the three of them used to stick together in school."
Temari raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Really?"
Karui nodded. "Chōji said so."
Temari felt slightly frustrated. Shikamaru had never mentioned such childhood stories to her, but this gave insight into Chōji and Karui's relationship—it must be very strong.
Meanwhile, Ino suggested, "Should we add this beaded flower?"
Sakura frowned. "No, there are already enough decorations."
Hinata smiled softly, allowing the makeup artist to continue her work. Hanabi, standing nearby, whispered to her sister, "You're so beautiful today."
The makeup artist quickly guided the bridesmaids to pin corsages to their chests, keeping everyone on schedule. Half an hour later, the preparations were complete.
Naruto and his party arrived at Hinata's doorstep. Hanabi quickly ran to the door. "I must block the entrance!"
Naruto disembarked from the carriage and, accompanied by Shikamaru, Sasuke, and the six groomsmen, approached the door.
Hiashi and Hizashi Hyuga greeted them warmly. Neji shouted, "Block the door! Don't let this blonde boy in!"
Naruto cursed under his breath, remembering the first time he had saved Neji.
He knocked loudly. "Gate of Opening, I'm here to marry Hinata!"
"Come on, come on!" Hanabi squealed, pushing through. "Where's the red envelope? Hand it over!"
Naruto patted his pocket—nothing. Shikamaru calmly produced the envelope and handed it to him.
Naruto tossed the red envelopes into the crack. One wasn't enough. Two still wouldn't work. He kept stuffing them until Shikamaru's shadows began moving.
The Art of Shadow Imitation!
A dark hand emerged from Shikamaru's shadow, passing through the door crack and controlling the crowd—including Hanabi. With a subtle gesture, Shikamaru made Hanabi open the door.
Neji, sensing something wrong, realized immediately. "Damn it! Shadow Imitation Jutsu!"
Before he could act, Sasuke stepped forward and pushed the door open.
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