Naruto: Wooing Tsunade from Day One!-Chapter 386: A Happy Ending

"This first toast is from your sister and brother-in-law."

"May you both spend every spring, summer, autumn, and winter of your lives together."

Tsunade, ever reliable as the first to drink, stood up gracefully, bringing Kawakaze along with her.

"Thank you, Sister and Brother-in-law," Nawaki and Misaki replied in unison. They raised their sake cups, clinked them together, then held hands as they drank about a third of the contents.

Misaki, unused to alcohol, blushed almost immediately after taking a sip.

"I won't say anything else—just hurry up and have a baby," Kawakaze quipped, his tone as lighthearted as ever. He raised an eyebrow at Nawaki with an amused smirk.

"Ssshh~" Tsunade pinched Kawakaze's waist in a subtle but sharp reprimand. His loose tongue often got him into trouble. While his words weren't wrong, coming from him, they felt more like teasing than a heartfelt blessing.

Misaki, who had been observing the exchange, saw Kawakaze's attempt to mask his discomfort after the pinch, and she almost burst into laughter. Despite the playful nature of his comment, she took the blessing to heart.

"For this second toast, I won't let anyone else have it," Orochimaru declared, rising to his feet and taking Pakura's hand. His confident demeanor made it clear he believed this was exactly where he belonged.

"Is being a sensei really that big of a deal?" Jiraiya cut in, taking Maki's hand and standing as well, clearly determined not to be outdone. His expression seemed to say, As an older brother figure, I'm just as important as your Sensei.

"Sensei, Big Brother," Nawaki said quickly, stepping in to defuse the silent competition. "Misaki and I will drink first in your honor."

Catching his signal, Misaki nodded. They clasped hands once more and drank another third of their sake.

The gesture worked; Orochimaru swallowed whatever comment he had been about to make, and Jiraiya met his gaze. The two exchanged a brief, intense stare before softening into smiles and sitting back down.

Although their words of blessing came late, they carried a sense of unspoken understanding.

After the drink, the two groups sat down, and six members of Sakumo, Duy, and Shinku's families rose together.

It was clear they had coordinated beforehand. Their words of blessing flowed smoothly, without contention or competition, and their heartfelt sincerity was evident.

With the sake cups emptied, a fresh set was brought in. Nawaki and Misaki refilled each other's glasses as Ginji and Satsuki stood nearby, holding the tray with practiced precision.

"Brother Nawaki, Sister Misaki," Minato and Kushina said in unison, standing together.

"May your days ahead be full of warmth and sweetness, and may the flower of love always bloom."

No one else attempted to interrupt their turn.

At a table in the corner, two men and a woman raised their glasses silently, refraining from joining the crowd but offering their quiet acknowledgment of the occasion.

"Thank you. You're next," Nawaki said, offering a heartfelt blessing to his good friends.

Afterward, the formalities of the guests commenced. These were no ordinary well-wishers—they were prominent figures from various clans and ethnic groups. This gathering was undeniably a place of prestige and influence.

Nawaki responded to each guest's words with a polite smile, showing a maturity that belied his youthful years. In front of these distinguished individuals, he was no longer the naïve boy he once had been.

The three ceremonial cups of wine were completed in nine sips, marking the conclusion of the three-three-nine ritual.

Tsunade, standing nearby, nudged Kawakaze with her elbow. Her expression radiated joy—perhaps even more than if this were her own wedding.

Kawakaze understood her emotions perfectly. Nawaki was her younger brother, and their bond was rooted in blood and shared history. Moreover, he appreciated the profound symbolism behind the three-three-nine ceremony.

Rooted in the ancient Chinese yin-yang philosophy, Japan had long considered odd numbers to represent yang—symbols of prosperity and auspiciousness. The number three represented "heaven, earth, and humanity," encompassing the unity of all things in the universe. Nine, being the largest yang number, signified supreme good fortune.

The ceremony's progression of "three-three-nine ritual" symbolized paying respect to the heavens, the earth, and all realms, solidifying the couple's union as a sacred contract. From this moment, they were bound together through life and death, never to part.

Reflecting on this, Kawakaze couldn't help but feel a touch of smugness. Even in the world of Naruto, the influence of Chinese culture could still be seen.

