The next day at noon.
Kisame's wedding was held in grand fashion.
As one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, with Yagura personally attending to offer his congratulations, practically everyone of note in Kirigakure showed up. Whether they had business or not, many came simply to make an impression on the leadership.
Still, Yagura remained backstage the entire time, acting more like the general director, overseeing the whole event.
He wasn't fond of social gatherings like this to begin with.
And especially since this was a close friend's wedding, he was even less willing to turn such a joyous occasion into a showcase for the elites and political players.
As the wedding march reached its climax...
Haku wore a pure white suit today, his porcelain-doll face so flawless it looked almost unreal.
As he walked down the aisle, he seemed like a snow spirit stepped out of a painting.
In his hands was the ring box, which he solemnly offered to today's prince.
The bride, draped in a twelve-meter-long train, stepped forward.
Haku glanced up and exchanged a look with Suigetsu and Kimimaro, their eyes all brimming with joy.
The three of them had completed their task and quickly scampered off the stage.
Now that it was the real ceremony, Zabuza dropped the casual tone he'd used during rehearsals. With full dramatic flair, he read out the lines with more than passing effort:
"Now, let us welcome our groom to place the ring on his bride!"
Kisame dropped to one knee, tenderly and loyally taking Toun's left hand.
And gently slipped on the ring—a symbol of love.
Bang—!
Confetti cannons fired! Thunderous applause erupted from the guests!
Petals rained from above while guests tossed pink flowers high into the air.
The hall was instantly transformed into a pink-hued paradise.
"Mm."
Watching Kisame's path in life take such a decisive turn, Yagura couldn't help it—tears welled in the corners of his eyes before he could stop them.
Hearing the faint sniffle beside him, Sasori blinked.
"…You're really that moved?"
Even the bride and groom hadn't cried yet.
But Yagura had always been quick to tears.
"What's with that perfectly in-character look on your face?"
Sasori, who had been pulled in for backstage support, was here in person—his true body.
"Nothing more than what it looks like," Sasori said with a crooked smile. "Just thinking… you really are soft."
"I'm still human. I laugh, cry, get angry, and grieve. I'm not a god."
Yagura accepted the comment with a calm shrug.
Just then, the door behind them pushed open, and Orochimaru walked in.
Despite working together on several cutting-edge projects and breakthroughs, it was only with Orochimaru's help that Sasori had completed one of his works.
Still, Sasori couldn't stand him. As soon as he saw Orochimaru, he frowned and opened fire: "You slimy snake. You actually showed up?"
"Oh, come now. I'm human too."
Orochimaru parroted what he'd just overheard outside the door, learning by example and applying it instantly.
"Sometimes when you're cooped up in a lab, it's nice to get out, stretch your legs, and offer blessings to a colleague tying the knot. Perfectly human behavior, wouldn't you say?"
"What kind of blessing could you possibly give? A shed snakeskin?"
"Hmph."
Orochimaru gave a small scoff and didn't bother continuing the verbal sparring. Instead, he turned to Yagura with something more serious in mind.
Compared to Sasori, he was far more mature.
"Alright, alright," Yagura said, stopping Sasori—who looked ready to turn Orochimaru into snake soup—with a raised brow. "If you've got something to say, just say it."
"It's about my Reincarnation technique."
Orochimaru let the words hang for effect, wearing the triumphant smile of a scientist who had finally cracked a major problem.
"You completed it?" Yagura's eyes widened with surprise and joy.
Not wanting to drag things out too much, Orochimaru nodded decisively.
"Yes. I finished it—just a few days ago."
The conditions required to retrieve the Yin Nine-Tails sealed in the Shinigami's stomach were finally all in place.
Thanks to being personally instructed by a member of the Uzumaki clan, learning the Dead Demon Consuming Seal hadn't taken Orochimaru much time or effort.
The only remaining hurdle had been the Living Corpse Reincarnation technique itself—something Orochimaru had to invent from scratch.
