Chapter 19: Can Iruka Find His Identity as a Father Figure and Attend the Wedding?
In the video, inside Konoha Village, everyone is fretting over what gift to give Naruto for his wedding!
Lee is so worried he can't sleep all night!
Sakura and Ino get into a full-blown fight over a wedding gift!
Choji is already prepared, but even the usually clever Shikamaru is panicking!
On the street, Shikamaru and Choji run into Temari. Seeing Shikamaru, she blushes and lowers her head. Shikamaru also gets flustered and can't speak clearly.
At that moment, Choji gives a divine assist:
"Shikamaru seems to have something to discuss with you."
That one line makes both Shikamaru and Temari fall into awkward silence.
Temari, shocked: "Discuss?"
Shikamaru stammers: "I've been seriously thinking about honeymoon plans... Where do you think we should go?"
Temari, blushing:
"Honeymoon? With me?"
Shikamaru replies earnestly:"Because you're the most suitable."
Temari, shyly: "I see... then feel free to ask me anything."
Shikamaru breathes a sigh of relief:
"I was thinking a hot springs inn would be nice."
Temari agrees.
Choji, as if seeing through everything, turns around and says:
"I have something to do. You two go on."
He walks off, leaving Shikamaru and Temari alone.
Just as Shikamaru's wondering what to do next, Temari gently tugs on his sleeve.
They walk together in silence. Shikamaru worries she might be upset and tries to lighten the mood: "It's rare for us to go out. Let's walk around a bit."
Temari, blushing: "Mm... okay."
They arrive at a dart-throwing booth. Temari throws a dart but misses the target, then clenches her fists in frustration.
Shikamaru throws too—but embarrassingly, his dart falls off before even reaching the board. Temari giggles at the sight.
Later, Shikamaru brings Temari to a hot spring inn.
Shikamaru: "Let's go in."
Temari:"W-Wait... I thought we were just looking! I'm not ready yet!"
Shikamaru: "It's okay. We'll decide after we go in."
As he tries to pull her along, Temari protests:
"If we go in, the atmosphere might get the better of us!"
Shikamaru, confused, places a hand on her forehead: "Are you... running a fever?"
Temari, flustered:
"I-I'm going home!"
She rushes off.
Shikamaru runs after her:
"It's getting dark! If you're not feeling well, it's better to book a room and rest!"
Grabbing her hand, he says seriously:
"Wait! I need you!"
Temari, blushing:
"You... need me?"
Shikamaru looks at her intently:
"Only you can do this."
"I can't go into the women's bath. Temari, can you go in and report back what it's like inside? It's simple, right?"
Temari's face turns cold:
"What did you say?"
Shikamaru, seriously:
"It's for Naruto and Hinata's honeymoon. We need to pick the best inn!"
Temari:
"This is the first I'm hearing of it!"
She unfolds her fan and sends a wind blast his way.
[Temari: Idiot! No way I'd fall for this pineapple-headed brat!]
---
Meanwhile, other characters react:
Ino Yamanaka: "Good luck, Shikamaru!"
Choji Akimichi: "I'm rooting for you, man!"
Shikamaru Nara: "...What a drag."
Uchiha Izuna: "Don't say another word. It's already happening!"
Jiraiya: "From experience, trust me—those two are already a thing."
Tobirama Senju: "You talk like you have lots of experience, huh?"
Jiraiya: "No no, it's just… material I've gathered from others!"
Kakashi Hatake: "Jiraiya, let me preview your next book!"
Hashirama Senju: "Jiraiya writes books? Impressive!"
Jiraiya: "Just scribbles, nothing big."
Mei Terumi: "Taking a girl to an inn and saying misleading stuff... this kid's interesting."
Shikaku Nara: "Looks like my son's following in my footsteps."
Yoshino Nara: "What do you mean? Don't come home tonight!"
Shikaku Nara: "Honey, I was wrong!"
---
Later That Night, at Iruka's Home
Iruka is cooking in a panic when Naruto arrives unexpectedly.
Iruka:"Naruto? What are you doing here?"
Naruto, scratching his head: "I just suddenly thought of you, Iruka-sensei. I wanted to check how you're doing."
Iruka: "Something wrong?"
Naruto, nervous:"I'm getting married soon, and I'm worried about you being single... So I came over to visit."
Naruto: "Want to go get some ramen?"
Iruka: "Ramen? I'm already cooking!"
Naruto sees the mess:"Iruka-sensei, you should get married too!"
Iruka: "Don't say that! And don't neglect Hinata either!"
Naruto: "We're not married yet! You're overthinking it.These are my last days of freedom. I want to enjoy them!"
Iruka (angrily): "You idiot! Do you even understand how Hinata feels right now?"
Naruto:
"What's wrong, sensei?"
Iruka, serious:"I clearly didn't teach you enough about being a man. That's my failure! Come with me—I'll start over from the beginning!"
Naruto, panicking: "Where are we going?"
Iruka:
"To see Hinata! I'm going to apologize to her—for raising such an insensitive man!"
Naruto tries to stop him:
"Please, Iruka-sensei! If Hinata's there, I really won't be able to say what I want to say."
Iruka:
"What is it you want to say?"
Naruto, quietly:
"Just... ramen, maybe a drink... Talk things out freely."
Iruka nods:
"I see. No need to overthink it. Let's just go back."
Naruto, voice trembling:
"I have a request..."
Iruka turns back:
"A request?"
Naruto:
"Can you attend my wedding... as my father?"
Iruka, voice shaking slightly:
"Naruto... that's your request?"
He smiles warmly:
"Of course. Leave it to me."
Naruto bows:
"Thank you, Iruka-sensei!"
Iruka watches Naruto walk away, unable to stop the tears in his eyes.
[Minato Namikaze: Thank you, Iruka-sensei!]
[Kushina Uzumaki: Thank you for raising Naruto with so much love.]
[Iruka Umino: Fourth Hokage, Lady Kushina… this was simply what I had to do.]
[Naruto: Thank you for always believing in me!]
[Hiruzen Sarutobi: Iruka, you've truly passed down the Will of Fire.]
---
The video continues:
The Fourth Raikage, Killer Bee, Gaara, and Kankuro meet.
Killer Bee raps:
"Yo! Wind and Lightning, peace and unity, let's forget the past and live in harmony!"
Kankuro:
"Of course, I'm done being childish."
Killer Bee takes out two flamboyant pillows:
"Check out these wedding gifts—sure to bring the couple even closer!"
The Raikage punches him with his one remaining hand, sending him flying.
Gaara hides behind Kankuro in shock.
Meanwhile, Ichiraku (possibly the Otsutsuki version) and his daughter also deliver a wedding gift.
Might Guy and Lee arrive walking on their hands, with Tenten pushing Guy's wheelchair.
Temari finds Shikamaru:
"Why are you smiling?"
Shikamaru:
"I'm not."
Temari (jealous):
"Isn't the groom always happiest meeting the bride's best friends?"
Shikamaru:
"No way. So troublesome!"
He grabs her hand and drags her along.
Ino sees them and gasps:
"When did they get together?!"
Sai, smiling gently, holds Ino's hand:
"Forget them. To others, we probably look the same."
From afar, Konohamaru feels a little lonely seeing all his friends paired up.
Sakura looks up at the sky. A dove lands on her arm with a message:
"Sakura, please lend me 500 yen!"
In their room, Naruto keeps looking at the portrait of Minato on the wall, while Hinata lovingly watches Naruto.
Hanabi brings in a photo of Neji and says:
"Sister, it's time. Let's go."
Hinata gently takes Naruto's hand, and together they walk outside.