"It's time to serve Grandma the tea," someone reminded them.

Nawaki and Misaki carefully set down their empty sake cups, then knelt on the ground before Mito.

"Here's the tea," Ginji and Satsuki said as they returned swiftly, having replaced the sake with tea.

"Grandma," Nawaki and Misaki said respectfully, raising the teacups high above their heads.

"Good children, I'm very happy today," Mito said warmly. She took a sip of the tea, its sweetness reflecting her mood.

When Nawaki and Misaki looked up, Mito slowly brought out a large red envelope from behind her back.

"This is a little something from Grandma. You can give it to Misaki to keep," she said with a gentle smile.

Inside the envelope was half of the remaining deed to Mito's house. The other half was reserved for Kushina.

Though Kushina wasn't her biological granddaughter, their bond had grown so deep over the years that the only thing separating them was a mere difference in blood.

"Thank you, Grandma," Misaki said as she accepted the red envelope without hesitation. To her, this wasn't just a material gift but a heartfelt blessing, a cherished token from her grandmother. The value of the item itself was secondary to its meaning.

"Grandma, you're biased," Nawaki teased, pretending to be aggrieved. "I'm your real grandson, after all!"

"You're right," Mito replied with a smirk. "Grandma is biased." She gave him a pointed look, as if daring him to challenge her further.

Nawaki had no response, his feigned dejection earning a burst of laughter from Misaki.

"Puff..." She couldn't help herself at the sight of Nawaki's exaggerated reaction.

"That's enough, get up," Mito said, her tone softening. "You still need to toast the guests." She stood and helped the newlyweds to their feet.

As the wedding neared its conclusion, Ginji and Satsuki were finally free from their duties as cupbearers. They swiftly returned to their parents after depositing the tray, clearly relieved.

Nawaki and Misaki proceeded forward, servants trailing behind them with wine for the toasts. Toasting each table was far from a comfortable task, and Misaki's face grew progressively redder, resembling the hue of a red namesake flower. Fortunately, as a skilled Medical-nin, Nawaki wasn't overly concerned about her health.

When they reached the elders' table, Nawaki's friends Minato and Shishi took the opportunity to ensure he had a few drinks, though they remained mindful not to overdo it.

By the time they reached the corner of the hall, Nawaki's steps had become slightly unsteady. Yet, he remained composed enough to deliver his thanks.

"Thank you all for coming to Misaki's and my wedding," he said clearly, his voice steady despite the alcohol.

"Happy wedding," came the reply.

"Happy wedding, Brother Nawaki," someone added.

Suddenly, a flash of recognition lit up Nawaki's eyes. He quickly focused his chakra to clear his head, trying to confirm what he was seeing. Across the room, two men and a woman stood together, their smiles warm yet unfamiliar. But their voices, their eyes—they were unmistakable.

Nagato and the others.

"Thank you, thank you," Nawaki said again, his emotions welling up. His joy was overwhelming, but he couldn't rush over to embrace them. His role as host demanded restraint. Three glasses of sake later, his eyes glistened with unshed tears.

Misaki noticed Nawaki's sudden change in demeanor and followed his gaze. Her brow furrowed as she studied the three figures, their identities gradually dawning on her. She confirmed it: Nagato.

"You all look unfamiliar," Misaki said cautiously, "but thank you for coming to our wedding. I also toast to you." She raised her cup and drank, her face still flushed from earlier.

"You're welcome," the three said in unison, their tone carrying the same playful warmth of old times.

"Are you going back after the wedding is over?" Nawaki asked casually, as if trying to mask the depth of his emotions in idle conversation.

"Well, there are still some things to take care of at home," Yahiko replied with a smile. "But being able to drink this cup of sake is enough for us."

The sentiment in Yahiko's voice was clear. Attending Nawaki's wedding and reuniting with familiar faces, even from a distance, had been worth the journey. Although they couldn't fully reconnect, there were no lingering regrets.

"Alright, see you again if the opportunity comes," Nawaki said, taking Misaki's hand and moving on.

As they walked away, his hand lightly brushed her cheek, catching the edge of her eye.

No words were needed—Nawaki knew their brotherly bond remained unbroken, no matter the distance or circumstances.