Over the past several years, Yagura had poured resources into him without regard for cost—for this very moment.
"How confident are you?"
"Not just eighty percent—more like one hundred."
Sasori rolled his eyes. Such boastful flair. After all the money spent and years invested, he finally completed one jutsu—and still acted like he was some genius.
He always lost a bit of his cool when dealing with Orochimaru.
It was probably the curse of being in the same field.
After confirming Orochimaru's progress, Yagura said,
"This isn't the place for that conversation. Let's meet later, somewhere private."
"Of course."
Orochimaru agreed without protest. He wasn't so tactless as to discuss classified research in public.
He'd chosen this time specifically because the wedding was winding down, and he figured Yagura's duties were wrapping up as well.
No need to wait too long—and he could attend the wedding while he was at it.
Yagura smiled, genuinely pleased that Orochimaru had chosen to wait for such an important moment in Kisame's life.
"Well done, Orochimaru. I knew I wasn't wrong to believe in your abilities."
Orochimaru remembered every coin he'd earned from Yagura and every breakthrough made with those resources.
These were things he'd never received in Konoha.
Back there, he had to conduct his experiments in secret and rely on clandestine support from Danzo.
Money really could move mountains.
"Thank you for your praise, your trust… and your support."
Orochimaru bowed slightly, responding with the deference of a subordinate acknowledging his superior.
...
He gave a polite nod and excused himself.
At the edge of the high platform where they stood, Yagura looked out across the wedding hall, overseeing everything like a director surveying a finished scene.
His gaze landed on the Uzumaki clan's section of guests.
Among them was the red-haired boy he'd named Menma.
Sitting near Uchiha Sasuke, the two boys—similar in age—were happily playing together.
[Yagura: Isobu, you, Saiken, and the Nine-Tails are going to end up forming a "Three-Six-Nine" trio in our village.
Isobu: Mm, probably. I'm clearly the weakest though.
Yagura: ?? Don't say that! Your Water Mirror technique could rank top three among all the Tailed Beasts!
Isobu: I think so too.
Yagura: Eh? When did you get so cheeky? A Tailed Beast should at least pretend to be humble!]
...
Two hours later.
The wedding ended and the guests slowly began to trickle out.
Once his work was done, Yagura finally stepped down from the control room.
He stretched his arms and wrapped his long sleeves around him.
Most of the crowd had left, leaving only the families and clans closest to Yagura—like the Hōzuki, the Uzumaki, and the Uchiha.
No one who remained was going to cause trouble—not for themselves, and definitely not for Yagura.
Approaching the newlyweds, he offered his heartfelt congratulations.
"Congratulations on your marriage."
Yagura smiled. "Traditionally, there's supposed to be a little... playful mischief in the bridal chamber tonight."
Kisame blinked. "Nani?"
He didn't recognize the term.
But seeing Yagura's knowing smirk—one that only adults would understand—he started putting the pieces together.
"Bridal chamber"—he didn't know the full meaning. But the word mischief he understood just fine.
The combination clicked instantly for Kisame and the others.
Toun's face turned crimson.
Kisame instinctively reached out to shield her flustered expression and swept a wary glance over every adult male in the area.
"Well, your husband's big and scary. We wouldn't dare disturb you two, lest we get beaten to a pulp," Yagura chuckled, covering the little trap he'd just set with humor. "We'll save that tradition for the next lucky couple."
He'd already made it clear he wasn't planning to fall in love for another five or six years. There was no way he'd be next in line.
Satisfied that he hadn't forgotten anything...
He didn't even need to contribute a wedding gift.
Repeating his congratulations one last time, Yagura finally said,
"Unfortunately, I've got something else I need to take care of. I'll have to head out."
"Alright. Thank you for everything."
Leaving the wedding venue behind...
Yagura signaled the Anbu to contact the Uzumaki clan and tell Menma to stand by.
Then, he headed straight for Orochimaru's lab.
----------------
Pls Drop some Power Stones
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