Kakashi's wedding was simple. A stage was set up in the park where the couple would say a few words, and below it, tables were arranged to host the guests.
At this moment, under the anticipating gazes of the gathered crowd, the slowly approaching carriage came to a stop at the entrance to the wedding venue.
Kakashi stepped down first, then helped Hikari, who was wearing formal attire that made movement difficult, descend from the carriage.
Under the kind eyes of the guests, Kakashi and Hikari walked hand in hand to the stage.
The wedding officiant was Hiruzen Sarutobi, the retired Hokage.
"On this momentous day, let this old man say a few simple words..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi held the microphone, his wrinkled face creasing even more with his smile.
"Thinking back to when the First Hokage..."
Kakashi's smile stiffened as he looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi before him, a sense of foreboding rising in his heart. Meanwhile, Hikari, who held his arm, hadn't yet noticed the severity of the situation.
"Hmph, that old codger..."
At the closest table below, Ōnoki tossed a peanut into his mouth and snorted coldly.
The guests at this table were the most special.
Seated here were the Kazekage, Tsuchikage, and Raikage, along with a representative from the Mizukage.
Over the past two days, they had roughly figured out Konoha's situation, so at this moment they were happy to attend a wedding as a pleasant diversion.
After all, it was quite rare for the Hokage's wedding to have representatives from all four villages—Wind, Earth, Lightning, and Water—arrive to offer congratulations.
"When people get old, they like to ramble on. Lord Tsuchikage need not mind it."
"It's a rare joyous occasion; we should be more relaxed. Wouldn't you say, Lord Raikage?"
Rasa didn't seem to mind, drinking the sake in his cup with a light chuckle, then turning to look at the Raikage beside him, who was stuffing food into his mouth.
"Let the old Third say whatever he wants."
The Raikage glanced at Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was chattering away incessantly on the podium.
"Lord Raikage's words lack a certain romantic sentiment. On the Fifth's joyous day, the elder should yield the spotlight to the newlyweds."
Mei Terumī, sitting nearby, took a sip of fruit juice and spoke with a soft laugh.
"Romantic sentiment? That's useless."
The Raikage shook his head with a scoff.
What a dull man.
Seeing this, Mei said nothing more, only commenting inwardly.
Then, propping her head with one hand, her gaze fell on the handsome, robust groom on the high stage, a trace of appreciation and regret passing through her eyes.
Thinking carefully, she was already twenty-one—a year older than this Hokage.
Now the Hokage was getting married, but where was her own beloved?
"That old geezer is really going senile with age."
At another table, Tsunade looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi on stage with some impatience, gulping down her drink heavily.
This drew several glances from others.
Only Tsunade could say such things—no one else had the nerve.
"When people get old, they always like to reminisce about the past. It's understandable."
Jiraiya, sitting beside Tsunade, took a pleasant sip of his drink.
Meanwhile, on the high stage, Kakashi looked at the Third, who was still talking endlessly, a trace of helplessness flashing through his eyes. He then glanced down at Gekkō Hayate, who had been prepared to step in.
Receiving Kakashi's meaningful look, Gekkō Hayate immediately understood and walked up to the stage under the surprised gazes of the guests.
"Looking back at those years, when the heroes of the ninja world were so vigorous and spirited, now as time has passed, many of those figures have grown old. Given my age, this old man's heart is full of emotion. The ninja world is destined..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi was still lamenting how time spares no one.
"Lord Third, please allow me to take over from here."
Gekkō Hayate walked to Hiruzen Sarutobi's side and spoke respectfully.
"Ah, very well then."
Seeing Gekkō Hayate's arrival, Hiruzen Sarutobi smacked his lips with some reluctance.
The moment Gekkō Hayate took the microphone, he spoke directly:
"Let the Hokage say a few words."
Kakashi naturally accepted the situation, then glanced at Hikari beside him and said:
"What Hikari wants to say is what I want to say."
Hikari stared somewhat blankly at the microphone Kakashi had handed her. She was still immersed in the wedding atmosphere.
Why didn't that old man talk a bit longer?
Hikari grumbled inwardly, but facing so many people with her newlywed husband beside her, she didn't know what to say. Finally, under everyone's gaze, her face flushed slightly as she forced out a sentence:
"Everyone, please eat. The food won't taste good once it gets cold."
Hearing this, the guests below immediately burst into laughter.
"This Uchiha... uh... girl is really interesting."
Tsunade couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Hikari looked at the scene below, somewhat at a loss, and turned to Kakashi.
"It's fine. Everyone should eat. She's right—it won't taste good once it gets cold."
Kakashi patted Hikari's head with an affectionate, soft chuckle.
Hearing Kakashi say this, Hikari's heart settled considerably, though she gripped Kakashi's hand even tighter.
The wedding speech ended abruptly with Hikari's unexpected remark. Kakashi led Hikari backstage to change into more comfortable clothes, then sat down with the other Kage.
"Lord Hokage, congratulations on your marriage."
Seeing Kakashi sit down, Rasa raised his wine cup in a toast to Kakashi.
"Thank you, Lord Kazekage."
Kakashi returned the toast with a smile.
Among these Kage, Kakashi had the best impression of Rasa.
Who could blame this Kazekage for being so wealthy?
"The Hokage's wife is truly beautiful. I've never heard of the Hokage's wife before~"
Mei Terumī, sitting nearby, looked at Hikari, who remained stunningly beautiful even after changing clothes, and couldn't help but ask curiously.
This made the others perk up their ears as well.
Compared to Kakashi's resounding reputation as Hokage, his wife seemed to have never been mentioned before.
It was as if she had appeared out of nowhere.
Not only the people from these four villages, but even many in Konoha were curious about Hikari's identity.
Especially the remaining Uchiha clan members.
They had no idea there was such a person in their clan.
"Just an unremarkable Uchiha."
Hikari wasn't surprised by Mei's question. She and Kakashi had already prepared countermeasures beforehand.
An unremarkable Uchiha?
No one believed that.
The Hokage's wife wasn't just the Hokage's beloved—more importantly, she represented a symbolic meaning.
In the eyes of these Kage, this Uchiha woman was a reassurance the Hokage was giving to the remaining Uchiha—telling them that although they had rebelled against him, he was letting bygones be bygones. By marrying one of their clan members and becoming their in-law, he was telling them to serve him with peace of mind.
"I see. I was perhaps a bit forward."
Mei chuckled softly, raising her wine cup in a toast to Hikari.
Hikari followed suit and returned the toast.
After toasting this table, Kakashi and Hikari went to other tables to toast each one.
However...
"Waaah, it's so delicious!"
"If getting married means eating such a feast, can Brother Kakashi get married a few more times?!"
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