Even the System knew better than to interrupt this moment with pointless questions.No prompts about Sasuke's absence.No trivia about how Asuma died.This wasn't the time.
Video Feed:
The wedding day had arrived.
The Raikage's delegation bumped into the Kazekage's group on the path to the reception. As usual, Killer Bee was bursting with energy.
He struck a dramatic pose.
"Yo, Kazekage crew, we're the Raikage crew!" he rapped proudly."And check it, we've brought wedding gifts to surprise you!"
From his oversized backpack, he pulled out two oversized decorative pillows. One was blue, the other red.
"May the bride and groom be as inseparable as these!"
Gaara blinked slowly, then gave him a light smack across the back of the head.
"Cut it out."
But Bee grinned. He didn't even flinch.
In the distance, a cheerful voice rang out:
"Let's begin the wedding reception!"
Gaara turned to Shikamaru.
"By the way… where's Temari?"
Shikamaru lazily scratched the back of his head.
"Haven't seen her since earlier."
Meanwhile, at the gift table, Konohamaru was dressed to impress in a tailored black suit. He stood proudly as guests dropped off their envelopes.
He peeked at one in particular.
"How much did Ebisu-sensei put in?" he joked.
Ebisu adjusted his glasses, then opened his own envelope."Three bills?" he gasped in horror.
He fumbled for his wallet in shame. "That's not enough! I'll be remembered for this disgrace!"
Not far away, Teuchi and Ayame from Ichiraku Ramen approached the table.
Teuchi reached into his sleeve and pulled out a crumpled paper.
"A free ramen coupon for Naruto!" he declared.
Ayame whispered frantically, "Wrong one, Daddy!"
Flustered, he quickly handed over the correct envelope instead.
At the edge of the field, Rock Lee and Might Guy were walking on their hands, chanting in perfect unison.
"This is the spirit of training! Even at a wedding!"
Tenten, watching them from her wheelchair, burst into tears.
"Cut it out, you two freaks!"
Under the cherry blossoms, Kiba knelt with a bottle of honey wine, trying to coax Akamaru to take a sip.
Akamaru gave him a deadpan look and turned away.
Suddenly, Konohamaru came charging by.
"Giddy up!" he yelled, riding Akamaru like a horse.
Shino stepped in, arms crossed.
"That's my dog. Not your pony."
But Konohamaru smirked.
"Then I'll ride you instead!"
With a laugh, he hoisted Shino onto his shoulders and took off again. Akamaru barked in support.
Elsewhere, Shikamaru sat beside Ino, Choji, and Lee as they browsed through wedding photos.
A shadow loomed behind Choji.
"Who's grinning back there?" came a familiar voice.
Choji turned, startled.
"Who? Me?" he stammered.
Temari stood there with an unreadable smile.
Choji instinctively grabbed her hand.
Ino narrowed her eyes.
"Since when have you two been an item?"
Sai smirked.
"In the eyes of others, we're all just one big family now, aren't we?"
Suddenly, a hawk swooped in and landed beside Sakura, dropping a single folded note.
She opened it. Inside was one simple kanji.
"Congratulations."
Her hands trembled. Her heart leapt.
In the distance, Sasuke stood silently beneath the trees. He looked her way just once, his Rinnegan glowing faintly, then disappeared again without a word.
Kakashi had been watching that moment from afar.
Iruka approached quietly.
"Kakashi-sensei? Something on your mind?"
Kakashi rubbed the back of his head.
"Other than the farewell speech I forgot to write?"
Iruka chuckled. "You'll improvise."
Scene Shift: The Bride and Groom
Hinata stood beneath the cherry blossoms, pale and graceful in her white kimono. Her long dark hair shimmered in the breeze.
Neji watched her from afar, a soft smile on his lips.
"Big day, Hinata?" he whispered.
Naruto stood in front of the Fourth Hokage's statue, his back straight, his hands clenched. He wasn't nervous. Just overwhelmed.
Hinata glanced at him shyly, then quickly looked away as her cheeks turned pink.
Suddenly, a voice called from the gates.
"Sis! It's time!"
Hanabi stood there, smiling with pride.
Hinata nodded. "Right."
Beside her, Hyūga Hiashi, dignified and solemn, gave his daughter a rare smile filled with affection.
Hinata took Naruto's hand.
He looked at her with quiet strength.
"All right," Naruto whispered. "Let's go."
They stepped together toward the white chapel at the heart of Konoha.
Toward the altar.
Toward the end of their youth… and the beginning of everything else.